Health Care Volunteer Programs in South America

Maximo Nivel is a locally based organization in Costa Rica, Guatemala, and Peru. Volunteer abroad—get involved, make an impact, and learn to serve by working on local projects: - Working with Kids - Teaching English - Conservation - Construction - Animal Care - Eco-Agriculture - Medical and Healthcare To qualify: - Volunteers must be 18+ years of age or accompanied by a parent or guardian. - We require background checks from our volunteers. - Come with a great attitude and a willingness to pitch in. Since 2003, Maximo Nivel has been a leader in educational travel and study abroad. Our work-study-travel programs host more than 4,000 people per year. We are a professional, ethical, and hard-working organization that is completely dedicated to providing a great experience to every participant, student, traveler, and client! Every day, we strive to set ourselves apart and provide the best volunteer, education, and cultural experiences in Latin America, along with top-notch client service and great home-based facilities. Live it!

Join a unique and dynamic healthcare or medical volunteer internship in Cuzco, Peru! this program offers two options- a placement in health care and a more hands-on, medical placement. The health care option is suitable for students of health science, nursing, and pre-med. The medical placement is suitable for licensed medical professionals or those in their third or fourth year of medical school. Placements in dentistry and physical therapy are available as well. Volunteer activities depend on previous experience, training and language skills.

RECRUITING FOR 2023 Come and volunteer in Quito, and help address the sad reality of children in Quito. These kids, often as young as three years old, are already working up to 10 hours a day in the markets, streets, and countryside of Ecuador to support their financially struggling families. The Education Outreach is a proactive intervention program and, together with a local team, you’ll travel to the markets around greater Quito. Approach children and their parents, and talk about the importance of early childhood development and education. Set up tents and create opportunities for thematic early childhood education, including health/hygiene and recreation. Volunteers should be open, flexible, patient, caring, creative, and come with a spirit of collaboration and solidarity. Interest in social work, early childhood education, community development, and social justice are a plus. Basic Spanish speaking skills are required for this project to enable you to communicate with the children but can be gained by attending Spanish classes during your placement. As the project involves different locations, volunteers should be prepared to use public transport.

At International Volunteer HQ (IVHQ), we unite people from over 96 countries who want to make a meaningful difference while exploring the world. With 300+ projects in 40+ destinations, IVHQ offers the widest selection of volunteer programs globally—from Teaching and Childcare to Wildlife Conservation, Medical Outreach, and Environmental Sustainability. Since 2007, IVHQ has supported over 147,000 volunteers on life-changing journeys. We specialize in fully-hosted volunteer trips that are safe, affordable, and accessible—starting from just $20 per day. Your experience includes airport pick-up, accommodation, meals, and round-the-clock support from our local teams. With flexible booking options and no change fees, planning your volunteer adventure has never been easier. Our programs run year-round and are available for 1 to 24 weeks across Africa, Asia, Europe, the Pacific, South and Central America, North America, the Caribbean, and the Middle East. Volunteering with IVHQ is about more than giving back—it’s about growing, learning, and building genuine global connections.

IMA offers an opportunity to enhance your medical and healthcare knowledge with International Medical Aid's Pre-Med and Health Fellowships. Crafted for pre-med undergraduates, medical students, and high school students, these fellowships offer a unique chance to engage deeply with global health care in East Africa, South America, and the Caribbean. Shadow doctors in underserved communities, and immerse yourself in diverse healthcare systems through our extensive network of public and private hospitals. IMA, a nonprofit organization, is deeply invested in the communities we serve, focusing on sustainable health solutions and ethical care practices. You'll be involved in community medical clinics, public health education, and first responder training, addressing the root causes of disease and illness alongside local community leaders. Beyond clinical experience, explore the beauty of your host country through cultural excursions and adventure programs during your free time. Join IMA's fellowships developed at Johns Hopkins University and step into a role that transcends traditional healthcare learning, blending clinical excellence with meaningful community service.

Embark on a journey to immerse yourself in the captivating beauty of one of Peru's most enchanting cities while simultaneously gaining invaluable experience within the heart of a dynamic nonprofit organization. Within these picturesque surroundings, you will have the extraordinary opportunity to join an organization dedicated to fostering the comprehensive development of individuals in need through a series of innovative and impactful projects. As an intern with this organization, your primary focus will be to actively participate in daily tasks in their medical sector. These may include the pivotal role of assisting doctors in conducting thorough physical examinations and check-ups for patients, ensuring that they receive the highest quality of care. You'll also play a vital role in the administration of vaccines and injections, contributing directly to the health and well-being of the community. The dynamic nature of the organization means that you'll be exposed to a lot of healthcare-related challenges and opportunities. Your role will evolve based on the needs of the organization and your own growth as a healthcare professional. Learn, grow, and make a meaningful difference.

