Home

 

Getting Experience

- # of # Filtered -

A Hospital Helper In Costa Rica

Q&A with Stephanie: Interned & Learned a Language in Costa Rica
Share this
Print this
Stephanie
Interned & Learned a Language in Costa Rica
SUNY: University at Albany
Her thoughts on Cultural Differences
When I would arrange to meet local friends I'd always be waiting for 10 to 30 minutes. Their lifestyle is just not as fast-paced as ours!
Her thoughts on The Right Attitude
Don't be afraid to make mistakes: it's how you learn.
Her thoughts on The International Workplace
If something about your program isn't fulfilling your expectations, take matters into your own hands!

When and where did you intern abroad?

After completing half of my spring semester abroad studying Spanish, I interned at the Hospital de Las Mujeres in San Jose, Costa Rica. I spent seven weeks observing the doctors, nurses and medical staff as they performed anything from check-ups to delivering babies.

What made you want to intern abroad?

Two of my life's goals and aspirations are speaking fluent Spanish and practicing medicine as an M.D. Therefore, gaining medical experience at an internship in a Spanish speaking country was the absolute perfect combination for me!

How did you conduct your search? What made you select your program/company?

I came across the internship program offered through SUNY Brockport in Costa Rica. They had internship opportunities in many different fields, but with my interests lying in medicine, I chose a hospital listed in the health-related field. It wasn't until about a week before I was set to leave for Costa Rica that my internship director sent me an email detailing the items I would be required to purchase before my "social work internship". Social work?! I was extremely disappointed, and met with my director upon arriving in Costa Rica. He informed me that because I do not possess a medical title, I would not be allowed to complete the internship I wanted. I realized at this point that I needed to take matters into my own hands. I emailed about eight of the local hospitals, and after interviewing with one I was accepted as a student interested in medicine!

What made your experience abroad a success?

Many things constitute success. I learned a ton about women, the birthing process, and how a public hospital functions in another country. And I also made an abundance of friends and medical connections; and did it all speaking a second language!

What was the most important thing you learned about communicating in a foreign culture?

You have to be open to try new things, because language is not the only difference in communication between cultures. By studying in a certain culture, you want to learn about their customs and how they communicate so it is important to observe how they do things.

How did you deal with the cultural divide?/What differences did you notice?

Some interesting aspects of culture I noticed: they use Tupperware for leftovers, but do not use covers when placing the containers full of food into the fridges! Also, when I would arrange to meet local friends, we would say, for instance, 12 noon, but I would always be waiting for 10 to 30 minutes. Their lifestyle is just not as fast-paced as ours!

What is your number one tip for anyone hoping to follow in your footsteps?

I actually have three tips. Don't be afraid to make mistakes: it's how you learn. Seize every opportunity, studying abroad is something that most people don't get to do, and if you do, you don't want to leave with regrets. Lastly, if something about your program isn't fulfilling your expectations and what you wanted to take away from your study abroad experience, take matters into your own hands, as this is a valuable life skill anyways!

Advice from MyWorldAbroad
Jean-Marc Hachey, Publisher

Stephanie put herself into a challenging situation that forced her to beef up her Spanish language skills in a short amount of time while learning the ropes in a high-pressure work environment. We commend her for taking the plunge! Stephanie's professional goal is to be an MD, which will open up a wide variety of professional and volunteer opportunities around the globe. Health care professionals -- especially those with extensive international experience and language skills -- are highly sought-after by NGOs in developing nations. Stephanie should consider pursuing one or more health-related volunteer terms abroad, ideally in regions of the world that she has not yet visited. Consider the personal and professional benefit of undertaking a six-month volunteer term with a clinic or hospital in Ghana or Cambodia. The adaptation and cross-cultural communication skills you build volunteering in a developing nation will be highly valued by future employers. Undertaking an English teaching term or going abroad for a working vacation on a summer term are also excellent options for undergraduates looking to build cross-cultural skills.

