VIDA Medical, Dental & Veterinary Programs in Nicaragua
Join VIDA in Nicaragua with their veterinary volunteer programs. VIDA currently offers 1-2 week long programs in Nicaragua for pre-veterinary and veterinary school students and recent grads.
Volunteers will work with experience bilingual volunteers and have the opportunity to assist in spaying and neutering as well as other hands-on surgical procedures. They will also learn recovery care procedures as well as how to administer vaccinations to both small and large animals. Gain practical experience in the field of veterinary medicine!
Learn more about VIDA Veterinary Volunteer Programs in Nicaragua.
Reviews
100%Overall
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100%Overall
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The communities we served at was a reality check for us as volunteers. We should feel privileged and blessed, but not better than those we helped. It was eye opening, just because the people we helped live their lives so differently.
Critical Feedback:
MAKE THE TRIP LONGER
100%Overall
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Never though I would get so much hands on experience and have the chance to help so many animals in need. Absolutely amazing experience!
I definitely learned a lot. The vets were amazing, really took the time to explain everything and make sure we had a chance to learn and try everything we wanted to.
We were given the opportunity to carry out consults, give vaccines, prep for surgery (inserting catheters, endotracheal tubes under vet supervision), and even assist during surgery while the vets explained exactly what was going on.
It was also really great to be able to interact with the people. Staying with our homestay families and seeing how different their lives are was really an eye opener! I could not have asked for a better "mom" in the homestays!
Overall wonderful experience. You won't regret it if you choose VIDA!!
Critical Feedback:
I would love to have had more large animal days on the vet trip
100%Overall
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The trip was a fantastic, life changing experience :) Got to try new food, make new friends and experience how people live in Nicaragua by living with homestays. I learned quite a lot from others, the vets, and from my own mistakes. Will definitely come back again in the future!
Critical Feedback:
Staff was great! Gio was an awesome tour guide :)
Just wish the trip would be a little cheaper so it could be more affordable for everyone !
100%Overall
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I thought this trip was fantastic. overall definitely a great experience that is making me want to come back every year! At first, I was a bit skeptical of the minimal amount of review for the clinic days and the homestays. But it turned out that we had more than enough help from the staff that it was a smooth transition.
Critical Feedback:
I would make it so we had 3 clinic sites of small animal and 3 clinic sites of large animal.
100%Overall
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This experience offered by VIDA really was a great one, that allowed me to learn while also teaching individuals from the region where the clinic was held. I will most definitely consider coming back next year for a second time.
Critical Feedback:
Mandatory Spanish class.
80%Overall
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It was a great learning experience. The veterinarians were very helpful and explained everything very well. We were exposed to multitude of animals and were able to watch and assist in many spays and neuters.
Critical Feedback:
I would like to have had the chance to participate in a greater variety of fun activities, perhaps some which actually involved animals, such as visiting an animal sanctuary or rainforest.
80%Overall
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The highlights of this trip were definitely getting to work with fellow VIDA volunteers and VIDA staff. Everyone was incredibly nice and welcoming. Also, it was very nice and fun to have free time at night to spend with friends.
Critical Feedback:
I would change the free recreational day activities. Zip lining was fun but another fun option would be going to a beach on the ocean. Central American countries have some of the most beautiful beaches in the world and I believe seeing them would greatly add to the value of the trip.
100%Overall
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I loved the trip. It taught me a lot of information on dentistry. I liked how the dentists would have use check the patient before and report to them which teeth we thought were problematic. They would then go on to tell us all the problems we found or missed with the patient and what we needed to perform on the patient (extraction, scaling, or cleaning/flossing/fluoride). It was nice that the dentists were patient with us because we did not know much, if anything, about dentistry coming into the trip. It was wonderful working with and interacting with the patients. I enjoyed that we did the cleanings on our own but had the dentists to help us with the scalings if needed. The days we had off and could tour Nicaragua were also wonderful. The zip-lining, tour of Granada, boat trip though the islands, and shopping around the towns were very memorable.
Critical Feedback:
Make the trip one day longer so we could stay at the hotel/house for a day and go around town to the parks and markets.
100%Overall
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Going to clinic days and playing with the kids during our lunch breaks or after we were done seeing patients was my highlight. We brought them toys and little things but every time they got something they were so unbelievably happy. They have so little in comparison to us and they were always so happy, and most of the kids were sick with something. It was a life changing experience. I met so many new people from other colleges that I will no doubt visit and helped so many people in serious need. I also got medical experience that I would never have gotten in the US.
