Student ExperiencesThe following quotes are from students who interned, studied, and volunteered abroad, and are organized by geographic region. To create a similar global experience for yourself, please contact Andrea Leifer for more information. Those organizations highlighted in yellow provide a link to a profile of current opportunities on our website. Africa"I spent 5 weeks volunteering with a mobile health clinic through Volunteer Kenya. It was sent in the town of Bungoma, in the western province of Kenya. Each day we would travel to a different village and set up clinic in a school or church. The villages we visited were some of the poorest in Kenya. I got a lot of patient care experience, I did lots of patient interviews, physical exams, and with the Kenya nurses made decisions about treatment and medication. I would definitely recommend it to other students." "The Clinton Foundation HIV/AIDS Initiative (CHAI) strives to make treatment for HIV/AIDS more affordable and to implement large-scale integrated care, treatment, and prevention programs. Since its inception, CHAI has dramatically reduced the cost of HIV/AIDS diagnostics and pharmaceuticals, and has helped bring AIDS care and treatment to over 415,000 people living with HIV/AIDS around the world. My work allowed me to do everything from conducting field surveys and interviews in rural clinics, to working with government and NGO partners to develop and implement new and innovative strategies towards resolving the multitude of issues impeding care." "I was part of Dr. Valerie Mizrahi's laboratory in Johannesburg, South Africa at the Center of Excellence in the National Health Laboratory Services. The focus of this lab is on the development and application of molecular genetic tools for identifying, validating, and characterizing new drug targets and vaccine candidates for tuberculosis (TB). My research project involved two methionine synthases in Mycobacterium smegmatis. I analyzed the dependence of different strains of the mycobacterium on each enzyme. I also investigated how the regulation of the methionine synthase genes changes with varying growth medium. My research on M. smegmatis will be subsequently applied to Mycobacterium tuberculosis, and aid the developed of new methods to control of the growth and virulence of TB." "The program I volunteered with is run by Houghton College and is based in Iringa, Tanzania, right in the middle of the country. The professor that I went to Tanzania with is named Jon Arenson. His e-mail address is Jon.Arensen@houghton.edu. If anyone is interested in going he would be a great resource to use if looking for any information about places to stay or clinics and hospitals to look at. I would suggest that if anyone is interested they contact him and just let him know that they heard about him through me (Erin Horn) and the Houghton in Tanzania program. Because he is used to taking students on trips, he knows a lot of great local information, as well as how to get great deals on Safaris, etc. There is also a great organization that we worked with some that helps deaf Tanzanians learn a trade, mostly arts and crafts that he might be able to hook someone up with. Be aware that he lives in the US in Houghton, NY for half of the year (the fall) and spends the spring in Tanzania." "I volunteered with Bilal Muslim Mission and MEDEWELL in Tanzania. These organizations jointly co-ordinate mobile medical eye camps quarterly to target under serviced or rural locations in Tanzania. These camps provide surgical treatment for the elderly population effected by cataracts at no cost to the patient. They also have a series of charitable clinics in urban and rural centres offering a range of medical and diagnostic services. Furthermore, they dig wells in villages that don't have access to clean fresh water across the country." "I participated in a 6 week summer volunteer program in Southeastern Uganda with the Uganda Village Project through the International Federation of Medical Students' Associations (IFMSA). Our main projects were teaching villages and schools about public health issues like HIV/AIDS, Sanitation, Nutrition, Family Planning, Malaria, etc. We also ran free medical clinics to provide basic care in rural areas. These were run by the medical students, pharmacists, and doctors from the USA on the trip. There were 6 of them during the stay in Uganda for 2 days each. Lastly we provided some services like medical supply donation, clothing donation, and protection of water sources. I am currently a member of the E-board and participate in the planning and organizing though I will not be returning this summer. This experience is and will be available to others. It is also expanding so that it will be available year round as well. It accepts all kinds of people into the program, not just medical students." "I went to East Africa to participate
in the Uganda Village
Project. I was able to gain
clinical experience working in
health clinics as well as
teaching and educating people
about HIV/AIDS. Uganda
Village Project is a student-led organization that was
created in an effort to improve
the living conditions of "I went to
Uganda and worked at a
medical school/teaching
hospital. I did clinical rounds
on their wards and also traveled
to a few rural hospitals.
