Medicine and Healthcare Program

The Foundation gave me the opportunity to make a life experience even with my young age (16 years). It was great that all the volunteers lived together in one spot. The hospital program gave me a good introduction into the medical world. The Spanish lessons really helped to revise.

I was very nervous for this trip since I didn't really know Spanish or have ever traveled to the Dominican, but it was so amazing! The coordinators and other volunteers are so supportive and want you to succeed and have the best trip. I did the medical program in the hospital and being able to see the differences between US health care and the Dominican was very eye opening and I learned a lot from them. I am a student in college so figuring out how to volunteer overseas was a little difficult time-wise but the coordinators helped me in the best way they could to make sure I had the best stay. All necessities around groceries, food, and everything are very close to the apartments and you are able to walk everywhere- including the beach, which was very beautiful. The amount of memories and friends I made on this trip is something I will always cherish! If you have the chance to volunteer here, do it!

see above, one and the same review for the two girls who a friends!

Wir möchten gerne über unseren 5 wöchigen Aufenthalt in Samaná berichten, wo wir in einem Krankenhaus die dort arbeitenden Ärzte und Pfleger unterstützen. Unzählige Erfahrungen im Krankenhaus wie auch ganz viele Erlebnisse in unserer Freizeit - von Whale whatching über karibisch schöne Sandstrände bis hin zum wöchentlichen Social meeting- Es sind und waren so viele Eindrücke, die uns auf immer im Gedächtnis bleiben werden. Weiters dürfen wir noch kurz betonen, dass die Organisation vom ersten Tag an perfekt funktionierte. Wir hatten das Gefühl hier sehr gut aufgehoben zu sein, Jessica (Betreuerin) wie auch die anderen Volunteers kümmerten sich von Beginn an und während des gesamten Aufenthalts mit großem Engagement um uns. Vielen herzlichen Dank, Sara und Valerie

Overall, I had a very pleasant experience with the people who work for Peace Villages. They were kind and helped me when I had problems. sometimes you had to be aware that you are in the dominican republic as some things do not work as you think. I had a pleasant experience in the hospital and the people there teach you and let you see different things in the work of doctors. not everything worked perfectly but i really enjoyed my time here.

- opportunity - After a time we became friends with the nurses - I was glad that I was not alone :) - My spanish improved - I learned things about the healthcare system here and could do some stuff - People are friendly and helpful - Life here is just great - Spanish should be a requirement (because in the Medicine program it is very helpful to ask doctors questions)

I spent 3 months working in the Clinica International Espezializada, Las Terrenas. Overall, I really enjoyed my experience. I learned how to inject, how to canalize and medicate and even got to see a surgery and a natural child birth. I truly liked working with the other nurses who eventually even became friends. The atmosphere at the hospital is great, everyone is very nice and open to teach and explain. The only thing I would criticize is that it was sometimes boring since there was not a lot to do. Living with the other volunteers was a great experience. It was like a big family, we lived and cooked together and often stayed up late just to talk. Apart from that I think that the volunteer Guesthouse should be better equipped…

When I first arrived in Santo Domingo I was very excited about our stay. I was happy that Aldeas de Paz organized our transportation to Las Terrenas. When I arrived here we have been warm welcomed by our coordinator. He showed us arrounf the city and gave us tips and insinders. The second day we went to work our first time. There our colleagues have been very nice to us since the first moment. Beside our work in the medical part we also helped the doctors and nursery with translating. In total our stay at the hospital was very nice and we could do some good work there. Besides our work in the hospital I really enjoyed our painting day with all the other volunteers. Now that my time is over I am sad that I already have to leave after five weeks, which passed very quick.

When I first arrived in las Terrenas, I was overwhelmed by all the new impressions. It was my first time being in Latin America, but I got used to everything really quick. I love the Dominican culture, the music and the people. Everybody was very welcoming and open and we met a lot of new people. Working for the foundation was fun, the only minor inconvenience was the lack of patients at our hospital.. it was pretty new tho and so this will probably change over time. The hotel we stayed at was nice and had a great outdoor-area. Overall volunteering in the DR was a great experience and I would highly recommend it. The nature is amazing, the people are nice and there is a lot to do and experience.

