Maximo Nivel’s Medical Electives provide university students in medicine, nursing, public health, and related fields with the opportunity to complete meaningful, credit-bearing rotations abroad. Offered in Costa Rica, Guatemala, and Peru, these electives give students hands-on learning in hospitals and clinics, exposure to new healthcare systems, and the chance to immerse themselves in Latin American culture.
For more than 20 years, Maximo Nivel has partnered with universities across the United States, Canada, and Europe to design programs that are academically rigorous, clinically supervised, and culturally enriching. Our medical electives combine structured clinical placements, close faculty collaboration, comprehensive pre-arrival preparation, and full on-site support—ensuring students grow professionally while universities can trust the academic quality and value of the experience.
Why Choose Maximo Nivel for Your Medical Elective?
Tailored Clinical Electives
Each student’s placement is matched to their level of training and learning goals. You might rotate through pediatrics, internal medicine, obstetrics and gynecology, surgery, family medicine, or public health outreach.
Academic Alignment
We work directly with universities to provide detailed syllabi, learning objectives, and evaluation rubrics in advance. Through our Official School of Record, students can earn transcripts that facilitate easy credit transfer to their home institution. We also collaborate with academic departments to help ensure our medical electives are pre-approved for academic credit before students travel abroad.
Direct Oversight in Latin America
With four campuses—in San José and Manuel Antonio–Quepos, Costa Rica; Antigua, Guatemala; and Cusco, Peru—we manage all logistics, housing, safety, and clinical partnerships. This means higher quality control and accountability.
Comprehensive Support
From airport pickup and pre-approved host family housing to 24/7 emergency response, our bilingual staff ensures students are fully supported. Faculty can feel confident sending students abroad knowing that safety and logistics are managed locally.
Cultural Immersion
Medical electives are not just about clinical hours. Living with a host family, practicing Spanish daily, and exploring Latin America’s landscapes and traditions build cultural competence alongside medical skills.
Medical Spanish
While Spanish is not required for participation, language skills greatly enhance communication and the overall learning experience during your elective. Students can opt to join our Medical Spanish Immersion Program—on campus or online—designed specifically for healthcare students and professionals. These courses focus on essential medical terminology, patient interaction, and cultural nuances, helping you connect more effectively with patients and colleagues in clinical settings.
Who Can Join?
Medical Electives in Latin America are open to:
– Medical students (3rd year and above) completing elective rotations.
– Nursing, public health, and allied health students with clinical requirements.
– Pre-med students, where placements focus more on shadowing and observation.
Program Structure
At our partner clinics and hospitals, students may rotate through multiple departments, including internal medicine, pediatrics, obstetrics and gynecology, surgery, family medicine, and community health. Placement depends on availability and the student’s level of training.
Mentorship & Supervision
All electives are overseen by a dedicated elective supervisor, along with licensed physicians, medical specialists, and other healthcare professionals. Students observe, assist, and—when appropriate—carry out basic clinical tasks under direct supervision.
Weekly Schedule
– 30–40 hours per week in hospitals, clinics, or community campaigns.
– Reflection workshops and feedback sessions with local coordinators.
– Start dates every Monday, year-round.
Evaluation & Reflection
Assessment may include supervisor evaluations, reflective journals, case presentations, and final projects. Certificates of completion are provided, and transcripts can be issued if credit is arranged.
Why a Medical Elective in Latin America?
Costa Rica
Costa Rica’s universal healthcare system is one of the strongest in Latin America. Students experience firsthand how preventive medicine and family health are prioritized at both public and private clinics. Electives may include participation in health promotion campaigns and education programs, providing valuable insight into how prevention reduces long-term costs and improves patient outcomes.
Guatemala
In Guatemala, electives highlight the realities of underserved communities. Placements are often in rural clinics or with NGOs working to expand access to healthcare. Students may join mobile clinics that bring essential services to villages, maternal and child health projects, or nutrition campaigns. The limited resources of these environments make for a powerful learning experience in social medicine and health equity.
