Quick Links
Volunteer programs in this country are currently unavailable.
Medical Volunteering Guatemala!
Are you seeking an opportunity to gain international medical experience? Do you want to experience the rich Guatemalan cultures and natural sceneries? Then this Guatemala medical volunteering opportunity is right up your passage.
Guatemala is a spectacular country full of exceptional sceneries, including the Tikal ruins and El Boqueron Canyon and volcanoes both inactive and active. The country also offers you the opportunity to experience deep history of Mayan culture, delicious cuisine and unique dress inspired by its rich Mayan heritage.
When you join the volunteer in medical program in Guatemala, you will have the chance to gain valuable medical experience shadowing experienced local Guatemalan medical professionals.
Contact Global Crossroad today to learn more about volunteering in healthcare in Guatemala!
Volunteer Responsibilities & Impacts
Our Guatemala medical volunteer program is the perfect chance to shadow and observe experienced doctors and nurses as they see patients for a variety of illnesses and injuries.
You can expect to observe and interact with patients and medical professionals in many activities ranging from administrative duties of reception areas to nursery support and everything in between.
- Observing and supporting healthcare professionals by shadowing doctors
- Participating in public outreach and education
- Supporting healthcare professionals (as dictated by individual experience/qualifications)
- Organizing and developing educational seminars
- Educating the general population on topics related to healthcare
- Assisting pre-established healthcare programs (health clinics, non-profits, NGOs)
Make a big impact on your future career in the medical field by gaining valuable professional experience at our unique program. Learn skills and knowledge you’ll use when you become a doctor yourself!
Skills and Qualifications
To become a medical volunteer in Guatemala, you must be a medical student pursuing a career in the healthcare field, and be able to present a medical student id, or certification from an accredited medical institution.
You will need to have a beginner to intermediate knowledge of Spanish. If you cannot speak Spanish, we recommend enrolling in our Spanish Language Studies program. You can take these courses while volunteering or do a full-week immersion prior to starting your volunteer project.
Each day volunteering in medical program in Guatemala will be an exciting adventure, and you will be exposed to so many different medical issues and techniques.
You’re probably curious what a typical day will look like for you. Although your actual hours worked will vary based on your final placement, you can expect to work an average of 5 hours per day, Monday-Friday. Here’s a sample schedule to give you an idea of what to expect:
First Day: On your first day of volunteering in Guatemala in medical program, you will be escorted to your placement by our in-country coordinator. You will meet the doctor you will be shadowing and undergo an informative orientation.
Orientation: Learn all about your service work, schedule, safety protocol, and the customs and culture of Guatemala.
- Weekdays: A typical volunteer day might look something like this:
- 7.00 to 7.30 AM: Enjoy a traditional breakfast with your local host family.
- 7.45 AM: Head out to your placement, and get ready for an exciting day of learning and immersion in the medical field!
- 12.00 PM: Pack a lunch to-go and eat at your project site with local project staff and fellow volunteers. Make friends from around the world.
- 3.00 PM: After a day of volunteering, you’ll be free to explore Xela!
- 6.45 PM: Gather around the table with your welcoming host family for a traditional meal, practicing your Spanish, and swapping stories with your new international friends!
Medical Volunteering Guatemala: Dates and Fees
Dates: Volunteer in Guatemala
All volunteer in programs in Antigua, Guatemala start every Monday. However, Global Crossroad is very flexible and understands that various travel constraints that you might face.
All volunteering overseas in Antigua, Guatemala options are available year around, except at times programs like a volunteer teaching English overseas program might be closed for various holidays and vacations. Between the project link and a Global Crossroad representative, all of this specific information regarding programs dates will be available to you. If a program is unavailable, we will provide an alternative program for you to join.
Fees: Volunteer in Guatemala
Global Crossroad is committed to offering the most affordable and highest quality Antigua, Guatemala volunteer trips. We strive to keep our costs low. The humanitarian side of the business is our passion.
Global Crossroad's volunteer opportunity in Antigua, Guatemala application and registration fee cost US $299. The application fee covers the cost of advertising, program promotion, and office expenses (rent, utilities, and staff salaries in USA office).
In addition to the application fee, you are required to pay a weekly program fee. You will pay your weekly fee directly to your host family and project. This way, the fees that you pay will benefit those who rightfully deserve them, and not for company profit.
| Weeks | Medical |
|---|---|
| 1 Week | $145 |
| 2 Weeks | $290 |
| 3 Weeks | $435 |
| 4 Weeks | $580 |
| 5 Weeks | $725 |
| 6 Weeks | $870 |
| 7 Weeks | $1,015 |
| 8 Weeks | $1,160 |
| 9 Weeks | $1,305 |
| 10 Weeks | $1,450 |
| 11 Weeks | $1,595 |
| 12 Weeks | $1,740 |
Mandatory comprehensive travel insurance $3.49 a day »
How your fee is allocated?
