Medical Volunteer Program in Zambia - Livingstone

I gained friendships and understanding of how a different part of the world lives. Even though it is scary because you might have no idea what to expect, Zambia was an amazing country with the friendliest people and support. I felt very safe there and have made connections with the local people.

The local team were very supportive. I loved how they let me call my boyfriend and my parents to let them know I was ok before I got a sim card. We had a thorough orientation. Our flight was delayed meaning we got there a day late but they worked around this to ensure we were settled. They also came to placement with me on my first day and were very lovely, chatty and approachable with any questions. Our toilet was broken on arrival and the local team fixed it immediately which was great.

I felt I connected to the local people and gained insight to their way of life. I feel like we learnt from each other. It was also a very eye opening experience from how things were so different from home and has left me with a more giving mentality and has made me more conscious about my future lifestyle, spending etc.

Volunteering was an amazing experience! There are other volunteers there and it was amazing sharing this experience with them and we often planned our weeks together, so you will not be alone.

From the perspective of a Public Health student, it was still interesting to learn about HIV therapy and the healthcare system in Zambia in general.

I’ve recently completed my time in Zambia, and it was an unforgettable experience. The local team was incredibly supportive, and I felt well taken care of throughout my stay. The work at the clinic was both meaningful and rewarding, offering me valuable insights and hands-on experience in healthcare. I’m grateful for the opportunity to have been part of this program and for the guidance you and the IVHQ team provided.

The program guide and all the materials provided on the website were comprehensive and very helpful. The local team were phenomenal hosts and all the workers at the house were super friendly. This was a life-changing experience! I did not know what to expect with this being my first time traveling outside of the US. I was pleasantly surprised with how comfortable it was. The cooks were excellent! They gave me an opportunity to try local cuisine while also providing familiar foods. It's very hard to pick one favorite moment because there were so many. The other volunteers and I bonded like a family. We created a WhatsApp group to keep in touch, share pics, and have opportunities to get together for activities. We worked hard and played hard together! It was unsettling at first when it took a while for me to get a local SIM card and gain internet access. Not being able to surf the web, and chat with family and friends often as I would have liked gave me an excellent opportunity for reflection. I learned a great deal but mainly how to slow down and take in each moment. If this is something that is in your heart to do, go for it!

I had more autonomy at the clinic than I thought I would have, which is amazing, the medical staff is really involved and want us to learn, experience and practice as much as we can. Probably when I witnessed my first delivery was the best moment of my program, what a moment! I absolutely loved being at the clinic, every department was really welcoming. The volunteer house is really amazing! The rooms are clean and the sanitary accommodations are well kept. The food is prepared with love and most of all, the staff is always welcoming, smiling, and ready for a chat and you really bond with them into day-to-day life. Don't hesitate a second. If you can financially, this is an experience that will make you grow as a person, mature, make meet lifelong friends, and will be unforgettable!

My entire trip was just outstanding. I thoroughly enjoyed my days in the clinics providing care and forming relationships with the other staff when it was slow. After spending the mornings at the clinic I had so many great afternoons playing soccer with the neighborhood kids. The best weekend excursion I did was hanging over the edge of Victoria Falls at Angels Pool. I learned so much from the clinics I worked at on how they provide care and the differences between health care in the US and Zambia. It was neat to learn how their treatment and prevention plans vary to adapt to their culture and environment. I learned new procedures and had the opportunity to grow my skills. I was super excited at first when I started planning the trip and then some of the unknowns started getting to me before I left. I left to drive to the airport just hoping when I landed in Zambia I would have a ride from the airport and by the time I left after three weeks I felt like I was going to have to be dragged back to the airport because I didn't want to leave. I would say to anyone hesitant to take the first step and to just come prepared to serve and keep an open mind for the new culture you will step into. If you come for the right reasons with the right attitude, you will be blow away by impact the trip will have on you and those around you.