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Medical Volunteer in Guatemala!
Are you a medical student or a professional looking for an opportunity to gain international medical experience while making a difference? Do you want to travel to beautiful Guatemala and immerse yourself in the local culture? Then, you should participate in our medical volunteer opportunities Guatemala.
Guatemala is an exciting Central American destination that is growing in popularity amongst world travelers. Traditional culture and ancient ruins abound, as do natural
wonders like beautiful lakes, volcanoes, waterfalls, rainforests, rivers, and black sand beaches. However, many Guatemalans live in poverty and lack access to basic healthcare, especially in the rural regions.
When you join this Medical Volunteer in Guatemala, you will shadow local doctors and gain life changing medical experience while making a difference by helping poor communities, the elderly and children. Your work will thus have great meaning for both your life and the lives of others.
During your medical volunteer in Guatemala, you will gain priceless medical experience and an opportunity to provide help to those in need. Experienced doctors and nurses will mentor you as they treat patients in local clinics and hospitals. It is an amazing way to learn valuable skills you’ll need in your future career.
Contact Global Crossroad today to learn more about becoming a medical volunteer!
Volunteer Responsibilities & Impacts
When you join this volunteer opportunity in Guatemala, your responsibilities will depend on your education, experience and qualifications as well as project requirements. While volunteers will not be allowed to perform major diagnostics or surgical work, you will play a vital role in assisting doctors and interacting with patients.
You will be shadowing & helping treat patients under the supervision and guidance of local doctors and nurses in local hospitals or clinics and will provide much needed care to Guatemalans who lack basic access to medical treatment. Your duties will include activities like general check-ups, maintaining patient records, taking patient vitals and measurements and healthcare education. Volunteers with less experience will help with physically or mentally disabled, elderly or HIV infected patients by providing care, organizing workshops and distributing medicines.
Medical volunteer Guatemala is a great chance for medical students to gain practical, hands-on experience while helping others, and this looks great on your resume. Doctors and other medical professionals can share their skills and expertise with patients who truly need their help, making a profound impact on their quality of life.
Skills and Qualifications
We welcome enthusiastic medical students and professionals from all over the world to join the Medical volunteer in Guatemala. You will need to provide a medical student id, or a degree from an accredited institution or your professional certificate. Whether you’re pursuing a career as a doctor, nurse, speech therapist, psychologist, physical therapist, or another medical specialty, let us know what you’re studying, and we will try to match your placement with your field of interest.
You should also be caring, flexible, compassionate and willing to help those in need. Volunteers need to be at least 18 years to join this program. You will also need to bring scrubs, a stethoscope and closed-toed shoes.
Though not mandatory, basic Spanish skills will be helpful as most patients do not speak English. If you wish to learn Spanish, you can do a full week immersion course before starting your Guatemala medical volunteer program, or take classes while you volunteer.
Every day as a Medical Volunteer in Guatemala you’ll encounter new experiences and new things to learn about practicing medicine. You’ll be learning from experienced professionals while immersing yourself in a fascinating new culture.
You’ll spend about 5 hours per day, Monday-Friday, volunteering, though your actual hours will vary based on your final placement.
Here’s a sample schedule to give you an idea of what to expect:
First Day : On your first day of volunteering in the medical program in Guatemala, our in-country coordinator will take you to your placement. You’ll be introduced to the helpful team of medical professionals you’ll be shadowing and attend an informative orientation.
Orientation : Learn all about your volunteer project, schedule, safety protocols, and the customs and culture of Guatemala.
- Weekdays : A typical volunteer day may unfold something like this:
- 7.00 to 7.30 AM : Share a traditional breakfast with your local host family.
- 7.45 AM : Head out to your placement and spend an exciting day immersed in the healthcare field, learning from real-life experience in a hospital or clinic.
- 12.00 PM : Break for lunch, and chat with fellow Guatemala medical volunteers and local project staff. Volunteer projects are a great place to make new friends from around the world.
- 3.00 PM : After a day of volunteering, you’ll have the afternoon and evening free to check out Antigua and make the most of your time abroad.
- 6.45 PM : Share a traditional dinner around the table with your Guatemalan host family. Practice your Spanish, eat traditional food, and immerse yourself in the local culture!
Program Dates & Fees
Program Dates
Global Crossroad volunteer programs begin every Monday year-round. We still allow flexibility if you have travel constraints. Volunteers can join our programs from 1 week up to 12 weeks.
Fees
Global Crossroad is committed to offering the most affordable and highest quality Antigua, Guatemala volunteer trips. We strive to keep our costs low. The humanitarian side of the business is our passion.
Global Crossroad volunteer opportunity in Antigua, Guatemala application and registration fee costs US $299. The application fee covers the cost of advertising, program promotion, and office expenses (rent, utilities, and staff salaries in the USA office).
In addition to the application fee, you are required to pay a weekly program fee. You will pay your weekly fee directly to your host family and project (via the country coordinator). This way, the fees that you pay will benefit those who rightfully deserve them, and are not for company profit.
| Weeks | Medical Prject |
|---|---|
| 1 Week | $475 |
| 2 Weeks | $830 |
| 3 Weeks | $1,110 |
| 4 Weeks | $1,375 |
| 5 Weeks | $1,645 |
| 6 Weeks | $1,915 |
| 7 Weeks | $2,185 |
| 8 Weeks | $2,455 |
| 9 Weeks | $2,725 |
| 10 Weeks | $2,995 |
| 11 Weeks | $3,265 |
| 12 Weeks | $3,535 |
Comprehensive Travel Insurance $3.49/day ( below 28 years) and $4.49/day ( above 28 years) »
Spanish Lessons (2 hours per day) $55 per week
How your fee is allocated?
Program fees cover:
- Shared Accommodation with host family
- 2 meals per day (Breakfast & Dinner)
- Airport Pick up
- Special Project Surcharge
- In-country support
- Program Orientation
- Project Management
- Volunteer Certificate
- Discount for returning volunteers
Program fees exclude:
- Visas
- Airfare
- Miscellaneous personal expenses, soft drinks, food, etc.
- Daily transportation
- Airport return transfer
The volunteer programs fees in Antigua, Guatemala cover expenses from the first day of your program to the last day of your program. If you arrive before the first day of the program or you decide you stay beyond your program’s last day, you will be responsible for any additional expenses.
Accommodations and Meals
Your Guatemala medical volunteer program fee covers accommodations and meals, we’ve got you covered while you’re traveling abroad. You’ll be staying with a welcoming local Guatemalan host family in their clean, comfortable and safe home. They’ll share two healthy local meals a day (breakfast and dinner) with you and offer you a behind the scenes look into their fascinating culture.
Learn more about your housing and food in Antigua, Guatemala.