At a glance
- Seize this opportunity to stand out from other medical school applicants
- Transform your pre-med journey with a guaranteed 40+ physician shadowing hours in an international clinical setting
- Plus, gain 15+ hours of community volunteer service hours
- Observe and learn from medical professionals working at the highest level
- Choose your path toward primary care or a specialized field
- Follow a curated itinerary, balancing dedicated service hours with adventure
- Download a sample itinerary for this project
Start Dates:
June and July
See DatesMinimum Duration:
Two Weeks
Ages:
College student or recent graduate
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Is a Pre-Med Program in Peru right for me?
Are you craving meaningful clinical exposure to elevate your medical school application? Then this immersive Pre-Med Program in Peru is your gateway to standing out from the crowd.
This isn’t just another program. We guarantee structured clinical shadowing and community service hours, tailored to your ambitions.
You’ll partner with highly qualified medical professionals, explore diverse patient populations, and hone your Spanish – all valuable skills that will set you apart.
Joining this Pre-Med Program is ideal for students hoping to demonstrate the competency requirements set out by the AAMC.
This program follows a set itinerary with a group of like-minded students. Although not compulsory, intermediate Spanish skills will help you communicate with local staff and patients.
“Each applicant needs to be as sure as possible that this is what they want to do with their life. That motivation can be demonstrated through academic achievement and also through exposure to clinical medicine and community service.
MCAT scores do not guarantee that an applicant will be invited to interview. Just as important are extracurricular activities and life experiences.”- Mickey Foxwell MD, University of Maryland School of Medicine
What will I do on this Pre-Med Program?
This program delivers unparalleled practical opportunities to propel your medical school application.
Here’s what to expect:
- Experience the realities of healthcare in Peru as you boost your service hours.
- Shadow physicians and nurses in a busy medical facility, observing their daily routines, procedures, and patient interactions.
- Take your medical application to the next level by cultivating AAMC competencies like empathy and communication.
- Complete medical outreaches in underserved communities, gaining community volunteer service hours as you help vulnerable people.
- Expand your knowledge beyond the curriculum in medical workshops led by seasoned professionals.
- Study tropical diseases and medical practices unique to Peru, providing material for a stand-out medical school interview.
- Become immersed in the culture of Peru, from exploring Machu Picchu to savoring authentic food.
- Forge unforgettable memories as you cultivate a more diverse perspective that goes beyond academics.
Where in Peru will I work?
Cusco
You'll be based in the vibrant, ancient city of Cusco. This was once the capital of the Incan Empire and you'll see countless reminders of this as you explore.
Cusco is also the gateway to Machu Picchu, one of the New Seven Wonders of the World. Don’t miss this chance to combine medical work experience with the adventure of a lifetime!
In Cusco, you'll find busy hospitals and medical clinics. Peru has problems with many diseases not found in the USA, such as tuberculosis and leishmaniasis.
There will be plenty of practical cases for you to observe, such as:
- Cleaning wounds
- Putting in stitches
- Giving injections
- Pediatric treatment at a children’s rehabilitation center
By traveling to Peru, you’ll see how these tasks are carried out in a different cultural setting. You’ll develop a new kind of bedside manner, tailored to a diverse range of patients.
What are the aims and impact of this Pre-Med Program in Peru?
The aims of this program for pre-med students are to:
- Facilitate first-class medical exposure, broadening your knowledge.
- Provide extra-curricular service hours, freeing your college time to focus on your GPA and MCAT grades.
- Build AAMC competencies, like cultural awareness, communication, and compassion.
- Ensure you stand out from other medical school applicants.
At the same time, you’ll visit Peru to leave a positive impact, treating disadvantaged community members.
The health concerns facing Peru include:
- Infectious diseases, like dengue and Zika.
- Respiratory diseases, which are the leading cause of death in Peru.
- Non-communicable diseases like diabetes in poorer regions.
- Malnutrition, which continues to seriously affect children and babies.
- Underfunded and low-quality healthcare, which many rural residents cannot access.
- A lack of education surrounding health and hygiene.
Your presence in Peru will be part of our long-term efforts to improve global health outcomes.
Food & accommodation
Accommodation
Where you’ll stay: You’ll stay with a local host family in Cusco. This offers an immersive experience as they welcome you into their home, eager to share their culture and learn about yours. The accommodation will be close to the hospital or clinic where you’ll work. Our staff will show you how to get to your placement during your induction.
Comfort level: Your home will be modest, but comfortable. It’ll be in a safe area and regularly cleaned by your host. You’ll have access to Wi-Fi and hot showers for the duration of your stay.
Who you’ll live with: We’ll try to ensure you share a room with at least one other volunteer or intern, who may even be a pre-med student themselves. The number of people you live with depends on when you travel. Whoever you meet, they’ll become a friend to explore Peru with.
Learn more about our accommodation.
Food
Daily meals: Three meals a day are included in the fee. Your host family will cook for you, giving you the energy you need to focus on your Medical Program. They’ll ensure you eat well while tasting the best that Peru has to offer.
Dietary requirements: Our projects cater to a wide range of dietary preferences. We can provide vegetarian, vegan, and halal food. We’ll do our best to ensure you have a wide variety of delicious food, no matter what diet you follow.
Peruvian cuisine: You’ll eat like a local as you sample traditional food from Peru. The national dish of Peru is ceviche, comprising a flavorsome mix of fish, corn, onions, and sweet potatoes. Corn, potatoes, and beans are staples that local people love. Peru has also embraced many European dishes, brought over by the Spanish.
Safety and staff support
Your safety and security is our prime concern. We have many procedures and systems to ensure you have the support you need to enjoy your trip with peace of mind. Our Projects Abroad staff are available 24 hours a day to help, and will be on hand to make sure you settle in well at your accommodation and placement. If you encounter any problems, they will be available to help at any time.
Find out more about safety and backup.
This placement is fully researched, safety audited, and risk assessed in accordance with the British Standard BS8848 for the Adventure Travel Sector.
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