Critical Feedback:
The activity days were fun but we end up being so tired after clinical days. Because of this, I would prefer our activity days to be relaxing at a beach or a pool not taking tours of things and being forced to be on our feet all day again.
100%Overall
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I have never had such a wonderful experience as I did on my spring break trip to Nicaragua with VIDA. I learned SO much! Pre-vet people: this is seriously SUCH a good use of your time.
I don't want to ramble, but below is the link to my blog post about the trip where I list all of the hands-on stuff I got to do.
http://prismpuppies.com/vida-veterinary-volunteer-trip-to-nicaragua/
If you aren't good with slightly adverse conditions, don't go on the trip.This trip WILL put you outside of your comfort zone- but that's definitely a good thing!!
Critical Feedback:
Three of the nights' lodging was very uncomfortable, but on the plus side it had air conditioning.
100%Overall
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This trip was possibly the best foreign aid trip I have ever been on, and I have been on a few. No other trip provided me with the ability to provide such concrete help to such a large number of people. I felt as though I made a huge impact in the lives of the people of Masaya and Leon and had a blast doing it. The clinics were very hands on and incredibly informative and provided me with first hand clinical experience that I couldn't have gained in the US. Overall, I am extremely pleased with my experience and intend to participate in a VIDA adventure again next year.
Critical Feedback:
If I could change one thing, I would add more clinic days or increase the amount of time spent in clinic. The clinics were my favorite pare of the trip and helped me to become secure in my intentions to become a healthcare provider.
100%Overall
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VIDA was such an amazing experience that I cried at the end of my stay not wanting it to be over! I have never learned so much in 4 clinic days. The States has a lot of restrictions, but down in Nicaragua I got hands-on and visual education headed by a renowned local Veterinary on sterilization procedures, IV catheter placement, tracheal tube insertion, general intake, vaccinations, deworming, etc. We got to work with small and large animals, saving each life as we went for absolutely no cost to the community made this experience humbling and worthwhile. I HIGHLY RECOMMEND VIDA!
Critical Feedback:
The packing list was extensive, causing my luggage to be quite heavy when I didn't even use half the stuff I brought. They also told me to bring more money than you could ever possible spend, which made me worrisome about where to keep it, on me or in my suitcase? But I have left this feedback with VIDA and they are steadfast working to change these issues. Also, except sickness. Its not VIDAs fault, but rather a harsh adjustment to the country, which I was unprepared for!
100%Overall
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I loved every second of the trip. The volunteers were so much fun to hang out with, and I loved all of the staff so much. They were all so much fun and so great at what they did! I loved everything!
Critical Feedback:
Space out the program fees a little more, $900 was a lot to pay for!
90%Overall
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Overall, the program is a great opportunity for students to gain medical experience and make a difference. The program does a great job integrating the country's culture throughout the whole program. I especially loved the experience of homestays. You really get to experience what it is like living in that country. The clinic days were wonderful opportunities to serve in the community. The doctors on the trip did a great job educating the volunteers. They really took an interest in teaching volunteers about common diseases and how to do a basic medical exam.
Critical Feedback:
I wish there was more time devoted to orienting/training the volunteers for the clinic days. There was a lot of info. crammed into that one orientation day.
90%Overall
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The days blended together so well - the staff did an amazing job with integrating our group into the local culture and helping along with our clinic activities. I would go as far as to say that every moment of my trip was a highlight, there really isn't anything that I would change about the week!
One minor difficulty that I could point out would be the lack of communication between us volunteers and our homestay families. As entertaining as it was to learn a new language, at times it was a little awkward and slightly frustrating to not be able to understand what our homestay family was trying to communicate with us.
Critical Feedback:
Like I mentioned, I would really only want to change the homestay portion - maybe having us volunteers take a few more spanish lessons, or having the families know a little more english. But honestly, even the homestays were an amazing experience as they were. It was a minor difficulty :)
100%Overall
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I heard a lot about the trip from people who attended it before but it still managed to surpass all my expectations. The actual clinic days were great. Being able to interact with patients and understanding the kind of medical issues they face on a day to day basis helped me understand the different kind of problems faced by people around the world. Coming up with a hypothesis with other volunteers gave me a glimpse into the day to day life of a physician and has helped convince me that I am on the right track career-wise. The sort of patient interaction I faced is unique and I definitely won't be able to find such an experience here in Canada. The VIDA staff were phenomenal in keeping us safe, comfortable. They were all very approachable and easy to talk to making the trip feel like I was with friends the whole time. The organization was top notch and I can't imagine the trip going any better
Critical Feedback:
Improve english among homestay families in order to increase communication and understand them better. Not a big issue though.
