| Author | Message | ||
     Heather New member Username: Heather Post Number: 1 Registered: 9-2007 |
Hi, I was thinking about doing some volunteer work in ecuador and buenos aires. What is the best/cheapest way to get in between the two? Thanks. Also if anyone has info on good medical volunteer programs please let me know.. | ||
| Roberto Board Administrator Username: Admin Post Number: 1290 Registered: 12-2004 |
Heather, welcome. I am afraid you will have to fly to Ecuador from BA... Will look into volunteer programs in the next few days. | ||
| Adam Walker New member Username: Adam_walker Post Number: 23 Registered: 4-2007 |
Hi Heather - not sure by what you mean "cheapest way to get in"... assuming you mean travel costs, as Roberto says, flying is the only real option - buses will take forever and he Ecuadorian buses were not like the Argentine ones! Regarding volunteer programs, I was in Quito, Ecuador for a month and a half, and soent a lot of time with US Medical students speding a month there volunteering in hospitals and learning spanish - Ecuador is great, I had an amazing time and the students got to do some incredible things (medically) that they would never had done in the States. Worth noting though, Ecuador truly is still very "South American" - itīs very different to US/Europe, quite the challenge.. BA is incredibly advanced and European in comparison - still challenging and different, but a bit cleaner and the locals stare at you a little less (only a little though). I loved both countries, easily my favourite 2 of several I have visited - but different. Last thing to note - "volunteering" normally means you have to pay for the experience! Frankly, I was shocked at this, and stopped me from doing volunteer programmes when I went away - but equally, money you hand over goes towards the institution u r helping and a lot of the time your "keep" (rent, meals etc). If you want anymore info on either place send me a mail! | ||
| Heather New member Username: Heather Post Number: 2 Registered: 9-2007 |
Thanks for replying back... I have realized how much you have to pay for these volunteer programs and being a broke medical student I just don't know if I can afford all that. As far as volunteering in Buenos Aires goes, any one from there or who would know about this please chime in---I was considering the idea of just going down there and seeing if I could set up my own volunteer work--ex. Find a clinic and say hey do you need help...This will cut down on the 1000 it costs for these volunteer programs..Is this a reasonable idea, does anyone know places that I could contact on my own? Thanks so much. | ||
| Adam Walker New member Username: Adam_walker Post Number: 24 Registered: 4-2007 |
It's unreal isn't it - not only do you give your time and expertise, you are expected to pay for it too! Anyway... I know of people who have done this with orphanages and "street" programes, but no idea about hospitals/clinics... I imagine its very possible, if you can find the contacts. You probably need to look into a medical association here - or maybe thereīs a forum ike this but for doctors! Perhaps thre's one in the US, and you can post a message there asking if anyone has done similar voluntary work - you could then get the general managers name and contact him/her directly. Sorry, cant help much more than that - I'd email the students I was with in Ecuador, but dont think I have their info anymore... good luck! | ||
| Roberto Board Administrator Username: Admin Post Number: 1295 Registered: 12-2004 |
I did a little bit of research. I think your best bet is to contact public hospitals straight and inquire about possible volunteer programs. From what I saw many hospitals are involved in these type of aid. Check Hospital Italiano for example at this page. Apparently, medical students at UBA routinely perform voluntary work related to pediatrics (vaccination programs) and in some cases students request the time spent to be credited to their resumes. Check also with "Hospital de clinicas". I think your second best option is to approach Medical School at UBA. | ||
| Heather New member Username: Heather Post Number: 3 Registered: 9-2007 |
Hey thanks for the info! I wrote them an email so we'll see what happens.. |
