Program Photos
Medical Volunteer Placements - Costa Rica
Location: Costa Rica: Cartago, Guanacaste, San Jose
Term: Throughout the year
Program Duration: 1-2 weeks, 2-4 weeks, 5-8 weeks, 3-6 months (includes high school academic semester abroad)
Typical Duration of Program: 2-4 weeks
Dates: Programs begin every Monday
Call Us
Phone: UNITED STATES: +1 800 866 6358 PERU: + 51 84 58 1800 COSTA RICA: +506 2253 9220 GUATEMALA: +502 7932 1500
Description
Maximo Nivel's health projects provide volunteers with the opportunity to work in hospitals, clinics, and with special projects providing healthcare to disadvantaged and at-risk people in Costa Rica and Peru. Volunteers work alongside doctors, nurses, therapists, and other medical professionals in urban or rural areas.
Medical volunteers assist with general check-ups and examinations of patients, as well as assist in triaging emergency patients. Some projects include traveling to patients homes in rural areas to help with vaccinations and care for patients who have become immobilized. Volunteers may also work firsthand with patients suffering from tropical diseases. Depending on the volunteers ability to conduct themselves in Spanish and the expertise they demonstrate, projects will let you work as independently as possible.
Here is an excerpt from a volunteer-doctor (in Peru):
"I found this both humbling and empowering. That they can practice the quality of medicine that they do with the financial restrictions they face is very impressive. I felt it was very clever (of them) to have me work in topical medicine as it is very visual given my limited to non-existent Spanish. To me, anyone volunteering at the clinic is afforded an extraordinary window into medicine in Peru and they can make a real difference. (Volunteers) bringing additional money can also make an extraordinary difference as the cost of an X-ray is only USD 6.00 and medicine is USD 1.00, yet a number of patients cannot afford these small amounts, which could be life changing."
Highlights
Of all of the places on earth, Costa Rica is by far one of the most exotic. The country offers unparalleled natural beauty, active volcanoes, rainforests, and a wide range of national parks and eco-tourism. In addition, Costa Rica has over 1,000 miles of gorgeous white-and-black sand beaches, copious amounts of sunshine, world-class sport fishing, snorkeling and surfing!
Qualifications
Placement in health projects requires notarized documentation of your medical school, nursing school, or other medical credentials.
Medical placements ARE available for people without medical training. These projects work with children who have mental or physical disabilities. Volunteers help feed, bathe, and play with the children, and may be asked to assist in physical therapy.
Intern Types
- Admin (Health Services)
- Medicine
- Nursing
- Physical Therapy
Languages
- English
- Spanish
Cost in US$:
Prices vary. Please contact us for more information.
Cost Include Description:
Program Includes:
- Personalized volunteer placement based on your skills and interests.
- Safe, comfortable housing and three meals per day Monday - Sunday.
- An experienced English-speaking program manager who will provide orientation, supervision and guidance throughout your stay.
- 10 hours per week of intensive Spanish instruction.
- Unlimited free access to high-speed internet and modern computers plus office-wide WiFi access Monday - Sunday.
- Free snack bar
- Free Salsa lessons
- Monthly open-bar International Party
- A toll-free emergency hotline in the U.S.
Credit Available
yes
Experience Required
yes
Volunteer Types
- Childcare/children
- Disability Issues
- Handicapped
- Health
- Health Care
- Hospital
- Medicine
- Nursing
- Professional Services
Age Range
25 - 75 years oldThis Program is open to
Worldwide Participant. This Program is also open to Families, Couples and Individuals.
Typical Living Arrangements
- Group living
- Home-stays
- Apartment/Flat
- Independent living
- Other
Participants Travel to Costa Rica
Independently or in Groups
Application Process Involves
- Online Application plus Application Assessment
- Written Application
Typically The Application Process Time is
1 dayMaximo Nivel's Mission Statement
Strives to be the absolute best center for international Work/Study programs, by being the most professional, creative, and hardest-working organization in every country where we operate.
Year Founded
2003
