CAREER EXPLORATION IN MEDICINE, HEALTH & HOSPITALS

Work alongside a local, mission-driven organization to explore the convergence of eastern and western medicine in Thailand. Shadow medical professionals in a variety of healthcare facilities throughout the course of your travel internship. This is an extraordinary opportunity to observe, ask questions and get valuable experience in the field. Immerse yourself in bright and vibrant Thai culture and experience an adventure unlike any other on earth as you explore the natural and cultural wonders of Thailand.

Global Leadership Adventures will serve as the management, support and resource provider of your service learning internship. Meanwhile, our vetted and mission-driven local partner organization in Thailand will serve as the host for the thematic content of your internship. Keynote speakers will also provide exceptional learning experiences for our student interns throughout the course of your three weeks here!

Observe doctors and nurses in both public and private healthcare facilities: you’ll let them take the lead and learn from the pros in different departments throughout each type of medical facility. Explore the ways in which modern healthcare and traditional Thai medicinal methods such as massage, acupuncture and herbal remedies coexist in Thailand today. A trip to Thailand isn’t complete without a crash course in Thai, a hands-on cooking class where you’ll delight in crafting some incredible local cuisine, and visits to some of the area’s most well-known temples that are learning experiences unto themselves.

Internships for high school students like this one are still unique, but are becoming more requisite all the time for teens looking to stand out within large, competitive university applicant pools. This internship can also help you determine whether the focus area you choose – Medicine & Public Health – is a good fit for your future college education or career path.

Lodging details are coming soon. Please check back here soon for more information on our Home Base accommodations.

High school students who participate in this GLA travel internship in Thailand will develop essential leadership and career development skills, while working on initiatives centered around the United Nations’ 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development worldwide.

This is an experiential career development internship with sociological underpinnings into a specific theme and concentration in a field of interest. Interns will gain experience working in-person with a social enterprise or nonprofit host organization from around the world.

Throughout the course of your session you will complete 60 total internship hours:

• Observation Hours: 36
• Professional Development Hours: 12
• Self-Study Hours: 12

The outcomes of this internship are related to five main learning objectives:

1. Gain a deeper understanding of your goals and your professional growth areas, as well as a deeper understanding of Thailand and the medical field.
2. Attain knowledge and understanding of recent trends, terminology and case studies within the healthcare field.
3. Learn to recognize and articulate multiple perspectives within a larger social context.
4. Learn to critically analyze quantitative and qualitative sources of information to make informed opinions.
5. Learn to observe and analyze real places and situations where impacts and results can be interpreted and applied within context.

Our partner for this internship, Friends for Asia, began operations in 2007. This nonprofit organization was founded by Todd Cikraji, an experienced teacher and Peace Corps Volunteer who served in Kyrgyzstan and Thailand.

The Friends for Asia Foundation develops international volunteer projects that assist local communities to overcome challenges, and provides volunteers with the experience of contributing to those communities as a valued participant.

The mission of Friends for Asia is twofold. First, they offer an opportunity for people to meaningfully contribute to the improvement of standards of living by building capacity in their host countries. Second, they provide committed volunteers to work on projects that benefit the local communities.

The 2030 United Nations Agenda for Sustainable Development serves as the framework for discussions and the self-study coursework for our student interns here in Thailand. During this travel internship you will focus on three SDGs, including:

• SDG 03: Good Health and Well-being
• SDG 04: Quality Education
• SDG 10: Reduced inequalities

Explore topics related to building the case for public health campaigns and access to quality healthcare for an empowered society.

Complete a core curriculum with your peers and through the guidance of your internship supervisor. Build your personal competitive edge, as part of a cohort of student interns working in partnership with our global nonprofit partner in Thailand. Create a portfolio from completed project work to enhance your college application or future career resume.

By completing this travel internship you will earn:

• A professional letter of recommendation
• A certificate of completion
• Community service hours
• Relevant experience for college applications and essays

Global Leadership Adventures can also provide any supporting documentation and serve as an organization of record, should you want to earn college credits for your internship.

Global Leadership Adventures is extremely proud to partner with Portland State University, based in Portland, Oregon, to offer college credit for our student interns who successfully complete all requirements for the internship.

Student interns are welcome to enroll in the internship for Portland State University credit. This internship course curriculum is fully accredited for U.S. undergraduate credit through PSU. Credits are transferable to other colleges and universities, though please note that it is the responsibility of each intern to confirm with their university of intent that these quarter credits will be accepted at the institution.

Getting college credit during high school has so many benefits. It can help with earning scholarships for college and even improve your chance of admission into your university of choice.

The additional fee to earn four quarter credits from Portland State University is $750.00. Though recommended, you are not required to purchase the college credit add-on as it is 100% optional. Click here to learn more.

Click here to begin your program application.

To save your spot, an application fee and $600 deposit are required.

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