Program Reviews

This experience was hands-down the most amazing two weeks of my life. The experience of shadowing hospitals in a foreign country is so valuable because I learned how different the health care system is compared to what I am used to. More importantly, I got to experience first hand what my dream profession would be like through shadowing incredibly talented mentors, as well as getting a feel for working in a hospital environment. Not only did I learn about medical procedures, medical conditions, etc., but I also learned a lot about which future profession truly suits me. I also made life-long friends with awesome like-minded people on this trip, and I will never forget the memories we made together. Aside from our shadowing placements in the hospital, we had the opportunity to experience Dominican culture through fun activities and excursions such as trips to the beach, ATVs, and a sunset cruise. This trip was the perfect blend of a valuable, academic shadowing experience and a fun, cultural immersion with amazing people.

This experience leaves you fully appreciating the struggles a less economically developed country faces when it comes to medicine. The opportunity to shadow doctors in a variety of departments and explore the differences in treatment options for patients in the country compared to your own is incredible. I thoroughly enjoyed my placement, had lots of fun during the placement as well as in the activities. The staff are incredible from the moment they pick you up from the airport to saying goodbye. The rooms vary in size, normally sharing with 4/5 other people. There is always a night supervisor and security surrounding the house. The food is very good with plenty of options each night. After placement, there is a variety of fun activities such as a sunset cruise, horse riding, roller skating etc. Overall it was a very valuable experience as it is a great to talk about at interviews, whilst giving you extra work experience!

I had an amazing two weeks there and would recommend this experience to anyone who is unsure if they are ready to go to medical school. The doctors that you shadow are very informative and do their best that each student gets to see various procedures in the hospital as well as targeting each area of interest. A couple things they could improve on is having an itinerary of what the two weeks will look like, sending price lists of various activities that you can do in the afternoon and having the La Romana staff contact students prior to arrival instead of at arrival. Other than that, the hands-on experience is something that is crucial in medicine and the ability to ask the doctors about each step is something that I loved most about the program.

This trip was an experience of a life time and one I wish I could relive everyday. It was my first time truly travelling alone, but the people you meet as well as the amazing staff at the house become a second family instantly. The hospital, Dr Dario Contreras is a place I will never forget. I was assigned to Neurosurgery with Dr Vasquez and Dr Carreras and they made our assigned group feel so welcome and always made sure we understood what was going on and if we had any questions at all. We were invited to as many surgeries as possible, and standing in the OR watching so many amazing procedures is such a privilege and one I treasured everyday there, as it is something that simply doesn’t happen at my age. We accompanied the doctors on patient rounds and consultations getting an immense learning platform for their field and the medical field in general.
This program is one I suggest to anyone wanting a career in healthcare at any level. Once you go you will never want to leave.

I spent 2 weeks in DR on placement for nursing in July and they were possibly the 2 best, and most formative, weeks of my life! I learnt a lot about my dream career and about myself as I spent time shadowing nurses providing primary care to very ill patient in the ER; watching nurses as they performed essential daily duties such as administering medication and vaccinations; and observing various surgeries including multiple c-sections and hernia removals! My hospital mentors were great and really helped to answer my questions and get me the most out of my time in the hospital. One highlight for me was a workshop lead by one particular mentor where we learnt (and practiced) how to suture using a pigs foot. I felt like a proper nurse!! Outside of the hospital, there were always loads of activities on offer. I went on the Saona Island day trip as well and doing ATV driving and getting my nails done with my friends- there really is something for everyone! However, my favourite afternoons were often the ones I spent reading by the pool or playing ‘water volleyball’ with my new friends. The people definitely made the experience for me. I am from Northern Ireland, but I now have friends from America, Canada, Spain, Greece... the list goes on. The staff were also really amazing- from lovely Tom who answered my every question from the day I signed up to the day I left, to Traben and Jess who became friends and people I could trust and talk to. Thank you!!!

When I first arrived, I was super nervous but the whole team put me at ease at the airport. I was greeted by Rainer with a big hug! I was in Emergency Room, Pediatric Trauma, and Anesthesiology. All of the mentors are amazing. They take their time out to explain what they are doing and their english is good. My mentors are Dr. Almonte, Dr. Feliz, Dr. Galan, Dr. Adolphus, Dr. Mendez, and Dr. Garcia. I had such a great time on the outings as well with my group. I miss them all but we all stay in touch! My new friends are from all over the world including Australia, England, New Zealand, America, and Bosnia. I enjoyed my placement so much that I ended up coming for another 4 weeks. The second time I came, Erjohnny greeted me at the airport just like Rainer with a hug and smile on his face. The staff is amazing and I miss them all so much! They became family to me. Lourdes and Marie are amazing night shift supervisors they are very friendly and personable and really look out for you. My placement coordinator Erjohnny made sure that I was happy and had a great week! Wilson is amazing at cooking and always made sure I was well fed! Gerald was very nice and funny. Even though his english is very little, I enjoyed getting to expand my Spanish with the staff. Alicia gave me some really great information in our Global Health Tutorials. I had to leave early due to a knee problem but the staff were very helpful to me. Christiana from La Romana took me to the hospital and helped me out that day. The rest of the staff helped me out during that week as I was bed rested. When I left I cried for a good 20 minutes. I love Gap Medics and highly review and recommend them! I have amazing photos of surgeries. Thank you to all of the Gap Medics staff and my new friends for a one in a lifetime experience that I won't forget! I miss you all. I would love to come back!

