Country-Specific Resources
Understanding the country and region in which you will be working and living is vital.
Students should allow themselves plenty of time to familiarize themselves with country-specific information, including current cultural customs, language, and history.
Students can review historical, political, geographic, and cultural information about the site with tools like:
- Online resources (e.g. CIA World Factbook, Everyculture, Frommer’s, Lonely Planet, etc.) You may also take note of numerous discounts available for students while traveling abroad, depending on location, such as Hostel World and Student Universe.
- Library (travel books, history books, sometimes even novels. Use librarians to help!)
- On-site contacts
- Students who have traveled to the site previously or students who are from this country
- Faculty and staff, especially at VIGH
- Subscribe to weekly news reports via popular media outlets in the target country or Google’s weekly news update.
Check country-specific requirements for passports and visas.
Country-specific information has been compiled for the following countries:
Argentina
Cordoba: “Cordoba Living Handbook” with student-generated content- Buenos Aires: Orientation Packet Infant Foundation (2014)
- PAHO Argentina Health Profile
- PAHO Argentina Adolescent and Youth Health
- PAHO Argentina Mental Health
Ecuador
- Ecuador’s Health Systems and Adolescent Health (developed
for the OACS Immersion Trip, 2018) - PAHO Ecuador Health Profile
- PAHO Ecuador Adolescent and Youth Health
- PAHO Ecuador Mental Health
Guatemala
- Literature on Guatemala (provided by Primeros Pasos clinic)
- Central American culture and history video modules
- PAHO Guatemala Health Profile
- PAHO Guatemala Adolescent and Youth Health
- PAHO Guatemala Mental Health
- Housing and Transportation Information – Guatemal
- Xela (Quetzaltenango): University Group Volunteering (Note: Not accepting volunteer during COVID-19 pandemic. Here are
alternatives ways of helping - Xela (Quetzaltenango): Volunteer Introduction Packet 2015
- Xela (Quetzaltenango): “Primeros Pasos Living Handbook” with student-generated content
Guyana
- PAHO Guyana Health Profile
- PAHO Guyana Adolescent and Youth Health
- PAHO Guyana Mental Health
- Guyana Travel Handbook (updated June 2011)
- U.S. Embassy Guyana website | U.S. Embassy Guyana on Facebook
Haiti
PAHO Haiti Health Profile- PAHO Haiti Adolescent and Youth Health
- PAHO Haiti Mental Health
- Mirebalais: Soles4Souls Partnership – Soles4Souls visitor information packet
Honduras
- Central American culture and history video modules
- PAHO Honduras Health Profile
- PAHO Honduras Adolescent and Youth Health
- PAHO Honduras Mental Health
- OSAC Crime and Safety Report – Honduras (updated March 2020)
- Copan, Honduras Pre-Trip Guidewith student-generated content
Jordan
- Your Guide to Jordan ISC with student-generated content
- Amman, Jordan Pre-trip Guide with student-generated content
- Guide to Arab Culture – Health care delivery to the Arab American Community – pages 7-27 provide essential cultural and religious background information for caring for patients
- Country Fact Sheet Jordan from OCHA
- Jordan Population and Family Health Survey 2017-2018
Kenya
Kijabe, Kenya Travel Handbook (updated August 2011)- Lwala, Kenya Resources
- Nurse In Residence Program Handbook (Central Province, Kenya) (updated May 2013)
- Central Kenya Travel Tips
- U.S. Embassy Kenya website | U.S. Embassy Kenya on Facebook
- OSAC Crime and Safety Report – Kenya (updated March 2020)
Nicaragua
- Nicaragua Handbook
- Central American culture and history video modules
- PAHO Nicaragua Health Profile
- PAHO Nicaragua Adolescent and Youth Health
- PAHO Nicaragua Mental Health
Zambia
Zambia Travel Handbook (updated November 2012)- OSAC Crime and Safety Report – Zambia (updated March 2020)
- U.S. Embassy Lusaka website | U.S. Embassy Zambia Podcasts | U.S. Embassy Zambia on Facebook