Winter 2012
Where: Nicaragua
When: March 24 - March 31
Duration: 7 days
Cost: $1,100 (pre-medical and pre-pharmacy)
Application Deadline: Applicants must submit a hardcopy application to be handed to officers at our general meeting by
January 23, 2012.You can download this hardcopy application by clicking on the link to the right of this page under "Trip
Application." If chosen by GMT to go on this trip, applicants must then submit an online application along with payment
(due February 4th, 2012) at Global Medical Training
*Please note that there are two separate applications. Hardcopy applications will not be accepted after.
Nicaragua
Officially named the Republic of Nicaragua, this nation is a representative democratic republic and is the largest nation in Central America. It is also the least densely populated nation in Central America. The country is bordered by Honduras to the north and by Costa Rica to the south. The country's name is derived from Nicarao, the name of the Nahuatl-speaking tribe which inhabited the shores of Lago de Nicaragua before the Spanish conquest of the Americas, and the Spanish word Agua, meaning water, due to the presence of the large lakes Lago de Nicaragua and Lago de Managua as well as lagoons and rivers in the region. Nicaragua is also home to many volcanoes and regions of tropical rainforests with unique species.
GMT often takes trips to the cities: Managua, Masaya, Granada, and San Juan. Our chapter at UCLA went to Managua, the capital of Nicaragua, and Granada, the oldest city founded by the European in Central America.
Dominican Republic
The Dominican Republic is a nation located in the Caribbean region. It is on the island of Hispaniola in the Greater Antilles archipelago. The western third of Hispaniola is the nation of Haiti, making Hispaniola one of two Caribbean islands that are occupied by two countries, Saint Martin being the other.
The Dominican Republic is the site of the first permanent European settlement in the Americas. Its capital, Santo Domingo, is also the first colonial capital in the Americas. It is the site of the first cathedral, university, European-built road, European-built fortress, and more. Since the death of military dictator Rafael Leonidas Trujillo Molina in 1961, the Dominican Republic has moved toward representative democracy. GMT often takes trips to Santo Domingo.
Panama
Panama is situated on an isthmus connecting Costa Rica in Central America to Columbia in South America. Bordering both the Caribbean Sea and the North Pacific Ocean, it is most famous for the Panama Canal, built by the US Army Corps of Engineers between 1904 and 1914.
However, Panama is also home to a great diversity of animal and plant species, including amazing and dynamic tropical rainforests. As such, this country has a tropical maritime climate that is hot, humid, and cloudy, with prolonged rainy season (May to January) and short dry season (January to May). GMT trips will mostly take place either in the area surrounding Panama City or in the Bocas del Toro province of Panama. Our trips include a diverse range of opportunities to go exploring and experience all that Panama has to offer including: hikes through the tropical rainforest, boat tours through the mangroves, dolphin watching, snorkeling and swimming in the Caribbean.etc.
Mexico (Yucatan)
The Yucatan is one of Mexico's safest states, situated on the Yucatan Peninsula, a rich archaeological zone of the ancient Mesoamerica world. With Merida as its capital city of the state, Yucatan residents are proud of their strong roots and tradition. Known as the "White City," Merida is known for its architectural splendor of white limestone and white paint in this traditional city, depicting much of the splendor of Colonial Mexico .Outside of Merida, short and tall dry tropical jungles are the predominant natural vegetation types of the Yucatan peninsula. Yucatan has a climate that resembles that of Florida or Cuba.
Costa Rica
Mention Costa Rica and people think paradise. The country's Disney-like cast of creatures — ranging from howler monkeys to toucans — are prolific and relatively easy to spot. The waves are prime, the beauty is staggering and the sluggish pace seductive.
Costa Rica, despite being such a tiny nation, draws well over a million visitors every year - and you can see why. The incredibly varied topography means you can cruise a cloud forest one day, climb a volcano the next, and finish passed out on a hot sandy beach.