FAQs

In our medical research programs, the research topic you work on will be chosen by you, along with your research team and advisor. We believe that giving you the autonomy to select your own research subject is crucial for a deeply engaging and personally fulfilling experience. This approach allows you to explore areas you are most passionate about and ensures that your work is not only impactful but also aligns with your individual interests and career goals.

Your research advisor will guide you through the process of selecting a topic, ensuring that it is feasible, academically rigorous, and contributes valuable insights to the field. This collaborative effort is designed to enhance your learning experience and provide you with the skills and knowledge to conduct meaningful research.

Student safety is our highest priority. All travel is carefully planned and coordinated with trusted local partners, and we only visit communities where we have established relationships and have been specifically invited. In each location, we are accompanied by local leaders such as community officials, school directors, pastors, or law enforcement, ensuring strong local oversight and support. Students remain together as a group at all times, and our in-country team provides continuous supervision. We also have local security support in place, allowing students to focus on learning and service in a safe, structured environment.

Yes! Students who successfully complete our programs will receive letters of recommendation based on the specific track they are enrolled in:
Study Abroad Students: You will receive two letters of recommendation. These letters will be from a combination of medical doctors, Ivy League business leaders, and/or international medical providers, all of whom you will interact with during your program. This diverse set of endorsements will significantly enhance your academic and professional profile.

Remote Research Students: You will receive a letter of recommendation from your assigned Medical Doctor Research Advisor. This letter will highlight your research contributions, initiative, and skills developed during the program, providing a strong endorsement of your capabilities in a medical research context.

These letters are a testament to your hard work and achievements within our programs and serve as a valuable asset for your future academic and professional endeavors.

The program is designed to provide a comprehensive, step-by-step experience that prepares students for meaningful clinical and research engagement. Students begin with 6 weeks of structured virtual training to build foundational knowledge and readiness. This is followed by an 8-day in-country experience in the Dominican Republic, where students participate in clinical exposure and community-based learning. After returning, students complete a 1-week wrap-up training to reflect, integrate, and solidify their experience, for a total of 8 weeks in the medical program.

For students enrolled in the research track, the experience continues beyond the initial 8 weeks. They participate in an additional 8 weeks of guided research, meeting weekly with physician mentors to complete data analysis and develop a manuscript for potential publication.

The in-country experience follows a structured and supportive daily schedule (subject to change):

• Day 1: Arrival into Punta Cana (PUJ), followed by orientation and a welcome dinner with the in-country team
• Days 2–6: Clinical days from approximately 8:00 AM to 3:00 PM, including mobile clinic work and/or hospital observation. Afternoons and evenings are free for rest, group time, or exploring the area
• Day 7: Free day and cultural immersion day, giving students the opportunity to enjoy the country and deepen their understanding of the local culture
• Day 8: Departure and return home

This schedule is designed to provide consistent clinical exposure while also allowing time to recharge and fully experience the environment.

The program fee is designed to cover all core components of your training, travel experience, and in-country support so you can focus on learning and growth without managing logistics.

Included in the program fee:

• 6 weeks of structured virtual pre-departure training, including clinical preparation, cultural context, and program orientation

• 1 week (8 days) of in-country experience in the Dominican Republic

• All clinical coordination, including mobile clinics and hospital observation placements

• On-site supervision and mentorship from our in-country clinical and program team

• All in-country accommodations for the duration of the program

• All meals during the program, including:

  • Breakfast and dinner provided daily at the hotel

  • Lunch provided at the clinic on clinical days

  • All three meals provided at the hotel on the designated free/cultural day

• All medical operations costs, including medications, clinical supplies, physician staffing, and clinic setup

• Shared translators at clinic sites to support communication between students, providers, and patients

• Ground transportation in-country, including airport pickup/drop-off and transportation to all program activities

• Organized cultural experiences and structured programming during the week

• Welcome orientation and group dinner upon arrival

• 1 week of post-trip wrap-up training, focused on reflection, integration, and next steps

• Continuous support from the Global Health Leaders team before, during, and after the program

For students enrolled in the research track, the fee also includes:

• 8 additional weeks of guided research mentorship

• Weekly meetings with physician researchers

• Support with data analysis and manuscript development for potential publication

Not included in the program fee:

• Airfare to and from Punta Cana (PUJ)

• Meals outside of scheduled program meals

• Alcohol

• Optional tourist activities and excursions

• Souvenirs and personal expenses

This structure allows students to have a high-quality, fully supported experience while maintaining flexibility in personal spending and travel preferences.

Students are required to make their first payment, or pay in full, within 15 days of signing the acceptance form to secure their spot in the program.

For students selecting a payment plan, payments must begin within 15 days of acceptance and will continue on a monthly schedule via ACH transfer until the balance is paid in full.

