Medicine in Mexico
The medical work experience projects in Mexico are
based in Puerto Vallarta, Guadalajara and the rural towns of Chapala
and Tecolotlan. When you join we’ll ask for further details
of your background and we will tailor your project location depending
on your Spanish, previous experience and areas of interest.
We have a number of partner hospitals in each of these locations
ranging from large multi-disciplinary hospitals to small rural clinics.
During your time on this placement you will be able to work with
or shadow doctors in various departments, work alongside paramedics,
care for children with cancer and assist nurses with patient care.
Many of the hospitals we work with are part of the Red Cross or
Green Cross organisations. Unlike in the UK, medical provision in
Mexico is not free. These organisations provide hospital and medical
services to those who are unable to afford it. They are also on
hand to provide assistance in the event of natural disasters such
as the earthquakes and hurricanes that occasionally hit the region.
As these organisations are non-profit organisation they are always
in need of funding and volunteers.
Volunteers often start the project with an induction. The first
week will cover basic first aid so that you are able to provide
a positive input in to the programme rather than just shadowing
doctors on ward rounds. Our partner hospitals and clinics will look
to you to make a positive input to the programme so this is not
a project where you will be just observing. You are encouraged to
play an active role helping the medical practitioners. You can then
choose to spend your time shadowing doctors in various wards, assisting
the nurses in trauma care or accompanying the paramedic crew on
their busy shift which makes the programme well suited to budding
medical students, those interested in becoming nurses and those
keen on a career as a paramedic.
Several of our past volunteers on this programme have elected to
work weekends and evenings rather than during the days as this is
usually when the hospital is at its busiest and when the most help
is needed. Therefore, it helps if you have a flexible attitude to
your working day!
Volunteering in hospitals and clinics in Mexico will mean that
your time on this project will be quite varied. As well as spending
time with the doctors, nurses and paramedics, you will also be asked
to help with other tasks also. This may include fundraising for
the hospital, helping maintain the building (painting children's
wards) and assisting on outreach programmes.
Although all our projects in Mexico include a basic Spanish course,
it is useful if you have at least some basic Spanish before joining
the medical project in Mexico. If you have no Spanish or are not
confident that your Spanish is quite up to scratch we would recommend
combining programmes and joining a teaching or orphanage project
first. Alternatively, we are happy to recommend a good 1 week Spanish
course. Many on our medical projects spend time helping in orphanages
or schools in the afternoons. This is a great way to give something
back to the community that is teaching you so much.
We also have opportunities to spend part of your time delivering
medical care in rural communities caring for the indigenous Huichol.
The Huichol community predate the Spanish conquistadors and are
located in isolated communities high in the Sierra Madre Mountains.
On this project, you will have the opportunity to work alongside
the community doctor as well as learn more about traditional indigenous
medical practises. This placement is very different to life in the
cities or even towns. You will live amongst the Huichol community
in the mountains in very basic living conditions. Part of this additional
programme includes learning Nahuatl, the original language of the
Mayas and Aztecs.
This project is not just for budding medical students, this programme
may also be suitable for those about to study:
Contact us to chat about which
programme would be best for you
Dates
and Costs
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Costs in
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Costs in

All costs shown above are for one month. Additional months can
be added for €695.
You choose your start date but spaces throughout the year are limited
so reserve your space now.
What's included?
Why are some dates cheaper than others? Our
pricing policy explained.
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