Medical Electives in Costa Rica

Medical Electives in Costa Rica is perfect for healthcare or medical students who are in are thinking of majoring in medicine or a related field. Medical students will be placed in local clinics where you will get to learn about healthcare systems of a developing country. On this program, you will be Shadowing doctors in the treatment of patients, Helping sort medical supplies, Preparing medical equipment, Helping in emergencies and field visits,Helping in health awareness workshops, Observing and assisting in minor surgeries.

On this program volunteers will be able to help with essential healthcare tasks and may shadow local medical professionals to observe and assist them with their work. It’s a great opportunity to see clinical practice in action and enjoy the cross-cultural exchange of ideas and learnings that comes from volunteering in another country’s healthcare system. Participants must have proven training in medicine or nursing or be studying in their second year or above. Participants must have at least A2 level of Spanish before commencing the program. 4 week min commitment is required on this program.

Volunteer in Costa Rica Gallery

What is involved

Costa Rica offers free healthcare to its citizens, but resources are limited and help is always needed. What medical volunteers are able to do on the project depends on a number of factors including local regulations, training, qualifications, how well you speak Spanish, your ability to show initiative and how long you spend on the project. Duties for unqualified volunteers will generally include:

Distributing and sorting medication
Assisting with rehabilitation exercises
Helping with meals and bathing
Making beds and cleaning
Providing companionship to patients

Qualified professionals who can commit to 4 weeks and have advanced Spanish may also be able to:

Shadowing doctors in the treatment of patients
Helping sort medical supplies
Helping in emergency situations
Helping in health awareness workshops

Some details

Pickups are available from 8am-10 pm on specified dates at designated airports or hotels near
airports.
Participants not arriving on these dates will have to meet with the local team independently or pay
extra transportation fees.

Easter Holidays Sun, Apr 15th, 2025 – Sat, Apr 19, 2025-
Projects close from Christmas until new years.

Important holidays to note for 2025:

Jan 1st
Sept 15th
April 16-18th
May 1st
July 25th
Dec 25th

2025

Jan 5,12,26

Feb 2,9,16

Mar 2,9,23,30

Apr 6,27

May 4,11,18,25

Jun7,14,28

Jul 6,13,20

Aug 3,10,17,24

Sep 7,21,28

Oct 5,12,19

Nov 2,9,16,23,30

Dec n/a

PROGRAM LOCATION

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This program is based in San Ramon de Alejuela and surrounding areas.

This gem of a country has something for almost every traveler, from surfing and scuba diving to hiking and exploring the charming towns. The terrain and ecosystems are incredibly varied and home to 6% of the Earth's biodiversity. Mountains rise from the Pacific Ocean and the Caribbean Sea to form the spine of Costa Rica and define hundreds of micro-climates. Over 25% of the country is protected in an extensive national park and preserve system.

You will be staying in a home stay which is basic, but clean and comfortable. You will be in a private room with a shared bathroom. The home stay house also has a small sitting room and kitchen with access to a cooking facilities and WiFi. The house soon feels like home, a great place to relax after a rewarding day of volunteering.

Volunteers are provided with 2 meals a day at your homestay. There is a variety of food available, including options to suit restricted diets such as vegetarian or vegan. Typical dishes on the menu include rice and beans, tamale, Casado, Black bean soup, tortillas, and lots more!

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What your first week looks like

Arrival day

On arrival at the airport we will pick you up and transfer you to your accommodation. Depending on your time of arrival, the team will meet you and give you a local orientation, health and safety briefing, and project training before we take you in for your program.

Weekdays

Your project coordinator or a member of the team will be taking you to the project and after introductions you can get started. Your two meals breakfast and dinner are included. Lunch is at the project site and you can pick up something locally. In the evenings most volunteers spend exploring the area, relaxing at the accommodation or preparing for projects.

Weekend

During your free time in Costa Rica, we encourage volunteers to explore as much as possible. There are some phenomenal pristine beaches where you can surf or swim, volcanoes and biodiversity such as rainforests and waterfalls. Volunteers generally book trips in country with other and our local team can help you book weekend trips.

Weekend activities

Monteverde Rainforest

This is the most famous cloud forest in Costa Rica with hiking, zip lining,& long suspension bridges.

Pacific Coast

The central Pacific coast is home to beaches & national parks. You can also visit North & South coast.

Tabacon Hot Springs

Because of the active volcanoes in central Costa Rica, there are lots of natural hot springs.

Surfing

Costa Rica has some of the best surfing beaches in the world suitable for beginners or pro level!

Testimonial Videos

Family Volunteering

India

Michael & Darla Stoddart family from Canada on the India Family Volunteer Program, November 2019.

With children aged 10 and 7 we curated a program for the family where they participated on our kindergarten teaching program for 2 weeks with lots of staff support and also got ample time to explore India with their children.
Medical Volunteering

Nepal

Meet our medical students from the University of Newcastle, Australia, May 2019.

This group of students signed up to join the medical electives placement in Nepal for 4 weeks where we gave them a rotation in various departments of the hospital. Their medical placement allowed them to earn credits on their medical degree and learn from patient cases they would not normally see back home and
Women’s Empowerment

India

Isis Barei & Caitlin Neil from the UK join our Women’s Empowerment program in June 2019

These two friends came to India to participate on our empowerment program with women where they taught English and life skills to a group of women in Fort Kochi, Kerala. Living and working like locals gave them a chance to really learn about life in India, explore the area and give back to the community.
Engineering Internship

Nepal

Camilla Børsand and Baptiste Menaspa from Norway joined the Engineering Placement in January 2018.
Living in a remote part of Nepal and assisting with structural design work with local engineers and the community was an experience of a lifetime for these two students. Not only could they add this experience to their resume but they also got to learn from the challenges of working with limited resources.
Dog Care Program

Sri Lanka

Jack Tysowski from Canada joined us in August 2018 assisting at a dog shelter in Galle, Sri Lanka.

As a gap year student Jack would go everyday for about 4 hours to help the shelter that was devoted to the well-being of stray dogs in southern Sri Lanka. If your passionate about dogs and love to care for them this is the program for you!
Nursing Placement

Sri Lanka

Meet our group of final year French Nursing students who got to work in well known public hospitals in Southern Sri Lanka. They got to work in several departments of the hospital where they could practice basic procedures under the supervision of expert medical and nursing teams. On the side they also got to explore Sri Lanka and truly immerse themselves into island life.
Surf & Sports Volunteer

South Africa

This volunteer program in South Africa is a great way for volunteers to gain experience working with children and groups. Learning new outdoor activities such as swimming, boxing, spike ball surfing and skateboarding
Teaching & Family Volunteering

South Africa

The main objective of our family volunteering program in South Africa is the facilitation of poverty prevention programmes and upliftment in communities. This program is perfect for parents who want to get involved with a host of different activities with their children involving community development.
Teaching in Maldives

Maldives

Watch our over 50s volunteer Brenda reflecting on how life changing her experience has been as a volunteer teacher in Maldives.
Volunteer in Maldives

Maldives

Here is a little glimpse of Maldives and what your life will be during your free time as a volunteer in the Maldives!
Volunteer in India

India

If you are wondering what volunteering is about then watch this video about India and volunteering in this beautiful destination.
Medical Electives

India

Join our 4 week medical elective programs in India where you can gain insight into medical systems and network with professionals in field.

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