Location
  • Guatemala

Program Details

Language
English
Timeframe
Spring Break Summer Winter
Housing
Host Family Hotel
Groups
Medium Group (16-30)

Pricing

Starting Price
1600
Price Details
Program Fee includes:

Airport pick-up and drop-off.
All ground transportation between sites.
Accommodations
Medical Insurance
2 meals during clinic days and 1 meal during recreation days
In-country orientation.
Program Manual.
24-hour staff assistance.
All medicine, equipment, supplies, and professionals needed to successfully perform on clinic days.
Evening group activities.
All recreation activities listed in trip itinerary.
Border and customs fees (when applicable)
Statement of Service Hours
Certificate of Participation. (Letters of recommendation will be assessed on a case-by-case basis)
What's Included
Accommodation Activities Airport Transfers Equipment Some Meals Transportation Wifi
What's Not Included
Airfare Some Meals Travel Insurance Visa
Dec 28, 2021
Jan 17, 2021
12 travelers are looking at this program

About Program

Guatemala is the biggest country in Central America. Unfortunately, it also sets a record by having one of the highest disparities between rich and poor as well as one of the highest poverty levels worldwide, with 54% of the population living below the poverty line in 2006 and 54% in 2011.

We currently intervene through three main fields of work: Medical, Dental and Veterinary, which are designed to promote health, ensuring a long-lasting impact while students develop both intercultural & leadership skills in a real-world context.

Vida offers a unique positive learning environment that will completely change your perspective on the idea of serving others. Students have a chance to work with local licensed professionals while providing services to the communities we have partnered with.

Video and Photos

Program Highlights

  • Hands-on experience while working with local doctors, dentists and veterinarians
  • Provide healthcare and positively impact underserved communities in Central America
  • Cultural Immersion

Related Programs

Program Reviews

4.91 Rating
based on 35 reviews
  • 5 rating 91.43%
  • 4 rating 8.57%
  • 3 rating 0%
  • 2 rating 0%
  • 1 rating 0%
  • Impact 4.9
  • Support 5
  • Fun 4.55
  • Value 4.75
  • Safety 4.85
Showing 1 - 8 of 35 reviews
Default avatar
Ashley
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

AMAZING trip!!

Juan Jose was a PHENOMENAL trip leader! 100/10 for him. Super supportive and easy to talk to, also professional at the same time. He taught us so much and will be missed. On the medical team, Dr. Mynor could not have been better. He lets you think for yourself, again is easy to talk to, is professional, and is there for you! It is tiring to do the case discussions after but again, Mynor is taking time out of his day to teach you and educate you more. I am Already planning another trip as we speak :) Barbara was a great translator too, so super friendly and nice!

What is your advice to future travelers on this program?
Pack some under long-sleeve shirts because the mornings are cold!
73 people found this review helpful.
Arleah
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

Experience of a Lifetime

Vida’s medical mission trip is an experience all students who are interested in the health field should go through. I’ve had plenty of medical and clinical experience, but Vida provides a unique experience that you can only get through Vida. I am a coordinator and although this was my first trip, I felt well prepared prior to the trip. The staff members go above and beyond to make you feel comfortable, prepared, and at home while on the trip. They are approachable, they care about your safety, and they truly want you to grow as a person and healthcare professional. The Vida staff has become like a second family to me. The feeling you have during and after this trip is indescribable and can only be understood once you go on the trip. The clinic days are productive and you truly feel the impact you make as the communities are so grateful. The recreational days allow you to rest and recharge, while immersing yourself a little more into the culture and surrounding cities. The host families treat you like their own family and is a great opportunity to learn and delve deep into the culture and communities you’re living and helping in. The team leaders are both the perfect mix of professional and personable. The lead doctor and healthcare professionals during the trip are more than willing to teach you and mentor you providing an opportunity most students won’t get until they’re in their respective programs. All in all, this experience can be defined as “wholesome, a great learning opportunity, and a chance to create another home/family away from home.”

What would you improve about this program?
During orientation, aside from practicing vital signs and physical exams after the thorough presentation, it’d be great to do a mock/practice of what to expect the day of clinic. For example, tying the presentation and vital signs practice together by doing a mock of a patient coming in and practicing the steps of how to introduce yourselves and what to do next along with what to write on the medical records sheet. The first day was a great opportunity to learn how clinic would run, but doing a trial and practice during orientation would be even more beneficial. Overall, the program was great as is. The host family I stayed with was so sweet and I’m forever grateful for this opportunity.
87 people found this review helpful.
Rebecca
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

Amazing opportunity and great way to impact lives!!

