I have seen first hand what good volunteering can do. In many areas around the world, help is desperately needed. So, get out of your comfort zone and explore the world and help others less fortunate at the same time. Life really is an adventure, this is one not to miss.
NEW YORK – July 17, 2013 – International volunteer organization Projects Abroad has been organizing medical placements in the developing world since the mid-90s. There are many great reasons for students to get involved with medical work abroad. Here are Projects Abroad’s top five:
Meet wonderful people
As an intern working alongside local doctors and medical professionals while living with a local host family, you will meet some inspiring people and gain a deeper understanding of your host country. You will be sharing the experience with a community of other international volunteers. Projects Abroad itself is one of the largest volunteer abroad organizations in the world, with about 10,000 participants a year from all over the globe.
Develop cross-cultural skills
Having an understanding and respect for different cultures and mindsets is an extremely valuable skill to have, especially in the healthcare field. Culture can affect people’s attitudes toward receiving care and influence their decision-making process.
Stand out from the pack
Let’s face it, medical school admissions are tough! International service experience offers a unique opportunity to show your eagerness to challenge yourself, display your commitment to delivering healthcare wherever it is needed, and provides real-life material to demonstrate your flexibility and adaptability in an interview.
You did not get to study abroad as an undergrad
It is hard to fit in all those pre-med requirements and still graduate on time. Now you are graduating and it may be your last chance to live abroad until you pay off your student loans!
Give back to communities abroad
As an international volunteer you will have a valuable role to play in your host community. You will work alongside local colleagues, join service projects and public health initiatives, and participate in international exchange. Projects Abroad medical interns get involved with outreach activities to bring access to healthcare to local communities. You can also get involved with monthly group community service projects with other Projects Abroad volunteers.
Projects Abroad has ongoing Medicine & Healthcare projects for students in 24 countries: Argentina, Bolivia, Cambodia, China, Costa Rica, Ethiopia, Ghana, India, Jamaica, Kenya, Mexico, Moldova, Mongolia, Nepal, Peru, the Philippines, Romania, Senegal, Sri Lanka, Tanzania, Thailand, Togo and Vietnam. Find out more at
www.projects-abroad.org/
Projects Abroad was founded in 1992 by Dr. Peter Slowe, a geography professor, as a program for students to travel and work while on break from full-time study. The program had its genesis in post-USSR Romania, where students were given the chance to teach conversational English. After a few years just sending volunteers to Eastern Europe for teaching, the company expanded to sending volunteers of all ages around the world on a wide range of projects.
Projects Abroad is a global leader in short-term international volunteer programs with projects in 28 countries and recruitment offices in the UK, Australia, Canada, Denmark, France, Germany, Ireland, Italy, Japan, Holland, Hong Kong, South Africa, South Korea, Sweden and the United States.
For details on volunteering overseas, visit Projects Abroad’s web site at
www.projects-abroad.org.