Program Reviews

There is no other way to explain the Ecuaexperience Bio-Med Program than as amazing. The whole month is jam packed full of hiking, med rotations, games, surfing, snorkeling and so much more. The program allows for insight into the Ecuadorian lifestyle and culture (learning about the jungle, the Quitchuan people, coffee, chocolate and so much more) and to work side-by-side with the community you are building houses for. The Bio-Med program also highlights various areas of healthcare and gives a first-hand insight into what it might be like to pursue a career in medicine, physiotherapy, or surgery. Additionally, the extra week in the Galapagos was understandably an amazing experience as the islands are world reknown. Overall, this program touches on every aspect that travel should: helping others, learning more about the world we live in, and discovering who you want to be as a person in that world.

The Ecuaexperience program through Help, Learn, Discover is an amazing 4 weeks packed with activities and unforgettable memories. During the help portion of the trip, students were guided through building houses in rural Ecuador, no building experience required! Students enrolled in the pre-medical programs also have the opportunity to shadow doctors at hospitals in Quito. Some of my favorite days were during medical rotations when the doctors in the OR explained the surgeries as they were happening and let us watch up close! Through the course of the program you travel all around Ecuador from the Andes to the coast and even the Galapagos Islands. Some of the activities included: snorkeling, rappelling down waterfalls and many scenic hikes. All that being said, we still had time to spend evenings with new friends. Juan and Jose, the founders of the program, are with you the entire trip and willing to help you make the most of your time in Ecuador. This trip was my second time volunteering in Ecuador and I would come back with Help, Learn, Discover. I would highly recommend this program.

Ecuaexperience truly is a magnificent journey, and not only a physical journey, but an internal spiritual one. You discover much about yourself and other people as you're volunteering with others on the trip, shadowing doctors in the hospital or just touring the country. This experience is eye opening because you get to discover so much. You get to learn about a third world country and how their life is different from yours in ways I couldn't imagine. You get to discover if you have a passion for a career in health care and you get to have a glimpse into the life of those in that profession. You get an undescribable feeling when you witness the joy of those you help in the remote villages of Ecuador. During my volunteer portion, my group and I lived in worse conditions than we were conditioned to, which gave me a slight understanding of how life is for the people we voluteer for.

I would hands down recommend this trip to anyone, whether you're looking for a volunteer opportunity, wanting to experience a profession in the hopsital or just looking to have fun because whatever you're reason might be, I am sure you will have an unforgettable trip!

I absolutely loved this trip. Not only did I meet friends for life, but I had so many great adventures! Highlights would include the volunteer portion and the various trips around the country. Canoa was amazing, Horseback riding in Cotopaxi, unforgettable, repelling down a waterfall ,crazy and adrenaline pumping! Then there was tubing down the Napa river and staying in the beautiful jungle cabins at the end of the ride. Honestly this whole month was a highlight. I can´t really pick a few without going on about every part of this trip! I loved it and I would recommend it to anyone with a heart for travel, getting to know new people and helping others. I can´t describe the emotion felt after fundraising for months then coming down here and physically getting my hands dirty and helping the community. It was amazing.

I have only good things to say about my experience here in Ecuador with HLD. From the moment we arrived the leaders and other staff were friendly and so supportive! The people you meet here become close very quickly and many of us have developed life long friendships. Medical rotations are executed with extreme professionalism and helped me get a sample of all the different specialized positions which ultimately helped me decide on what I wanted to pursue. As for the volunteering, the entire project spendings where determined by the students which was something that I valued greatly. The days spent volunteering felt so worth it as the communities chosen by the company are very greatful and help with the building project all the way through. Lastly, the activities (including an extra week in the Galapagos which was increadible) were memories and experiences I will never forget.

The past month has been one of the best months of my entire life. Every single day has been an adventure and an experience I wouldn't change for the world. The company is like no other and it starts with the owners. The owners are there every single day as friends, not supervisors, and that's what sets HLD apart from the rest. As well, the leaders are fantastic and supportive through everything we experience. From helping to build homes first hand, to learning the culture, and discovering every corner of Ecuador, I've had the most amazing experience and would love to come back as a leader one day! #hldtillidie

This trip definitely surpassed my expectations. There was a perfect balance between medical rotations on site volunteering in the community and leisure. The volunteering is well organized and gives you the chance to get to work closely with the community and get to know them better, making this experience even more gratifying. From the mountains in Cotopaxi to the beaches of Canoa it felt like we did it all. Tubing, waterfall repelling, jungle hikes, chocolate tours, were only few of the numerous amazing activities that we had the pleasure of doing during our stay. For students who are planing on pursuing a career in medicine the pre-med program is definitely an eye-opener. You get to assist surgeries, medical consultations, etc which really gives you a clear idea of what being a doctor entails. I have no complaints about this trip; I learned a lot, the food was great and everyone was very kind and welcoming. I would definitely recommend it to everyone!!!