It was life changing. By far,
one of the greatest experiences
of my life. I went
through
Doctors for Global Health
but they don't usually send
medical students." Asia"I worked in a free healthcare clinic on the border of Thailand and Burma. The clinic serves internationally displaced persons from Burma who flee to Thailand to escape the repression of the military regime. The clinic serves all demographics and illnesses. While there I saw infectious diseases like malaria and leprosy, as well as landmine injuries and afflictions of an impoverished population such as malnutrition and cholera. American medical students can do an away rotation at the clinic and I plan to do so my fourth year. I will return briefly this summer to visit the clinic and help in a two week training program for Burmese medics who return to Burma to provide care for their home communities. Although I do not know the number of spaces available, I believe it would be possible and quite facile for students and faculty to spend time at the clinic. One major concern is that the clinic does not want much publicity because the Thai government does not approve of its existence." "I worked at the Mae Tao
Clinic in Mae Sot, Thailand,
which is a clinic set up by Dr.
Cynthia Maung to treat Burmese
refugees, migrant
workers, and patients from
Burma. I taught English and
Anatomy to the nursing students,
shadowed staff physicians
and medics, and conducted
chart reviews examining
malaria in pregnant
women. The experience
was truly wonderful. Essentially
I got a crash course in
tropical medicine and was
able to practice my clinical
skills. Teaching was a lot of
fun and learning about the
situation in Burma first hand
was important to me.
The clinic usually only accepts
4th year medical students:
http://www.planetcare.org/Donate_Time.htm But I went through an organization
called Burma
Volunteer Project:
http://www.geocities.com/maesotbvp/ which placed
me at the clinic." "In a team of twenty (ten Canadian, ten Indian) through Canada World Youth, we worked in the field of HIV, learning mostly about the social and economic factors that
perpetuate the spread of HIV and have caused government and public to respond so slowly. We learned quite a bit about the various demographics
that are affected, and the unique and shared problems of each group. Gained a whole lot of team work experience, facilitating skills, gradually
learned about what it really means to be open-minded and how to think critically beyond academics. All of this was done within two different cultural
settings and so we were given a more balanced perspective of everything we learned rather than believing that the Canadian point of view was the
only one.
*Only Canadian youths age 18-35." Australia South Pacific"I lived and worked for a year in New Zealand on a "Working Holiday Visa" that I got through the international organization called BUNAC. Under a "working holiday visa" Americans under the age of 30 (but I think it might get changed to 35) can live and work whatever jobs you can manage to get for up to a year. You can only get it once in your life. Because most people use it to travel around the country, you often get temporary jobs like seasonal fruit picking or waitressing or office temp. work. But you can really work any type of job that you can get hired for. And you don't have to get this visa through BUNAC only- I just did it that way because it was easier- they helped sort things out for me. But you can apply for it directly if you want."- Cassie Stack, Class of 2009, Work Year in New Zealand Europe"The Prague Selective program consists of time spent with small groups of students and doctors in various departments of hospitals around Prague. The day may
include patient rounds at the hospitals, observation of surgery, study of patient cases, lectures on various conditions and diseases, and discussions
of the Czech and European health care systems. There are small group sessions with course coordinators about twice a week. There is a short and
simple final examination on the last day of the session. It can be taken for 2 credits through Upstate, with completion of a short paper on your
experience." "For 3 weeks (received 2 credits) I rotated
through Czech Rep. hospitals and had lectures
about the Czech health care. I would
definitely recommend the Prague Selective.
