Links to International Volunteer Opportunities
Most, but not all of these, are offered by religious
organizations. Most do not offer paid positions and
most require that participants pay their own expenses
which are tax deductible. The list is divided into 2
parts: Service Organizations and Educational
Opportunities. The latter group provides global
learning opportunities and supervision/educational
support for student participants.
Useful Resource for anyone planning to volunteer with any international organization
International Volunteer Programs
Organization
http://www.volunteerinternational.org/
This site provides specific information about what to
look for when choosing a volunteer opportunity, sources
for various types of volunteer opportunities, and links
to member organizations. Of particular help are the
section "Things to Know" that lists principles and
practices that assure program quality and provide a
basis for selecting a worthwhile program. The section
entitled "How to volunteer abroad" is particularly
helpful in considering how to finance such trips and
how to prepare for them.
Service Organizations
American Jewish World Service
(AJWS)
http://www.ajws.org/
“AJWS supports more than 200 grassroots
organizations in the developing world and Russia and
Ukraine through grant making, technical assistance,
emergency relief and advocacy. We also provide unique
international service opportunities for the Jewish
community, enabling Jews to play an active role in the
process of meaningful social change. Last year we sent
over 300 volunteers to the developing world.”
Clicking on “Service Programs” or
“Health” will give you a wide range of
short term opportunities. The programs that seem the
most relevant to nursing students are Jewish Volunteer
Corps and the Alternative Breaks.
Christian Connections for International
Health
http://www.ccih.org/
“The mission of Christian Connections for
International Health is to promote international health
and wholeness from a Christian perspective. CCIH
provides field-oriented information resources and a
forum for discussion, networking, and fellowship to the
spectrum of Christian organizations and individuals
working in international health.”
This site includes a database of connections to job
search resources for International Health Care (see
“Job Search”). There are materials on AIDS,
Malaria, TB
Forward Edge International
http://www.forwardedge.org/
This Vancouver, WA based Christian organization sends
volunteers to places of need across the US and Canada
as well as 33 other countries. The statement below is
pasted from their web site. RN-BSN students from
Vancouver/Portland area have participated with this
organization.
“You are invited to participate with us in
responding with Christ's love to a world in need. Since
1983, Forward Edge International (FEI)—a relief
and missions organization based in Vancouver,
Washington—has sent more than 9,000 volunteers
from across North America to many parts of the U.S.,
Canada and 33 foreign countries. We believe everyone
should have an opportunity to change a life, and we
offer you that opportunity.”
Global Missions Health Conference.
(2009)
http://www.southeastchristian.org/serve
This site includes the latest information regarding the
annual Global Missions Health Conference. The Global
Missions Health Conference is a Christian conference
that hopes to inspire health professionals to
participate in international health care. It addresses
needs, recruits volunteers, and provides international
health specific training and missionary connections.
This site has links to co-sponsors that are missionary
organizations and international health connection
websites.
International Council of
Nursing
http://www.icn.ch/addresslist.htm
To represent nursing worldwide, advancing the
profession and influencing health policy.
"The International Council of Nurses is a federation of
national nurses’ associations (NNAs),
representing nurses in more than 120 countries. Founded
in 1899, ICN is the world’s first and widest
reaching international organisation for health
professionals. Operated by nurses for nurses, ICN works
to ensure quality nursing care for all, sound health
policies globally, the advancement of nursing
knowledge, and the presence worldwide of a respected
nursing profession and a competent and satisfied
nursing workforce”. There are no individual
members of ICN. The American Nurses Association (ANA)
is a member of ICN, so if you are a member of ANA you
are also an ICN member. This website does not provide
opportunities for nursing abroad but describes
activities in various countries related to professional
practice, nursing regulation and socioeconomic welfare
for nurses. Information in the newsroom is particularly
interesting.
International Health Care Foundation
(IHCF)
http://www.ihcf.net/
IHCF’s purpose is to serve Jesus Christ by
serving the people of Nigeria and Ghana and meeting
their health needs in whatever form they can. Nurses
are currently being recruited for long term assignments
in Ghana and Nigeria (see
“Opportunities”).
