Costa Rica
Costa Rica: Pre-Med, Public Health, & Wilderness First Aid
About the Program
This immersive program offers students hands-on experience in the fields of pre-med, public health, and Wilderness First Aid while exploring the beauty of Costa Rica. Participants will work alongside local healthcare professionals, gain medical certifications, and volunteer in clinics that serve underserved communities. With a mix of cultural exchange, healthcare education, and outdoor adventure, this program provides a meaningful introduction to global health issues and practical medical experience in a tropical setting.
Itinerary
Discover the exciting adventures and impactful moments that await each day on this itinerary!
- Fly into San Jose and meet your Global Works leader team
- Private transfer to your lodge
- Program orientation, and a chat about Costa Rica’s unique social health system to contextualize the week
- Early morning pick up for our white water adventure! We move towards the province of Limón and have breakfast at the rafting base
- Rafting adventure begins! A day-long tour of the river with class I, II, and III rapids, with lots of unique plant and animal sighting along the way – our rafting guides are also our nature guides!
- Continue on to our locally-run lodge for dinner and workshops / games related to public health and health education
- Hearty breakfast, then jump right into our Wilderness First Aid (WFA) Course, starting with CPR certification
- Afternoon course material includes emergency injuries like fractures, burns, snake and insect
bites, and learn how to treat them with limited tools in the wilderness - After a full day of training, take a break for goodness sake! Jump in the pool, and maybe enjoy a night hike through the lush forest with a local guide
- Today we’ll learn about immobilizations, splints, bandages, and more. We even learn a Costa Rican- now world famous- technique of creating a stretcher for our patient using paddles
- Ready to put our knowledge to the test? Finish the day by taking our tests to become double-certified in WFA and CPR
- Celebratory dinner and souvenir shopping in La Fortuna this evening to close our this portion of the trip
- Morning transfer to the Central Valley – we start our clinical rotations tomorrow!
- Settle into our San Jose hotel
- Afternoon stitches, injectables, and general medical training workshop with a local medical professional. Let’s work on those steady hands!
- Evening orientation to our upcoming days at the clinic
- Travel to a local clinic in a community that largely serves women, children, and medically-uninsured residents
- Orientation with the director of the clinic, then we jump in. Tasks include working in the patient intake area, shadowing and assisting the doctor on site, and managing the pharmacy
- After dinner, prepare medical presentations that we’ll give tomorrow at a locally-run program for adults with intellectual disabilities
- Back to the clinic today – students rotate through the various tasks throughout the morning and afternoon
- When our shift is up, transfer to a local home for people with intellectual disabilities. Meet the adults who participate in the program – teach them about topics such as basic first aid, what to do in certain medical situations, and spend some time learning about their lives
- Latin Dance Class back at the lodge, followed by a final celebratory dinner
- Final breakfast at the lodge
- Depart for the airport according to your flight schedule
Educational Focus & Highlights
Hands-On Clinic Experience
Assist healthcare professionals in clinics serving immigrant families. Engage in health education, observe doctors, and support patient intake while learning about Costa Rica’s healthcare system.
Serve Local Communities
Work directly with communities on health initiatives, providing much-needed support while gaining insight into local healthcare challenges and solutions.
Explore Holistic Approaches
Visit an alternative health clinic to broaden your understanding of medical practices in Costa Rica. Learn how traditional and holistic treatments are integrated into healthcare.
Adventuring through the Jungle and on the Waves
Experience Costa Rica’s adventurous side with thrilling zip-line tours through the jungle canopy. Take exhilierating surf lessons on the Pacific Coast, perfect for all levels.
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Participants
Participants stay in comfortable, dorm-style rooms that typically accommodate 4-6 students per room. These accommodations are carefully selected and often include locally run hotels or eco-lodges that reflect the culture of the area. Each location is selected to have private meeting spaces for group activities, ensuring both a supportive and appropriate environment for our programs.
Chaperones
Chaperones can expect to stay in private rooms, unless otherwise noted by the Global Works operations team. These rooms are located in the same facility as the student accommodations, allowing for a peaceful environment to relax and recharge without compromising proximity to the group. During homestays, chaperones typically have a choice to either stay with a homestay family or in a nearby hotel (location dependent).
Bring Your Classroom to the World
Collaborate with Global Works on an impactful service-learning travel program for your students.
