This service trip is organized through an non-profit organization called VIDA (Volunteers for Intercultural and Definitive Adventures). This trip is geared towards pre-med, pre-dental and pre-vet students to get an on-hands experience in their particular field of interest (which looks great on applications!). The objective is to host clinics in either Nicaragua to offer the local Nicaraguans quality healthcare assistance. Most times these are people who have never seen a doctor/dentist/vet in their life and cannot afford healthcare insurance. If you are applying to med/dental/vet school, you are aware that it is vital to your application to have volunteer/shadowing experience. What is different about this trip is that there will be American/Central American licensed healthcare professionals to assist us in making sure that these patients receive the care that they need. At the most, there will be a 4:1 Doctor:Student ratio, where they will walk us through procedures and are willing to help students. If you have shadowed in the United States, you know that this is an amazing opportunity because oftentimes you are to just observe, but through VIDA we are actually learning simple procedures and helping those in need. The dates of the trip are roughly January 3, 2012- January 12, 2013. The participation fee of the trip is $1630.00 excluding airfare. I know that the trip is only 5 months away and seems expensive, but these people need our help and it would be awesome to create a UVA trip in Nicaragua.
Here are some helpful links:
General Trip Information: http://
Click this link to see what is included in the price and what is not: http://
If you are interested in becoming a volunteer contact Briana at bb5fe@virginia.edu ASAP for additional information, application process begins mid-September!
