11-Day Costa Rica Medical Volunteer Program for Students

Course Description: 11-Day Costa Rica Medical Volunteer Program for Students

🩺 Costa Rica Medical Volunteer Program for Students

Learn what it takes to support a mobile medical clinic in Costa Rica’s Guanacaste Region on this combined Community Service & Career Experience program for high school students.

Under the guidance of MEDLIFE doctors and other medical professionals, students help provide free healthcare to local communities while gaining a real-world understanding of public health in remote areas.

Alongside your service, you’ll enjoy surfing lessons, zip-lining over the forest canopy, and a catamaran snorkel cruise – all while soaking up Costa Rica’s Pura Vida lifestyle and building a close-knit group of new friends. 🌴🌊

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🌟 Program Highlights

• Help set up and run a medical mobile clinic.

• Rotate through stations such as medical, public health, pharmacy, and general practitioner support.

• Learn about the health challenges facing rural communities.

• Take part in a MEDLIFE development project that directly benefits the community.

• Zip-line over lush forest canopy.

• Learn to surf with professional instructors.

• Enjoy the refreshing waters of Tamarindo beach.

• Sail the coast on a catamaran snorkel cruise.

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🤝 About MEDLIFE

MEDLIFE (founded in 2004) works in underserved communities in Latin America and Africa to provide medicine, education and development support.

• They establish mobile clinics to bring free healthcare directly to communities in need.

• Clinics are staffed by local medical professionals and offer basic treatment plus long-term preventative screenings.

Students on this program plug into that impact on the ground.

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🩺 Service Projects

1️⃣ MEDLIFE Mobile Clinics

Students shadow medical professionals, interact directly with local residents, and help implement health care initiatives. Tasks include:

• Baseline Vital Signs

• Shadow a doctor and learn the professional way to take pulse, blood pressure, and other vitals.

• Health Education

• Observe how physicians educate patients about health topics and help share information.

• Pharmacy

• Learn about prescriptions, help organize and distribute medications to patients.

• General Practitioner Support

• Assist the healthcare practitioner while they conduct routine health exams.*

*If a patient is not comfortable with a student in the room, the student may be asked to step outside until the next patient is seen.

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2️⃣ MEDLIFE Development Project

Help with a development project that directly benefits the community.

Past projects have included:

• Installing modernized bathrooms

• Basic kitchen upgrades

• School renovations

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🌴 Travel Highlights – Tamarindo, Costa Rica

Based around Tamarindo in Guanacaste, students will:

• Enjoy the beautiful Tamarindo beach.

• Take surf lessons with professional instructors who will have you standing on the board in no time 🏄‍♂️.

• Zip-line above the trees on a thrilling canopy adventure.

• Relax on a chartered catamaran along the Guanacaste coast.

• Snorkel and swim with your new friends in the Pacific.

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🛏️ Accommodations

Tamarindo Beach, Costa Rica

Students stay at one of the following hotels near Tamarindo Beach:

• Pueblo Dorado Hotel

• Wyndham Tamarindo

Facilities include:

• Pool

• Air-conditioned rooms

• Wi-Fi

• Recreation space

Accommodations are basic but comfortable, selected with student needs and rest in mind.

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💚 What It’s Like

• A meaningful blend of hands-on service, cultural immersion, and fun adventure activities.

• Strong emphasis on empathy, cultural sensitivity, and reflecting on the impact of your work.

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🌍 Cultural Sensitivity

This program requires:

• An open mind

• Willingness to experience new foods, different customs, and unfamiliar surroundings

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📜 Service Hours & Certification

• Students complete 35 hours of service.

• A certificate of completion detailing service hours and project work is issued after the trip.

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👨‍🏫 Local Guide

• A professional local guide accompanies the group to:

• Assist with logistics

• Educate students

• Help immerse everyone in the local culture

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🚌 Transportation

• Chartered, air-conditioned motor coach with a professional driver.

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🏨 Accommodation Style

• Basic hotels – clean and comfortable, chosen with student safety and rest in mind.

• No homestays, to maintain group cohesion and consistent program quality.

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🍽️ Meals

• Includes breakfast, lunch and dinner daily.

Food is an important part of feeling secure and energized, so students are encouraged to:

• Try traditional Costa Rican cuisine such as:

• Rice and beans

• Meat dishes

• Plenty of fresh fruit 🍍🍌🥭

• But there are also North American–style options available.

Most dietary needs can be accommodated, including:

• Vegetarian

• Food allergies

• Lactose intolerance

• Celiac disease

• Kosher-style

Families are welcome to discuss individual requirements in advance; the organizers have extensive experience managing dietary needs.

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💧 Drinking Water

• Tap water is generally safe in Costa Rica, except for a few select areas.

• As a precaution, purified drinking water is provided in large containers so students can fill their reusable bottles throughout the day.

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💉 Health & Vaccinations

• Families are advised to follow the latest guidance from the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) and consult their physician for:

• Current immunizations

• Any recommended medications for Costa Rica

Updated information is sent around March (or upon enrollment if later), reflecting the current recommendations for this itinerary.

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🧺 Laundry

• Students only need about one week’s worth of clothing.

• Laundry is done weekly using a local wash-and-fold service.

• Clothes are dropped off and then picked up clean, folded, and ready to go.

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👥 Group Size

• Up to 24 participants.

• Small enough to stay personal and supportive, big enough for students to form different friendship circles.

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🥗 Dietary Options

• Most dietary preferences and allergies can be accommodated.

• Families are encouraged to share specific needs ahead of time.

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✈️ Program Specifics

Flight to Liberia, Costa Rica

• A chaperoned flight to Costa Rica is offered from South Florida.

• Based on enrollment, there may also be a chaperoned flight from the New York area.

• Final flight details are set in the spring.

• Students from other areas may:

• Connect to a chaperoned flight, or

• Reserve flights that arrive and depart within set time parameters.

Staff will greet students after customs and immigration in Liberia.

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Return Flight Home from Liberia

• A chaperoned flight back to South Florida is offered.

• Depending on group composition, chaperoned flights may return to South Florida, New York, or both.

• Students from other regions may:

• Join the chaperoned flight and then arrange onward transfers after the group clears U.S. customs and immigration, or

• Fly directly from Liberia to their home city, with leaders assisting with check-in and staying until flights in the designated window depart.

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✅ What’s Included

• All lodging

• Breakfast, lunch and dinner daily

• All recreation & activities listed

• Airport transfers at designated times

• Gratuities & taxes

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❌ Not Included

• Transportation to and from the program (international flights)

• Personal spending money for:

• Snacks

• Souvenirs

• Laundry

• Optional travel insurance (available but not included)