I was very nervous for this trip since I didn't really know Spanish or have ever traveled to the Dominican, but it was so amazing! The coordinators and other volunteers are so supportive and want you to succeed and have the best trip. I did the medical program in the hospital and being able to see the differences between US health care and the Dominican was very eye opening and I learned a lot from them. I am a student in college so figuring out how to volunteer overseas was a little difficult time-wise but the coordinators helped me in the best way they could to make sure I had the best stay. All necessities around groceries, food, and everything are very close to the apartments and you are able to walk everywhere- including the beach, which was very beautiful. The amount of memories and friends I made on this trip is something I will always cherish!

Wir möchten gerne über unseren 5 wöchigen Aufenthalt in Samaná berichten, wo wir in einem Krankenhaus die dort arbeitenden Ärzte und Pfleger unterstützen. Unzählige Erfahrungen im Krankenhaus wie auch ganz viele Erlebnisse in unserer Freizeit - von Whale whatching über karibisch schöne Sandstrände bis hin zum wöchentlichen Social meeting- Es sind und waren so viele Eindrücke, die uns auf immer im Gedächtnis bleiben werden. Weiters dürfen wir noch kurz betonen, dass die Organisation vom ersten Tag an perfekt funktionierte. Wir hatten das Gefühl hier sehr gut aufgehoben zu sein, Jessica (Betreuerin) wie auch die anderen Volunteers kümmerten sich von Beginn an und während des gesamten Aufenthalts mit großem Engagement um uns. Vielen herzlichen Dank, Sara und Valerie

- opportunity - After a time we became friends with the nurses - I was glad that I was not alone :) - My spanish improved - I learned things about the healthcare system here and could do some stuff - People are friendly and helpful - Life here is just great - Spanish should be a requirement (because in the Medicine program it is very helpful to ask doctors questions)

I spent 3 months working in the Clinica International Espezializada, Las Terrenas. Overall, I really enjoyed my experience. I learned how to inject, how to canalize and medicate and even got to see a surgery and a natural child birth. I truly liked working with the other nurses who eventually even became friends. The atmosphere at the hospital is great, everyone is very nice and open to teach and explain. The only thing I would criticize is that it was sometimes boring since there was not a lot to do. Living with the other volunteers was a great experience. It was like a big family, we lived and cooked together and often stayed up late just to talk. Apart from that I think that the volunteer Guesthouse should be better equipped…

When I first arrived in Santo Domingo I was very excited about our stay. I was happy that Aldeas de Paz organized our transportation to Las Terrenas. When I arrived here we have been warm welcomed by our coordinator. He showed us around the city and gave us tips and insiders. The second day we went to work our first time. There our colleagues have been very nice to us since the first moment. Beside our work in the medical part we also helped the doctors and nursery with translating. In total our stay at the hospital was very nice and we could do some good work there. Besides our work in the hospital I really enjoyed our painting day with all the other volunteers. Now that my time is over I am sad that I already have to leave after five weeks, which passed very quick.

When I first arrived in las Terrenas, I was overwhelmed by all the new impressions. It was my first time being in Latin America, but I got used to everything really quick. I love the Dominican culture, the music and the people. Everybody was very welcoming and open and we met a lot of new people. Working for the foundation was fun, the only minor inconvenience was the lack of patients at our hospital.. it was pretty new tho and so this will probably change over time. The hotel we stayed at was nice and had a great outdoor-area. Overall volunteering in the DR was a great experience and I would highly recommend it.

The Foundation gave me the opportunity to make a life experience even with my young age (16 years). It was great that all the volunteers lived together in one spot. The hospital program gave me a good introduction into the medical world. The Spanish lessons really helped to revise.

Being in the Dominican Republic and being able to intern at the local clinic has been a blessing for me. In so little time I've gained so much experience and knowledge professionally and personally. My life has changed tremendously and I leave the Dominican Republic with kind regards and special thanks to Aldeas to Paz.

