Why go overseas are'nt you better off staying in the U.S. doing the exact same thing?

[hellodoc]

---

Members do not see this ad.

Hey, how is everyone on SDN,
I found a good organization that has low prices and I have a schoarship for $3,000 that they said I can give to them.......I would like to go on the Jamaica trip( not the long term) and the Mexico trip( not the long term)...what do you think, I know I will enjoy these trips do you think these field trips will have a big impact at the interview...will they stand out or no...Im better off just staying in the U.S. and doing them and Im better off going on the Tanzania trip in the hospital and dealing with the AIDS in the winter?

Here is the organization I am talking about🙂
http://amizade.org/Directory/upcoming_volunteer.html

Please reply,
Thanks

 

[Flopotomist]

I think if you want to go to medical school, you would be better off staying home and studying English.

 

[hellodoc]

I think if you want to go to medical school, you would be better off staying home and studying English.

LOL.....thanks but seriously is it really worth all the money?

 

[ramstam]

Go on a trip! What is life really about anyway? You may not impress anyone unless you personally save an endangered species, but you will be a fuller, better rounded person.

 

[Alpacizion]

If you have the money ....go overseas. THis year I will be going to Guatemala on a medical mission for the second year. The experience was priceless. I got to interact with US doctors in a very different setting than a hospital. Many of them shared their experiences and motivations for going into medicine. We were all volunteering our time and we set up a hospital in a local church in a Mayan Indian Village. Another good thing is that other countries have less stringent rules so they might let you do a lot more (hands on) than volunteering in any US ER.. I got to do things there that I would not get to do even as a surgical resident, at least that's what the surgeon told me. I got to assist in a parotid tumor surgery where it was me and the surgeon, anesthesiologist (rented for 50 dollars per case..lol) and a nurse for 5 and 1/2 hours in the OR. You will also get to see a lot of things that you will not get to see in the US because most of the population has very limited to healthcare. Oh yeah..if you do decide to go on the tripp. Make sure you stay away from drinking local water when you go overseas and buy some FLORA Q, and/or Lactobazillus . Otherwise you will be spending a lot of time in bathroom.

Good luck

 

[CostalShowers]

If you already have clinical experience of some sort, then these trips can definitely stand out.

Like any experience it will depend on how well you can articulate what you learned from the trip in a personal statement or interview though. Keep this in mind. They'll be looking for whether you gained cultural competancy, maturity, and a new perspective from the trip. All of which you probably will get by going.

My vote is the Tanzania trip if you had to choose one.

 

[CardiacIntensivist]

Anyone can stay in America where they can be around their own culture and be safe. What have you done in your life to challenge yourself? One of my biggest regrets is that I did not go abroad when I had the chance. Don't let that happen to you.

 

[Anastasis]

Anyone can stay in America where they can be around their own culture and be safe. What have you done in your life to challenge yourself? One of my biggest regrets is that I did not go abroad when I had the chance. Don't let that happen to you.

Hmmm... see I've been abroad, and I've also worked in low income border missions. Don't assume that just because you're in American you'll be in your own culture or you'll be safe. No offense, but that's pretty damn short-sighted of you. Open your eyes to the poverty all around you.

 

[CardiacIntensivist]

Hmmm... see I've been abroad, and I've also worked in low income border missions. Don't assume that just because you're in American you'll be in your own culture or you'll be safe. No offense, but that's pretty damn short-sighted of you. Open your eyes to the poverty all around you.

Hmm, perhaps safe wasn't the best choice of words. Kind of presumptuous to call me short sighted on one comment isn't it? Fine, you have a good point so let me restate what I said.

I would recommend that the OP goes abroad so he can experience how people in other countries live. He may further his appreciation for the health care America provides and get to see things he may not see by staying in America. This is a learning experience to take a part on.

 

[Anastasis]

Hmm, perhaps safe wasn't the best choice of words. Kind of presumptuous to call me short sighted on one comment isn't it? Fine, you have a good point so let me restate what I said.

I would recommend that the OP goes abroad so he can experience how people in other countries live. He may further his appreciation for the health care America provides and get to see things he may not see by staying in America. This is a learning experience to take a part on.

Okay - I agree with that comment.

And I take back what I said about you being short-sighted, but I've known people who honestly believe what you posted at first. So it would not have surprised me if you thought that way as well. But obviously you don't, so OP, yeah, what remarkal3le said. 🙂