Airport Pick up and Transfer to Xela from Guatemala City- $40 to $80 (depending on type of accommodation)
Spanish Classes: (Monday-Friday) 2 hours a day: $50/ week
Program fees cover:
- Group Spanish Lessons (10hrs a week)
- Accommodation (host family)
- Food (local food 3 times a day)
- Program Orientation
- In-country support
- Personalized project
- Pre-departure information
- Certificate of completion
- Fundraising ideas and letters
- Discount for returning volunteers
Program fees exclude:
- Visas
- Airfare
- Personal expenses on soft drinks and foods
- Daily transportation
- Airport return transfer
The volunteering programs in Antigua, Guatemala fees will cover expenses that will begin on the first day of the program (usually the first or third Monday of the month) to the last day of the program. If you arrive before the first day of the program or you decide you stay beyond your program’s last day, you will be responsible for the additional expenses, which would typically be around $30 a day for room and meals at a hostel.
Accommodation and Meal
During your Guatemala medical volunteer program, you don’t have to worry about a thing. Global Crossroad has carefully selected a socially respected local host family with a safe, clean, and comfortable home in a good neighborhood. This is unique chance to fully immerse yourself in a new culture.
Your host family will share three local meals per day with you, and this is a great chance to bond and practice your Spanish. If you’d like, you can request a to-go lunch to eat at your project site.
Free Time and Weekend Exploration
You’ll want to get out and explore Guatemala while you’re traveling abroad, and Global Crossroad makes sure you have plenty of time to do just that. You’ll have your evenings free from your Guatemala medical volunteering opportunity to explore the exciting destination of Xela. Weekends are the perfect chance to travel and see new areas!
Discover what to do in your free time and weekends in Xela, Guatemala.
Safety and In Country Support
Nothing is more important to us than your safety. Global Crossroads has carefully planned every aspect of your trip. We offer pre-trip guidance, use only trusted local partners, and have an amazing in-country staff that will be there for you every step of the way. You can rest easy knowing we do everything possible to make sure you are secure while abroad.
Medical Volunteering Guatemala: FAQs
You’re ready to start getting experience in the medical field, but you have a few questions before you’re ready to travel abroad. Here’s some good info to help give you some answers:
Arrival and departure
You will be flying into Aurora International Airport, Guatemala for participating in our medical volunteer program in Guatemala. We suggest you arrive a day earlier than the start of your actual project assignment to rest and prepare.
Let us know your flight details once you’ve booked, and we’ll set up your airport pickup as part of your volunteer. If you experience any changes or delays, just let us know and we’ll reschedule your pickup. When you’re done volunteering, you’ll need to set up your own taxi to the airport. Chat with the local project staff if you need help with this.
Visa
You’ll want to research the requirements based on your home country but getting a tourist visa to volunteer in medical program in Guatemala is usually pretty straightforward. Check out this website to learn more:
Vaccination
Any serious medical student knows the value of vaccinations, and this trip of yours is no exception. Make an appointment with your doctor and get up to date before traveling abroad.
You need to have certain kinds of vaccines to join our medical volunteer program in Guatemala. We recommend you to visit the Center for Disease Control's website (www.cdc.gov) for traveler's health recommendations. Here is the list of vaccines needed for Guatemala- hepatitis A, hepatitis B, typhoid, yellow fever, malaria and other routine vaccinations.
Why Medical Volunteering Guatemala?
Gain valuable experience shadowing doctors
There is nothing more instructive when it comes to healthcare than observing up close and personal the process a doctor goes through when he sees and treats a patient. Get a behind the scenes look at your future career!
Experience a new culture
One of the best things about traveling abroad is the opportunity to immerse yourself in a new culture. Try new foods, listen to stories you’ve never heard, and learn from people who look at the world in a completely different way from you.
Improve your resume
A humanitarian project like being a medical volunteer in Guatemala looks amazing on your resume. It shows you have closely observed real-life cases, that you’re cultured and well-traveled, and that you’re willing to go the extra mile for your passion.
Learn while you travel
Learn a ton of great medical skills while traveling the world and making the most of your time abroad. Guatemala has a lot to offer the international traveler, and you can take advantage of that during your free time from your volunteer project!
Contact Global Crossroad today to learn more about becoming a medical volunteer in Guatemala today.
Other Volunteer Opportunities Available in Xela, Guatemala:
No matter your passion or interests, we offer a variety of life-changing, volunteer programs in Xela, Guatemala such as
Teaching English,
Orphanage,
Street Children,
Women’s empowerment, and much more.
For more information on our exciting programs in Guatemala, contact us today.