Volunteering abroad

[Cocogirl]

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Hello,

I was wondering if there are any pharmacists out there who have volunteered abroad? I have been interested in doing this for a long time, but have never got my act together to actually do it.
If you have done this:
a) where did you go?
b) was it with a healthcare organization?
c) what was your role specifically in the volunteer group?
d) did you feel safe in the group that went with?

I am a pharmacist and am interested in going to possibly Africa or South America. I would prefer to go with non-religiously affiliated organizations only.

Would greatly appreciate any direction in this matter! 🙂

 

[no-see-um]

Hi Cocogirl,

You may want to check out the following website from the International Pharmaceutical Students Federation (IPSF): http://www.ipsf.org/SEP.php
They have exchange programs that are non-missionary in nature (as you request). If you are a member of APhA, you are automatically a member of IPSF. I know a pharmacy student who worked in a pharmacy in Japan, and that there are opportunities to go all over the world.

There may be other programs out there that I am just not familiar with, so continue researching and seeking out information to make an educated choice.

I hope this helps,

no-see-um

 

[Hels2007]

You may want to check out the following website from the International Pharmaceutical Students Federation (IPSF): http://www.ipsf.org/SEP.php
They have exchange programs that are non-missionary in nature (as you request). If you are a member of APhA, you are automatically a member of IPSF. I know a pharmacy student who worked in a pharmacy in Japan, and that there are opportunities to go all over the world.

Well, it warms my heart that someone out here knows IPSF, but it is not exactly what she is looking for. First of all, she is a pharmacist according to her profile, and IPSF is for students/practitioners in their first 5 years out of school. Only membership in APhA-ASP specifically qualifies as IPSF membership (the fee for the country is based on the number of people the organization represents - an ASP only pays for some 28,000 students. 🙂

Also, currently they do not sponsor any humanitarian projects, and exchange is something entirely different.

I suppose you could contact World Health Professions Alliance, to see if they know any such groups. Also check out Health Volunteers Overseas and Pharmacists Without Borders.

 

[Cocogirl]

Thanks guys! I appreciate the help! I was wondering if anyone has actually had any experience with any of these organizations.

Based on the limited replies, doesn't seem like it, but thought I would check anyways. 🙂