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HEALTH &
MEDICINE
STUDY ABROAD IN LATIN AMERICA
The medical profession is no longer just about treating patients, it is about treating patients that speak multiple languages, across various cultures, with global diseases, in a limited resource environment. Maximo Nivel’s Med Health programs provide students with the opportunity to get experience with medicine and healthcare in Costa Rica, Guatemala, and Peru. Studying healthcare abroad gives students a close-up view of medicine and healthcare in the developing world. Our programs are ideal for nursing, medical, pre-med, and physical therapy students, as well as students studying Public Health.
Participants may schedule programs using the academic calendar or can take advantage of open enrollment internships and service learning programs, which begin every Monday year-round!
Internships give students the chance to learn by working side-by-side with local healthcare professionals at hospitals and clinics. You take part in clinical rotations, assist or shadow doctors, nurses, or therapists. Activities vary based on the needs of each medical facility, and as an intern you get involved with obstetrics, gynecology, pediatrics, geriatrics, oncology, HIV treatment, and even tropical medicine.
In service learning programs, you work as an integral part of rural medical campaigns, vaccination programs, and help with general patient care.
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Why I Maximo Nivel
I absolutely loved being with Maximo Nivel, the staff is welcoming and cares about you. You feel the support. My house family was charming and really welcoming. We felt a lot of support and love from them. As a student studying health science and learning of diseases and patterns of those diseases, I found it quite interesting to see the effects and reality that people have to live with by being affected. It was very emotionally moving and I will never forget all the beautiful souls inside that residence. Pura Vida Costa Rica ! I will most definitely see you again.
INTERNATIONAL INTERNSHIPS
MEDICAL INTERNSHIPS IN LATIN AMERICA
Though most Latin American countries have nationalized healthcare, geographic challenges in rural areas and government red tape make patient access difficult. Hospitals and clinics often lack funding and resources and yet the quality of medical care they deliver is impressive!
Med Health interns get exposure to medical practices in the developing world and leave with a better understanding of patient care and foreign healthcare systems. During the internship, you gain practical medical experience, increase your knowledge of medical terminology in Spanish, and improve your ability to communicate with Spanish speaking patients. Overall, Med Health students build their professional foundation to become more globally-minded medical practitioners.
Medical placements are at public and private hospitals, local clinics, assisted living facilities, and private practices. As an intern, you are partnered with medical professionals and provide daily assistance and support. Your work may include triage, patient consultations, checkups, making rounds, elderly care, health education, materials management, and keeping patient records. Med Health students may also have the opportunity to take part in medical campaigns in rural communities and vaccination programs. Dental and physical therapy placements are available on a limited basis.
Intermediate Spanish is required to be effective in a medical internship placement.
SERVICE LEARNING
FOR MED HEALTH STUDENTS
In Latin America, hospitals and clinics for low income families often lack funding and staff, making it difficult to keep the most vulnerable populations healthy. By serving in a medical placement, service learning students make a difference in the lives of hospital professionals and their patients. As a service learning student, you may also take part in week-long medical campaigns, vaccination programs, and learn about healthcare systems in Costa Rica, Guatemala, and Peru.
During your service learning placement, you gain practical medical experience, increase your knowledge of medical terminology in Spanish, and
improve your ability to communicate with Spanish speaking patients. Note, the level of work service learning students are able to participate in depends on their education, experience, and Spanish language skills.
UNIVERSITY COURSES
SPA 202 – Intermediate Spanish II
SPA 301 – Spanish Composition I
SPA 302 – Spanish Composition II
SPA 350 – Latin American Literature
SPA 360 – Latin American Civilization & Culture
SPA 361 – Modern Day Latin America
SPA 371 – Business Spanish
SPA 380 – Intercultural Communication
SPA 420 – Advanced Spanish Grammar
SPA 480 – Advanced Spanish Conversation
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