General Info
MEDICAL INTERNSHIP PROJECT OVERVIEW:
The centre you'll be working at is a community health care centre open to the general public, and designed to support the poorer section of the community. it's usually staffed by a single Doctor only, who is supported by a few staff members, so your help here is very badly needed. The centre is run entirely free of charge for patients who cannot afford to pay.
As with any placement, but its especially true with those projects based in medicine; the greater your knowledge, ability and experience that you bring with you, the more you will be asked and able to participate, especially in the more advanced tasks.
However, if you are a volunteer with limited experience you may be able to join in and get involved in helping with such activities such as weighing babies, measuring temperature and taking blood pressure etc.
Volunteers who combine knowledge and experience with a good understanding of Spanish may be asked to do even more through educating the people in general health matters, participating in the pre-consultation of patients, helping with the vaccination of babies and also assisting the doctor with other tasks.
The health centre is very basic. It is not as well-equipped and you should not expect the same standard as you would find back home. The centre performs a very valuable and vital role within the community under exceptionally hard circumstances. Your assistance will be valued hugely.
LOCATION
With majestic volcanoes rising out of lush green rainforest, highland villages steeped in tradition and vibrant, spirited people, Guatemala put quite simply is a magical destination!
Beautiful Antigua, where all of our placements are based, is arguably the most picturesque and certainly one of the oldest cities in Central America, characterised by a mellow, yet distinctly international feel. The local residents of Antigua are warmly referred to as Green bellies or panza verde due to the abundance of avocados that grow in the region.
Antigua’s splendour is protected by three giant guardian volcanoes Agua, Fuego and Acatenango, providing a stunning setting which attracts thousands of visitors every year. Antigua is one of the most popular places in Central America to learn Spanish so you are bound to meet lots of other students and travellers!
WHAT YOU'LL GAIN FROM DOING THIS PROJECT
• An exciting, never-to-be-forgotten adventure into undiscovered Central America.
• New skills, more confidence, a greater understanding of a different culture, invaluable personal and professional development.
• An entry on your CV or résumé that will put you head and shoulders above most others in the job market
• The enormous satisfaction of helping disadvantaged children and knowing that you made a difference to them
• And maybe best of all ... an unforgettable experience!
ACCOMMODATION AND FOOD
Accommodation with host families means that Travellers volunteers get to eat, sleep, work, socialise and generally live like a Guatemalan. Local family homestays enable you to fully experience the local culture from the inside. Many of our volunteers remain friends with their host families long after they leave Guatemala and in some cases they return to the country later especially to visit their family. Some homestays are more like small hotels, which can accommodate between 1 and 10 volunteers at any one time. Many offer the option of single or shared rooms, and generally houses within the same town are in close proximity with each other. The accommodation is comfortable, with a ‘western-style’ bathroom.
All of your meals will be provided from Monday to Saturday, leaving you free to sample local eateries on Sundays. Expect to develop a taste for corn tortillas, tostadas and tacos in plentiful supply! Although it could be said that the emphasis with Guatemalan food is more nutritional than culinary, western and international dishes are also easily available in Antigua. Although Guatemalans are big on eating meat, we can easily cater for vegetarians.
ADDITIONAL ACTIVITIES YOU CAN DO WHILE ON YOUR PROJECT:
Whether you’re an adventure-mad extreme sports enthusiast or a nature-loving bird-watcher, Guatemala’s awesome unspoilt natural habitat will have something for you. The extraordinary terrain around the volcanoes and caves provides the perfect setting for mountaineering and caving (spelunking) whereas the fast-moving rivers are ideal for boating, white-water rafting and windsurfing, with Lake Atitlán also popular for diving. There’s also a nearby turtle sanctuary.
Besides this you can also find ample opportunity to go mountain biking, bathe in hot springs surrounded by lush green jungle, or indulge your passion for nature in one of the country’s national parks.
Travellers' placements are very flexible and you can combine this project with any other Travellers project, either in the same country or in different countries.
WHAT TO DO NEXT
-Talk to us - We're there to help you. +44 (0) 1903 502595
-Most of our team are ex Travellers volunteers and are ideally qualified to offer advice and guidance because they know what you're looking for. They'll help you find your perfect project - and then make it all happen!
-If you’d like more information about this or any of our projects, please email or call us!
-If you’d like to apply for this project, please go to our website and complete the application form. As soon as we receive it, we’ll liaise with you and then start making your travel adventure happen.
-It’s as easy as that!
OUR PARTICIPANTS SAY...
"Antigua is absolutely STUNNING. I cannot stress how stunning it really is. I wish I could zap you all here just so you can see it for yourselves."
"I really feel that I was very well informed and it was as I expected. I met many volunteers there and have to say that of them all I was the best prepared for my stay in Guatemala. I also feel that the team were in constant touch with me and answered all my concerns and queries immediately. As an older volunteer with a family, it was importnat that I had support, which I certainly did. THANK YOU VERY MUCH for making it so much easier. I was very happy with every aspect of my stay."
