Celebrate the Holidays Abroad: A Meaningful Christmas and New Year with FIMRC

For many, the holiday season means family gatherings, cozy traditions, and festive celebrations. But what if this year, you could give yourself the gift of impact—spending Christmas and New Year in another country, serving communities in need, and experiencing the warmth of a local family?

Through FIMRC’s Global Health Volunteer Program (GHVP), you can combine cultural immersion with global health service, making your holidays truly unforgettable. Whether you’re a pre-med student, a healthcare professional, or simply someone passionate about giving back, you can even plan this experience with your university, school, friends, or family. Celebrating abroad offers you the chance to grow, learn, and contribute in ways that stay with you for life.

Costa Rica: Supporting Vulnerable Populations

In Costa Rica, you’ll assist in therapeutic and rehabilitation programs for individuals with mental disabilities and survivors of violence, while also supporting preventive health campaigns. Beyond the clinic, you’ll be welcomed into a local community where the joy of Christmas lights, music, and family gatherings bring the season to life in a way that feels both familiar and refreshingly new.

Ecuador: Promoting Nutrition and Wellness

In Ecuador, volunteers play a key role in community nutrition programs and public health campaigns addressing malnutrition and chronic disease prevention. During the holidays, you’ll not only contribute to these important efforts but also witness how Ecuadorian families celebrate with traditions rooted in warmth, resilience, and community care.

Uganda: Gaining Clinical Experience

In Uganda, you’ll rotate in hospitals and clinics, supporting community-wide screenings and learning firsthand from local health professionals. Spending New Year’s in Uganda means joining in lively celebrations while reflecting on how your presence has contributed to health and hope in underserved communities.

Peru: Building Health and Community

In Peru, you’ll join local healthcare professionals in clinics and community health campaigns that support vulnerable populations. From mentoring children in orphanages to helping with screenings for elderly patients, your work will directly impact lives. Imagine ending your day sharing a traditional Christmas meal with a host family in the Andes, an experience that combines both cultural richness and professional growth.

A Holiday That Stays With You

The holidays are about connection, gratitude, and giving and there’s no better way to honor that spirit than by serving abroad. Living with a host family lets you celebrate Christmas and New Year’s in a way you never have before: immersed in new traditions, surrounded by kindness, and driven by the shared goal of improving health for all.

If you’re looking to make this holiday season both meaningful and transformative, FIMRC’s Global Health Volunteer Program (GHVP) is the opportunity you’ve been waiting for. With year-round flexibility, you can join individually or as part of a group, and tailor your experience to your interests.

Join us at one of our sites in Peru, Costa Rica, Ecuador, or Uganda and make this Christmas and New Year a time of global service, cultural exchange, and unforgettable memories.

Contact us at [email protected] to start planning your holiday volunteer experience today.