Community Engagement
Community engagement does not need to be healthcare related. Follow your interests and demonstrate that you care about others.
Service Learning does not need to be healthcare related. Volunteer with people and directly serve Boston’s diverse population and their communities. Visit Northeastern’s Center for Community Service to learn about opportunities or check out one of the many sites below for opportunities in and around the Boston area.
- AIDS Action Committee of Massachusetts
- American Cancer Society Hope Lodge
- Beth Israel Deaconess Volunteer Services
- Boston Children’s Hospital
- Boston Living Center (supporting HIV positive individuals)
- Boston Medical Center Volunteer Services
- Brigham and Women’s Hospital Volunteer and Community Services
- Cape Cod Hospital (Hyannis)
- Christopher’s Haven(a home for kids when cancer hits home)
- City Natives (community garden and learning center – help combat food insecurity in the city)
- Faulkner Hospital
- Dana Farber Cancer Center
- Family Van
- Fenway Health Center Helpline/Peer Listening Line (serving the LGBTQ community)
- Franciscan Children’s Hospital
- Franklin Park Zoo
- Healthcare for the Homeless
- Hope Lodge
- Horizon’s for Homeless Children Playspace Volunteer
- Hospice of Massachusetts
- Make A Wish Foundation
- Massachusetts General Hospital Volunteer Department
- Massachusetts Eye and Ear Clinical Exploratory Program
- Mount Auburn Hospital (Cambridge)
- MSPCA (Animal Hospital/Shelter)
- New England Aquarium
- New England Baptist Hospital Volunteering
- New England Center for Homeless Vets
- Oxfam America Interns and Volunteer
- Ronald McDonald House
- Rosie’s Place
- Samaritan’s: You are not Alone
- Spaulding Rehab Hospital Adaptive Sports Program
- Tufts Medical Center
- Yawkey Family Inn at Boston Children’s Hospital (a home away from home for families of children undergoing treatment at Boston Children’s Hospital)
College is a time to explore new interests, make friends, establish relationships, and take on new roles. It is important to make time for some extra-curricular activities, in addition to studying. Find one or two activities that you genuinely enjoy and make them a part of your life. Play a sport, run for office in student government, join a fraternity or sorority, be a part of a club or organization. Seek out leadership positions. Join a club related to your major and/or future health career.
Visit The Center for Student Involvement to view a list of Northeastern’s many clubs and organizations.
Explore opportunities to gain experience in other countries and/or with other cultures and better prepare yourself to professionally practice in an increasingly global society. Global experiences also offer an opportunity to learn (or practice) a second language.
International experiences need not be medically-related. Students who plan a global medical trip should review AAMC Guidelines Pertaining to International Clinical Experiences and/or the American Dental Education Association (ADEA) Guidelines for Predental Students Providing Patient Care During Clinical Experiences Abroad. We expect that all PreHealth students will become familiar and comply with these guidelines. Students are also encouraged to attend the Global Ambassadors for Patient Safety free online workshop before participating in a health related experience abroad.
Guidelines Overview
- The primary purpose of a student clinical experience is observation, not hands-on treatment. You are there to learn about culture, language, and different health care systems!
- Under no circumstances should you perform procedures you are not qualified to do under US law.
- Admissions Committees question the ethical judgement of applicants who do not follow these guidelines. This can jeopardize your acceptance.
Resources (Articles & Videos)
- Beyond Medical “Missions” to Impact-Driven Short-Term Experiences in Global Health (STEGHs): Ethical Principles to Optimize Community Benefit and Learner Experience
- The Stream – Medical volunteerism
- To Get to Harvard, Go to Haiti?