Hands-On Medical Internship in Beautiful Guatemala with Travellers Worldwide

  Guatemala

Antigua

Term: Academic Year, Fall, Spring, Summer, Throughout the year, Trimester, Winter 
Durations of Program: 1-2 weeks, 2-4 weeks, 5-8 weeks, 9-12 weeks, 3-6 months, 7-12 months and 1-2 years
Typical Duration of Program: 2-4 weeks
Dates: Avilable all year round with flexible start and finish dates

Description: The centre you'll be working at is a community health care centre open to the general public, and designed to support the poorer section of the community. It's usually staffed by a single Doctor only, who is supported by a few staff members, so your help here is very badly needed. The centre is run entirely free of charge for patients who cannot afford to pay.

As with any placement, but its especially true with those projects based in medicine; the greater your knowledge, ability and experience that you bring with you, the more you will be asked and able to participate, especially in the more advanced tasks.

However, if you are a volunteer with limited experience you may be able to join in and get involved in helping with such activities such as weighing babies, measuring temperature and taking blood pressure etc.

Volunteers who combine knowledge and experience with a good understanding of Spanish may be asked to do even more through educating the people in general health matters, participating in the pre-consultation of patients, helping with the vaccination of babies and also assisting the doctor with other tasks.

The health centre is very basic. It is not as well-equipped and you should not expect the same standard as you would find back home. The centre performs a very valuable and vital role within the community under exceptionally hard circumstances. Your assistance will be valued hugely.

What You'll Gain From Doing This Project:
--> An exciting, never-to-be-forgotten adventure into undiscovered Central America.
--> New skills, more confidence, a greater understanding of a different culture, invaluable personal and professional development.
--> An entry on your CV or résumé that will put you head and shoulders above most others in the job market
--> The enormous satisfaction of helping disadvantaged children and knowing that you made a difference to them
--> And maybe best of all ... an unforgettable experience!

Additional Activities You Can Do While On Your Project:
Whether you're an adventure-mad extreme sports enthusiast or a nature-loving bird-watcher, Guatemala's awesome unspoilt natural habitat will have something for you. The extraordinary terrain around the volcanoes and caves provides the perfect setting for mountaineering and caving (spelunking) whereas the fast-moving rivers are ideal for boating, white-water rafting and windsurfing, with Lake Atitlán also popular for diving. There's also a nearby turtle sanctuary.

Beside this, you can also find ample opportunity to go mountain biking, bathe in hot springs surrounded by lush green jungle, or indulge your passion for nature in one of the country's national parks.
Travellers' placements are very flexible and you can combine this project with any other Travellers project, either in the same country or in different countries.

Our users Say...
"Antigua is absolutely stunning. I cannot stress how stunning it really is. I wish I could zap you all here just so you can see it for yourselves."

"I really feel that I was very well informed and it was as I expected. I met many volunteers there and have to say that of them all I was the best prepared for my stay in Guatemala. I also feel that the team were in constant touch with me and answered all my concerns and queries immediately. As an older volunteer with a family, it was important that I had support, which I certainly did. Thank you very much for making it so much easier. I was very happy with every aspect of my stay."

Highlights:
What To Do Next:

Talk to us - We're there to help you.
Most of our team are ex Travellers volunteers and are ideally qualified to offer advice and guidance because they know what you're looking for. They'll help you find your perfect project - and then make it all happen!
If you'd like more information about this or any of our projects, please email or call us!

If you'd like to apply for this project, please go to our website and complete the application form. As soon as we receive it, we'll liaise with you and then start making your travel adventure happen. It's as easy as that.

Accommodation and Food:
Accommodation with host families means that Travellers volunteers get to eat, sleep, work, socialise and generally live like a Guatemalan. Local family homestays enable you to fully experience the local culture from the inside. Many of our volunteers remain friends with their host families long after they leave Guatemala and in some cases they return to the country later especially to visit their family. Some homestays are more like small hotels, which can accommodate between 1 and 10 volunteers at any one time. Many offer the option of single or shared rooms, and generally houses within the same town are in close proximity with each other. The accommodation is comfortable, with a 'western-style' bathroom.