At Projects Abroad, we’re passionate about travel with a purpose. Since being founded in 1992, more than 130,000 volunteers have traveled to over 20 destinations around the world. Our programs will make you step out of your comfort zone and engage with your new friends from around the world. These are long-term projects, led by local people and aligned with the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals. By taking part in our programs, even for a short time, you will be contributing towards a sustained effort to support the communities that host us! We believe no other provider offers the safety and security to their volunteers and interns that we do. You'll receive 24-hour staff support from our trained staff, alongside a gold standard of safety planning of your trip - so you don't have to worry about a thing. Choose a project you are passionate about from working with children to medical internship, conservation, and wildlife volunteering. We offer projects starting at one week in over 20 stunning destinations across Asia, Africa, Latin America & The Caribbean, South Pacific & Europe. Ready to make a difference? Follow the link to visit our website!

Find out why more and more people are choosing to become a Love Volunteer! Love Volunteers is the most affordable way to volunteer and help local communities in developing countries! Why are we cheaper than other organisations? Firstly, we are just a handful of passionate people working hard to help volunteers and local communities around the world. We don't have huge overheads - no company cars, no downtown office - we're just volunteers who knew we could do a better job. Secondly, we work with local organisations wherever we can to keep administration costs to a minimum and also to feed as much money and skills into the local communities where we operate. All of Love Volunteers partner organisations have been fully vetted to ensure that, not only does a genuine need for assistance exist, but that the environments that we place our volunteers are safe and of high quality. Choose from one or more of our 200+ amazing community-based programs in 37 developing countries around the world. Every program has been personally visited by one of our dedicated staff members and is regularly audited to ensure it meets our high standards in terms of safety, sustainability, and local impact.

Looking to apply your talent and expertise to a good cause? Find a program that matches your interests and skills through Volunteer World! We are the largest volunteer abroad comparison platform around the globe, enabling you to seek and compare offers from major travel agencies as well as smaller grassroots NGOs and local specialists in more than 80 countries. All these with just one click! Find projects in wildlife, teaching, community development, and several other areas. Simply choose your desired destination and desired travel date, and our search engine will compare the best volunteer abroad programs on your behalf. Whether you wish to gain experience at a wildlife sanctuary in South Africa or teach English at a monastery in Nepal, we've got you covered. Volunteer World guarantees a quick and easy application. We will guide you through this process, as well as help plan your next meaningful trip. We provide free access to quality-checked projects and flexible options. And if anything goes wrong, we've got your back with our qualified support team and our refund guarantee.

Ecuador's vibrant culture, dense rainforests, breathtaking Andean landscapes, and picturesque beaches make it the premier destination in South America. Volunteers with World Endeavors are based near the beautiful southern Pacific Coast. By choosing one of the several volunteer projects, participants have the opportunity to make a positive impact on the people of Ecuador. Projects include teaching children, orphanage assistance, special education, deaf education, and wildlife conservation. Eligibility for this program includes English language fluency; a desire to help the people of Ecuador; flexibility and self-motivation; openness to a new culture, and a willingness to learn. Spanish language skills are helpful but not required.

Looking for an international internship that will set you apart—and give you the skills, experience, and confidence to thrive in your career? Connect-123 designs fully customized programs that match your background and goals, offering hands-on experience in some of the world’s most exciting cities: Barcelona, Buenos Aires, Cape Town, Dublin, and Sydney. Whether you’re a student, recent graduate, or experienced professional, our programs span dozens of fields including business, finance, medicine, public health, journalism, marketing, human rights, law, sustainability, education, and more. You’ll gain meaningful, career-related experience while also exploring life in a new culture. We take care of the details so you can focus on making the most of your time abroad. From the moment you apply, our team helps guide you through the process, secure your placement, and prepare you for your new adventure. With flexible start dates and customizable program lengths, your life-changing internship begins on your schedule.

Sign-up for our medical volunteering programs abroad if you are a medical or healthcare student who is aspiring for a medical career but needs real-time training and mentoring. You don’t necessarily have to have a medical degree, as requirements are different for each program. There are even pre-med volunteer abroad programs specifically for school leavers who are considering studying medicine in the future. We also offer customised placements for those seeking medical electives or medical internships abroad. Most of our medical electives abroad placement require that you spend 5-7 hours at our partner hospital or clinic as an observer of the daily routines of medical staff. You will be assigned a doctor or a department who will mentor you and may call upon you to assist with basic tasks such as taking vitals and treating minor wounds under the supervision of the local doctors. Our medical electives are offered in developing countries such as Philippines, Vietnam, India, Cambodia, Sri Lanka, Nepal, Peru and Costa Rica.

Visit Tarija, a tranquil city in southern Bolivia of about 200,000 people. This picturesque region is known as the “Bolivian Andalucia” for its vineyards and Spanish cultural influence. Tarija offers universal health insurance, which can create high demand for services and strains on the system due to lack of personnel and equipment. Understand cultural and socioeconomic barriers patients face in accessing healthcare services and witness treatments for pathologies not commonly seen in North America, including parasitosis, tuberculosis, and Chagas. Learn from health professionals and become immersed in Tarija’s healthcare system, including community clinics, secondary and tertiary level hospitals, and a leading clinic for the treatment of Chagas Disease. Chagas, the “new AIDS of the Americas,” currently infects 1.8 million people in Bolivia alone, primarily in rural areas. Shadow healthcare professionals as they undertake patient consultations, laboratory analysis, and prevention efforts in surrounding communities, while learning from local experts about the latest developments in Chagas research.

