Program Reviews

I volunteered at Sahid Memorial Hospital, a small community based hospital in Kathmandu,Nepal. During my volunteering stint, I was attached to the Emergency Department (ED). In the ED, they had a different medical officer in charge every day, which allowed me to interact with and learn from multiple doctors. Despite being a small hospital, there was a significant number of walk-in patients in the ED with diverse medical needs. During the afternoons, I was given the opportunity to explore different departments in the Hospital. My personal favourite was the Surgery department. The highlight of the program was observing live surgeries.

Registering for the program was easy. The program cost is fairy affordable as well.
Anjana, my program coordinator was friendly, accommodating and supportive throughout my stay in Nepal.

I would strongly recommend pre-med students to apply for this program to witness firsthand the diverse medical practices and gain invaluable clinical experience.

I volunteered in Sahid Memorial Hospital in the heart of Kathmandu in April 2024. I was assigned to the ER. I also made rounds in the General Ward with two of the ER young doctors. I participated in the assessments and treatment plans for some of the patients. The nursing and medical staff I interacted with were friendly. I felt at home after the first day. It’s a wonderful experience for me. I’d definitely seize another opportunity to go back. I spent some time touring the city. I also took a guided hiking tour of Shivapuri Peak which was exhausting but fun.

I was able to volunteer at a camp for the kids in Antigua, Guatemala and this experience was life changing. I was able to make such meaningful relationships with the kids and improving my Spanish was a bonus!! The host family I was with was also so so amazing and I had no problems with them at all. They were the sweetest people and I cannot wait to go back and stay with them!! Even outside of the program, I was able to explore the beautiful city of Antigua and it was so fun being able to immerse myself in the culture there. I highly recommend this program !!

Had an absolute blast. So much to see in Nepal and so many Nepali youth to help and just have fun with. Nepali locals are friendly and accommodating, and working with the IFRE allowed for a smooth, welcome transition into Nepal. Food and activities are great and cheap. There's a ton to experience in Nepal, especially if you want to take a hiking trip outside of Kathmandu. Try to see and enjoy as much as possible, especially helping with loads of diverse volunteer work. It can be a very fulfilling trip to take, as well just a lot of fun.

Volunteering at the orphanage was more than just a simple act of giving back; it was a deeply enriching and transformative experience that left an indelible mark on my heart. From the moment I stepped through the doors of the orphanage, I was greeted with smiles that radiated warmth and genuine affection. The children, despite facing challenges and hardships that no child should ever have to endure, possessed an incredible resilience that was both humbling and awe-inspiring.
One of the most striking aspects of the experience was witnessing the boundless energy and zest for life that the children exhibited on a daily basis. Despite the uncertainty of their circumstances, they approached each day with an infectious enthusiasm that was impossible to resist. Whether they were playing games engaging in creative activities, or simply learning, their joy was palpable and served as a powerful reminder of the resilience of the human spirit.

The project itself was a wonderful stage for me. Kathmandu is full of festivals, events and beautiful moments. The coordinator will help you figure out your topic and offer you information around it and any related things that are happening in the city. You can build your portfolio with them and experience life as a photojournalist. The program does require you to be highly proactive. After all, it's a stage, you are the performer. I'm glad and happy that I joined the program and met wonderful people. The hostel feels like a second home to me.

This was my first time doing an overseas volunteering program and it was absolutely amazing! The placement in the school was quite nice and the students really enjoyed your company there. Although they clearly were not used to English, they put effort and they were very eager to show their culture. The hostel accommodation was very safe, clean, and the family was superbly fun! I really miss the hotpots and the delicious curry! Ayutthaya is a gorgeous city and I have plenty of time to explore it (to the point of getting a sunburn from trying to visit all the places!). I was checking the photos of took there the other day and there is none where I'm not smiling. It was my first time in Thailand and I think I never learned so much about a foreign culture as I did this time. I definitely recommend it!

The language and culture course in Kathmandu was fantastic. It gave me an opportunity learn about Nepali culture as well the basics of the language. It afforded me the opportunity to be a conscientious traveler, not just a tourist. The staff were very welcoming and helpful. I would recommend this program for anyone staying in Nepal for an extended period. The staff at the home stay provided breakfast, lunch, and dinner every day and they made a concerted effort to serve appealing food for foreign visitors.

This has been a great experience. I was pick-up from the airport and taken to the hostel and had a day to rest! I was also feed at the hostel and was told about Nepal and its custom and about the orphanage I was going to. The orphanage has been great the kids are the best part! The staff is so nice and helpful always answering my questions and helping me. The orphanage and apartments are safe too. The staff is so helpful as well letting you know things to see and places to avoid to be safe. Being with the kids is the highlight of the trip and an experience I will never forget!

I did a hands-on medical program in Katmandu with 3 of my fellow co-students from Denmark. The host family was so sweet and made sure we were having a good time staying with them. Overall the food was good, but mostly carbs (rice with potatoes) which was a bit hard in the long run.
The hospital stay was okay, mostly observation. Some of the doctors were really good at informing you about cases, some were not.
We made arrangements with the family so that we were allowed to stay out late some days which was nice.