Medicine Internships in Belize

I am incredibly grateful for my time in Valencia. Both my time with my host family and the staff at my placement allowed me to immerse myself in the Spanish language and culture while teaching me life and career skills that cannot be learned in a classroom. Rotating between nursing and the OR enabled observation of patient processing and medical decision-making from start to finish, pre-op to post-op.

The thing I enjoyed the most is that I got to meet so many people from various parts of the world who I deeply connected with, and shared some life changing experiences with. As for my professional development, I was able to gain more confidence and become more comfortable while talking with people. I would 100% do this again and I would advise anyone who wants to do this internship to do it.

My host mom was great! She was very welcoming and took an interest in what I was doing and how I was feeling! She made it easier to be away from home for so long. The part I enjoyed most about this internship was the opportunity to work alongside the staff at the school farm and experience how animal care and agricultural education are approached in another country. I enjoyed building relationships with my coworkers, host family, and classmates, and learning how to communicate despite the language barrier. It pushed me outside of my comfort zone and helped me become more confident, independent, and adaptable. Professionally, the internship gave me valuable hands-on experience in an international setting and reinforced my passion for pursuing a career in Animal Science. Personally, it taught me to be more open-minded, appreciate different cultures and ways of life, and trust my ability to handle new challenges. This experience has given me skills and confidence that I will carry with me throughout my education and future career.

This internship has truly given me the necessary tools to become more competent in my field. I feel as though I have developed both personally and professionally through the experience gained during my time in Spain. Stepping out of my comfort zone and interacting with experts on a daily basis or simply meeting new people and creating bonds were some key takeaways I will carry with me.

This experience was invaluable in terms of immersion in a new culture and environment. I learned so much about different cultures and enhanced my skills in the Spanish language. The best ways to gain new perspectives is to travel!

The internship truly allowed me to appreciate the blessings I have. I really appreciate the internship for allowing me to grow both personally and professionally. I truly enjoyed seeing the similarities in medicine, even if the practices are separated by continents. Not only that, but working with patients and healthcare professionals from different cultural backgrounds improved my ability to communicate effectively.

My experience with InternHQ and my local team in Spain was great. I am a medical student and was looking for an internship that matches my profile and requests. I got assigned into a clinic and hospital for OB&GYN and I had a great time, learned a lot and felt very comfortable. My mentor was a very doctor and person, she was very keen to teach me and never made me feel left out. I was doubtful for this experience but I am so glad I spent 3 weeks into this experience who for sure brought me closer to what I want to do in the near future. Sarah my Program Manager at Intern HQ was very very helpful and always there to offer the best options possible. Thanks a lot Sarah!

In my internship, I gained surgical and research experience and was able to work and learn from surgeons, anesthesiologists, nurses and residents. I also learned time management, collaboration and problem solving and how to work under pressure. Throughout my internship, I made not only professional connections, but also long lasting friendships and the best memories I will always cherish.

The thing I enjoyed the most was working in the clinic and gaining the hands on experience I have been wanting to achieve. This was my first internship and it was everything I ever wanted and now I only want to continue and do more to continue in my professional path.

I found it incredibly insightful to see how certain things in my field are carried out in a different country and culture. It was so eye-opening. I also loved meeting new people and integrating myself into the culture; the people who had been living in the same apartment building as me were so lovely and warm and welcoming and even invited me to their dinner. It was very memorable, and I enjoyed every second of it!! The internship alongside the doctor was also very informative; I got to do a lot of hands-on work and meet lots of new people. The island of Crete was so beautiful and felt very neighborly, and I really enjoyed looking at the views and taking walks in the central market.

This was the greatest experience of my life! I felt very lucky to be placed in such a great internship where my team took such good care of me. Additionally, my accommodation was amazing and I met some life-long friends through my shared apartment. It was nice to have everything set up for me even better than I could have expected. I honestly wish my internship was a bit longer.

I’m so glad I took this journey with Intern Abroad HQ! I was able to experience and immerse myself a new culture, in medicine and everything else. I also began to learn a new language and had a lot of help along the way. I gained confidence in the medical workplace setting in communication especially, and enjoyed my time meeting new friends and travelling with them. I will always remember this experience. I received quick responses and all my questions were answered by my Program Manager! My host mother is an amazing person. She cooked amazing meals for us everyday and had a beautiful home. She was so kind and I already miss her!

Veronica, my Program Manager, helped me with all of my various questions and concerns promptly and professionally. Without her assistance I would have had a much more difficult time attempting to figure out what I needed to do. I am very grateful for her support during my journey. This internship allowed me to become exposed to details and questions I would have otherwise not crossed. I developed relationships and ideas I would have never thought were possible without this opportunity. It allowed me to grow both professionally and personally in various ways, making me unbelievably grateful to everyone that I have met. I will carry this experience with me for the rest of my life, as it truly helped me figure out my own values and my capabilities.