I had a great time living in Prague and
traveling. Seeing the Czech health care
system was interesting and I was able to
observe doctors and patients in different
specialties. Traveled to Europe- 2 weeks
before and after the Prague elective. I
traveled to Germany, Austria, Hungary and
Greece." "I did a clinical exchange in the cardiology department at the University Hospital in Irakleon, Crete (Greece). I was able to see patients and watch procedures. I met
some amazing people and made some great friends. There was time to travel and see some great sites as well. I have only good things to say
about the program." "I spent 2 weeks in Ireland this summer on a volunteer vacation through Global Volunteers. At that particular site, I helped out with maintenance
projects (from hosting a party to mowing the lawn!) at the Glencree Centre for Reconciliation while learning about Irish history and the peace projects
the centre is involved with. It was an incredible experience and a great break from medicine. Plus, GV is VERY student friendly - everything is all
inclusive (except airfare) and there's a student discount." "I can not express how amazing my elective in Edinburgh, Scotland, was. From the first day I arrived for the elective I was welcomed with open arms. The attending (they
call them consultants) was extremely kind and gave me a guided tour of the department. The staff and other physicians were extremely nice,
including me in their social lives. I was invited to dinner parties, out to the pub, golfing and other activity the residents were doing. They truly make
you feel like part of the family. They also allow you time off to explore Scotland if you want it. I took 3 days off to explore the highlands and many
afternoons off to attend local events. The attending made a rotation for me which allowed me to view many different aspects of radiology. These
included MRI, CT, plain films, barium swallows, ultrasound, and interventional radiology, each morning and afternoon being in different areas
therefore I felt as though I learned so much and never got bored! You also constantly work with different attendings and residents which makes it
fun. You also interact with other physicians in the hospital and it's nice to get all their different aspects on UK medicine. The physicians here are
very involved with patient care and actually do a lot of their own radiography. They also give you autonomy allowing you to revise the rotation if you
are particularly interested in one aspect of radiology. Also included is a week of neuroradiology which was interesting. The day consists of coming
in at 8:30 am with conference until 9 am, then working in your given assignment (ex. CT, MRI, etc) until around noon. Then everyone meets up in the
lounge and has lunch together (there's a cafe downstairs to get food). At 1 pm there is usually a conference (ex. oncology, GI, etc) and after that you
go to your afternoon assignment until about 4-5 pm. There is a shuttle bus that travels around
the city and will take you to work and home. There is also a great Edinburgh bus system that will take you anywhere you want to go. There is no
test given in the clerkship.
As for housing I was lucky enough to have the head of the UK IFMSA lend me a room in his flat. It was so great because I was living with 3 other
Scotland med students who showed me the ropes around town. They took me to ceiligh (Scottish) dances, dinner parties, grocery shopping (which
is easy because there are food stores everywhere), tourist events and really became my good friends. All the students were very helpful and very
interested in American culture. My flat was right in the middle of Edinburgh.
Edinburgh is a completely beautiful amazing city. It's also completely walkable. I never needed a car and got to all the main attractions. It also has
beautiful surrounding mountains and parks so you could run or hike. It has so many activities and events to go to you will never run out of things to do. There is Edinburgh castle, holly rood house, golfing, ghost tours, shopping galore, pubs, restaurants, dance classes, rugby/football games( aka soccer) and so much more! Plus the people of Edinburgh are so nice and very friendly." "My experience was a one-month medical research exchange facilitated by IFMSA. I went to a Syracuse-sized city in Spain called Albacete to do
Alzheimer's research in the medical school's department of anatomy. However, they were flexible on site and allowed me to also perform
procedures in immuno-histochemistry, anesthesiology, neurosurgery, pharmacology, physiology, radiology, and histology. In all we submitted four
articles to journals such as: Neurobiology of Disease, The British Journal of Pharmacology, and The European Journal of Neuroscience. The official
language of the organization is English, but it was helped that I spoke Spanish. Part of the program included a social program, which included time
at the beach, tasting native foods and beverages, fencing, and general social activities. The IFMSA-Spain representatives were extremely friendly