Peru
Peru offers diverse medical learning opportunities, particularly in Cusco and surrounding areas. Students encounter high-altitude conditions, tropical diseases, and unique challenges shaped by Andean culture and geography. Many clinics integrate modern biomedical approaches with traditional practices, offering an intercultural perspective on medicine. Peru is an ideal destination for electives in global health and community-based care.
Housing, Orientation & Support for Students
– Housing: Students live with vetted host families that provide two meals daily, Wi-Fi, and a welcoming cultural environment.
– Orientation: Upon arrival, students receive a thorough orientation covering safety, clinical expectations, cultural norms, and language support.
– Support: Maximo Nivel’s campuses are open seven days a week, and our professional bilingual staff is always available to provide assistance, daily check-ins, and 24/7 emergency support. Transportation to and from clinical sites is arranged as needed to ensure students’ safety and comfort.
– Safety: All placements are vetted, and protocols are in place for emergencies, communication, and risk management.
Academic Credit & Faculty Oversight
– Credit & Transcripts: Through the School of Record, students can receive official transcripts. We provide syllabi, objectives, and grading rubrics to home universities for approval.
– Evaluation & Certification: Supervisors assess clinical engagement, participation, and professionalism. Certificates of completion are issued to all participants.
– Faculty Involvement: Faculty are always welcome to visit students. We can provide faculty orientation, classroom space, and support for co-teaching or joint supervision.
Other Health Pathways with Maximo Nivel
While Medical Electives are the most structured and academically aligned, Maximo Nivel also offers:
Medical Internships:
Designed for pre-med, nursing, and public health undergraduates or recent graduates, internships provide practical experience in clinical and community settings. Students shadow local doctors, assist with patient care and administrative tasks, and gain valuable insight into healthcare delivery in Latin America—an excellent foundation for future medical studies or graduate programs.
Medical & Healthcare Volunteering:
Open to students of all levels, our volunteer programs focus on service-based learning and community engagement. Participants support local health initiatives such as hygiene education, nutrition campaigns, and community health outreach—making a meaningful contribution while gaining valuable global health experience.
Medical Campaigns:
Designed for faculty-led and university teams, these short-term medical outreach programs bring healthcare directly to local communities—visiting a different area each day to provide basic checkups, health education, and preventive care. Students work alongside licensed doctors and local staff, combining service, teamwork, and real global health experience.
These options are ideal if you are earlier in your studies or want to focus on service learning and professional development rather than academic rotations.
Why This Matters
Medical Electives abroad are more than just a degree requirement. In Costa Rica, Guatemala, and Peru, you’ll be challenged to see healthcare through new eyes, adapt to different systems, and practice cultural humility. With Maximo Nivel, you’ll gain clinical confidence, cultural competence, and academic recognition—all while experiencing the incredible diversity of Latin America.
Next Steps
1. Talk to Your Advisor
Discuss your goals and elective requirements with your academic or clinical advisor. Confirm how a Medical Elective abroad can fit into your degree plan or required clinical hours.
2. Connect with Our Admissions Team
Reach out to your dedicated Program Advisor at Maximo Nivel to review available placements, schedules, and rotation options in Costa Rica, Guatemala, or Peru. We’ll help you find the best fit based on your academic level, interests, and language skills.
3. Review Academic Materials
Based on your requirements, we’ll provide all academic materials for your university to review. If needed, we’ll also coordinate directly with your academic department or international programs office for pre-approval and credit transfer.
4. Prepare for Departure
Once your placement is confirmed, you’ll receive comprehensive pre-arrival materials, including packing lists and details about your accommodations, host family, and local support team.
5. Begin Your Medical Elective
Arrive ready to learn, contribute, and grow. We’ll be there to meet you at the airport and guide you through your entire experience. Our bilingual staff and local coordinators will support you every step of the way with daily check-ins, supervision, and 24/7 emergency assistance.