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Vida Volunteer

4.91 Rating
146 reviews
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Why choose Vida Volunteer?

Vida Volunteer is a nonprofit organization that strives to promote human and animal health through empowering Service-Learning trips to Central America. 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 participants develop both intercultural & leadership skills in a real-world context.

As a Vida Volunteer, you can expect an eye-opening, hands-on, ethical experience while working with local licensed providers to help unserved communities in Central America. We go above and beyond for our volunteers and for the people we serve!

Website
vidavolunteer.org
Founded
2008

Community Photos

I gave a soccer ball to a little boy at one of the clinic days!
Sending a patient home after treatment!

Reviews

Default avatar
Callie
22
Female
United States
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program
Program:
Vida Medical, Dental & Veterinary Programs in Costa Rica

Completely Inspired

Apr 3, 2025

My specific program ended up being a smaller group than Vida Volunteer normally has but it gave us the unique opportunity to get super close to every single person. Not only did I learn so much about patient care and communication but I also learned how to do it in spanish as well! The staff were all so friendly and helpful and encouraged us to work hard and immerse ourselves. I also found the homestays to be incredibly life-changing. This trip inspired me and reminded me why I am in school and that my future career in the medical field will all be worth it. I 100% recommend this trip to someone who is looking to make an impact and have a lasting impact on themselves as well :)

What was the most nerve-racking moment and how did you overcome it?
My most nerve-racking moment throughout the whole trip was my first day of clinic. Prior to this trip I didn't have a lot of medical experience and I was very nervous about working with patients but I overcame this fear by working with my peers and the staff. I ended up growing and learning so much in four clinic days and I was extremely proud of myself.
Pros
  • Working in both spanish and english
  • Learn how to work with patients
  • Learn how to work alongside a team of medical professionals
Default avatar
Tyler
20
Male
United States
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program
Program:
Vida Medical, Dental & Veterinary Programs in Guatemala

Amazing

Mar 25, 2025

This was an amazing experience to see where people lived and how they lived. One of my favorite things was when we went house to house looking for animals to treat, just seeing the people living there and how appreciative they were was such an amazing feeling. Also, being able to interact with the community was incredible because even though we couldn’t understand each other, we were able to connect through the animal. Another big part of this trip was the staff, they were all amazing and really took the time to get to know us, and guide us.

What was your funniest moment?
When one of the veterinarians took a phone call during surgery
Pros
  • The hands on aspect
  • The staff
  • The farm day
Cons
  • Some of the disconnect between veterinarians
  • Not being able to do a more interactive thing for our recreation day
Sending a patient home after treatment!
I gave a soccer ball to a little boy at one of the clinic days!
Default avatar
Caroline
20
Female
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program
Program:
Vida Medical, Dental & Veterinary Programs in Guatemala

Hankamer

Mar 19, 2025

One thing I never thought about was how kind the staff were and how much fun it was to explore the cities and meet the other students on the team. We felt like one giant friend group and got close so quickly, making the experience feel so much more comfortable and fun. It’s been a few days since my trip ended, and I miss everyone I met so much. We all opened up to each other about school, our personal lives, our families, and so on. I still haven’t stopped texting and calling my new friends. Additionally, of course, the trip was eye-opening in terms of noticing health disparities in the world and living with that reality. This trip makes you want to do anything you possibly can to help other people who don’t enjoy the same privileges as us. I was also inspired by the positive attitudes and joy embodied by most of my patients, even the ones in the most difficult of situations. Overall, so much is taken from this trip, more than I ever could’ve expected or paid for.

What is your advice to future travelers on this program?
From the start, walk in and befriend the other people on the group! The people I got the closest with were the people I was brave enough to sit next to on the first day. Embrace the experience to make friends. Also. Stay hydrated and don’t drink the water.
Pros
  • New friends
  • Exploring the cities
  • Got better at Spanish
Cons
  • Dehydrated
  • Needed more sleep
  • It’s a long trip
Default avatar
Ashley
26
Female
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program
Program:
Vida Medical, Dental & Veterinary Programs in Guatemala

AMAZING trip!!

Jan 17, 2021

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!
Default avatar
shaili
25
United States
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program
Program:
Vida Medical, Dental & Veterinary Programs in Costa Rica

Medical Vida Review

Jan 5, 2020

I had a lot of fun and learned hands on with a great team of doctors, staff, and fellow volunteers. I loved the opportunity it provided me and the confidence that it helped give me. In fact it helped me know that I had chosen the correct field for me and helped clear any doubts I had about a career in medicine. It has left me motivated to want a career in medicine and has left me wanting to go back on another medical trip with Vida. The memories I made during this trip will last a life time and vida is definitely worth recommending to a friend.

