Two women seated at a table with medical equipment and documents, smiling at the camera. They're in a room with stone walls and others in the background.

COSTA RICA

Intro To Pre Med & Public Health

Learn from physicians and healthcare professionals and gain practical field experience in beautiful Costa Rica. 

Trip Details

Departures and Availability

Session 1
June 23, 2025 July 9, 2025 Open
Session 2
July 14, 2025 July 30, 2025 Open

Focus

Pre-Med / Public Health

Grades

Entering 9th – Graduating 12th

Average Group Size

18 Students, 3 Staff

Days

17

Service Hours

45-55 Hours

Tuition

$5,395

A group of students in a forest.

Itinerary

Embark on an immersive Costa Rican adventure, combining hands-on medical experience, public health projects, and adventure.

  • Arrive in San Jose and transfer to a nearby lodge
  • Orientation activities, including a visit to a sustainable coffee farm
  • One-day rafting adventure and a discussion on Costa Rica’s healthcare system

  • Complete Wilderness First Aid (WFA) certification course
  • Visit an organic dairy farm and explore the cloud forest
  • Zip-line canopy tour at Arenal volcano

  • Participate in a Mental Health First Aid workshop and receive certification
  • Hands-on workshop on stitching and injections led by a local clinician

  • Volunteer with a local healthcare partner serving immigrant families
  • Assist with health education, observe doctors, and support patient intake

  • Travel to the Pacific Coast for surf lessons with local instructors
  • Learn about yoga, plant therapy, and alternative medicine

  • Spot humpback whales along the coast
  • Return to San Jose for a celebratory dinner and closing reflections
  • Depart for home with lasting memories

Highlights of the Trip

Wilderness First Aid Certifications

Earn your Wilderness First Aid certification by learning essential skills such as patient assessment, emergency first aid treatment, and outdoor medical decision-making.

A group of people carrying a person on a stretcher along a path in a lush, green outdoor setting.

Clinical Experience

Gain hands-on clinical experience by assisting doctors, supporting patient intake, and participating in health education activities for underserved communities.

Three people in medical scrubs sit at a table with various medical supplies, including bottles and boxes, against a colorful background with butterfly decorations.

Mental Heath First Aid Certifcation

Earn your Mental Health First Aid certification by learning how to provide immediate support for individuals experiencing mental health crises, such as anxiety, panic attacks, and emotional distress.

A person in blue scrubs helps a young girl in a colorful dress on a swing at a playground.

Awesome Adventure

Soar through the rainforest canopy on a thrilling zip-line adventure, then unwind on the Pacific Coast with sun, sand, and surf.

Five people in blue and orange rash guards stand holding surfboards on a beach with palm trees in the background.

What to Expect

Intentional Programming

Thoughtfully designed experiences mix learning, service, and fun/

Focus on Safety

Safety protocols are prioritized at every step.

Top-Notch Trip Leaders

Experienced and supportive leaders guide the group.

Diverse Group of Students

Connect with peers from all over the U.S.

Daily Blog & Photos

Parents stay updated with daily trip highlights.

Medical Experience & Fun

A blend of learning and fun activities.

Group Flight Option

Optional chaperoned group departure from a US city.

Private In Country Transportation

Enjoy secure and comfortable travel between destinations on private group buses.

Gallery

A group of people under a pavilion holding certificates and smiling. Some are holding a volleyball. Trees are visible in the background.
Two people wearing face masks work on a laptop and papers at a kitchen table, with a microwave and water cooler in the background.
A group of people in blue shirts stand on a beach, forming a semicircle around an instructor. A surfboard lies in the sand. The ocean is in the background under a cloudy sky.
A group of six people standing outside a building, holding pieces of fruit and smiling at the camera.
Three people in medical scrubs sit at a table with various medical supplies, including bottles and boxes, against a colorful background with butterfly decorations.

Accommodations

San Jose

Global Works Costa Rica participants spend the first, middle, and final days of the program in a small, comfortable lodge located in the mountains surrounding the capital of San Jose. The lodge is locally owned and specializes in hosting student groups. It is dorm style with 4 to 6 students sleeping in bunk beds; each room has a private bathroom with hot water showers. Large group spaces located on the property are ideal for group orientation, dance lessons, and ice-breaker activities.

Wilderness First Aid Course

In the La Fortuna area, we stay in a comfortable lodge located in a mountain valley. The lodge is locally owned and specializes in hosting teens and student groups. Rooms are for 2 to 4 students; each room has a private bathroom with hot water showers. Large group spaces located on the property are ideal for group activities.

Pacific Coast Alternative Medicine & Surf-camp

Participants stay at an ecolodge in southern Costa Rica located just steps from the beaches of Marino Ballena National Park. Accommodations are traditional hotel-style rooms shared by two to four students. The lodge is styled with an onsite swimming pool, hammocks, and common areas.

Four people sit together on a rocky hilltop, overlooking a scenic landscape with the sun shining brightly in the sky.

This trip has helped realize how much I want to help people. It has shown me that the medical field is the right path for me and giving a better life to those who can’t attain it for themselves is something I want to do forever.

My favorite memory on this trip was when we began our Pre Med Clinic session. This memory was one that allowed me to explore my interest in the medical field. I was also able to learn more about the people of Costa Rica.

I think it will affect how I approach things in the future, especially when I’m fearful or nervous of something, I think I’m better prepared to handle those situations after this trip.

Enroll in a Teen Summer Trip With Global Works Today

Through our service trips for students, we cultivate unique adventures and inspiring experiences that will stick with our travelers long after the summer is over.