Medecins Sans Frontiers/ Doctors without
Borders
http://www.msf.org/msfinternational/volunteer/
and http://www.doctorswithoutborders.org/
“This organization originated in France is
“an independent humanitarian medical aid agency
committed to two objectives: Providing medical aid
wherever needed, regardless of race, religion, politics
or sex and raising the awareness of the plight of the
people we help.” Opportunities for service are
open to experienced health care professionals.
Acceptance as a volunteer requires an in-person
interview in New York City.”
Medical Ministry
International
http://www.mmint.org/
MMI is an organization with “official permission
to conduct medical and surgical clinics and bring
supplies into each country (that it serves) without
customs duty.” Those interested in short-term
trips apply as volunteers and are assigned roles based
on their skill level, experience, and past
participation with MMI. Costs range from $660 to
$875.
Mercy Ships: Bring Hope and
Healing
http://www.mercyships.org/
Mercy Ships, a global charity, has operated a growing
fleet of hospital ships in developing nations since
1978. Following the example of Jesus, Mercy Ships
brings hope and healing to the poor, mobilizing people
and resources worldwide. The site provides information
on short and long term opportunities.
Mission Finder: Classified Directories of
Christian Missions Opportunities
http://www.mfinder.org/index.htm
This site is focused on helping Nursing, Dental,
Medical, and Education Students find opportunities in
missions worldwide. It is easy to use. You simply enter
your mission interests as well as countries you would
like to serve. After a few moments, the search engine
will show you missions that are available, according
your specified fields, through a wide variety of
organizations. Current openings are highlighted on the
opening page.
Partners in Health
http://www.pih.org/home.html
This organization started by Paul Farmer (see Mountains
beyond Mountains by Tracy Kidder for more information)
that focuses on health and social justice. They
work in several countries and areas and require a
two-year commitment from most volunteers.
“The PIH Vision: Whatever it
takes
At its root, our mission is both medical and moral. It
is based on solidarity, rather than charity alone. When
a person in Peru, or Siberia, or rural Haiti falls ill,
PIH uses all of the means at our disposal to make them
well—from pressuring drug manufacturers, to
lobbying policy makers, to providing medical care and
social services. Whatever it takes. Just as we would do
if a member of our own family—or we
ourselves—were ill.”
People 4 Peru
http://www.peopleofperu.org
The People of Peru Project is providing aid to the
region of Peru at the headwaters of the Amazon River.
Iquitos is a city of 400,000 people surrounded by
thousands of square miles of jungle. This city is
plagued by poverty and all that comes with it. Disease,
parasites, malnutrition, rampant tooth decay and
premature death are but a few.” This is the group
that sponsored the trip taken by 18 students and recent
graduates to provide health care. Information about
future ICN sponsored trips with this group will be
posted on the ICN web site.
Project Medsend
http://www.medsend.org/
"Project Medsend is a nonprofit organization that seeks
to help missionaries pay back their college loans in
effort to help them reach their international
destination sooner. Their mission is to enable to
Healthcare Workers to serve around the world.”
They offer financial counseling, will work to develop
funds to pay back. Associated with Global Missions
Health Conference.
Pueblo Partisans
http://www.pueblopartisans.org/
The information below is from their web site. All their
work is in Guatemala. Dawn Doutrich in Vancouver
is familiar with this group and may be able to answer
questions.
“Pueblo Partisans is a nongovernmental organization based in Canada and the United States. Its focus is development work with communities in Guatemala. Pueblo Partisans is a registered society composed of service professionals and volunteers, whose primary goal is to promote community response to shared human aspirations while considering the specific relationships of communities to a larger society. We live, study and work in the Americas. Current involvements occur in both urban and rural environs that have predominantly aboriginal and migrant populations in particular circumstances, and with mixed populations in others.”
Unite for Sight
http://www.uniteforsite.org
"Unite for Sight is a non-profit organization that
empowers communities worldwide to improve eye health
and eliminate preventable blindness. More than 4,000
volunteers work in ninety chapters established at
universities, medical schools, corporations, high
schools, and in communities throughout the world.
Additionally, Volunteer Teams are sent to 25 countries
to provide eye care and eye health education programs
to medically underserved communities.” This
organization sends teams several times a year mostly in
Africa. You can get on their mailing list and receive
information on upcoming events.
Volunteer Anesthesia Overseas.
