This summer, four weeks in Ecuador gave UW-La Crosse students a new perspective on how language, culture and career intersect.
For UWL’s first Medical Spanish Immersion in Ecuador study abroad program, students from a range of disciplines combined Spanish language immersion, health care observation and cultural experiences. Led by Professors Antonio Martín Gómez and Maria Moreno Parra of UWL’s Global Cultures & Languages Department, the program was designed to prepare students to work more meaningfully with Spanish-speaking patients, professionals and communities.
Before traveling, students connected virtually with Ecuadorian students studying English at Pontificia Universidad Católica del Ecuador (PUCE) in Quito through a Collaborative Online International Learning (COIL) exchange.
They later met their “Global Buddies” in person and immersed themselves in Ecuadorian culture through advanced Spanish classes, hospital observations, homestays and visits to Indigenous communities in the Amazon and Highlands.
After arriving in Ecuador, students were paired with host families, who welcomed them into their homes and shared meals, customs and traditions.
“Second language learning happens the moment you have to use it to communicate with native speakers,” Martín Gómez says. “Living with a host family exposes you to new food, customs, sayings and traditions that make learning a second language much more meaningful and enjoyable.”
By the end of their stay, students reported significant improvement in their oral Spanish and a deeper understanding of the connection between language and culture.
“This experience taught me that language is more than vocabulary — it reflects culture, identity and perspective,” says Nevin Krause, an exercise and sport science major on the pre-physical therapy track with a Spanish minor. “This experience connected me more deeply to the world and to the people I hope to serve in my career.”
The program’s medical component gave students a chance to put those language skills into practice. After orientation from professionals in nursing, administration and psychology, students shadowed nurses and physicians at a private hospital. Depending on their experience, proficiency and interests, they observed clinical care, interacted with patients and participated in basic procedures.
For biomedical science major Lydia Mack, the hospital experience emphasized the importance of empathy and adaptability in healthcare.
“I realized that empathy can be just as powerful as any medical treatment,” Mack says. “Experiences like this one made me more resilient, more flexible and better prepared for the unpredictable situations I will face throughout my career.”
Students also explored the connection between health, culture and community during a visit to the Shiripuno Indigenous Kichwa community in the Amazon. They learned about ancestral traditions, medicinal plants, sustainable tourism and local food practices.
For Jules Nelson, an archaeological studies major with a Spanish minor, the experience reinforced the importance of building relationships with local communities.
“As an aspiring archaeologist specializing in Latin America, this experience reinforced that understanding a culture means building genuine relationships with local communities and honoring their perspectives,” Nelson says.
Although students came to Ecuador with different academic and career interests, they left with a shared lesson: language and cultural understanding can shape how people communicate, collaborate and build relationships in any profession.
“After three years of preparation, the results exceeded our expectations,” Moreno Parra says. “We wanted to offer an unforgettable experience abroad while also providing a rare medical experience that is not usually offered in higher education.”
Discover more study abroad opportunities
UWL continues to see growing student interest in faculty-led programs, semester study abroad, internships and international research.
Students can now apply for 2026/2027 study abroad/away opportunities at UWL Education Abroad/Away.
To learn more about the process and programs being offered, check out the Education Abroad/Away Fair on Wednesday, Sept. 23, in The Bluffs Ballroom in the Student Union, or attend an Education Abroad 101 session.
Written by UW-La Crosse
Link to original story: https://www.uwlax.edu/news/posts/a-deeper-understanding/