and helpful, and the hosting departments were very friendly. It was a relatively inexpensive study abroad since a room was provided and two meals
a day. There were other students there as well from all over the world, and I learned a lot about their medical systems, languages, and cultures. I
have studied abroad before, but never before have I lived and learned so much. It was a phenomenal experience which I most highly recommend to
all students." "I participated in a program through NYU that takes you to Geneva, Switzerland and you intern/learn about health policy. It is in connection with
WHO. It is a combination of learning and group discussion and actual working on projects. My project was on the orphan crisis in sub-Saharan
Africa. We had to get all the info on it, research possible policy suggestions and then present it. There were only two other Americans in the class
and the other ten were from various countries. You learn so much from the other students! I think this was a really great experience and I loved it." Latin America & the Caribbean"Light of the World Missions is a Christian group who has been taking medical students and health professionals down to Belize to work 8-12 days in free clinics for 12 years now. As I
said, it is a Christian organization but your religious association is not even discussed throughout the trip. We spent one week down in the southern
portion of the country working in different Mayan villages. We brought all of our own supplies and drugs, and would usually set up a "clinic" in empty
community buildings or churches. I saw my own patients, and learned to do a number of minor procedures. The second week of the trip was spent
on the island of Caye Caulker. We worked in an established clinic. We worked all day while on the island, but there was lots of time for swimming
and snorkeling, etc. after work. I would highly recommend this trip to anyone who is looking to travel, but also wants to give back to others less
fortunate than themselves. I was totally immersed in the Belizean culture, and I gained a lot of hands on medical experience." "I participated in the Semester Internship Program with Institute for Central American Development Studies (ICADS), and I lived with a homestay family in Costa Rica for 1 month while taking
intensive Spanish language classes (great classes, and no college Spanish required!). I then lived with a family in Nicaragua for 2 months, during
which time I had an internship through a local NGO giving classes (in Spanish) to men and women in the surrounding rural communities about the
male and female reproductive systems, nutrition, and birth control. I also arranged and co-taught a mask-making workshop for local children as an
attempt for sustainable economic income. I highly recommend the program – you arrange your own personal internship with their help based on
your interests. They have a lot of contacts, and are helpful, flexible, and extremely personable. They have summer programs as well." "During the summer between MS1 and MS2, I lived in El Salvador. For the first two weeks, I attended a Medical Spanish program in Santa Ana, a medium-sized Salvadoran city, to brush up on my Spanish (which I had not used since high school!). My experience with my host family (the owners of the language school) was incredible, and I remain in daily contact with them to this day. The full-immersion process permitted me to learn and practice my Spanish, and gain an appreciation for Salvadoran culture, while touring medical facilities, visiting ancient Mayan ruins, climbing the Izalco Volcano, and more. After my stay with the language school, I spent 2 weeks in La Isla, a rural village in the mountains without access to health care. The itinerary of this project was self-organized, but with help through a contact from the organization Mu-jeres. In La Isla, we set up a diabetes and hypertension screening clinic. We also provided first aid services. Overall, my experience in El Salvador was incredibly rewarding and I highly recommend it, especially to a group of interested first year students. Please contact me before going - I have much more advice to offer (as well as my Salvadoran cell phone to call home with!). Also - I did receive Upstate elective credits for this trip!" "Glen Falls Medical Mission Foundation holds twice yearly week-long medical missions (one in the Fall and the other in the Spring) to Nueva Santa
Rosa, a small rural town in Southern Guatemala. Basically, GFMMF creates a makeshift clinic covering services in general medicine, pediatrics,
gynecology, dentistry, optometry, pharmacy, as well as general health/hygiene educational services with a team of about 45 volunteers. I had the
opportunity to participate in October 2003 and October 2004 (as an undergraduate) dispensing medicines in pharmacy, working as a translator in the
clinics, as well as working in triage.
Medical students worked in the clinics (supervised by providers) and saw patients (averaging up to about 30-50 patients per day per provider).