100%Overall
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I participated in this program as veterinarian from the US. The program was well organized and provided an excellent experience for me and for the students. The students gained real world experience to help with grad school admissions and a life changing experience helping those less fortunate than themselves. The home stays allowed a more indepth exposure to the culture and the recreational days showed off the country and were great fun. I would certainly recommend this program to any veterinary, medical or dental student.
100%Overall
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I went on the Veterinary Trip through VIDA and was so impressed with how involved, knowledgeable and helpful all the staff was. I was also pleasantly surprised by how quickly we were all joking around with each other and how at home I felt. I was also super impressed by how hands-on my experience was. Rather than standing next to a vet and watching them give an injection, prepare an animal for surgery or preform surgery, a vet was standing next to me and watching ME do all these things. They do a phenomenal job of making sure that you understand what you are doing and why you are doing it that way. The only thing that was a bit confusing is that some of the vets had different techniques, so you have to remember which ones to use around each vet. The recreational days were a lot of fun as well (though we all missed clinic on those days, haha). Recreational days were jam packed with traveling around to local markets, historical sites and activities like zip lining. Home stays were also really cool because we got to experience everyday life in Nicaragua. It was so much fun chatting with my host mom and wandering around town with my host brother and the rest of the VIDA volunteers with whom I was staying. I can't wait to go again next year!!
Critical Feedback:
Vets should communicate more about the procedures they use so that they will recognize when we have simply been taught by another vet and may not be doing the procedure "wrongly" (just differently).
Also..... MORE CLINIC DAYS!! :)
90%Overall
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VIDA enables volunteers to get real clinical experience in the culturally rich environment. In the clinics, I learned how to take patient histories, take vitals (including blood pressure, pulse, respiratory rate, and heart and lung sounds), give abdominal exams, witness PAP smears, and even begin to diagnose and recommend medications. In addition, VIDA immerses students in the Nicaraguan culture by placing students in host families and side-trips to local tourist sites. The staff was enormously helpful with translating and informing our group on local customs and history. I felt that I left Nicaragua with a much broader sense of their culture and greater wealth of clinical knowledge. I highly recommend this trip to any pre-med student with a sense of adventure and interest in other cultures!
Critical Feedback:
Traveling may have been a little more pleasant if all the students traveled on the same flight.
90%Overall
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Volunteering with VIDA was one of the best decisions I made. The experience was more than I could ask for. It truly was a hands on experience in clinic because we sat with the patients, took their medical histories, talked about their complaints, and worked with the doctors and our peers to come up with a diagnosis. This program definitely gives you an idea of what being a doctor/physicians assistant/nurse would do during their job so even if you are not sure if the medical field is for you, it's a great experience to learn whether or not it is! Not only did you get hands on experience, but the cultural enriching aspect of the trip was something I'll never forget, and I will cherish it for the rest of my life.
Critical Feedback:
Give a more detailed explanation of how clinic will be set up and how it will run during orientation so then volunteers will have a better understanding of what to expect before their first clinic day.
100%Overall
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We were able to gain an insight of the true lifestyle of local Nicaraguans in Masaya, by actually living with a host family for a portion of the trip. We were rewarded with a feeling of fulfillment after helping 203 animal patients at our veterinary clinics throughout the trip, and 365 human patients at our medical clinics. You learn so many valuable hands on skills by working side by side with local doctors. The trip was also filled with fun activities such as a zip-lining canopy tour, a boat tour of the Islands of Granada on Lake Nicaragua, a soccer game with local children, a visit to a local daycare, and a Latin dance class.
100%Overall
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From the people to the scenery, Nicaragua was incredible. The clinic days were truly eye-opening, and I felt like I made a difference. The patients seemed grateful, and were more than willing to interact with us. We overcame the language barrier with ease, and had a real, human connection. The home stay families were wonderful, and more hospitable than I could ever have imagined. From the endless meals, to constant entertainment, I never felt bored or uncomfortable living in my home stay family's house. All in all, the experience was unforgettable, and I plan to return to Nicaragua as soon as possible, not only to help the people but enjoy the beautiful culture and nature.
Critical Feedback:
Sometimes the end of the clinic days felt rushed, and at least one of the teams had to turn away patients. Either a more efficient system, or perhaps a little more time should be used for clinic days.
100%Overall
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My VIDA trip was without a doubt life changing. The hands on experience in clinics is unbeatable, and the opportunity to visit a Nicaraguan private and public hospital was eye opening. We also got to have lots of fun at Latin dance lessons and while ziplining through the jungle. The staff was fantastic including the team leaders, translators, and doctors. I would recommend this trip to everyone as it truly was a great experience.