All of your meals will be provided from Monday to Saturday, leaving you free to sample local eateries on Sundays. Expect to develop a taste for corn tortillas, tostadas and tacos in plentiful supply! Although it could be said that the emphasis with Guatemalan food is more nutritional than culinary, western and international dishes are also easily available in Antigua. Although Guatemalans are big on eating meat, we can easily cater for vegetarians.

Location:
With majestic volcanoes rising out of lush green rainforest, highland villages steeped in tradition and vibrant, spirited people, Guatemala put quite simply is a magical destination!

Beautiful Antigua, where all of our placements are based, is arguably the most picturesque and certainly one of the oldest cities in Central America, characterised by a mellow, yet distinctly international feel. The local residents of Antigua are warmly referred to as Green bellies or panza verde due to the abundance of avocados that grow in the region.

Antigua's splendour is protected by three giant guardian volcanoes Agua, Fuego and Acatenango, providing a stunning setting which attracts thousands of visitors every year. Antigua is one of the most popular places in Central America to learn Spanish so you are bound to meet lots of other students and travellers!

Qualifications: The project welcomes medical students, nurses, and doctors to assist. You should have some knowledge of medicine, and intermediate Spanish skills to take part in this project. If you don't feel that your Spanish is up to scratch - we can help by organising an intensive Spanish course before you start the placment.

Cost in US$: Varies depending on length. Starts from 895 USD

Experience Required: yes

The project welcomes medical students, nurses, and doctors to assist. You should have some knowledge of medicine, and intermediate Spanish skills to take part in this project. If you don't feel that your Spanish is up to scratch - we can help!

Typical Volunteer: This placement would suit people who want to expand their professional and personal development, gain valuable work experience, want first-hand experience of a different culture and who have initiative. Everyone is welcome on a Travellers programme, whether gap year, undergraduate, on a career break - or even retired! From 17 years old upwards, and all nationalities.

Age Range: 17 to 70+ All ages are welcome on Travellers Placements

This Program is open to American, Asian, Australian, Canadian, European, Kiwi, South African and Worldwide Participants. This Program is also open to Families, Couples and Individuals

Participants Travel to Guatemala Independently or in Groups

Typically Participants Work Independently or in Groups

Application Process Involves:

• Letters of Reference
• Online Application plus Application Assessment
• Resume

Post-Program Services Include:

• Exit Debriefing Abroad
• Re-Entry Debriefing at Home

Travellers Worldwide's Mission Statement: Travellers Worldwide organises all types of worthwhile and beneficial voluntary placements in local communities. We also provide Work Experience & Internship opportunities, as well as different types of Courses and study abroad options. We have many diverse projects, from teaching underprivileged or refugee children in schools, orphanages and care homes, to conservation and rehabilitation of endangered animals, such as orangutans, lion cubs, dolphins, elephants. Our aim is to make a difference to the communities we work in and to facilitate personal and professional growth in our volunteers. We employ local people in our destination countries and local providers of goods and services, thus ensuring we have a positive impact on the community. Our ethos encompasses mutual respect, cultural exchange, responsible travel and a beneficial outcome for all. Travellers also arranges work experience placements in Journalism, Law, Veterinary, Medicine, Tourism, Architecture, and many more. There are also opportunities to learn languages and other skills such as Capoeira in Brazil, Tango in Argentina or Flying in South Africa. These projects are unique - and tailored to suit you! Our placements are flexible (2 weeks to 1 year) and on most you can choose your own start and finish dates. No qualifications are required, just an enthusiasm to experience a new culture! Full support is provided within the country, with friendly and conscientious staff, ensuring a safe and exciting way to experience a brand new culture! Placements are also very sociable: you'll make friends with the other international volunteers and often volunteers travel together after their placement and during their free weekends. We help you to Make a Difference and have an exciting adventure travel experience!

Year Founded: 1995