Translators were provided for each health provider (so one's lack of Spanish speaking skills is not a limiting factor!) Overall, it was a great
experience!" "During my stay in Guatemala, I attended Spanish classes for five hours per day, five days per week for four weeks. My Spanish classes consisted of
a review of grammar, lessons on vocabulary related to medicine and lectures on the history and culture of Guatemala. I also volunteered at a
medical clinic located on the outskirts of Quetzaltenango. For four hours per day, five days per week for three weeks, I volunteered at the Primeros
Pasos medical clinic in Tierra Colorada. Primeros Pasos is a medical clinic devoted primarily to providing healthcare for school children. At the
clinic, I worked with other medical students from the United States, New Zealand and Guatemala, nurses from California and a doctor from
Guatemala. In groups of two or three, we took medical histories and conducted physical exams. Volunteering at Primeros Pasos was an excellent
learning opportunity. I was able to practice speaking Spanish, learned a great deal of vocabulary associated with medicine and discovered many
differences between the practice of medicine in the United States and Guatemala. My experience in Guatemala has allowed me to strengthen my
understanding of both the Spanish language and the practice of medicine in a developing country." "We started out the summer
with a two week adventure to
Guatemala. We spent a
week at the Spanish language
school called Pop Wuj, and we
stayed with a friendly and
welcoming Guatemalan family
in Quetzaltenango (called
Xela by the indigenous Mayans).
The school had an inspiring
philosophy of social
responsibility that included
their informative lectures on
topics related to Guatemala's
culture, politics, economics,
and history; to their number
of community outreach projects
including a daycare
center for single mothers in a
rural community. We spent
one of our best afternoons
there playing soccer and
picking flowers with the kids
that attended the day care
center. The school also has a
medical program that runs
for four weeks, and allows students to combine one-on-one
teaching with experiences
in the area clinics. For our
remaining week we backpacked
the volcano Tajmulco
with Quetzal Trekkers, traveled
to Lake Atitlan, and to
Antigua." "One month medical Spanish
program in Guatemala. Three weeks of Spanish instruction
and one week of
work with natives giving
physical exams.
Great experience to learn
socially, culturally and
medically from a fun group
of people.
Highly recommend." "Through the University of Nebraska Medical School, I took a medical Spanish credit-bearing course (i.e., you can transfer the credit here, and thus, you can get financial aid for it! (In fact, they covered my ENTIRE trip... I'll
be happy to explain the steps needed later)) You'll spend 3 weeks in Antigua, taking private tutoring lessons from "San Jose - El Viejo" language
school, along with home-stay with a local family. The purpose is COMPLETE Spanish immersion (I went there with no prior Spanish knowledge... and
now my Spanish is comparable to the 7yrs of French I took in high school/college) You'll have various trips scheduled on the weekends, along with
lectures on Guatemalan history, medical delivery, etc. Then for the last week, you'll spend time in the rural country-sides of Guatemala, setting up
health clinics for the poor, indigenous Mayans... practicing your Spanish the whole time, while caring for real patients!
This was an AMAZING EXPERIENCE, and I can't say enough about it! My language skills improved DRAMATICALLY, and the clinical opportunities
were nothing like what I experienced in medical school so far. (Not to mention that Guatemala is such a beautiful country... nothing like summiting a
volcano, swimming in the Caribbean, and climbing a couple Mayan temples all within weeks of each other!!!)" "PACEMedSpanish is a great learning experience for people who want to brush up on their Spanish skills as well as have direct clinical experience in an
international health care setting. You participate in one-on-one medical Spanish classes everyday as well as spend time in clinics, hospitals, and
with the Red Cross ambulance service where almost no English is spoken, forcing you to be immersed in the language while interacting with doctors and patients. San Miguel is a beautiful city with lots of cultural activities!" Middle East"The World Health Organization collaborating center, Shahid Beheshti Medical University center for research, education and treatment in field of
Tuberculosis, TB/HIV/AIDS, adult and children lung disease (pulmonary disease and thoracic surgery), hearth disease (CCU, in and out patient),
ICU. Youth in Iran represent the majority of the population (70% of the population is less than 30yrs old and 35% of the population is
between15-29yrs old). Iranian youth are exposed to problems such as an accelerating rate of AIDS transmission, drug usage, sexually transmitted
infections (STIs). In addition, there is approximately 20% of the population (14 million) unemployed, which consists mostly of youth and women.
