Could this be seen as voluntourism?

[lucidheart]

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Hello!

Im interested in going abroad to Africa for 5 weeks to participate in a fellowship which deals with research mainly. There doesn’t seem to be any patient interaction at all and certainly no interaction which a U.S premed student wouldn’t be allowed to do in the U.S (in regards to the fellowship), but the research does aim to help the community there and there probably will be at least survey based interaction with some people.

I’m concerned about the fact that it’s of a short duration (physically, more work is done afterwards throughout the summer at home from my understanding), and an actual
“clinical week” is offered (I’m not sure what it entails, but I wouldn’t be taking it).

Here is the website if anyone’s interested in looking more into it: Global Health Experiential Fellowship | Empower Through Health

I think it may be worth noting that doctors at Yale School of Medicine run it, so maybe that would add some legitimacy for it? I don’t know if there’s any connection there that at least at that school adcoms wouldn’t view it negatively since it ran by doctors at the school.

Thanks for any help!

 

[AJS59]

Hello!

Im interested in going abroad to Africa for 5 weeks to participate in a fellowship which deals with research mainly. There doesn’t seem to be any patient interaction at all and certainly no interaction which a U.S premed student wouldn’t be allowed to do in the U.S (in regards to the fellowship), but the research does aim to help the community there and there probably will be at least survey based interaction with some people.

I’m concerned about the fact that it’s of a short duration (physically, more work is done afterwards throughout the summer at home from my understanding), and an actual
“clinical week” is offered (I’m not sure what it entails, but I wouldn’t be taking it).

Here is the website if anyone’s interested in looking more into it: Global Health Experiential Fellowship | Empower Through Health

I think it may be worth noting that doctors at Yale School of Medicine run it, so maybe that would add some legitimacy for it? I don’t know if there’s any connection there that at least at that school adcoms wouldn’t view it negatively since it ran by doctors at the school.

Thanks for any help!

Not an adcom, but it doesn't really seem like voluntourism. That being said, I'd be careful with how you write/approach this and there may be other better opportunities closer to home.

 

[Mr.Smile12]

Read

Benefits of Global Health Education for Future Doctors | SDN

Many aspiring health professionals are attracted to opportunities that impact health outside the nation’s boundaries, but they find limited advice on

www.studentdoctor.net

 

[Goro]

5 weeks is a decent time. That will not come off as volunteerism to me. Voluntourism is the one week stint.

 

[LizzyM]

5 weeks is a decent time. That will not come off as volunteerism to me. Voluntourism is the one week stint.

My thoughts exactly!

 

[chilly_md]

Marking this activity down as research on AMCAS will certainly help clear that up as well.