I am a first-generation college student, and going to Belize was an experience I will always carry with me. At first, I was afraid that I wouldn't make an impact at my internship or that I would get homesick more than a thousand miles away from home. In the end, I made great friendships and discovered some of my passions in life. The experiences were so pure that I grew in many ways. As soon as I stepped into the warm blanket that is the Belizean weather, I felt attended to. Our driver, Mr. Roberto, welcomed us with a warm smile and took us to our destination in San Ignacio, Belize. The program staff was always attentive to our needs and gave us all of the necessary tools to grow professionally and personally. That is exactly what happened to me and reciprocity played a huge role. I was able to conduct presentations for surrounding schools in the town of Santa Elena. I interned in the Santa Elena Public Library and had great support from my supervisors. I worked both independently and in groups with the staff as well as with people of the community. This made the experience so much more rewarding. The daily face to face contact was something I still keep close to my heart. One of the most memorable moments was swimming in the Carribean Sea. I was also able to cook alongside Mayan women and prepare a traditional meal with the Garifuna people on their island, in South Belize. These immersive experiences definitely were some of my most memorable. Reading about a culture in a history textbook is one thing, but tasting the culture is something I will certainly never forget. TEP played a major role in my success in the program and I will be eternally grateful. Oh yeah, and how can I forget, I climbed to the top of the Mayan ruins of Xunantunich.

Toucan Education Programs (TOUCAN) responded to this reviewDecember 05, 2019

Dear Jessica,<br/><br/>Huge thanks for your lovely review. You did an awesome job immersing yourself not only in your internship but also in your host community. <br/><br/>Again, huge thanks!<br/>Rhondine

From beginning to the end the experience went well. I especially was impressed with the level of engagement by the administrators. They kept me informed every step of the way. This program exceeded my expectations.

The Toucan Education Program (TEP) helped me to connect to organizations in Belize where I could share my own expertise in a reciprocal learning environment. I learned more about the Belizean education and culture from the two organizations that hosted me, than they probably learned from me. The TEP organizers arranged for all meetings, transportation, and events during my stay. They checked in on all of the members of our group on a daily basis . . . always making sure we were enjoying our experience and having our needs met. I made connections that I hope will last for a lifetime, and I'm already planning to go back!

Toucan Education Programs (TOUCAN) responded to this reviewApril 03, 2018

We are very grateful for your review and for your work in Belize.

TEP was absolutely excellent!! Everything was well-planned, there was never a time where you questioned where your transportation was or where you were supposed to be next. All of the staff were extremely helpful and always quick to help or respond to any question or concern you had! I would HIGHLY recommend utilizing TEP for your travel abroad experiences!

Toucan Education Programs (TOUCAN) responded to this reviewApril 03, 2018

Huge thanks for your feedback. We are equally grateful to Dr. Beitman and Jim who remain passionate about their service in Belize.

The time I spent in Belize working with Toucan Education Programs (TEP) was a truly immersive experience and one that I would recommend to any motivated student who is looking for a highly individualized yet community oriented opportunity. This program, created by founder/CEO Rhondine Petrof, not only allows for exponential growth in an academic sense but also works to challenge currently held positionalities that contribute to an individual's identity. This intentional reciprocity between student and study creates space for the practice of introspection. Correspondingly the development of self-confidence is later met when planning, conducting and presenting exploratory research. I am forever grateful for the efforts of TEP and to the individuals I have had the privilege to share these memories with. The experience has allowed me a deeper grasp of varying intersectionalities within public health and gender roles, comfortability in realizing that as I continuously face new situations, I will be discovering new facets of who I am, and to above all else trust that I am capable. Also important to mention, the staff of TEP including Rhondine was there for me when I was experiencing health concerns. This comfort and commitment to ensuring I was okay for the remainder of the trip truly helped me feel safe, secure, and relaxed. Their actions helped me overcome small challenges that allowed me to quickly bounce back and enjoy the experience.

Toucan Education Programs (TOUCAN) responded to this reviewSeptember 22, 2017

Hello Sara,<br/><br/>Huge thanks for your review. We value your feedback and support.<br/>

I cannot say enough great things about my experience with TEP in Belize! Rhodine is amazing! The people of Belize are warm and welcoming. It was well organized, immersive and a great cultural opportunity to make an impact and Belize made a beautiful impact on me!

Toucan Education Programs (TOUCAN) responded to this reviewSeptember 20, 2017

Hello Sydney,<br/><br/>We are so grateful for your awesome review. Huge thanks and hope you are well!<br/><br/>Your humble TEP team!

Amazing experience all around. I had a great time. I will never forget my time in Belize. I will definitely come back. I would recommend this program to others. TEP staff and the people of Belize have been so kind to me.