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What to Know Before Medical Mission Trips for Pre-Med Students

Last updated on February 15, 2023

Ever dream of changing the world? As a pre-med student, there’s no doubt you have big dreams. While changing the world is a huge feat, medical trips abroad are a leap in the right direction. Communities all over the world struggle to provide adequate health care to their people, and they are in desperate need of relief from the international community. As a pre-med student, you have the tools they need, and as an undergraduate pre-med international volunteer, you can make a difference.

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If you need a break from the inside of a lab, why not check out medical missions trips for pre-med students?

Whether you want to gain professional experience in the medical field, have a soft spot for helping those in need, or want to break the mold and challenge yourself culturally, medical mission trips for pre-med students are where it’s at. Not only can you do all of the above, but as a medical volunteer abroad, you’ll take one small step towards changing the world.

 If you’re ready to make the best decision of a lifetime for your career, get ready for the 411 on medical mission trips for pre-med students!

The 411 on medical trips abroad

Whether you’re new to the field or the next Dr. Grey, have a year to dedicate abroad or looking for short-term spring break pre-med trips, it’s important to do your research on pre-med mission trips. After all, the medical field should not be taken lightly. Here you’ll find everything you need to know before embarking on medical trips abroad.

1. Pre-med mission trips are more than just clinical work.

The medical field is vast, and while you may be keen to get in on the action as a medical volunteer abroad, pre-med mission trips involve much more than just clinical work. Some projects involve working with patients, diagnosing illnesses, and providing care, while others involve educating communities on nutrition and sustainable health practices. There is administration involved, too. After all, who is going to keep track of medical records? 

2. Grad schools love it!

Complementing your pre-med studies with medical trips abroad is the best way to grab the attention of grad schools. They often look for volunteer experience, and if you’ve been a volunteer abroad, medical schools will snatch you up! Not only will they see your philanthropic side, but it will also show you have the life experience to go along with your medical degree: you’ve pushed yourself outside your comfort zone, coped with cultural shock and stress, and have come out on the other side more resilient. You’re going to kill it in grad school!

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You will experience immense personal growth during medical trips abroad that you can put to the test in grad school and beyond.

3. Volunteering abroad leads to lower rates of depression and mental illness.

Doing meaningful work while also being integrated into a community makes you feel good, and volunteering has been proven to lengthen your lifespan and improve your quality of life. Amazing, right? While volunteering abroad in any field has a positive impact on your mental health, we know pre-med students need this a little extra because of the high stress of your studies. So as an undergraduate pre-med international volunteer, you not only get a leg up in the field, but prove to yourself that you can take on anything life hands you!

4. You can’t always rely on your program provider for information.

Healthcare is serious business. While your program will provide basic information about your placement and duties, it’s important to do your own research to know what to expect. If you’re embarking on pre-med mission trips, it’s a good idea to be prepared in such a serious type of placement with so many people relying on you. Do your research!

5. Impact depends on your commitment.

As with most volunteer trips abroad, the more time you have to commit to a project, the bigger the impact you’ll make on the community. The same holds true for medical trips abroad. Of course, everyone has time constraints, but it’s about making the most of the time you have away from your studies. 

Thinking of taking a gap year for pre-med mission trips? Wonderful! But even if that’s not a possibility for you, think of the time you do have. Spring break pre-med trips are the perfect solution for those short on time. Instead of spending two weeks drinking tequila shots in Miami, spend your time contributing to a developing country and expanding your medical knowledge with spring break pre-med trips abroad!

6. Most placements require medical skills.

While there are countries all over the world that are in need of medical relief, they are not lacking unskilled laborers. Without knowledge or experience, you’ll just be taking the job of a local. What these countries need are skilled professionals that they can’t find in their own communities. While you don’t have to be a trained doctor, it’s important to have the medical knowledge and skills available to make a difference during your medical trips abroad.

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Don’t dive into pre-med mission trips if you don’t have the skills to back up your passion. You want to be able to safely make a difference!

7. Improvising can be necessary.

While US hospitals are stocked with every tool you could ever need, that isn’t always the case when you volunteer abroad. Medical volunteers will need to improvise if the tools needed are not readily available, so it’s important to think of alternatives that are safe, locally available, and nearby. Don’t be afraid to use your imagination and get creative on your pre-med mission trips.

