
Maren Kateraas
Fundación Bolívar Education
AlumniA desire to learn Spanish and be able to see a part of the world and experience a culture and life philosophy different from my own. My hope always wa...
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MEDLIFE
10
Classic Service Learning Trips (SLTs) are week-long, immersive educational journeys to Peru, Ecuador, Costa Rica, Guatemala, or Tanzania. During these trips, volunteers actively collaborate with local communities on various development projects, including constructing homes, improving access to clea
See All 3 ProgramsKaya Responsible Travel
0
Volunteer abroad with Kaya Responsible Travel and join a project in community development with a health focus. You’ll contribute to the initiatives of a local organization that works with indigenous communities in Quito, Ecuador. The Rural Public Health Volunteering in Ecuador runs community outr
Travel For Teens
1
Home to majestic volcanos, gorgeous islands, and incredible wildlife, Ecuador is an adventure enthusiast’s dream! On this program we will visit both the Galapagos and the Amazon, two natural wonders that put this tiny country straddling the equator at the top of every traveler’s list! The first hig
ELEP Volunteer & Internship Programs
0
Volunteering on our Nursing and Healthcare project in Ecuador, South America, is an unforgettable and rewarding experience. We need healthcare professionals and medical students worldwide to provide healthcare services to underserved rural and urban communities in public hospitals and medical founda
See All 12 ProgramsHear what past participants have to say about their experiences
Program: Classic Service Learning Trip (SLT)
Definitely the Mobile Clinics have been a very nice experience, extremely rewarding. We have learned a lot together with other doctors in all stations. This has been a truly rewarding and beautiful experience. https://www.instagram.com/reel/C0Uptc5tlaD/?utm_source=ig_embed&ig_rid=91c71cdd-e0bb-4f79-b3fc-32e9af8f7de3
Program: Classic Service Learning Trip (SLT)
Here we’ve learned a lot about different medical systems in Peru and how patients have different needs than the ones we were used to. I think gaining some more cultural competency is huge for our future career in medicine. https://www.instagram.com/reel/CzwyWehhFa8/?utm_source=ig_embed&ig_rid=497e53fe-6189-46ca-a590-bfc1996988b6
Program: Classic Service Learning Trip (SLT)
The way of life of individuals is different in every country, so I already had some background knowledge of what an SLT is like, but every SLT is unique and special in its own way, offering new experiences and learning opportunities each time. https://www.instagram.com/reel/C5RCpMvMN2V/?utm_source=ig_embed&ig_rid=0095e7cf-600a-46b5-9ecf-222ce6488c26
Program: Classic Service Learning Trip (SLT)
Going on a MEDLIFE SLT is more than just like a talking point in an interview. I think it’s something that shows your true passion because you’ll find that here you’ll learn more than just how to do medical work and dental work, you’re also going to learn about the problems in a community and what true mission work is. https://youtu.be/3RMNIGO30so?si=W54Fy-ErQmjnJ5Kl
Program: Classic Service Learning Trip (SLT)
If you’re thinking that you want to go just do it! It’s easy to get caught in book work, textbooks and you’ll not get the same experience as you will just reading about the things that you can do than actually going out and doing them. Go out! Get those referrals, fundraise and then come and do the work. It’s an amazing experience. https://youtu.be/BHHzVKCcTC0?si=8hB7q1ZwPNMztlaT
Program: Classic Service Learning Trip (SLT)
I found it really incredible attending this Service Learning Trip. I really recommend it because it is a very eye opening experience. If you’re thinking of joining MEDLIFE and you’re afraid of coming here alone don’t worry, I made new friends and I’m sure we’ll stay great friends after the program. https://youtu.be/_CQsNngRmQc?si=hbsDOwuKOTCnEAuu
Program: Classic Service Learning Trip (SLT)
I think that being involved with MEDLIFE has given me so many amazing opportunities that I wouldn’t otherwise have had as a pre-health student. It has definitely confirmed my passion for medicine and strengthened my commitment to pursue a career in healthcare. https://www.instagram.com/reel/Cy6WCteLZXH/?utm_source=ig_embed&ig_rid=630afaa2-8769-4715-b8b5-e46ad23b6264
Program: Classic Service Learning Trip (SLT)
I will be heading off to Med School in a couple years so not only will this provide job shadowing and volunteer hours but also better me as a person and prepare me for what’s ahead in my medical career to be the best person I can be for my patients and the people around me. https://youtu.be/ySXhbM48-TE?si=Fwe9w6Hjpd0wwPsO
Program: Classic Service Learning Trip (SLT)
I’m aspiring to be a PA and being on an SLT has allowed me to gain a lot of experience. The MEDLIFE movement aligns with a lot of my goals in healthcare caring for people especially in low-income communities and I think that just being a part of MEDLIFE really helps you to aspire to achieve all those goals and help people in an impactful and achievable way. https://youtu.be/4tU_H4nUrRI?si=E6AUJrST-KLfsFCF
Program: Classic Service Learning Trip (SLT)
Besides the really neat aspect of touching people’s lives and helping others, coming to an SLT is also really good for a president like myself in a leadership role. Med Schools love seeing that leadership or even just being a part of MEDLIFE shows leadership. It shows initiative and Med Schools really like that. https://youtu.be/h15_J-pGU00?si=RJt-QmwEuOiSnWgN
Alumni and staff share what it's really like to go abroad

Maren Kateraas
Fundación Bolívar Education
AlumniA desire to learn Spanish and be able to see a part of the world and experience a culture and life philosophy different from my own. My hope always wa...
