I am a junior right now and I am looking for something to do this summer (2011). My friend told me that there were people came into her class and talked about going to Ecuador in the summer, and here's their website, http://www.ecuaexperience.com/ . I am just wondering how much would this foreign experience help my resume? Is this experience worth the cost ($4000) and the time (28 days)?
Should I do it?
- Thread starter Ewt812
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$4000??? People have $4000 to blow on a MONTH of volunteer work? Damn. There are way cheaper ways to volunteer through the government - CADIP's only $340 for the placement fee + small amount of money to support local hosts, and they give you food and shelter, though you have to buy your own tickets there.
Honestly, would you gain substantially more experience spending $4000 in a different country volunteering? If you think you will, by all means go for it, but I think it's a mad expensive way to get some ECs... I'd rather earn $1000 working part time in a clinical lab for a month.
Honestly, would you gain substantially more experience spending $4000 in a different country volunteering? If you think you will, by all means go for it, but I think it's a mad expensive way to get some ECs... I'd rather earn $1000 working part time in a clinical lab for a month.
Well, if spending $4000 is going to help a lot on my resume, then I would definitely have the money for it. I just don't know how much help it would give me on my resume. I am doing or have done volunteer or shadowing in local hospital right now. However, I think everyone or at least all the premeds that I know of are doing the same thing. So, I just don't know if this foreign experience would somewhat give me "advantages" over other applicants.
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People in interviews have seemed to care a lot more about the longevity of my activities. The activities that I have participated in for 2 years were asked about constantly while shorter things were not, even if I had a lot to say about them.
I would say that your time and money would be better spent finding an activity you can start now and then maybe increase your hours on during the summer, and maybe even continue until you graduate.
If you do a search I think LizzyM has had some opinions on this whole traveling to volunteer stuff....as have many other people.
My general take is...why SPEND money when you can just volunteer (for free) nearby with people who also need your help.
If, however, you have zero travel experience, and zero experience working with populations that are vastly different than your own....it may be worth it. But the price tag seems pretty steep.
I would say that your time and money would be better spent finding an activity you can start now and then maybe increase your hours on during the summer, and maybe even continue until you graduate.
If you do a search I think LizzyM has had some opinions on this whole traveling to volunteer stuff....as have many other people.
My general take is...why SPEND money when you can just volunteer (for free) nearby with people who also need your help.
If, however, you have zero travel experience, and zero experience working with populations that are vastly different than your own....it may be worth it. But the price tag seems pretty steep.
For what its worth, I spent a similar amount of money volunteering in a rural part of Mexico, and it was AWSOME. I took 2 hours of spanish lessons a day (included in program), improving my language skills far far faster than any course I could take in the states. In 5 weeks I probably learned at least a semesters worth of Spanish.
Also, I got to do some unique volunteer experiences, like going on malaria brigades, taking vitals for the doctors (because alot of the clinics were understaffed), and learned alot about medically related traditions. Because of the trip, I definitely want to participate in some form of international medicine if I end up in med school.
It didn't help my application much because I did it after I submitted my primary, but I have been mentioning it in interviews. Although none of my interviewers have really cared so far
I say go for it if your family has 4k to kill
Also, I got to do some unique volunteer experiences, like going on malaria brigades, taking vitals for the doctors (because alot of the clinics were understaffed), and learned alot about medically related traditions. Because of the trip, I definitely want to participate in some form of international medicine if I end up in med school.
It didn't help my application much because I did it after I submitted my primary, but I have been mentioning it in interviews. Although none of my interviewers have really cared so far
I say go for it if your family has 4k to kill
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Pros and Cons of International medical trips: http://forums.studentdoctor.net/showthread.php?t=587185
This includes multiple posts by LizzyM on the issue.
This includes multiple posts by LizzyM on the issue.
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5 or 8 years ago, that wuold have been special on your app. These days, not so much.
I see. Thanks for the info.
What's a good activity(EC) to do in the summer?(probably too early to ask) Should I spend my summer to do more volunteer? more research? or more shadowing? Any recommendations?
In the past two summers I was taking summer classes. This incoming summer is actually my first summer break since college...
What's a good activity(EC) to do in the summer?(probably too early to ask) Should I spend my summer to do more volunteer? more research? or more shadowing? Any recommendations?
In the past two summers I was taking summer classes. This incoming summer is actually my first summer break since college...