Stephanie's Application Documents
See how She got started.
Stephanie's Next Steps
Advice from MyWorldAbroad
by the founder of MyWorldAbroad
Jean-Marc Hachey
Want to Have the Same Experience?
Want to Have the Same Experience?
Want to Have the Same Experience?
9781
- # of # Filtered -
  • 102
102
10923
Insight And Education In Korea
1
16392
Building International Career Skills Online
2
16320
Independent, International, Virtual! A UN Internship Online
3
16382
Making the Most of Lockdown with a Virtual Internship
4
16312
Virtual Internship for a Cross-cultural Future
5
16157
Zoom Zoom! A Virtual Internship with Central America
6
9775
A Year Of Feeling French
7
10153
China, South Africa And Beyond!
8
9776
Soaking Up Japanese Culture
9
9764
Do It Yourself! A Proactive Intern in Rome
10
15631
An International Career in the Making: Asia, Africa and Beyond
11
15405
From Daydream to Reality: Teaching Abroad
12
15401
From Korea to Oman: Teaching English Around the World!
13
9761
Communicating Creatively In Spain
14
9773
Independent In India
15
9791
Making Contacts Count In The UK
16
9740
Sports, Study And Fun In France
17
9743
Hooked On Volunteering!
18
16316
Exploring the Sights, Sounds & Tastes of Mexico City
19
16387
An Epic Internship in Malaysia
20
9756
Springtime In Spain
21
9763
A Professional Visit To Vietnam
22
9780
A Year In Marvelous Mexico!
23
9751
A Canadian Globe-Trotter Visits The US
24
9768
Going Solo In Spain!
25
10188
Now Or Never In Colombia
26
9792
Rolling With The Punches In Seoul
27
9745
An Unforgettable Adventure In Nanjing
28
9774
Gaga For Ghana!
29
9783
Off The Beaten Path In Africa
30
9755
People, Places And Passionate Volunteering In Peru
31
9778
Study And Adventure In New Zealand
32
9777
Into The Wild In Alaska
33
9754
Building Memories In India
34
9750
Host Hospitality In Morocco
35
9747
Fun And Friends In The Netherlands
36
9748
Adventure In The Alps
37
9786
Kids And Culture In Korea
38
9772
Learning To Go With The Flow In France
39
9762
American Freshman In London
40
9771
Learning To Love London
41
9742
Take-Charge Travel: Germany And Beyond!
42
9746
A Cross-Cultural Co-Op In West Africa
43
9760
Getting In Sync In Nairobi
44
9759
From Cold Feet To Confidence In Germany
45
9779
One Summer, Two Internships!
46
9785
Motivated In Madagascar
47
9741
Adapting to Work In Peru
48
9784
Skill-building in Bonn
49
9753
A Season in Sweden
50
9765
Simpatico in Florence
51
9782
Making The Most Of Milano
52
9737
Passionate About Panama
53
9766
Short-Term Trips For Long-Term Gain
54
9781
A Hospital Helper In Costa Rica
55
9789
Loving Life In Lyon
56
9790
Design And Dining In Korea
57
9770
Contributing To Change In Ghana
58
9757
Teaching And Learning In Tanzania
59
9738
Living For The Moment In Valencia
60
9767
Beyond The Call Of Duty In Africa
61
16174
An Empowering Virtual Internship in Nicaragua
62
9744
Food, Fun And Festivals In Germany
63
16161
A Bright & Friendly Cross-cultural Workspace
64
16017
A Globally-minded Visit to Qatar
65
10204
Across Europe In A Caravan!
66
9758
Learning The Local Ways Of Addis Ababa
67
11645
A Love Affair with Shanghai
68
11996
Daring to Go Solo in Ireland
69
12058
Architectural Adventures in Australia
70
11845
Hospitality and Hosting in the DCR
71
15333
A Literary Education in the UK
72
14088
An Eye-opening Experience Teaching in South Korea
73
14483
Finding Home, By Teaching Abroad
74
14594
Growing Abroad: Hong Kong & South Korea
75
15347
12 Months, 12 Countries!
76
15383
Hustle and Bustle in Vietnam
77
15327
An Open Mind & Open Arms in Spain
78
15387
Bliss on a Budget in Brazil
79
15644
Discovering the World on Campus: International Skills at Home
80
11467
Stepping Outside the Box in Sweden!
81
9752
Giving In Guatemala
82
9769
Getting Sporty In Switzerland!
83
9788
Business And Pleasure In Australia
84
9787
A Spring Semester in London
85
9807
Fast Friendship in Korea
86
11557
Un stage au Cambodge (Français)
87
10230
Getting Caffeinated In Bolivia
88
11468
Learning While Teaching in Beijing
89
10145
Real Stories And Real People In Mexico
90
9803
Ten Years Teaching In Seoul
91
10851
Tips From Tasmania
92
9799
Getting Settled In Seoul
93
10258
Encountering Cultures Across Europe
94
10218
Adaptation And Appreciation In Japan
95
9812
Caring And Career Skills In Belize
96
10157
Changing Course In China
97
11850
The Warmest Welcome in Guatemala
98
11904
Enthusiasm, Education and Experience in Greece
99
10163
English Teaching In Eastern Europe
100
10192
Out And About In Paris
101
10143
A Warm Welcome In Mexico
102
9781
All Job Boards
446
All NGOs
1398
Au Pair Resources
37
Awards & Grants Resources
64
Business Directories
20
Canadian Federal, Provincial & Territorial Government Profiles
60
Canadian Government Resources
30
Children And Families Abroad
5
Consulting, Economics & Finance Job Boards
60
Cross-cultural Skills
111
Engineering Job Boards
62
Engineering Resources
82
Expatriate Networking Sites
31
Foreign Students Working in the US
9
Freelancing Abroad
33
General Job Search Books
11
Global Education & Social Action
61
Health & Medicine Job Boards
50
Health Career Resources
68
International Associations with Clubs on Campus
42
International Development Career Resources
86
International Internship Organizations
312
International Internships & Student Programs with Canadian Governments
35
International Internships with the US Government
38
International Job-hunting Resources
15
International Law Careers Resources
113
International Law Job Boards
28
International Studies in the US & Canada
13
International Trade Resources
25
International Volunteer Organizations
476
Internship Directories & Advice
53
Internships with the UN & Other IGOs
160
Language Careers
29
Learn a Language
112
Licensed Teacher Abroad Job Boards
35
Licensed Teacher Abroad Resources
39
Loans for Studying Abroad
18
Low-cost Travel
71
NGO Directories
33
NGO Job Boards
49
Regional Job Boards
103
Relocating Abroad
9
Resources for International Students Studying in Canada
31
Resources for International Students Studying in the US
48
Stories From Abroad
102
Study Abroad Resources
198
Teach English Abroad Job Boards
97
Teach English Abroad Resources
75
Tools for Travelers
92
Top International Blogs & Podcasts
85
Travel Guides
101
Travel Health & Safety
53
UN & Other IGOs
271
UN & Other IGOs Job Boards
27
UN & Other IGOs Resources
74
US Government Profiles
76
US Government Resources
45
Virtual International Internship Organizations
88
Volunteer Job Boards & Advice
59
Working Holiday Resources
74