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Razain Alhassein
Fundación Bolívar Education
AlumniMy ultimate goal is to go to a Physician's Assistant School, and I had the opportunity to live in Ecuador for 8 months because my mom is Ecuadorian.
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Sung Suhr
Fundación Bolívar Education
AlumniWhat inspired me to go abroad was a desire to step outside familiar routines and experience life from a more grounded, human perspective. I wanted to ...
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Kasper Knaap
El Terreno
AlumniI was looking for magic and adventures. I found both along with professional skills and much more. I chose Ecuador because of its differences with Den...
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Kamila Martinkova
El Terreno
AlumniIn general, I enjoy traveling around the world - keeping an open mind, getting inspiration, meeting different people, getting to know different tradit...
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Alyssa Stokovich
(DEAD URL) NGO Taxi
AlumniGrowing up in Chicago, I didn't have a lot of opportunities to be exposed to many natural areas. When I moved out west I was exposed to a lot of new i...
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Tina Frank
Spirit Cultural Exchange
AlumniI love traveling, one of my life goals is to go to a new country each year. This year I decided to volunteer in addition to just traveling because I w...
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Fiona Fodera
International Volunteer HQ [IVHQ]
AlumniI've always wanted to travel, but I wanted to be able to experience the cultural rather than be a tourist in a foreign country. I felt the best way to...
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Luis Bonilla
International Volunteer HQ [IVHQ]
AlumniI was born in El Salvador and came to United States with very little, so I wanted to give back. I have been very fortunate with my health, family, and...
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Chelsea Nelson
International Volunteer HQ [IVHQ]
AlumniA desire to see a new part of the world, while simultaneously helping others; the perfect combo!
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Mackenzie Hedge
Spirit Cultural Exchange
AlumniI was really inspired to go abroad because I have a deep passion for traveling. For me, the importance of traveling is not simply visiting a place for...
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Kathleen Chafe
United Planet
AlumniNormally, I would consider myself a homebody, but when this opportunity was presented to me, I just couldn't turn it down. Not only did I get to trave...
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Laura Dochtermann
United Planet
AlumniI chose to apply for an international program to do something outside of my comfort zone. I went into this experience knowing I had to challenge mysel...
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Desirae Fisher
International Volunteer HQ [IVHQ]
AlumniI wanted to take a year off before college and thought that volunteering abroad would be an extremely important way to spend my year. I’ve always been...
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Jordyn DeHaan
United Planet
AlumniI decided to apply for an international program because I saw it as an opportunity to grow personally and become more open minded, while getting to he...
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Linnea Menin
International Volunteer HQ [IVHQ]
AlumniIVHQ was by far the most reasonably priced of all the organizations I looked into, which was a really important factor for me, considering that I paid...
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Annette Davis
Volunteers For Peace
AlumniI decided to apply for an international program because I wanted to become bilingual, my dream since high school was to become fluent in another langu...
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Connor Bennett
UBECI Volunteer Organization
AlumniI have been traveling on and off over the past year and decided it was time to give back along my adventure. I felt lucky to have the privilege and op...
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Jane Marino
International Student Volunteers
AlumniYet again, I found myself recruiting more students to travel with ISV, and before I knew it I had enough to earn a free program in 2011. I decided to ...
Read Full InterviewExplore the destinations and program types travelers search for most
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