This trip was a great way to be submersed into a new culture. As students we learned so much by being in on the action in clinic days. We not only got to experience a new style of healthcare, but got to experience an entire new way of life. I believe this trip is an amazing step in becoming a well rounded person by donating your time while still having a fun and educational time. In our trip we got to see over 300 patients, and this allowed us to get a wide variety of cases. The people were extremely kind, and it was great to spend time with them in their day to day lives. Also, the views and the food were absolutely delicious! I wouldn’t trade this experience for the world and believe that anyone with this opportunity should jump at it!

What would you improve about this program?
I don’t think that this trip was lacking in anyway. One thing I would recommend is that there be a more clear idea of the costs during the trip i.e. food. I think it helps to plan better when we are told average costs of a meal so we can plan ahead and not worry about running out of money.
84 people found this review helpful.
Default avatar
Madelyn
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

Worth Every Cent I Spent

This trip was the best thing I have ever spent money on. Not only did I serve the underserved, Vida also made time for us to truly experience another culture. It was the most beautiful thing I have ever done, as cliche as it sounds. Healing people, diving into a new culture, exploring Guatemala, and experiencing it all through Vida. I felt very safe and well taken care of the entire trip. They had the best team leaders for us that made sure we were safe and happy throughout the whole trip. I will go on this trip every year that I possibly can, it was better than any other trip I have ever been on and I truly recommend it to anyone considering! I would recommend a reusable water bottle to bring on this trip and something to carry your passport around with you at all times.

What would you improve about this program?
Possibly the last hotel we stayed at in Panajachel wasn't at the same level of quality as the other hotels throughout the trip. Other than that, this trip truly changed my life.
89 people found this review helpful.
Savannah
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

Exactly what I was seeking!

I had an incredible experience with Vida Guatemala over New Years 2015-2016. The experience I gained at clinics was great. Volunteers work in pairs, and with an interpreter, and fill out a paper chart of the rural patient's current concerns and health history. Volunteers formulate the right questions to lead to a diagnosis, which is proposed to a local physician. The physicians all did a great job of educating the student volunteers on what other questions needed to be asked, signs and symptoms to check for, and where they went in the correct or incorrect directions when diagnosing the individual. Then, the physician asks questions to formulate the true diagnosis and the patient receives free medication or a referral to another external clinic. In this program setup I was able to see 10-12 patients/families per day, and learned a ton of medical knowledge. The clinics are well run, safe, and reputable. Being conducted in isolated areas means my participation in the program brought healthcare to those towns and had a true impact. Hearing of the poverty and health disparities was a great educational experience and impacted my future medical practice and goals significantly. This program helped solidify my career choice as a physician, and as an incoming medical student I am sure this knowledge will help me and my peers be more aware of global health situations.

Trips every few days were fun, there was a beautiful lake to see (Atitlan), accommodations were nice. Everything was safe, and we received appropriate amounts of guided excursions and free time. I always felt supported by the local staff, and was well supported prior to travel to the country.

88 people found this review helpful.
Default avatar
Katie
4/5
Yes, I recommend this program

Vida vet trip to Guatemala

Had an amazing time with my friends. Brought us together As a medical and surgical team. Improved my physical exam skills. Learned about a lot of diseases that we may not see commonly in a US veterinary clinic. Learned how to communicate in a language I was not familiar with Really opened my eyes to pet care in a third world country. Earned a grant from UW Wisconsin for our work in educating these children on how to take care of an animal. Wish I could have gained more surgical skills. I would love to go back in the future as a veterinarian, and Teacher. This won't let me leave a review unless it's 200 characters, which I find really really unfair. Because I have some good things to say about the program. Am I at 200 characters yet?

80 people found this review helpful.
Default avatar
John
4/5
Yes, I recommend this program

Worthwhile, Eye opening

We travelled to many different towns and villages. Clinics were about 8-9 hours a day, but the patients made time fly. The doctors were knowledgable and loved to teach. Side trips were great too. Cliff diving in Lake Atitlan, zip lining, etc.

80 people found this review helpful.
Default avatar
Shelly
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

Guatemala!!

I've been doing VIDA trips for 5 years now.. This has been my fourth trip, and my first in Guatemala... all I can say is it was amazing! We had our homestays in Ixtahuacan for only 2 nights, and I wish we could have stayed longer. We also visited Panajachel and Antigua. The country is breathtaking, the people are extremely nice and hospitable, the shopping opportunities are endlessly filled with beautiful textiles, the food is delicious, and the program was fantastic.

What would you improve about this program?
I wish the homestays in Ixtahuacan were longer!
81 people found this review helpful.

Questions & Answers