This project is study of the Iranian youth in regards to their health, wellness, and lifestyle. Information from approximated 100 Iranian youth from all
provinces in Iran was collected to asses their knowledge, understanding, and current state of physical and mental health. The information will be
used to initiate further studies with Iranian youth as well as to aid the Ministry of Education to improve the current health education system in public
schools to better address the needs of the youth." "I graduated from medical school in Tehran-Iran, and
then practiced medicine for 5 years. I was also involved
in health care issues in my country and did some
teaching. This experience could be available for
students or faculty." North America"I did some volunteer translating along the US-Mexico border about 15 years ago. They largely train and work with nurses
and midwives, but may have contacts for other organizations. My main experience was with a place that was a refugee shelter. I then volunteered
at this place on my days off. They are an amazing organization and are a real community. I was a tag-along on many trips to Mexico and out in the
field doing "home" visits to many very poor and struggling families, with new moms and new babies. In some ways, Holy Family Birthing Center
reminds me of Paul Farmer and his work, but less well advertised." South America"I volunteered for 8 weeks with Child Family Health International (CFHI) in the Pediatric Health program in La Paz, Bolivia in July and August of 2004 and had an amazing time. CFHI takes care of all the details such as arranging a homestay, enrolling students in language programs (if needed), arranging medical volunteer opportunities and provides discussions on health and social topics specific to the country. I volunteered at 4 different sites: Hospital del Nino (public children's hospital); Hospital Maternal Infantil (private birthing and children's hospital); Hospital Arco Iris (private hospital catering to the underserved) and their mobile clinics traveling to public schools and the homeless communities; and Alalay (residential housing and skills training for former street children). I would definitely recommend this program, please contact me or their office if you have any questions." "I participated in a plastic surgery
elective in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil,
at Clinica Ivo Pitanguy
and the downtown hospital.
Wonderful exposure to a
huge array of plastic surgeries.
A chance to learn about
a foreign medical system and meet doctors and residents
from all over the
world. Patient contact is
limited, due to international
laws. Email contact: pitanguy@visualnet.com.br." "I spent the summer between first and second year of medical school in Ambato, Ecuador volunteering in the ER of the regional hospital. This
experience was through an organization called Foundation for a Sustainable Development that sponsors a variety of such programs throughout the
world. I certainly think this experience would be available to students. It's a tremendous experience to observe and live with people of a different
culture and given the growing Hispanic population in the US, the skills I learned during this experience have already been used many, many times. I
think everyone would benefit from a program like this." "I worked for two weeks with Mosoq Ayllu in Huancayo, Peru in the Andes. While there I did a
range of volunteer activities, but the main focus was work at a health
clinic outside of Huancayo in the village of Chupaca. I assisted with some
basic medical procedures (e.g. cleaning wounds, suturing) and worked with the
doctors on some clinical encounters. We also did vaccinations and public
health work at local schools. A great experience in a different medical
culture. Spanish is not required, but is very helpful." "I worked for about 5 weeks through a laboratory specializing in malaria and bartonella at the Universidad Peruana Cayetano Heredia in the Institute of Tropical Medicine, in Lima, Peru. My time was divided between learning about the research projects in this specific lab as well as the type of work performed in other labs, and conducting a research project. During the exchange, I designed a research project, collected and analyzed the data, and wrote up a report about the findings. The general topic of the research exchange was controlling bartonella and malaria in endemic areas of Peru. My specific project studied self-medication patterns in the Peruvian Amazon and how it correlates with increasing levels of drug-resistant strains of malaria in the region." - Rokhsanna Sadeghi, Class of 2010, IFMSA Summer Exchange to Peru |