Leadership Abroad: Join Us as Program Director or Medical Director!
PRO Costa Rica
Real-world professional experience and travel program
Session 1: May 12 - May 23, 2025
Session 2: May 19 - May 30, 2025
Session 3: May 26 - June 6, 2025
Professional
Adventure
Resume Builder
Best For
Students interested in nursing, global health, pre-med or pre-PT
New travelers
Students seeking resume-building experience or medical hours
Highlights
12 days
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Learn in the capital of San Jose and explore the jungle region of Arenal
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5 days of hands-on medical experience
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30 contact hours (no professional or Spanish-language experience necessary)
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Workshops & reflections
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Bucket-list adventures like whitewater rafting, zip-lining adventure and waterfall hiking
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Cultural immersion (and local translators)
Overview
PRO Costa Rica offers hands-on, professional experience for anyone interested in healthcare. You will develop professional and personal skills that are vital to success during and after college, and you will build confidence by working directly with patients in a clinic setting. Each small learning pod will perform patient in-take, evaluate and then present the patient to the physician for diagnosis. Differentiate yourself from your peers and increase your confidence that you are on the right path by participating in this medical shadowing experience. Once the group completes our hands-on experience, we will travel to explore the jungle of Arenal to fully experience the adventure of Costa Rica. This component of the program provides time for learning, self-reflection and debriefing about our experiences serving the local community and the impact on their long term career ambitions. Let’s be honest, these are also the study abroad adventures you’ll be telling your kids about one day!
Next Steps
Request a Sample Itinerary and Join the Priority List!
LeadAbroad makes it easy to study abroad. To learn more about our programs, fill out your information and our team will be in touch soon!
What's Included
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Before DeparturePre-departure support Online orientations Personal assistance Flight recommendations and/or group flights Parental communication On campus and/or virtual program meet-ups Private social media groups for introductions and roommate matching
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On The GroundHousing Welcome celebration Final celebration Leadership & personal development workshops Cape Town city tour (includes attractions like District Six Museum, Signal Hill, community gardens & historic landmarks) Table Mountain hike Cape Point tour Boulders Beach tour Community engagement & service activity International medical insurance Airport bus transfers to/from program accommodations if arriving within group window 24/7 emergency support from U.S.-based domestic team
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After You ReturnResume assistance References for internships, grad school and/or jobs On-campus leadership & ambassador programs Private LinkedIn & Facebook networking groups Family (Alumni) events
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Independent CostsRoundtrip airfare Most meals (Note: Student apartments have private, fully equipped kitchens) Free time excursions and transportation to independent activities Optional high-adrenaline adventures (for example: skydiving, bungee jumping, quad biking, etc)
Let us do the planning so you can stress less and travel more. Your program fee covers many of the expenses of your time abroad.
Real-World Medical Experience
Whether you are wrapping your pre-med classes or just starting out and wondering if a career in medicine is right for you, PRO Costa Rica will provide you with real-world experience and mentorship under incredible medical professionals. Students travel to local communities to provide pop-up clinics for communities in need. We take patient vitals, assist in clinic activities, conduct public health surveys, shadow doctors and support the pharmacy. Any student with a passion for helping people and interest in medicine will learn a lot through the clinics.
Bucket-List Adventures
The fresh jungle air of Arenal awaits you after we finish our impactful medical service in the communities surrounding San Jose, Costa Rica. Arenal is known for its tropical forests and lush landscapes and we cannot allow you to leave without experiencing a few iconic adventures. We will check-in to our hotel in picturesque La Fortuna, a small yet bustling town, where views of the Arenal volcano are around every corner, and head to the trail for a waterfall hike with swimming holes. Over the final days of the adventure portion, we will go whitewater rafting and zip-lining. Do not worry, there will be plenty of time for independent adventures like visiting hot springs, observing sloths, chocolate tasting tours, canyoneering and more.
Personal Development
We recognize the unique opportunity of bringing students together in an intentional community of like-minded young adults. By stepping outside of your comfort zone with your cohort of students, we will build a strong community foundation and create life-long friendships. The PRO staff will facilitate gatherings for workshops and create space to pause and reflect on all that you are experiencing abroad. Each meeting will have a unique focus ranging from your personal strengths, practicing gratitude, creating your vision statement or identifying your values. Through guided conversations, these leadership exercises will provide a renewed sense of purpose and direction for your life.