Join this 11-day summer medical service program in Costa Rica, where you'll expand your knowledge and experience in medical science while making a real difference in underserved communities. Partnered with a non-profit organization dedicated to improving healthcare access in the developing world, this program is designed for high school students (grades 9-12) who are curious about the medical field and want hands-on clinical experience.

Your experience begins with three days in Jaco Beach, a renowned surf town on Costa Rica's Pacific coast, where you'll take surfing lessons, explore crystal-clear waters, and even cruise out to the Tortuga Islands for snorkeling. Then you'll head to your home base in Santa Ana, near San José, where the real clinical work begins. Working alongside trained healthcare professionals, you'll assist in mobile clinics, collect patient vitals, help organize pharmaceuticals, shadow psychology appointments, and participate in creating wellness programs for families in need. The non-profit partner addresses the community's most pressing health issues through primary care, patient education, mental health services, and support groups for adults with disabilities.

Beyond the clinic walls, you'll volunteer at a soup kitchen and recreational center serving local children and families, and visit the Rescate Wildlife Rescue Center to see exotic animals being rehabilitated. Adventure activities complement your service work: zipline through lush rainforests, hike to stunning waterfalls, and immerse yourself in Costa Rica's incredible biodiversity—spotting sloths, capuchin and howler monkeys, iguanas, parrots, and toucans.

The program is fully inclusive of ground transportation, accommodations in safe, centrally-located family-run hotels, all meals (featuring authentic Costa Rican cuisine with hearty breakfasts and Caribbean spices), professional chaperones and guides, and program-related activities and admissions. You'll earn up to 30 hours of community service while building real clinical skills in global health settings, making this ideal for anyone considering a career in healthcare, public health, or international medicine.

Travel For Teens, consistently awarded "Top Youth Travel Organization," prioritizes authenticity and personal relationships—eating at local establishments, staying in smaller hotels where staff know you by name, and providing daily parent updates with photos and recaps. This is a meaningful, well-supervised experience designed to challenge you, inspire you, and connect you with peers from around the world who share your passion for healthcare and service.