My dedication to study medicine and become a doctor did not really start until I was In Year 11, sitting in my school hall, waiting for a Year 13 Prefect to tell us about her summer work experience. As she showed us pictures of her medical work experience with Gap Medics in Tanzania and pictures of her playing around with the kids in the orphanage, I was inspired. I told myself I had to go and do this this summer. I wanted to travel by myself and explore a different culture. Therefore, I went on Gap Medics and my two options were Tanzania or Poland since they were the only under 18 programs during 2015.

Since it was my first time to travel alone, I decided to go to Poland in 2015, as I have been to many European countries in the past, and promised to myself if I enjoyed my experience I would go to Tanzania. In Poland, I was shadowing doctors in the Children Memorial Hospital, and I was able to see open heart surgeries on infants and communicate with the patients around my age. Although I didn't speak Polish, I made a very close friend there in the hospital and I still speak with him till now. The beauty of visiting different countries is, before you know it, you start learning a few polish, eating their traditional food and knowing more about their history. This is what interested me in Tanzania too! Learning about a different lifestyle you are not adapted to, is the reason why I love traveling and meeting local people. The Gap Medics experience in Poland made me very interested in pediatrics. I was in the Cardiology Department where I had one of the most respectful mentor/surgeon. During every operation, he would give me a detailed explanation of each of the steps he has taken, so I could understand the procedure. My mentor was very enthusiastic and friendly that he wanted to show me the Heart Valve Bank the hospital had which was one of the coolest things I have ever seen.

My experience was truly unforgettable that I had to go to Tanzania the next summer. This allowed me to compare between the two experiences. In Tanzania, I had the chance to join the midwifery placement, learn more about the importance breastfeeding and how to stitch an episeotomy on a sponge. My two mentors prepared me for the theory version of a C-section before we had the opportunity to observer one, therefore, I could understand what was going on during the C-section. Midwifery is a field I never really thought I would be interested in, but I loved my time there. Additionally, In Tanzania, I managed to observe a gastrectomy, and the difference between the operating theatre in Poland and Tanzania was huge. Some of the differences were the shortage in the number of medical staff and the limited resources. This allows you to do some thinking on shouldn't every person around the world receive the same quality of healthcare. Why do some countries have a good health care and others don't? Why should the health of a person be seriously affected just because the hospital cannot offer the right treatment? These questions make you more of a global citizen; a person who will selflessly care for others when they become a doctor and who is ready to put their patient's life their number one priority. This enhances your confidence and allows you to have a bigger perspective of the world, turning you from a teenager to a young adult. Gap Medics helped me to know what I am getting myself into and made me more ready than ever for the journey ahead of me. Gap Medics has not only interested me in medicine but gave me the right skills and experience which will make me a better doctor in the future.

Thank you.

My trip to the Dominican Republic was such a well organised experience. Upon arrival, I was met at the airport by Edwin, who immediately made me feel at ease. I instantly felt welcomed by the other students when I arrived at the house. Over the weekend my fear was erased and excitement started to build up for my two weeks in the hospitals. The hospital placements were well organised with so much to see including surgeries, endoscopies and patients in the ER and intensive care. The mentors were helpful and explained everything and welcomed our questions. Gap medics offers so much more than just medical experience. With free time at weekends and evenings, there are so many trips that staff will happily organise for you, including a whole day trip to an island with all inclusive food and drink and boat trips either way. The trips to the orphanage to teach English was also a fantastic experience. I was able to use my minimal Spanish skills to help teach English to some enthusiastic girls. The gap medics staff were so friendly and helpful and the chef cooked delicious meals everyday. I made so many new friends (including Edwin) and memories that will last forever. A truly life changing experience.

It was one of the valuable experience l have ever had. l met lovely people, the stuff was amazing, friendly and always availalabe and they made me feel like home.
l learnt so many things shadowing doctors in the different wards, volunteering in a local village and orphanage....these are things that you cannot learn from books. At the same time l enjoyed the wonderful sea, swum with dolphins and did ocean sports like parasailing.

My time spent at the Gap Medics house in Morogoro, Tanzania was the best experience of my life. All aspects of the Gap Medics experience is well planned out and executed to an extremely high quality, this ranges from the staff, accommodation, food, free time and placement. The staff members are some of the most friendly and helpful people you will meet, and throughout the course of your stay you will build genuine friendships with them and will be sad to leave them. They are there to welcome you at the airport, accompany you to placement, show you around town and resolve any questions or problems you might have. The dedication of the staff results in a strong support system while you are at the house, and throughout your stay. As for the accommodation and food, both are very good. The house itself is beautiful and supplies you with all the facilities you may need throughout your trip, and the food is great! The kitchen staff are always happy to accommodate any dietary requirements you have, and there is always at least 2 options so that everyone finds something they enjoy. During placement you will learn so much and gain extremely valuable life experience, there is never a dull moment as long as you engage with your mentors and be sure to ask questions or ask what topic areas you would like to cover. Placement will not only give you a strong insight into your chosen career path but will also help you grow as a person, it will help you to be able to sympathise with people, make you mature and open your eyes to the things that are happening in the world. Finally free time is also important during the trip. There are many activities you can do in your free time from helping out at the orphanage, going hiking, visiting a wood shop where you can buy hand crafted gifts, going shopping in town or just chilling around the house! I personally would recommend going to the orphanage as often as possible, the children love it when people go there, even just to play with them! Although at times it may make you sad to see how the children live there its worth it because it makes them happy! Overall the experience is amazing and I would recommend it to anyone! Don't be put off by the thought of travelling on your own because everyone feels the same way and you will make life long friends in no time!