Critical Feedback:
One more day of fun! Three clinic days in a row was a bit much, and I felt as though we lost some motivation on the third day although we still did our best! I also liked when the translators had a pen and paper with them and automatically spelled out the patient's names and medications as we usually have no idea how to spell them. It is very helpful and saves time. Also although homestays are a great cultural experience, I think two nights with homestays is plenty. It is more fun to be with the whole group than to be isolated with just one other person.
100%Overall
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The staff was absolutely wonderful; very friendly and enthusiastic about their jobs. Clinic days were wonderful. Learned so much! Homestay parents were amazing even with the language barrier. Overall, it was a life changing experience.
Critical Feedback:
More diverse food on clinic days instead of rice and beans. Maybe pb and j. Other than that, I have no complaints!
100%Overall
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I had such an incredible experience volunteering in both Nicaragua and Costa Rica with VIDA. Not only was I able to perform evaluations and procedures that were years beyond my experience, but I was also able to connect with and invest in people of a different culture. I would definitely go again in the future. The experiences gained and lessons learned cannot be taught from a classroom; this trip is a MUST!
100%Overall
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VIDA is a great program. I joined one of their veterinary adventures in Nicaragua. I learned sooooooooo much, not only about veterinary medicine, but about the importance of global volunteering and the culture of Nicaragua. I absolutely loved all of the people I met there. VIDA staff were wonderful at organizing, teaching, keeping us safe, and showing us to a fun time; home-stay families were extremely generous and loving; and pet owners were very grateful!
100%Overall
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I enjoyed my VIDA trip to Nicaragua so much that I am currently coordinating the trip for my university! I had so much fun with the VIDA staff, they were great! I learned so much more about the medical field. I gained so much valuable experience working with patients. Also, I enjoyed the down time zip-lining and swimming at the lagoon.
100%Overall
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Part of the VIDA experience is allowing their volunteers to experience as much of Central America as possible. The two week trip to Nicaragua and Costa Rica is the perfect way to experience more than one lifestyle and culture. VIDA does an amazing job working with their volunteers to make sure they have the time of their life. The hands-on volunteer work in the medical or dental field is unparalleled. This trip or any other trip with VIDA would be an amazing opportunity for everyone to experience.
100%Overall
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Was one of twenty students who went on this medical and veterinary service trip last January. 5 clinic days, 2 recreation days. Homestay experience was incredible and better than I could have ever imagined. The ziplining activity was extremely fun. Be prepared for an action packed, but enjoyable trip! Loved getting to tour the country for the first time. Not a ton of free time - almost all of the days are scheduled with activities, meals, etc. which is good if you're worried about what you will be doing when you're not working. Would definitely recommend VIDA for this type of experience!
90%Overall
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Experience of a lifetime! Learned about the culture, the healthcare, and the social scene. Best 2 weeks of my life! I hope to be able to go on a trip like this again. Only downside was that our group of volunteers was over 50 people. Hard to get to know everyone and it was very "clique-y". Other than that, it was a blast! The translators and physicians were amazing and extremely helpful. Highly recommend this trip!
90%Overall
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I truly enjoyed all of the time I spent in Nicaragua. Only half of my VIDA volunteer opportunity was spent there, but I wish it could've been more. The time we spent on the island of Ometepe was most enjoyable. I really loved the local culture, but it highlighted the the everyday difficulties that locals faced. I did not see a phone or computer the entire time I was there. The only acceptable, by most peoples standards, bathroom I used was the only in my hotel. However, the experience was eye-opening and I would not change it for anything.
90%Overall
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Suffice it to say, my experience in Nicaragua on a Vida Medical trip was great. I didn't want to come home because it meant not being able to serve in that setting. I had to go again so I attended another VIDA trip, this time to Costa Rica, just this past spring break. Dr. Angelina Delgado was the best and everything was very well executed.
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Alumni Interviews
Meet Alissa Rogol, VIDA volunteer alum
GO: Why did you decide to volunteer with VIDA in Nicaragua?
Alissa: I wanted to do a medical service volunteer trip and saw an advertisement for this trip on my university campus. I went to the information session and the trip sounded amazing. I felt it would provide a chance to volunteer with local, under-served populations and travel to a country I'd never been to with a group of my peers. So, I signed up.
GO: Describe your day to day activities as a volunteer.
Alissa: On clinic days: wake up around 6:30am, eat breakfast and go to work in the rural clinic with a lunch break. At night, dinner with host family, the group or free time. Travel/free days: one day we did historical sightseeing and pottery making in between the bus rides, the other we went ziplining.
GO: What made this volunteer experience unique and special?