Lima, the capital of Peru, is located on the west coast of the Pacific along the Rímac River. This large, international city balances both modern and traditional influences, which evolved from Peru's history as the home of the Inca and numerous other civilized cultures dating back as far as 2000 BC. Opportunities vary from rehabilitating marine life to working with disabled or at-risk youth to creating environmental protection campaigns. By partnering with community-based organizations and following a structured, reflection-based curriculum, you will learn how local experts address these issues with available resources while developing intercultural and leadership skills in a real-world context. Each of our community-based organizations is unique, so visit our website to learn more about your options. Although all our programs are great, we especially recommend Lima for students who are interested in marine biology or human rights.

The Peru Community Project is based high in the Andes mountain range in the city of Cusco, the oldest continually inhabited city in South America and the staging post for Machu Picchu. This includes: Children's reading project - It focuses on the young and vulnerable to assist them in finding a way out of the trap of poverty by providing support in their education so they can become contributing members of their families and society. After-school education program - Globalteer's 'Picaflor House' project, based in Oropesa village outside of Cusco, focuses on taking children off the streets and providing them with a safe place to learn and enjoy being kids. Once at the project, they are provided with education and fun activities such as traditional dance, arts, sports, and excursions. Volunteers assist the local staff in teaching English. They play sports and read to the kids as well as lead arts and fun activities. They also help with manual work to improve the project: painting, decorating, gardening, etc. Globalteer is a registered charity in the UK providing ethical and affordable volunteering.

Immerse yourself in daily life in Peru’s Sacred Valley while working alongside community partners in the Andes. Support ongoing construction and agricultural projects that strengthen local infrastructure and deepen your understanding of Andean traditions. Explore vibrant markets, learn Quechua phrases, and share fútbol matches with Peruvian peers. Journey through the heart of the Inca Empire on excursions to Pisac, Ollantaytambo, and the agricultural terraces of Moray, then cap your experience with a breathtaking hike on the Inca Trail and a full exploration of Machu Picchu.

Improve Spanish fluency while volunteering in Buenos Aires, Argentina. Participants will be grouped based on their current level of Spanish and will spend 20 hours of lessons per week. With only a maximum of five students per class, the program enables the students to be in a calm and relaxed environment where they can gain knowledge in the areas of listening, grammar, oral and written comprehension. After the study program, students will be placed in a volunteering position located 15-20 minutes from the institute in Buenos Aires for a minimum of four weeks. Placement opportunities include the following: * Social Services * Health Care * Orphanage * Teaching * Language Teacher (English, French and German) * Women and Men, & Elderly * Indigenous Community These are unpaid positions and there is a limited number of positions every month.

Join our Medical Internship in Argentina and gain hands-on experience in hospitals and health centers. Shadow doctors and nurses, attend workshops, and take part in public health campaigns, helping communities in need. It’s more than technical skills. You will witness the human side of healthcare and learn how professionals connect with patients. You will rotate through departments, explore different fields of medicine, and discover what truly inspires you. Whether you’re a medical student, a recent graduate, or considering medical studies, our coordinators will tailor your experience to your background, ensuring you learn, grow, and make an impact. Boost your resume, gain international experience, improve your Spanish, meet global friends, and live a life-changing adventure in Argentina. Learn, care, and make a difference. This is your chance to step into the world of medicine.

Through World Internships, land a placement in the Healthcare field of Quito. This unique opportunity enables you to gain hands-on experience with traditional medicinal practices in the Amazon. Work directly with physicians and medical professionals to help preserve the local knowledge of indigenous people while making sure community members have access to appropriate healthcare. Shadow and observe physicians during hospital rotations while assisting them with basic medical tasks, such as taking patient histories, offering basic preventative care, and participating in the hospital's community education initiatives. Along the way, acquire skills like patient management, cross-cultural communication, and basic medical procedures. An internship with both indigenous and Western medicine and healthcare practices sets you apart from other applicants in graduate school or in job interviews. This program is also open to volunteers.

Cusco, Peru – easily one of the top 5 ancient civilization centers of the world - is also home to immense scenic beauty, biodiversity, and incredible culture. Bordering the Pacific Coast, Andes & Amazon, Peru is an ancient land with one of the richest collections of historic artifacts known to man. As a rich country in natural resources, Peru has many dimensions, and unfortunately, social development has not kept pace in all regions. Education, illiteracy, and fundamental social justice among poorer communities continue to divide the rich and the poor. IVI’s work mainly focuses on vulnerable areas that can benefit from voluntary services. Programs include: - Alpaca & Llama Farm - Animal Care & Rehabilitation - Teaching English - Childcare - Rainforest Conservation - Indigenous Community Immersion - Public Health & Nutrition - Medical Hospital - Community Construction - Christmas & New Year Holiday Internships: - Hospitality & Tourism Internship - Human Rights Internship - Medical Internship - Micro-Business Internship - Special Education Internship - Education Internship - Veterinary Internship - Dental Internship