11-Day Costa Rica Medical Volunteer Program for Students

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

11-Day Costa Rica Medical Volunteer Program for Students

Learn what it takes to run a mobile clinic and take part in a MEDLIFE development project in the Guanacaste region of Costa Rica on this medical Career Experience program for high school students. Under the guidance of MEDLIFE doctors and medical professionals, you will help provide free healthcare to local communities, while also contributing half of your service time to hands-on community infrastructure projects. This combination Community Service/Career Experience summer program in Costa Rica is led by our amazing staff, who are there to support, guide and provide reflection on the impact of the work we do throughout the program and promote the value of empathy and cultural sensitivity. Teens will walk away with hands-on medical support experience and a greater understanding of the complexities and challenges of public health in remote communities. In addition to your volunteer service, this teen program includes amazing adventures like learning to surf, zip-lining over the forest canopy, enjoying a catamaran snorkel cruise and more! It won’t be long until you will fall in love with all things Costa Rican and the Pura Vida lifestyle.

Program Highlights

• Help set up and run a medical mobile clinic.

• Rotate work stations (medical, public health, pharmacy, etc.).

• Learn about the health challenges facing rural communities.

• Zip-line over a lush forest canopy.

• Learn to surf with professional instructors.

• Take part in a MEDLIFE development project.

• Enjoy the refreshing waters of Tamarindo beach.

• Sail the coast aboard a catamaran snorkel cruise.

About MEDLIFE

Founded in 2004, MEDLIFE works in undeveloped communities in Latin America and Africa to provide medicine, education and other community needs. MEDLIFE establishes mobile clinics to bring free healthcare directly to communities in need. The clinics are staffed by local medical professionals and offer basic treatment and long-term preventative screenings.

Service Projects

MEDLIFE Mobile Clinics

You will shadow medical professionals, work directly with locals, and help implement health care programs to provide you with a greater understanding of public health initiatives. You will assist with the following tasks:

• Baseline Vital Signs – shadow a doctor as you learn the professional manner to take a pulse, blood pressure and other vitals.

• Health Education – witness how a physician educates patients on areas of health care and help provide information.

• Pharmacy – learn about prescriptions and offer care to patients as you help to distribute medication.

• General Practitioner – assist the health care practitioner as they conduct routine health exams.*

*Should a patient not feel comfortable with a student in the room, they may be asked to wait outside until the next patient’s turn.

MEDLIFE Development Project

Take part in a development project that will directly benefit the community. Past MEDLIFE projects include installing modernized bathrooms, basic kitchen upgrades, and school renovations.

Travel Highlights

Tamarindo, Costa Rica

Enjoy beautiful Tamarindo beach where you’ll take surf lessons with professionals who will have you up on the board in no time • Soar above the trees on a thrilling zip-line adventure • Kick back and relax as you cruise the stunning coast of Guanacaste aboard a chartered catamaran • Hop in the water to snorkel and swim with your newfound friends!

Accommodations

Tamarindo Beach, Costa Rica

Your group will stay at Pueblo Dorado Hotel near Tamarindo Beach. Facilities include a pool, air-conditioned rooms, Wi-Fi, and recreation space.

About This Program

What It's Like

The perfect balance of meaningful service projects, cultural immersion and unforgettable adventures.

Cultural Sensitivity

This program requires an open mind to experience a different culture, new foods and new surroundings.

35 Service Hours

A certificate of completion detailing the program's service hours and projects will be issued after the trip.

Local Guide

A professional guide accompanies the group to assist, educate and immerse the students into the local culture.

Transportation

Chartered, air conditioned motor coach with a professional driver.

Accommodations

Basic hotels.

Meals

Includes breakfast, lunch and dinner daily.

Activities

Includes all recreation & activities listed.

Group Size

Up to 15 participants.

Dietary Options

We can accommodate most dietary preferences and allergies.

More Details

Program Specifics

Flight To Liberia, Costa Rica

We offer a chaperoned flight to Costa Rica from South Florida. Based on enrollment, participants from the New York area may also have a chaperoned flight. Final flight details are determined in the spring. For our many travelers from outside these areas, you can choose to connect to the chaperoned flight, or reserve a flight arriving & departing within our flight parameters. Our staff will greet you as you come through customs and immigration.

Return Flight Home from Liberia, Costa Rica

We offer a chaperoned flight back to South Florida. Depending on the geographic group makeup, the chaperoned flight will return to South Florida, New York, or both. For our many travelers from outside these areas, you may choose to join the chaperoned flight and arrange transfers (if required) at suitable times after the group has cleared customs and immigration in the USA; or you may fly from Liberia to your home city and our leaders help you to check-in and remain in the airport until flights in designated times have departed.

Where We Stay

We carefully select clean and comfortable accommodations with the needs of our students in mind. While our volunteer programs do not stay at luxury resorts, we do know that a good night’s rest, in your own bed, is key to performing your service hours well and having enough energy to enjoy the day’s activities. For this reason, and also to maintain the close group bond and to uphold the quality of this program, we do not offer any homestays.

Meals & New Cuisines

Eating well while away from home is an important part of a summer’s success. We understand how it helps our travelers feel secure, happy and looking forward to their day. Part of your travel experience will be immersing yourself in the local cuisine and culture, so please bring with you an open mind and a willingness to try new things. For example, Costa Rican traditional cuisine offers plenty of rice, beans, meat dishes and tons of fresh fruit, but don’t worry, they also have North American style options on the menu.

We have satisfied the choosiest of eaters and gladly accommodate most special dietary requests including vegetarian, food allergies, lactose intolerance, celiac disease, and kosher style. We welcome discussing your individual requirements with you and have extensive experience in this area.

Drinking Water

It’s generally okay to drink tap water in Costa Rica, except for a few select areas. As a precaution, we will provide purified drinking water in large containers so that travelers can fill up their reusable water bottles as needed.

Vaccinations

We recommend you follow the advice of the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), and consult with your physician for current immunizations and medication required for travelers to Costa Rica. These recommendations may change from time to time. We will send you detailed information in March (or upon enrollment if later) regarding the current recommendations for this itinerary.

Laundry

You will only need one week’s worth of clothing as outlined in the packing list that will be sent to you prior to departure. Every week you will drop off your laundry at a local wash and fold service and then pick it up clean, folded and ready to go.

What's Included

Included in your program tuition is all lodging, breakfast, lunch and dinner daily, recreation & entertainment listed, airport transfers in designated times, gratuities & taxes.

Not included is transportation to and from the program and personal spending money for snacks, souvenirs, laundry and the application fee. We also make available optional travel insurance that is not included, but highly recommended.

Liberia — Google Maps ↗

Guanacaste Province, Liberia, Costa Rica Google Maps ↗