Alissa: My homestay was the highlight of my trip. I stayed with two other students and my host family was amazing - so much fun to hang out with, took us out and about and really welcomed us into their family.
GO: How has this experience helped you grow personally and professionally?
Alissa: Has confirmed my desire to enter the medical profession and made me want to do more volunteer trips like these. I am even planning on leading one next January to Guatemala.
Alissa volunteered in Nicaragua from January 6-15, 2012. She is a student from New York.
Meet Matthew Thompson, VIDA volunteer alum
GO: Why did you decide to volunteer with VIDA in Nicaragua?
Matthew: I became aware of VIDA when it was profiled in the St. Thomas alumni magazine that my parents get. It seemed like a fantastic program and though it took a bit of prodding from my mom I signed up. I new that I needed to see whether I really wanted to get into medicine. The trip appeared to offer good exposure to medicine.
GO: Describe your day to day activities as a volunteer.
Matthew: Day to day activities in the clinic involved seeing patients in teams of three with a translator. We would take a patient history and ask about symptoms and so forth. After this we would discuss what we though might be the cause and how we would treat. We would then present the patient's case to the attending physician and he/she would ask any clarifying question they needed, discuss a course of treatment and prescribe medication. We would fill the prescription at the pharmacy we brought along and explain the course of treatment to the patient. I was fortunate to have Spanish-speaking experience as this made making connections with the people we were treating much easier. It also made establishing a relationship with our host family much easier. Honestly, staying with the host family was one of the highlights of the trip. It was great to be able to interact in Spanish. SO much fun to speak!
GO: What made this experience unique and special?
Matthew: I think the fact that we did stay with host families was the most unique part of both experiences. I know of many other medical mission type trips that don't involve a homestay and I must say the trip would have been far less impactful had it lacked the homestay aspect.
GO: What impact did this experience have on your future?
Matthew: My experiences in Costa Rica gave me a healthy dose of humility. They also kindled in me a passion for primary care. After I went on my first trip my outlook on my future changed. Before I was simply taking the courses I needed to take without investing much energy. I left Nicaragua with a new sense of purpose and I am a better man for taking the trip.
Matthew Thompson, from Minnesota, volunteered in Nicaragua from March 19-27, 2011 and in Costa Rica from March 17-25, 2012.
Meet Olivia Brant, VIDA volunteer alum
GO: Why did you decide to volunteer with VIDA in Nicaragua?
Olivia: I decided to volunteer with VIDA because a group of students from University of Maryland were going and one of my best friends told me about the program.
GO: Describe your day to day activities as a volunteer.
Olivia: Daily activities included breakfast with my host family (which I really enjoyed), a few hours at a clinic, some free time, and usually a scheduled dinner when my group would meet up. On a few occasions we all went out after dinner to a discoteque, roller skating, or to play soccer.
There were also a few days that we did not volunteer at clinics. We visited a hot spring, climbed a volcano, swam in Lake Nicaragua, and ziplined through the rain forest. My favorite memories were made on these days. As a volunteer at the clinics, we were responsible for taking patient vitals and communicating via translator what was ailing the patients.
GO: What advice do you have for future volunteers?
Olivia: I would advise future volunteers to donate more medical supplies than they feel necessary. When I was preparing for my trip, I did not really take this part too seriously. Through my experience, I came to find that supplies are needed more than I had assumed, and I think everyone who as volunteered with VIDA would say the same. My hometown community was very supportive of my trip and donated a lot of supplies after my VIDA volunteer trip was featured on the front page of our newspaper.
GO: How has this experience helped you grow personally and professionally?
Olivia: This experience has been very beneficial when trying to find a job. It is a great volunteer experience that give you a lot to talk about during interviews and on your resume.
Olivia Brant volunteered in Nicaragua from August 1-14, 2010. She was 19-years-old on her trip and is from Cumberland, MD.
Further Info
About VIDA
Volunteer abroad with VIDA in Central America! With VIDA, you have the opportunity to gain experience in three main fields: medicine, dental health, and veterinary medicine. As a volunteer with VIDA, you will work with local professionals in these fields in Guatemala, Nicaragua, and Costa Rica. Working with coordinators from the field, VIDA volunteers work to set up mobile clinics to provide easily accessible services to the people and animals of communities in need. Whether you are an aspiring health-care profession or just have a passion for helping others, VIDA will provide you with a meaningful service-learning experience.
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The program was run very well! The interpreters were great to work with as well as the doctors! Lester and Amy were outstanding! I wish though we could have done a few more fun things on our rec days like go to a beach for a day or something like that
Critical Feedback:
A few more interesting things to do