Health/Medical Volunteer Projects in Costa Rica

  Costa Rica

• San Jose: 
San Jose

Durations of Program: 2-4 weeks, 5-8 weeks and 9-12 weeks
Typical Duration of Program: 2-4 weeks
Dates: Throughout the year, every 1st or 3rd Monday of each month.

Description: Paramedical Assistant
Volunteers with this program work with a paramedical team in either San Jose or Heredia. You will get first-hand experience with the medical teams by responding to emergency calls in the ambulance. Volunteers will also receive some CPR and paramedical training. This is not only a great opportunity to get medical experience, but also to work closely with Costa Ricans in the medical field.   

Children's Hospital Assistant
Provide comfort and motivation for patients at a children's hospital. The women who work at the children's hospital are very interested in having volunteers come and help with activities with the children. Although this is not a medical placement with hands-on experience, it is an opportunity to observe doctor/patient relationships and to develop your bedside manner.

Highlights:
Accommodations:
During their volunteer projects, participants will live with a Costa Rican family either by themselves or with a group of other volunteers. Participants will be provided with 2-3 meals a day and laundry service. Living with a host family will give participants an invaluable insight into the "real" Costa Rica that they would never have experienced as a tourist.

** A handful of volunteer projects offer on-site living instead of home stay accommodations.

Language Classes:
To those who need them, optional language classes are available. These classes are held prior to starting the volunteer work and are usually one-on-one sessions with a personal tutor. They cost an additional USD 400/ week and include home-stay accommodations and meals. Classes are a great way to be introduced to a new country and improve participants' Spanish skills.

Volunteer Projects:
We have volunteer projects throughout Costa Rica. Below is a brief sample of the kinds of projects and locations we offer. If participants are interested in volunteering in an area they don't see below, they are welcome to consult with an AIDE coordinator. We do our best to accommodate all requests.

Qualifications:
* Participants must be at least 18 years of age
* Participants must be eligible to receive a tourist visa to Costa Rica
* Participants must be flexible and have a desire to contribute

Language Classes Fees
1 week: USD 400
2 weeks: USD 800
3 weeks: USD 1,200

Also Included:
* Pre-departure orientation
* Guaranteed Volunteer Placement
* Visa assistance (if needed)
* Travel/Medical insurance
* Airport pick-up
* Transfer to your accommodations
* Arrival orientation
* One way transportation to the city of your project
* Accommodations and meals
* Full-time local representative in Costa Rica
* 24/7 personal support
* Certificate of completion (upon request)

AIDE is a non-profit organization. Donations contributed in excess of the fair market value of the services you receive from AIDE may be tax deductible. Please consult your tax adviser for more information.

Experience Required: no

This Program is open to Worldwide Participants.

Participants Travel to Costa Rica Independently

Typically Participants Work Independently

Application Process Involves:

• In-Person Interview when Feasible
• Letters of Reference
• Phone Interview
• Resume
• Written Application

Post-Program Services Include:

• Alumni Network

AIDE 's Mission Statement: Through education and the exchange of ideas and people across borders, AIDE will build a worldwide community of global citizens who will be part of an ongoing intercultural conversation. AIDE will be a catalyst for change in the world by building bridges between individuals from diverse cultures.

Year Founded: 1992