(n.d.).
http://www.aana.co
m/ProfessionalDevelopment.aspx?ucNavMenu_TSMenuTargetID=46&ucNavMenu_TSMenuTargetType=4&ucNavMenu_TSMenuID=6&id=219
This site is specifically designed for nurse
anesthetists. It includes worldwide opportunities for
CRNAs. This site also addresses information regarding
passports, visas, prescriptions, health precautions,
sanitation
Educational/Service Organizations
Child Family Health
International
http://www.cfhi.org/web/index.php
This organization was started by a med student at
Stanford. It provides month long learning and service
opportunities for nursing and medical students.
We have had 3 students participate in this program 2
went to North India near the Tibetian border and one
went to Delhi for an infectious disease program.
All three had excellent experiences and learned an
enormous amount about India, health care in underserved
areas, and themselves. Despite the political
instability in the regions all three students felt
completely safe and well-protected by the organization
that is a collaboration between local health
professionals and US students and faculty.
Child Family Health International (CFHI) is the leading
nongovernmental organization (NGO) placing health
science students on global health education programs in
ways that are socially responsible and financially
just. We model best global health education practices
which demonstrate a priority commitment to community
engagement and local integrity.
CIEE Summer Study Program in Public Health
in the Dominican Republic
http://www.ciee.org/program_search
/program_detail.aspx?program_id=125
One CON student has participated in this valuable
program which includes both theory and clinical classes
in Public Health. Besides attending classes and
learning about Public health issues and priorities
worldwide and in the DR students participate in
assessing community health needs and in teaching groups
of young people in the cities and countryside.
Since the classes are taught in Spanish at least an
intermediate level of fluency in Spanish is required.
CIEE has some scholarships available. If you are
interested in this program and would like some credit
for your CHN course please contact Carol Allen before
enrolling in the program.
Himalayan Health Exchange
http://www.himalayanhealth.com/index.shtml
"Himalayan Health Exchange is a humanitarian service
program bringing together healthcare professionals who
give of their time, talent and resources to provide
care to the underserved populations in select, remote
areas of Indo-Tibetan Borderlands, India and Nepal.
Each trip combines service and adventure, with team
members providing care while also experiencing the
land, its natural environment, people and
culture.”
Two of our students went to India with this group in
the summer of 2004. They had a really great experience
and were well protected and well treated by the
organization. This group provides service in very
remote areas so living conditions are primitive. You
must like camping out and you shouldn’t be
squeamish to participate in this wonderful opportunity.
Students with asthma and other respiratory problems
should be aware that much of the work is done at
altitude and the air in the cities and houses is
smoky.
International Alliance in Service and
Education (IASE).
https://iaseco.org/
“IASE (International Alliance in Service &
Education) is a non-profit public benefit corporation
whose primary mission is the promotion of health and
education in underserved communities internationally.
IASE also promotes experiential learning programs for
US college students in the area of healthcare and
education nationally and internationally. IASE
integrates the practical techniques and philosophical
foundations of the experiential learning pedagogy
throughout its experiential learning curriculum, making
it one of the few organizations that offers a
comprehensive international experiential learning
program.
IASE works in partnership with community leaders to
assess community needs and to establish a working
alliance between students, professionals, and
communities in the areas of health and education.
IASE is committed to help support the development of
health and education "community based" programs.”
Opportunities are available in South Africa and Mexico
as well as the US.
Nursing in Scandinavia – Summer Program in
English
http://www.discopenhagen.org/Academic/Health/NS/index.shtml
Six credit summer program in Copenhagen provides
clinical and theory courses in nursing taught in
English. Through the program, students will gain:
- An understanding of the complexity of health, nursing and patient care problems in Scandinavia
- A comparative understanding of American and Scandinavian health care and nursing systems
- The opportunity to further develop academically in the chosen area of clinical nursing
- Enhanced analytical skills
- Broad intercultural competence
This program is managed by DIS, a small organization
with a reputation for providing high quality programs.
Syllabi describing the program in detail are available
at the web site.
Studies Abroad
http://www.studiesabroad.com/
This organization does not offer any specific nursing
courses but does offer summer opportunities for
intensive Spanish language and culture classes in
locations around the world. They also offer one
opportunity in France.
