Volunteering abroad?

[Van Chowder]

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Hey there fellow premeds.

So I was hoping to spend this summer in an underprivileged area as a volunteer--such as somehwere in India or Africa--but everything costs like $2k+ for any worthwhile opportunities where a difference to be made is foreseeable. I wish I could take out a loan to do it ( and I guess I could) but when I leave NYU im going to be swimming in debt and really do not desire anymore.

My question is: does anyone know of any either very cheap volunteering abroad opportunities ( or free preferably )?

This is so frustrating.

Thanks in advance. Have a wonderful weekend everyone!

 

[Catalystik]

I've heard of people getting most of their expenses covered through their place of worship, where the organization helped in the fund raising process.

On a peripheral note, have you seen this thread: http://forums.studentdoctor.net/showthread.php?t=587185

 

[DrSmooth]

If you are adventurous and understand travel safety there is nothing stopping you from buying a plane ticket and just going. There are thousands of NGOs and clinics in places like Delhi that will let you volunteer. I would recommend networking with friends and family and find someone with a connection overseas that could hook you up.

You should plan on paying for airfare, food, and lodging (unless you are religious and do fund raising through your church) but you shouldn't have to pay anything beyond that. Although for the places you are talking about I would budget 2k even doing it on your own. But an extra 2k on top of school loans is a drop in the bucket. The experience and stories you will have will be worth the investment.

Also, don't plan on making much of a difference. With little training, language, and cultural understanding your immediate contribution will be minimal. You will be receiving most of the short-term benefit from the experience, but that's fine. The long-term benefit is your changed perspective and understanding of how better to contribute to the global health picture in the future. Good luck!

 

[Van Chowder]

Thanks! I appreciate the advice/insight. I think I has the misconception that free volunteer programs existed( im not religious).
Re: the making a difference statement. I hear what you are saying. I do not expect to develop a cure for aids however, even being able to tell just ten people the dangers surrounding HIV and that ways its contracted IS making a difference, that could potentially be life saving for ten people.

On the flip-side of things, I don't want to go somewhere where there is plenty of need for help but I end up getting stuck picking up trash on the side of the road. Not cool.

Thanks for the input!!

 

[naijaboi]

Thanks! I appreciate the advice/insight. I think I has the misconception that free volunteer programs existed( im not religious).
Re: the making a difference statement. I hear what you are saying. I do not expect to develop a cure for aids however, even being able to tell just ten people the dangers surrounding HIV and that ways its contracted IS making a difference, that could potentially be life saving for ten people.

On the flip-side of things, I don't want to go somewhere where there is plenty of need for help but I end up getting stuck picking up trash on the side of the road. Not cool.

Thanks for the input!!

Before you spend your hard earned money to fly to India or Africa, let me ask you three questions. What do you hope to achieve from your volunteering experience? And what skills do you have to offer that is essential? And what foreseeable difference can you make in only one month and how will you do it?

Let me help you answer them. You will not gain much for your volunteer experience, except maybe for the bragging rights that you visited a third world country and survived. Also, short-term international health experiences no longer sway Adcoms and will not help you get admitted. Unless you are a physician/nurse/health care worker, seasoned community organizer, teacher, law guru, a computer geek, your skills are not essential. Even if you were those things, there is very little you can do in one month. Most Africans and Indians already know the dangers of HIV and there are much-qualified Africans/Indians and foreign nationals on ground informing them. Chances are that you will impede qualified professionals whose works are essential, as they have to train you, and also have to worry about your safety. Most programs that offer an international experience are basically “poverty tours”- here’s how poor Africans live. Go home and feel better about yourself cos you have helped them.

You will be better served waiting till you graduate, and applying to international programs (perhaps a fullbright or the peacecorps) that will pay you to live and serve in those regions for at least 6 months. Then you can make a tangible difference. You can even complete a research study, which will benefit you intellectually, and will also help the world at-large.

If you want to immediately help disadvantaged people, look in your own backyard. You live in NYC – there is plenty poverty and people who need your help. Soup kitchens. Try Harlem, the projects, Central park – everywhere they are disadvantaged people; Flatbush; even outside your classroom window. All these are opportunities and ways to make tangible difference. If you are so keen on international health, start fundraising campaigns, volunteer with Medicine Sans Frontiers at their NY office. There’s Keep a Child Alive foundation; raise money for them. Organize human rights campaigns in your college, HIV/STD awareness, international fundraising campaigns. All these would be more helpful than a month-long trip to India/Africa. All these activities could last longer than a month, will be more fulfilling and will make you look good in front of Adcoms.

 

[j4premed]

Also, short-term international health experiences no longer sway Adcoms and will not help you get admitted.

I have a friend who applied and got rejected
Waited a year, went abroad short-term, re-applied and got admitted to the same school.
I'm sure there's a good chance it helps with one Adcom or another.

OP, have you looked into Global Medical Brigades? You can find some good opportunities for ~$1000.

 

[naijaboi]

I have a friend who applied and got rejected
Waited a year, went abroad short-term, re-applied and got admitted to the same school.
I'm sure there's a good chance it helps with one Adcom or another.

How are you so sure that it is your friend's experience abroad that swayed the adcom. What did he/she do the rest of the year? And when did she submit her first application, and to what schools, and did she interview at this school previously. What is the applicant pool this year like? Did the Adcom members think she is committed and motivated because she is older and reapplying after having been rejected the first time. There are too many variables to consider - but I can assure you that a month's international experience is hardly anything to swoon over except if you were a premed.