Volunteer FAQ

Who can serve

Who can serve on a Global Health Travel Clinic?

Our Global Health Travel Clinics are currently accepting medical students who have completed at least their first year of medical school. We are actively expanding our capabilities to include more professional school students and providers, so please stay connected with the site for updates. Visit Get Involved to find the path that fits you.

I’m a first- or second-year student. Is there a place for me?

Yes. Once you have completed your first year of medical school, there is a place for you: early-career students gain hands-on exposure to global health while working alongside experienced clinicians. See Medical Students (1st & 2nd Year).

Do I need global health experience to join?

No. No prior global health experience is required or expected before serving with Medicine in Mission. One of our foundational principles is exposing more healthcare providers to global health early in their careers.

I’m a PA, NP, nurse, resident physician, dentist, or Fire & EMS professional. When can I join?

These pathways are actively in development. Our current focus is finalizing the medical student program, after which we will turn our attention to building out these additional tracks. Stay up to date by visiting Get Involved and submitting your information, and you will be notified as soon as these opportunities open up.

I’m not a healthcare provider. How can I serve?

We are working on a program for non-healthcare providers to get involved. As Medicine in Mission grows, our goal is to welcome as much support as possible in our mission to deliver sustainable global healthcare. In the meantime, check the site for updates, and consider donating to help fund our work.

Trips, cost, and timing

When and where are the trips?

We return to the Dominican Republic each year and are expanding to new countries as Medicine in Mission grows! See Countries We Serve for the latest. Currently all Global Health Travel Clinics take place between May and August. Upcoming trip dates are announced on the site when they become available and are shared directly with applicants.

What will I actually be doing?

The Global Health Travel Clinic involves traveling to multiple locations throughout the week, both within the capital city and in remote areas outside it. Participants take patient histories, perform physical exams, gain hands-on experience with ultrasound imaging, and provide patient education on common health issues. Clinic members also develop presentations on public health topics, such as first aid and CPR, to help educate the local population.

How long is the trip?

The Global Health Travel Clinic runs 8 days, Sunday to Sunday. The first Sunday is travel into the country, the clinic itself runs Monday through Friday, Saturday is reserved for community engagement and a cultural exploration event, and the trip concludes with travel home the following Sunday.

What does it cost, and how do I pay?

Once accepted into the Global Health Travel Clinic, students pay the full cost of the program in advance of the trip date. You will receive a payment timeline once accepted, with most trips requiring full payment up to 2 months prior to the trip date to allow for cost-effective travel bookings. Payment is made directly to Medicine in Mission, and payment plans are available. We are also developing a fundraising option so students can share their trip with family, friends, and social media to help offset costs. Contact us for current fees.

Where will I stay?

Lodging is coordinated by Medicine in Mission staff. The Travel Clinic team stays together at a hotel along with staff, which streamlines transportation to and from clinic sites each day. Accommodations include a clean hotel environment, a personal bathroom with shower and toilet, and breakfast served daily.

How do I get there?

Once your application is accepted and your spot in the Travel Clinic is confirmed, Medicine in Mission staff will reach out to coordinate your flights, ensuring you arrive safely and on time.

Applying

How do I apply?

Start on the Get Involved page, choose your role, and complete the application. Accepted team members then receive orientation materials and the health and travel documents on the Trip Forms page.

What about the 4th-year Global Health elective rotation?

The 4th-year medical student Global Health elective rotation takes place at Ciudad Sanitaria in Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic. Students rotate through various departments, integrating their knowledge and skills with the medical community inside the hospital by performing patient exams, working alongside local residents and attendings, and building an understanding of a different healthcare system. This rotation is a chance to bring experience from prior clinical rotations and grow it further alongside the providers in the departments you choose. For more information, see 4th-Year Student Rotations or contact us directly.

Preparing to go

Do I need to speak Spanish?

No, Spanish fluency is not required to serve with Medicine in Mission. Local interpreters join the clinic to support students during interviews and presentations. That said, we strongly encourage making an effort to learn some Spanish before the clinic and continuing to build on it while on site: one of the goals of the Travel Clinic is to help students begin to feel comfortable using Spanish in clinical practice. Speaking a patient’s language, even at a basic level, is a meaningful way to build trust and help patients feel more at ease. Our Medical Spanish program can help you build practical, clinical language before you travel.

Is it safe?

Yes. Safety is a top priority, and we work diligently to ensure every aspect of the Travel Clinic is secure. Medicine in Mission partners with a local site coordinator to confirm that all locations we serve are safe and have a designated point of contact. Medicine in Mission staff are with clinic members at all times, transportation is coordinated throughout, all clinics take place during daytime hours, and lodging is in a secure, well-populated area.

What about vaccinations and travel documents?

Accepted providers receive guidance on recommended vaccinations, required travel documents, and on-the-ground safety before departure. Medicine in Mission has the latest vaccine and travel information for all the countries we visit, and you will receive a welcome packet with the guidelines tailored to each country!

Still have questions?

We would love to hear from you. Reach out through our Contact page and we will help however we can.