8. Language skills enhance the experience.

While it may not be a requirement for program entry, it’s always a good idea to brush up on your language skills before embarking on pre-med mission trips. Even if you’re nowhere near fluent, attempting to speak the language will be greatly appreciated by the locals. Don’t be embarrassed! As an undergraduate pre-med international volunteer who attempts to connect with the community, you’ll earn respect and trust, and that’s always important on medical trips abroad.

9. Your world will never be the same.

In a good way! Medical mission trips for pre-med students will both melt your heart and make it ache. You’ll learn so much about the medical field that those who don’t cross borders will never know, and these things stick with you for life. You’ll become more well-rounded, flexible, and open-minded about medicine, and you’ll grow as a human, opening to a new world that will only allow you to grow.

4 programs to help you become a medical volunteer abroad

So where do you start if you want to become a volunteer abroad? Medical mission trips for pre-med students are available at these top four programs.

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1. Volunteering Solutions

One of our most popular medical volunteer abroad programs allows you to work with an excellent team of program providers to organize your trip from start to finish. With Volunteering Solutions, you’ll work in both rural and suburban underprivileged communities around the world under the supervision of doctors, nurses, and physiotherapists. You won’t have to worry about a thing with this program, as they include accommodation, meals, and transport. All you have to do is show up and lend a hand to those in need!

Snapshot:

  • Destinations: Cambodia, Costa Rica, Ghana, Kenya, Peru, Philippines, South Africa, Tanzania, Thailand, Uganda, Vietnam
  • Main projects: Emergency Medicine, Radiology, Dentistry, Pediatric, Surgery, Maternity, and more.
  • More info: Read reviews of Volunteering Solutions
IVHQ logo

2. International Volunteer HQ (IVHQ)

IVHQ is considered the world’s most trusted and affordable volunteer abroad program, as well as one of GoAbroad’s top-rated programs. With over 40 destinations to choose from, volunteers can choose from all kinds of placements and locations. The best part? They offer safe, cheap, impactful medical trips abroad. While most placements require experience and qualifications, medical trips abroad are also available if you’re an undergraduate pre-med international volunteer.

Snapshot:

  • Destinations: Argentina, Costa Rica, Guatemala, India, Peru
  • Main projects: Physiotherapy, Pharmacy, Dentistry, Paramedics, Clinical Laboratory Science, Optometry, Nutrition, HIV/AIDS Support, and more.
  • More info: Read reviews of IVHQ
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3. International Medical Aid

International Medical Aid is quite well known in the field of medical volunteering and internships abroad, offering a much more personalized experience than other providers. With an ethics-based approach to their programs, most of your money goes directly to the local communities. International Medical Aid specializes in medical internships for pre-med students, so as a medical volunteer abroad, you can shadow international professionals in public and private hospitals and clinics. With these placements, pre-med students will focus on prevention and improved quality of life for international communities through spreading health awareness.

Snapshot:

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4. GoEco

If you’re studying medicine, dentistry, or public health, pre-med mission trips at GoEco are a great move for your career. This program allows students in all years of study with any amount of experience the ability to assist in hospitals and clinics around the world while receiving academic credit for their time and work. With a huge variety of medical mission trips for pre-med students, you’re bound to find the perfect placement. After all, each placement can be tailored to meet your specific specialty and academic requirements.

Snapshot:

  • Destinations: Bali, Cambodia, Costa Rica, Guatemala, India, Malawi, Peru, South Africa, Vietnam, Zambia, and Zimbabwe.
  • Main projects: Nursing, Dentistry, Pharmacy, Biomedical Science, and Health Science.
  • More info: Read reviews of GoEco

[Browse ALL Medical Mission Trips Abroad]

You’re one step closer to medical mission trips for pre-med students

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Choosing medical volunteer abroad will change your life—we can almost guarantee it.

Are you ready for the experience of a lifetime? As an undergraduate pre-med international volunteer, you can travel the world and gain new knowledge of the medical field that most of your fellow students won’t have—all while making a positive impact on a community in need. Whether you have two weeks or a year to dedicate to medical trips abroad, GoAbroad can help you design the perfect adventure.

 With these tips, you’re ready to dive in. Do some research, check out the top programs for pre-med mission trips, and don’t be afraid to bring big change to the world around you!

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Originally published on July 12, 2019