This was one of the best months of my life. I was part of the bio-med program and so we go to go to the Galapagos for a week which was honestly one of the best experiences I've had. Overall the discover portion of this trip was unforgettable. We really packed in so many once in a life time experiences that really made me appreciate what Ecuador has to offer. The Medical rotations were pretty packed in as well and I definitely learned alot because the medical tutors were very knowledgable. Unfortunately, by chance my group didn't get to see as many surgeries but that was just because they were not happening during the the days we were. I personally thought the best day was when we got to go in to the operating rooms and see the surgeries really close up which is an opportunity that not many non medical students get. I agree that the volunteer portion was a little short and I do wish I got to interact with the community a little more. I did enjoy the challenge of fundraising though and seeing the definite progress in the homes. Overall this was an amazing experience with amazingly unique and fun people that I will always remember.

My favorite day of this trip was the day I got to climb up an active volcano on isabela island, or swimming with sea lions and penguins. In Quito I got to see multiple orthopedic surgeries and the community of pujili was so sweet! this was hands down the best 5 weeks of my life, and the quote in the 593 hostel "come as strangers, leave as friends" was so true.Ii consider so many people I have met on this trip to be family. I feel so blessed to have done something like this with my life! a HUGE shout out to Juan and Jose too, they make the trip unforgettable, with many hilarious, but also truly meaningful, speeches. Thank you HLD!!

I have researched many overseas programs before I selected this one, so I can tell you my reasons for choosing it. I specifically looked for a program with more health related concept than just general volunteer. I felt that many of the "volunteer" programs are more of touring than helping, but HLD is one that really need you to haul the cement (literally!). I also wanted to experience legitimate healthcare, not when they call stay-near-african-nursery-but-you-cant-go-in, a proper medical experience. And for discover, all I have to say is Juan and Jose knows where to party. You won't regret going to any of the towns they planned for you.

Here are the criteria of gooverseas.com, and I'll explain why each category I give its best.

Benefits: Worth. Two kinds of worth: what I paid for, and what I worked for to fund-raise before the trip. Not only the trip was fantastically done, fundraising to Gold Member is good deed for both the community and yourself too! HLD promised many GM benefits if you reach your fundraising goal, and you will definitely want all of them. Extra hour of surfing, GM trophy and goodies, and many more that will make the trip even better. Originally I was a bit hesitant paying 6k for the trip plus MP week, but after the trip I would give no hesitation to go back. As for fundraising experience, all your hard work will pay off throughout the trip and once you see the smiles of the families you will help.

Support: The leaders, guides and J+J makes sure you have been taken care of. A few times I've been left for a short while, but that is only because they have to take care of 40 other people too. You gotta understand that. During all three components of the trip, leaders and guides are with you. Never would you be left unsupported! I saw a comment about lack of communication before the trip, but that also depends on how anxious you will be. The leaders takes care of you starting from fundraising all the way to coming back.

Facilities: Would you expect good quality wifi in a third world country? I had to adjust my expectations before the trip, especially since the community you will be helping with most likely lack electricity completely, and clean water in general. Going on the trip reveal the amount of stuff I take for granted: too much. Don't expect hot water when you go volunteering, please. You will be experiencing the villager's lives, and they don't live with much that we do. That being said, your homebase hotel, as well as Discover travel hotels, are fully equipped with wifi and other amenities, enough bandwidth that I sneaked a game one latenight. (I apologize!) Many of them ARE all-inclusive hotel standard.

Fun: fun. much fun. fun day and night! Each location that I traveled, each piece of experience was filled with excitement and discovery. Absolutely nothing to regret.

Safety: There is not one point on the trip was I worried about safety. And I worry about safety when I can. Before the trip I was concerned with vaccines - please ensure you and your body is ready for the trip. Once that is done then there is nothing to worry.

I sincerely hope my comment will help settle any questions, and hope to see more HLD-ers out there!