I was having second thoughts about doing this project. It was far from New York (19 hour flight,) it was…
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This program is based in a government-operated hospital which serves the underprivileged community of Ho Chi Minh City. It aims to offer effective treatment to a large number of its local population with the help of international volunteers.
Program Highlights:
Your Schedule at a Glance (Minimum one-week commitment):
Arrival Day, Sunday: Arrive at Tan Son Nhat International Airport (SGN). You will be picked up by the local team and transferred to your accommodations in a college campus in Ho Chi Minh.
Day 1, Monday: Volunteer will receive an introduction to the local team, their program, partake in Vietnamese culture lesson, a language lesson and tour around the local area. Following lunch, volunteers will partake in activities with local students and visit a market.
Days 2-5, Tuesday-Friday: Volunteers will assist in the clinic and shadow Vietnamese doctors while learning about the hospital’s medical practices and treatment methods.
Day 6, Saturday: Departure day for volunteers only staying for one week. Volunteers staying longer than one week will have both Saturday and Sunday free.
Remaining Weeks: Volunteers staying longer than one week will work at the site Monday-Friday and have weekends free.
Location of the Project: Ho Chi Minh, Vietnam
Project length: Minimum 1 week – Maximum 8 weeks
Arrival Airport: Tan Son Nhat International Airport, Ho Chi Minh City (SGN)
Volunteer Work: Shadowing medical professionals
Age: 18-75
Number of Volunteers: Up to 15 international volunteers
Important Note: You will need to buy or rent navy scrubs to wear at the hospital.
What’s Included
Accommodations: Shared dorm room on college campus
Food: Three meals are provided during the weekdays, and two meals are provided on weekend days.
Airport Transfers: Airport pick up is included on arrival day
Orientation: All necessary training and introductions provided upon arrival
Support: Comprehensive and professional pre-departure travel guidance, 24/7 GoEco emergency hotline, experienced local field team.
What’s not Included
Flights, visas (if required), travel health insurance, personal expenses, daily transport to project location, weekend lunches, airport drop off
Ho Chi Minh City (HCMC), Vietnam’s largest city, has completely transformed over the last two decades as a result of Doi Moi, the 1986, widespread economic reform. It went from a war-ravaged city to a flourishing metropolis, putting it in a position to rival Bangkok and other Asian powerhouses. The city’s gushing success can be seen in its five-star restaurants, fancy hotels, topnotch bars and clubs and luxury shops. However, much remains to be done to improve and expand the social and health services for its residents.
This project offers the opportunity to observe Vietnamese doctors while learning about the hospital’s medical practices and treatment methods. The project will start with an introduction to the hospital equipment, the operating procedures and the staff with whom you will be working. You will then be assigned to either a nurse, staff member or a doctor, whom you will shadow for the remainder of your placement.
Some of your tasks may include:
A typical day: You will be at the hospital five-six hours per day (not including travel time), Monday-Friday. There is usually a two-hour break. Depending on the needs of the hospital at the time and your level of medical experience, you will shadow doctors performing medical procedures, shadow other hospital staff members and/or participate in everyday tasks.
Although weekends are free, you do have the option to volunteer at the hospital on Saturday and Sunday.
Please note: Due to patient safety and local licensing regulations, this placement is primarily a shadowing opportunity. Not all doctors have a high level of English.
Holidays: During public holidays, volunteers can join the local celebrations. Please inquire about exact dates.
Internet: There is WiFi in the rooms as well as Internet cafes nearby.
Laundry: Affordable laundry services are available close to the accommodations.
Accommodations: You will stay in the dormitories of a college campus. There is an air- conditioner in every room. Rooms are single-gender and shared with up to six people. They are basic but comfortable, with bunk beds. There are eight shared showers – four hot and four cold – and a western-style toilet in each room. There are several common areas, including a terrace overlooking the city, a cafe and a creative corner with paint and guitars. Volunteers are required to follow campus regulations, including an 11:30 PM curfew.
Food: Three meals a day are included and served at a restaurant on campus. Meals are typically Vietnamese, but also include some Western dishes.
Please take note of this project’s minimum requirements:
Culture Week (Highly Recommended):
For an additional fee you can extend your stay for a week, with a program designed to introduce you to Ho Chi Minh and Vietnamese culture, as well as give you time to get to know the other volunteers. During the week you will visit some of Vietnam’s iconic landmarks, market places and even go to a traditional water puppet show. You’ll take cooking and language lessons, learn about traditional jewelry techniques and get an understanding of Vietnam’s past, present and future.
© 2022 GOECO | All rights reserved
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