What would you improve about this program?
I would ask that the recreation days be more open to the individual to decide instead of as a group.
Me and my fellow volunteers with a the kids of the family we helped at the clinic in Liberia
Doctor and volunteers on the last day of clinic
Writing notes
Group Picture at the end of Clinic
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Programs

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Alumni Interviews

These are in-depth Q&A sessions with verified alumni.

Jackson Stromberg

Program
Vida Medical, Dental & Veterinary Programs in Costa Rica

Why did you choose this program?

I chose Vida because of the great reviews I heard from others about the program. All previous participants talked about how great and rewarding the program was, the great friends they made, and the memories they will cherish from this experience. I was a bit worried about the reliability of the program, but the program was more than reliable.

What did your program provider (or university) assist you with, and what did you have to organize on your own?

The program provider for the University was more than helpful. She was able to give me a very informative review of the entire program, what to expect, and how to approach the trip. She told me what to get, what I should bring, and what I will be doing on the trip during clinic days and recreation days.

All I had to do was sign up and get my flights.

What is one piece of advice you'd give to someone going on your program?

To whoever is going to experience this amazing opportunity, I would recommend that they pack their suitcase and bags earlier than a few days ahead of the trip. I forgot some clothing that would have helped with my off days, and I forgot some materials that would have made homestays even easier. Stick to the list they provide.

What does an average day/week look like as a participant of this program?

As a participant, the clinic days look like organized chaos. It mainly depends on the program you go into, but for medical I would say organized chaos.

You, your group, and your translator pick up a patient, then working as a team you figure out what is bothering the patient and take their vitals. Then the doctor comes and you work together to create a diagnosis.

The recreation days are groups going out to explore or eat local food.

Going into your experience abroad, what was your biggest fear, and how did you overcome it? How did your views on the issue change?

My biggest fear was at the beginning of the trip was being picked up by the correct group when arriving at the airport. Or, in fact, there is not a group to pick me up at all.

One of my family’s fears was whether or not the program was reliable and there to pick you up. Which they were, so that was not a worry.

When I was first getting ready for it, I wanted to know, how are the other people on the trip?

By the end of the trip, it felt as if I had known the entire group for my entire life. They felt like very close friends at this point, and frankly, I was sad that the trip had to come to an end.

I have kept in touch with all of those who didn’t go to my university, but all those here I do keep in touch with them.

Staff Interviews

These are in-depth Q&A sessions with program leaders.

Marla Abstetar

Program
Vida Medical, Dental & Veterinary Programs in Nicaragua
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Tell us a little about VIDA and your role at the company.

VIDA is a 501c3 nonprofit from Minnesota, USA. We work with volunteers from around the world to bring medical, dental and veterinary care to low resource communities in Guatemala, Nicaragua and Costa Rica. At VIDA, I am the Community Manager, so I am in charge of managing our website, blog, newsletters, Facebook, Twitter and online profiles. This helps us get the word out about VIDA and find more volunteers so we can continue to spread to more communities throughout Central America and help those in need.

How did you get involved in the volunteer industry?

Volunteering has always been an important part of my life. I am originally from Wisconsin, but moved to Costa Rica 7 years ago. Here, I didn't have many opportunities to do volunteer work, as I was going to school full time. When I graduated from college and was offered a job with VIDA in 2010, I knew that I had found the perfect organization to work for. VIDA has given me the opportunity to help those in need, and also travel throughout Central America while meeting amazing volunteers from around the world.

What makes VIDA unique?

VIDA offers life changing experiences to those who are interested in studying medicine, dentistry or veterinary medicine. We offer hands-on service learning opportunities in a controlled environment where students can learn from local doctors and help communities in need; but we also let the volunteers have fun outside the clinics! All VIDA Adventures include sight-seeing and cultural activities such as tours of historic cities, whitewater rafting, hospital visits, canopy tours, visits to historic buildings, etc., which let the volunteers learn and see more about the countries they visit.

In your experience, what characteristics make a good international volunteer?

A good international volunteer is someone who wants to take time out of their schedule to help those in need. A great international volunteer is someone who travels with an open mind, is prepared for anything to happen, and learns from every experience they face. International travel will open your heart and mind to many new experiences, and if you come prepared to accept and learn from these situations, you will get much more from your travels!

How do you ensure your programs are sustainable and mutually beneficial for you, the community, and the volunteers?

VIDA's main goal is to help the communities in Central America receive the medical, dental and veterinary attention they deserve. In order to obtain this goal, volunteers pay a fee to attend the trips. This fee goes towards paying for their accommodations while on the trip, but also pay for the staff, medications and equipment we need in order to run the clinics. In the future, we hope to apply for and receive grants within the US to be able to purchase more equipment in order to help more communities in need.