Of course!  We’re happy to have your family join you on your immersion program.  This does require some planning – so we will want to know that you’re thinking about bringing a spouse and/or children sooner rather than later.

Permalink.

We work with a few different non-profit groups in Costa Rica that focus on bringing health education & healthcare to the poor and underserved in several different communities around the Central Valley. We spend significant time in schools in these communities conducting health fairs and in community meeting places to deliver our preventive health education and provide primary care if appropriate local supervision is present.  For more information on our guiding principles for health work abroad, please see our mission statement.

Permalink.

This depends highly on the nature and size of the group you’re traveling with. In general you can expect some primary care interactions with patients and large amount of preventative health education to women and children. We heavily on educating our patient populations in Costa Rica so that they can make informed health decisions when we’re not present. You will receive much more detailed information about the specifics of the volunteer work and the communities in which you’ll be working during pre-departure orientation.

Permalink.

Part of your pre-departure responsibilities is to be collecting both physical and financial donations for your work in Costa Rica. All medications that we take to Costa Rica are within their explicit expiration dates, and must be stored appropriately (if refrigeration, etc).  You will receive more details and specific donation lists during pre-departure preparation.

Permalink.

Medical liability insurance is not required for the work we do in Costa Rica.  We do not provide medical care on our own – we always work in collaboration with a local organization that has a 12 month presence in a given community.  If we provide primary care to patients, it is always underneath the supervision of a local healthcare worker and his/her organization.  Because we want to always provide sustainable medical outreach services, we spend a lot of time educating patients about healthy lifestyle options in resource poor settings.  This is great for you as a participant as well; you get to practice explaining the very same educational topics that you need to explain to your patients back home as well.

For more information on our guiding principles for health work abroad, please see our mission statement.

Permalink.

Whatever is portable and you’re able to bring with you is the short answer. You certainly need your stethoscope, otoscope, opthalmoscope, blood pressure cuffs for adults, children and infants, thermometers & covers, gloves and masks that fit you, etc. We’ll of course be able to give you more specific information relating to the specific program you’re applying for after application.

Permalink.