Applications Open for Global Health Course in Ecuador

Ecuador course participants pose for a photo in Quito

Applications are now open for our global health course in Ecuador!

Ecuador: Social, Environmental, and Cultural Determinants of Health will take place May 18-31, 2026. Applications are due March 1.

This course is open to University of Minnesota graduate students, faculty, staff, alumni and members of the general public.

The course focuses on the social determinants of health, Indigenous health practices and health care infrastructure in Andean Ecuador. 

This is a great opportunity for students to learn from local experts and immerse themselves in Ecuadorian culture, including topics such as alternative ways of imagining health and development based around Indigenous Andean studies of healing, agriculture, space, and time.

Spanish language skills are not required for this course. Students will stay with a local Ecuadorian host family for lodging, providing additional opportunities for cultural immersion and building relationships. 

Course Curriculum

Students will learn about the determinants of health through observational field visits to urban health centers, Indigenous community gatherings, traditional healing centers, agricultural sites and rural communities. 

Topics covered include:

  • global health
  • Indigenous & intercultural health
  • agricultural development
  • urban and rural healthcare
  • Ecuadorian health systems
  • tropical medicine

Instructors

The course is offered in partnership with Fundación Cimas del Ecuador, and students will learn from local professors with expertise in the country’s healthcare environment. 

Instructors:

  • José Suárez – Fundación Cimas del Ecuador
  • Dolores López – Fundación Cimas del Ecuador
  • Rebecca Wurtz – School of Public Health, University of Minnesota
  • Additional faculty from universities in Quito and local community leaders

The students will be accompanied by a UMN program leader with experience living and learning abroad, who will serve as the primary contact and liaison during the course. 

Information Session on Feb. 4

CGHSR is hosting a course information session on Wednesday, Feb. 4, at 4:30 p.m. The session will be hosted via Zoom and allow interested students to learn more about the course and ask questions.

Register for the information session

Course Eligibility and Credit

UMN graduate students, faculty, staff and alumni are eligible to take this course. In addition, members of the general public are also welcome to apply.

Academic credit is available to UMN graduate students (2 credits) for the course (GHSR 6723). It is up to the student to confer with their academic unit to determine if it meets their specific program requirements. Students may be allowed to apply this program to other academic requirements per approval by their unit.

Learners who do not need academic credit, such as faculty, staff, alumni, and the general public, may enroll for non-credit and receive a reduced cost in the program fee. 

Scholarships

CGHSR offers scholarships ranging from $1,000 — $2,000 for this course. Additional scholarships may also be available from students' department or college. Learn more about our scholarships