To all future volunteers around the world: After 15 months spending with Aldeas de Paz, my stay comes to an end.So it's an occasion for sharing my experience, point of view and recommendation. My place abroad was Las Terrenas on the peninsula Samaná in the Dominican Republic. I worked mainly in the cities public hospital. It' been a long time. 1 year and 3 months is an extensive period spend abroad for a volunteer service, but for all that everyday was worthwhile. Conception of time in the Dominican Republic is different to the ones a foreign person is used to. Schedules do not work out flawlessly nor appointments will always take place at the exact planned day and hour. Gradually the progress is made. Hence you, as a future volunteer should have in mind: the longer the stay the better! You can not rapid start work in the Dominican Republic from day one on, neither will you see a terrific change and colossal impact during your stay. This can be arduous to an arriving volunteer filled with creative urges, ideas, motivation and expectations. During your stay you will face challenges. Nevertheless you will grow with each and learn about yourself and others. By and by you will master a new language, meet various people from around the world, exchange and put things into perspective and experience. Which I had the great opportunity to. Likewise myself, the organisation was growing and still is. Aldeas de Paz is a sprouting and forthcoming NGO. I am more than thankful for the opportunity of being a part of this Fundacion. It is a chance of expansion of your own horizon - and for both sides for though the dissimilar living environments and - maxims plus savoir - vivre can fertilise one another. Exceptional thanks to Vito, Coordinator of Las Terrenas, more of a friend, for always being amiable, available and keen.

I stayed in Samaná for about 6 weeks working at the local hospital, where I helped in the obstetric and pediatric ambulance, assisting the doctors by fulfilling small medical tasks or recording the patients´ medical information. Working in an hospital with a leck of medical resources and getting to know in how far the medical system is related to cultural impacts has been an enriching experience that will definitely also help me while working in the medical sector in Germany. Besides working at the hospital, I really enjoyed the living together with the other volunteers, a group of young and open-minded people who all came to the Dominican Republic to make new experiences and friends. I was welcomed very hearty and friendly and especially liked living at the volunteers´ flat share, where we often spent time cooking, chilling and chattering together. The highlight during my stay was the medical mission at the general hospital in El Limón, where a medical team from Michigan assisted the Dominican doctors by doing surgery, dispensing medicine and treating patients. Together with two other girls from Aldeas de Paz we worked as translators but also had the chance to gain a lot of medical experience like observing surgeries. Moreover, I really liked the free time activities such as the diving classes or our trips to Cayo Levantado (the `Bacardi Island´) we did together with all the other volunteers on the weekends. Even though I sadly had to fly back to Germany earlier than actually planned for medical reasons, I enjoyed my stay in the Dominican Republic. I met lots of wonderful people and new friends, gained medical such as personal and cultural experience and also improved my Spanish skills, wherefore I am very thankful to have had the chance to be part of the Aldeas de Paz-Team.

During my time in Santa Barbara de Samaná, I worked as a hospital volunteer, school volunteer at Mama Elba, as well as initiated my own project at the school Mama Elba. Although it was a short 5 weeks, I learned so much during my stay. Along with really experiencing the difference of healthcare that is found in Dominican Republic, as well as for the first time experiencing what it is like to teach, I learned a lot about myself and the culture of the Dominican Republic. Aldeas de Paz, more specifically Sebastian, did an amazing job making sure my trip went as smoothly as possible from the time before arrival all the way until the end. I really appreciated his support with everything and admired how hard he worked trying to make sure the foundation was running smoothly for all volunteers involved. My time in the Dominican Republic, is truly indescribable. The food, the people, the music and the tranquility of the town really causes you to fall in love with the country. Creating the special connections I did with some of the hospital staff, my host family, and the students of the school really tied me to Samaná and has made my Dominican adventure unforgettable. The town is easy to grow accustomed to and to really meet and enjoy the company of the community members and local population. I would recommend either hospital placement or school placement because not only will you learn a lot about Dominican life, but the students and patients you see will teach you lessons in life and patience that no other job or university class will. Thank you so much Aldeas de Paz for an amazing time in Samaná, but I can assure you that I will be coming back soon.