Timely payments are required to maintain enrollment and ensure program placement.

1. Pay in Full – ACH Debit or Check (No Additional Fee):
You can pay the full amount via ACH direct debit from your bank account or by mailing a check to our office within 15 days at: 205 SE Davis Ave, Bend, Oregon 97702. There is no additional fee for using these payment methods.

2. Pay in Full – Credit/Debit Card:
If you prefer to pay in full using a credit or debit card within 15 days, please note there is a 3.4% convenience fee due to credit card processing charges.

3. PayPal Credit or PayPal Pay Later:
This option allows you to begin your program immediately while having the flexibility to pay over time, up to 12 months, often at 0% interest depending on PayPal’s terms. This is subject to credit approval by PayPal and incurs a 6% credit setup fee. Payment is to be completed within 15 days of signed acceptance.

4. Monthly Automated Payments (ACH):
You can opt for automated monthly payments split over 2, 3, 4, 6, or 12 months.  Note that the first payment is due within 15 days of accepting your position, and the final payment must be completed at least 30 days before your travel date, or 7 days before the start date of your virtual program if not traveling. This payment option has a one time set up fee of $200 for study abroad programs and $150 for virtual/remote programs.

Our program is designed to accommodate busy students like yourself, and we prioritize flexibility in scheduling to ensure your success.
Typically, students in our program spend an average of 5-6 hours per week on the project throughout the 10-week (college) or 12-week (high school) duration.

The beauty of our program lies in its adaptability to your schedule. Meetings are not fixed at specific times; instead, they are scheduled individually and with the group based on everyone’s availability. On average, participants engage in 1-3 hours of meetings per week. The remainder of the project work can be completed independently, allowing you to manage your time effectively and work at your own pace.

We also emphasize the importance of meeting weekly milestones to keep the project on track. These milestones serve as checkpoints for progress and ensure that all team members are contributing to the project’s success. You must meet all assigned milestones and attend a minimum of 80% of the meetings live to complete the program.

We believe that our program’s flexibility will enable you to balance your academic, professional, and personal commitments while still gaining valuable research experience.

To accommodate the schedules of our diverse group of participants, we conduct a survey prior to the start of the training sessions to determine the most convenient time for the majority of students in each cohort. This ensures that the training is held at a time that works best for the largest number of students.

If you are unable to attend the live training sessions, don’t worry! All sessions are recorded and sent out on a weekly basis. This allows you to review the material at your own pace and ensures that you do not miss out on any critical information.

We understand that our participants are busy college students, which is why we strive to make our program as flexible as possible. This approach helps ensure that you can balance the demands of the program with your academic and personal commitments.

Global Health Leaders is not an accredited university, so we do not directly award college credit. However, many universities offer internship, practicum, or independent study options that allow students to earn credit for external experiences like this program.

Students are often able to use our program to fulfill those requirements through their home institution. We are happy to support this process by completing time logs, providing documentation, and serving as a preceptor or site supervisor as needed.

We recommend checking with your academic advisor or program director in advance to confirm your school’s specific requirements for receiving credit.

Yes! Global Health Leaders is a reputable, structured medical and public health internship program that has served hundreds of students preparing for careers in healthcare.

Our programs are designed and led by experienced medical and research professionals, with clear learning objectives, ethical standards, and consistent support for every participant.

GHL offers both in-person global health experiences and fully remote cohorts, allowing students to gain real-world exposure in a format that fits their schedule and goals.

All in-person programming takes place in a real, functioning clinical environment in the Dominican Republic overseen by trained staff, where students can safely gain hands-on experience.

Across all program formats, participants receive:
1) Structured weekly curriculum and mentorship
2) Supervised hands-on learning
3) Opportunities to engage in global health outreach

GHL operates transparently, provides clear program expectations, and maintains a strong track record of positive student outcomes. Many alumni use their GHL experience in medical school applications, interviews, and later professional roles. For student testimonials, please see our Success Stories page; here.

Once you accept your position, you will receive an invoice for the program fee along with an email outlining important program details and next steps.

After this initial communication, there may be a period of limited contact as we prepare for your cohort. For study abroad programs, you can expect to hear from us again approximately 2 months prior to travel. For online programs, communication typically resumes about 2 weeks before the start date.

Please know that during this time, we have not forgotten about you—we are actively preparing for your program behind the scenes. If you have any questions at any point, you are always welcome to reach out to our team.

Yes! We offer weekly information sessions where you can meet with a member of our team, ask questions, and learn more about the program.

You can schedule a time that works for you here:
https://link.mytimeforsuccess.com/widget/bookings/studyabroadinfo

We’d love to connect with you and help you determine if the program is the right fit.