views on international volunteering?

[infinity101]

what is adcom view on international volunteering. If we have chance, should we invest in it or do something local like take a course? what exactly do epople learn from it and how does it help going in the forward direction

[FailureToThrive]

I'm not adcom, but as a current medical student, I would say don't do it. You can find much more meaningful and long-term volunteering opportunities locally. I went on a volunteering trip back when I was in high school and it was the biggest waste of money. I fully regret it.

[Bambi]

It is not high yield. And you are better off volunteering locally, with aboriginals and saving money that it is unnecessary tp spend to obtain greater impact.

[jlkhhylyiluh6]

not needed and may actually be a negative if its 'voluntourism'

[goleafsgochris]

I was a file reviewer while in med school.

I agree long term/local volunteering is generally more meaningful.

That being said, I disagree with the above posters saying its a negative.  Its still another thing/bullet point to put down under "volunteering."  Its a bit of a game with the adcoms.  Yes long term volunteering is better overall, BUT it also looks good to have more bullet points!!  Even if its high quality, no one likes only 1 or 2 things in a category.  I realize its dumb but its true

[sangria]

29 minutes ago, goleafsgochris said:

I was a file reviewer while in med school.

I agree long term/local volunteering is generally more meaningful.

That being said, I disagree with the above posters saying its a negative.  Its still another thing/bullet point to put down under "volunteering."  Its a bit of a game with the adcoms.  Yes long term volunteering is better overall, BUT it also looks good to have more bullet points!!  Even if its high quality, no one likes only 1 or 2 things in a category.  I realize its dumb but its true

And I know faculty members who roll their eyes so hard and cringe when they see it.

 

OP, as you can see, there is a range of opinions from better-than-nothing to negative. If you are thinking about going, the safest and best bet is to find something local that is meaningful to you that you would want to stay on for the long term. If you had already gone, well maybe it's better than nothing.