Medicine in Moldova with Projects Abroad

  Moldova

Chisinau

Durations of Program: 2-4 weeks, 5-8 weeks and 9-12 weeks
Typical Duration of Program: 5-8 weeks
Dates: All Year Round (you set the start and end date)

Description: Medicine & Healthcare projects in Moldova are based in the capital, Chisinau, where we work with eight different medical centers. These range from small clinics to large hospitals and it is possible to get a broad range of experience if you are spending a reasonable length of time on the project. Medicine & Healthcare projects in Moldova are open to anybody with an interest in the area, whether you are on your gap year and looking to gain some experience to help with your university application, a student currently training in Medicine or Physical Therapy, or an experienced professional on a career break.

Your medical supervisor will be Boris Topor MD Ph.D, who is Professor and Chief of the Department of Topographical Anatomy and Operative Surgery. Boris speaks perfect English and will organize your placement, as well as guiding you through the day-to-day realities of medicine and healthcare in a developing country. He will let you experience a range of opportunities of working with local doctors and you will be able to see a lot more than is normally possible in your home country. Many of the doctors speak English, but for those who do not, a local medical student will be provided by Projects Abroad to act as a translator.

There are a number of available placements, including Nicolae Testemiteanu the State Medical and Pharmaceutical University, where Boris gives regular lectures. You are welcome to join him on these, and meet with current Moldovan medical students. You will probably also wish to pay a visit to the Chisinau Medical Museum.

Two other important placements are the Mother and Baby Unit and the Pediatric Hospital (E.Cotaga). There are also opportunities to work in a trauma department, ER, Oncology and Surgery. If you are interested in homeopathic medicine you could choose to spend some time working in a new homeopathic medical center.

Medical Electives in Moldova

If you wish to do your elective in Moldova, you will be working in a large university hospital or a disabled center in Chisinau. You will shadow one of our supervisors who are experienced at working with western medical and physical therapy students. They will be keen to test out your knowledge, as well as giving you the benefit of their training and experience.

Medicine students will be able to improve their skills by helping doctors in investigations (taking case-histories) and diagnosis-establishment, as well as practical activities like bandaging and injections. At coffee breaks it will be interesting for you to talk with other doctors, sharing your experiences and learning from their wealth of experience.

Outside of the hospital you will live with a local host family, who will provide you with all your meals outside of your normal working hours. When you arent at work Chisinau is a very pleasant place to spend your time. There is plenty of history and culture to immerse yourself in, and a friendly group of Projects Abroad staff and volunteers with whom to socialize.

Highlights: The standard Moldovan language is considered by most linguists to be identical to standard Romanian, which is an eastern Romance language. Colloquial spoken 'Moldovan' differs from Romanian because it has a distinct Russian influence. Native Russian is spoken by a significant minority of the population. Moldovan culture has the same roots as Romanian culture, and has been influenced by Roman colonization, the Byzantine Empire, neighboring Slavic and Magyar populations, Ottoman Turks, Slavic and Russian culture and most recently Western Europe, especially France (French influence can be seen in literature and art).

All accommodation is organized, paid for, and monitored by Projects Abroad. All project placements are regularly visited and checked. We require high standards of supervision and accommodation, which are verified before you arrive in Moldova.

This project offers the opportunity to become fully immersed in the culture in a manner which even the most hardened of backpackers could never hope to do.

Qualifications: None.

Cost in US$: From $ 2,695 up

Experience Required: no

Typical Volunteer: Open-minded with a desire to travel.

Age Range: 16-80

This Program is open to World Wide Participants. This Program is also open to Couples and Individuals

Participants Travel to Moldova Independently Or in Groups

Typically Participants Work Independently Or in Groups

Application Process Involves:

• Letters of Reference
• Written Application

Post Services Include:

• Alumni Network
• Exit DebriefingAbroad
• Re-Entry Debriefing at Home

Projects Abroad's Mission Statement: As part of the global economy, Projects Abroad helps create local employment wherever we send volunteers. Employing local staff overseas and using their talents and knowledge is important to us. This local knowledge and support enables the organization to channel the skills of the volunteers from more affluent countries to regions around the world where they are needed. Volunteers also learn from their placements and the people they meet, and they gain experience in a chosen field. In the 21st century, we believe this mutual respect is what cultural exchange is all about.

Year Founded: 1992