Students are presented with a wide array of opportunities to engage with global health issues. As exciting as it can be to jump into an experience abroad, it is important for us, as discerning students of global health, to be extremely critical of our own intentions and the intentions of organizations with which we work. Not all programs with abroad opportunities are conducted with the best intentions for local communities. So, as you sort through your options for summer opportunities, consider how best you can use your skills and position as a student, but be cautious of working far beyond your means, particularly when it comes to administering medical care and advice.
To further illustrate this point, check out this article about Global Medical Brigades and GlobeMed Executive Director Jon Shaffer’s response to it.