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/index-principles2.htm
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.
Global Missions Health Conference.
(2004)
http://www.southeastchristian.org/gmhc_index.cfm
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/volunteer/index.cfm
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/main_page.aspx
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.
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.
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.com/volunteer/overseas.asp
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
CIEE Summer Study Program in Public Health in
the Dominican Republic
http://www.ciee.org/program_search/program_detail.aspx?program_id=125
One ICN 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). October 12, 2004,
from
http://www.iaseco.org/main/international_health_care.htm
“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.
