Volunteering Abroad
Many Postbac Premed students are eager to volunteer in health care settings outside of the United States, where access to medical care is often extremely limited. Although service abroad does not necessarily make an applicant to medical, dental, or veterinary school more competitive, many Postbac Premed students will undertake such work to supplement the clinical and research work they complete domestically.
Students who pursue opportunities abroad should ensure that the tasks they assume are commensurate with their experience and training and the work is conducted under the supervision of a health care professional. Students should be advised that the School of General Studies has not vetted or endorsed any of the programs listed on our website under Clinical and Research Opportunities; they therefore must investigate any program before joining it.
Students who arrange work abroad during their enrollment in the Postbac Premed Program should notify their advisor beforehand and register with International SOS, an emergency services insurance program that provides worldwide assistance in the event of an emergency
Guidelines
Prior to volunteering abroad, students are also encouraged to review the AAMC reference Guidelines for Premedical and Medical Students Providing Patient Care During Clinical Experiences Abroad. Predents should review Guidelines for Predental Students Providing Patient Care During Clinical Experiences Abroad. The information in these documents is general enough in nature that prevets and allied health preprofessionals are also encouraged to consult them.
Global Health
Disclaimer: The School of General Studies does not screen the health care positions, paid or volunteer, listed below. This listing is not an endorsement or recommendation. Students are advised to investigate all opportunities before committing to one.
Child Family Health International Global Health Programs
CFHI Programs offer first-hand experiences alongside local physicians and public health experts in developing countries. Programs combine instruction, experience, service, and reflection to create a model that supports physicians, clinical sites, and communities abroad, addresses the healthcare needs of the underserved, and adds a unique experiential element to each participant's professional development. Programs last between four and eight weeks.
Global Health Corps offers fellowships for college graduates with domestic and international NGOs and government organizations that are working to improve healthcare access and health outcomes for the poor. The program does not require clinical experience and offers fellowships in a range of areas including project management, monitoring and evaluation, engineering, communications, and more. Participants also receive mentorship and professional development training. Positions include a stipend, housing, medical insurance, and transportation, and require a commitment of one year.
The Comprehensive Rural Health Project
The Comprehensive Rural Health Project offers trainings, internships, and courses for individuals interested in helping develop and increase access to healthcare in rural communities in India. Individuals will learn about community-driven programming and various aspects of the non-profit organization, including fundraising, community development, marketing, and efforts in public health, women’s rights, and medicine. Internship opportunities are unpaid and take place over the course of six-months.
Medical Missionaries Global Health Fellowship
The Global Health Fellowship sends students to St. Joseph's Clinic in Thomassique, Haiti to provide health care to underserved communities. Fellows assist with coordinating the clinic's operations and managing several health outreach programs involving community health workers, traditional birth assistants, mobile clinics, water purification, malnutrition, salt iodization, and education. Fellows also have the opportunity to develop new initiatives to address needs in Thomassique or outlying villages. The fellowship lasts 13 months and transportation including flight costs, housing, food, and emergency evacuation insurance are covered by the program.
Minority Health and Health Disparities International Research Training Fellowship
MIHRT is for students from underrepresented groups who seek an international research opportunity in global health. The program is a fully-funded 11-week summer program during which fellows will receive training in New York City, and will carry out a research project in one of five countries (Dominican Republic, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Kenya, or Swaziland).
Princeton in Africa Fellowship
The Princeton in Africa Fellowship provides participants opportunities with a variety of organizations that work across the African continent. Experiences vary, but effort is made to place fellows with organizations based on their interest. Previous fellows have worked in the fields of humanitarian aid, public health, education, conservation, post-conflict reconstruction, and social entrepreneurship. The fellowship lasts twelve months.
The Somos Hermanos program provides an opportunity for gap-year, pre-medical students to become fluent in Spanish. The program takes place in Guatemala and entails a mix of one-on-one language instruction, community volunteering, cultural activities and lectures, and daytrips to nearby areas. The program lasts six months.
Unite for Sight Global Health Program
At Unite for Sight, Global Impact Fellows provide eye care to people living in extreme poverty. Volunteers interact with patients, conduct visual acuity screenings, learn about glasses and medication distribution, and have the opportunity to observe surgeries. Positions last between one week and several months.
Volunteers for Intercultural and Definitive Adventures (VIDA)
VIDA offers pre-medical students the opportunity to practice rural medicine in field clinics serving isolated populations in Guatemala, Nicaragua, and Costa Rica. Students will interview patients, record vitals, administer physical exams and primary care under the supervision of licensed physicians. A variety of programs are offered and Spanish is not a prerequisite. Programs last between nine and fifteen days.
Summer Programs
For global health opportunities in the summer, visit the Summer Programs page.