Summer options

[momomango]

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I'm a current freshman and i found this awesome opportunity to be able to go to Korea this summer to teach English and other activities to youths at a university. I'd be going as a volunteer and staying there 1 month. The thing is, its not medical related in any way, so would future adcoms see this as a complete waste of time? The awesome part of this program is that airfare, lodging, etc is covered. I just have to bring myself there. Also this would be the first time I'd be stepping outside the US and visiting my home country. I thought being exposed to my own culture and environment would be exciting and all, but would this be considered a waste of time because its not medical related or academically related? Because I do have the other option of taking summer school and internships are really hard to obtain for freshman around here since they require a lot of lab stuff, and we usually take lab classes beginning soph. year. Any advice? 😕

 

[Navicular]

I'm a current freshman and i found this awesome opportunity to be able to go to Korea this summer to teach English and other activities to youths at a university. I'd be going as a volunteer and staying there 1 month. The thing is, its not medical related in any way, so would future adcoms see this as a complete waste of time? The awesome part of this program is that airfare, lodging, etc is covered. I just have to bring myself there. Also this would be the first time I'd be stepping outside the US and visiting my home country. I thought being exposed to my own culture and environment would be exciting and all, but would this be considered a waste of time because its not medical related or academically related? Because I do have the other option of taking summer school and internships are really hard to obtain for freshman around here since they require a lot of lab stuff, and we usually take lab classes beginning soph. year. Any advice? 😕

Sounds like a nice opportunity. Everything you do shouldn't be medically related. Try to maybe fit a hospital volunteering position when you get back that you can possibly do during the school year.

I worked at a factory for two summers and still got in to some great schools.

 

[BigRedPremed]

I'm a current freshman and i found this awesome opportunity to be able to go to Korea this summer to teach English and other activities to youths at a university. I'd be going as a volunteer and staying there 1 month. The thing is, its not medical related in any way, so would future adcoms see this as a complete waste of time? The awesome part of this program is that airfare, lodging, etc is covered. I just have to bring myself there. Also this would be the first time I'd be stepping outside the US and visiting my home country. I thought being exposed to my own culture and environment would be exciting and all, but would this be considered a waste of time because its not medical related or academically related? Because I do have the other option of taking summer school and internships are really hard to obtain for freshman around here since they require a lot of lab stuff, and we usually take lab classes beginning soph. year. Any advice? 😕

It sounds like a wonderful opportunity if all costs are covered. Remember, that while it's not clinical experience, you are still learning communication skills, responsibility, etc. that will be critical when you're a physician.

 

[momomango]

thanks so much for your replies! also i was wondering if anybody's done the ISL program? http://www.islonline.org/medical/index.html
Any suggestions on this program? cause i also want to get myself exposed to medical missons. I guess what I like about this program is that its 2-3 weeks long, and from I read, its hands-on experience. Or does anybody know any other medical missions programs? I apologize for all these questions 😳

 

[interstellar]

dooo it!! all your extracurricular stuff does not have to be medically related. like you said, youre only a freshman and getting into internships/summer programs is kind of hard. and the program sounds like an incredible opportunity. and the timing is great b/c its probably before you start taking some hard core classes.

but aside from all that..(and this is not directed at you personally) everything you do from now until the application process does not need to revolve around impressing admissions committees. do your hw, volunteer, shadow, but don't forget to make time for the things you love!

good luck