Preparations
Travel Insurance and Vaccinations
Participants are required to purchase travel insurance or be otherwise covered via existing health insurance plans for the entirety of their participation in a Mobile Clinic (an internet search will reveal a variety of policies at different prices and levels of coverage. Participants are free to choose a policy that they feel comfortable with). Participants are also required to meet all CDC immunization recommendations (http://wwwnc.cdc.gov/travel/content/vaccinations.aspx) for the country of travel. Participants may need to visit a travel clinic to receive these immunizations.
Spanish
Mobile Clinic participants are not required to have any specific educational preparation before arriving in Latin America. Students need not be familiar with Spanish nor have any medical knowledge or experience. Everything that students need to know for our Mobile Clinics we can teach them once they arrive. It will be helpful, however, for participants to famialarize themselves with basic Spanish phrases, as well as the medical and cultural landscape in the country they are to visit.
Chapter Preparation
Many MEDLIFE Student chapters host Mobile Clinic preparation meetings on campus in advance of the Mobile Clinic start date. This is a great way for participants to meet one another and address any questions or concerns that students have. We recommend that Student Chapters host meetings to go over useful Spanish phrases, train students in the techniques required for the Triage station (taking blood pressure, breathing rate and pulse, etc.), and soliciting donations (medication, medical supplies) from outside sources. It is very helpful to have students who have participated in past Mobile Clinics in attendance at these meetings. Please contact your SAB representative if you are interested in hosting such a meeting.
Airfare
Participants will be contacted by a MEDLIFE representative regarding the purchase of airfare after they have applied to the Mobile Clinic (see Airfare and Arrival for more information).
What to bring
During the clinic days all participants are asked to look professional, but are not required to wear ties or dress shirts. Jeans, polo shirts, shorts, and/or casual shirts are fine.
Small travel bag
Towel
Comfortable walking shoes
Shorts (1-3), Long pants (1-3)
Long and short-sleeved shirts (3-5)
Socks
Underwear
Sunscreen
Sunglasses
Windbreaker or light rain jacket
Camera, film and battery
Any medicine you may be taking
Toilette kit (toothbrush, shampoo etc)
Hand sanitizer
Passport with Yellow Book
Airline tickets
Insurance card (health/travel)
Money
Credit cards, ATM card
Personal ID, Drivers license
Watch with second hand is very useful
Participants are responsible for purchasing their own travel insurance and receiving any necessary immunizations (as recommended by the CDC and/or their local travel clinic).
Money: You will probably want to bring or have access to (via ATM/Debit card) around $100-150 in pocket money to cover 2 days worth of meals, souvenirs, any extra food/beverages you choose to purchase, and the $30-$40 airport exit fee (cash only in Ecuador, credit/debit cards accepted in Peru).
