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OPPORTUNITIES FOR SPONSORSHIP

PRE-HEALTH STUDENTS AND GLOBAL HEALTH

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ABOUT GAP MEDICSGap Medics is a specialist company dedicated to arranging pre-health shadowing programs for students applying to medical school, nursing school, and other health degree programs. Our overseas internships offer high school and undergraduate students professional mentorship and genuine insight into the work of health professionals in Africa, Asia, and Europe. Students join us from all over the world, particularly from the US, UK, Canada, and Australia, in order to stay in our exclusive houses and observe within our partner hospitals. Our comprehensive support services are designed to make these opportunities as safe, convenient, and secure as possible and draw on our experience placing thousands of students in healthcare settings around the world since 2005.

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PARTNERS IN GLOBAL HEALTH EDUCATIONFrom investing billions of dollars into the research and development of medicines and vaccinations to reducing disparities in healthcare around the world, the pharmaceutical industry plays a quintessential role in global health. As a whole, your industry represents one of the most powerful voices in the shaping of the future of healthcare. As access to healthcare around the world improves through the globalization of resources, staff, and education, students are beginning to explore potential roles in the international health community from as early as the high school and pre-medical years. In 2014 alone, Gap Medics will arrange clinical shadowing internships in Africa, Asia, and Europe for over 3,000 aspiring doctors, nurses, physician assistants, and dentists—almost all of these students will be between the ages of sixteen and twenty-five. Gap Medics programs, at their core, are structured to provide young students with their first insights into the clinical environment and global health. Our international placements bring attention to the plights of hospitals and clinics in developing nations, where medical resources are scarce—students have described our internships as “life-changing” and “career-affirming.” Through guided observation and mentorship, Gap Medics students are able to draw comparisons between healthcare abroad and at home and make educated decisions about their future careers. As a leader in pre-health internships abroad, we set a high standard for the safety, security, and comfort of our students. In addition to offering private accommodations, in-house catering, and comprehensive safety and support services, we pay our partner hospitals and mentors directly for their commitment to our shadowing-based programs. While we strive to extend opportunities to students from all walks of life, high operational costs remain prohibitive for some. We truly believe that we provide a unique and invaluable experience to aspiring health professionals, and we humbly offer up our programs for your consideration. It is our hope that, after reading through this informational pamphlet, you will find the sponsorship of students who cannot afford Gap Medics programs a mission in alignment with your great ambitions.

SPONSORING STUDENTS

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INTERNATIONAL HOSPITAL SHADOWING

OUR PARTNER HOSPITALSGap Medics finds its heart in the strong relationships we forge with our international partner hospitals. Our head office and in-country teams research potential partners extensively before extending the opportunity to host our students. We only approach facilities that meet strict specifications for quality. Each partner hospital or clinic enters into an exclusive contract with Gap Medics in order to guarantee a standard of mentorship that will ultimately benefit pre-health students in the pursuit of their careers

As we work within developing nations, our partner hospitals often suffer from a lack of resources. Whereas “voluntourism” companies promise hands-on experience to unqualified students, we take a stand against any experience that would be deleterious to our host communities or to our students as they undergo the admissions process. Our partner hospitals are rewarded for their commitment to our shadowing-based

programs with a percentage of program revenue arising from student placements at their facilities. While we do not provide them with human resources, we do provide them with funding for what they need the most. Our programs have the added benefit of drawing international attention to the plights of hospitals in developing nations. In fact, our students have been known to fundraise for life-saving equipment to be donated directly to the hospitals in which they have shadowed.

PROFESSIONAL MENTORSEach week, Gap Medics students are assigned to dedicated health professionals whom they shadow within the hospital. Hospital mentors are compensated for their participation with a percentage of program revenue arising from their students. This ensures that our mentors are both dedicated and motivated as they guide students through the hospital environment.

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ETHICAL EXPERIENCE

OBSERVATIONAL SHADOWINGWe aim to strengthen our students as individuals and applicants. Our programs offer at least 23 hours of hospital shadowing experience per week, with students spending additional time attending department meetings and speaking with hospital staff throughout the day. Whether they are seeking to add to their previous experience or to provide focus and context to their interviews, Gap Medics students gain advance insight into the hospital environment before committing themselves to years of study. In the process, we support our international host communities and educate our students on disparities in worldwide healthcare. Our students are briefed on safety and culture before spending time in the wards and operating rooms, ensuring that their observation does not put them at risk or hinder the treatment of patients. Our mentors explain each case individually and answer students’ questions as they arise, paying attention to detail and context

in order to help students develop understanding and manage their expectations. In the operating room, students stand away from the operating table, but within close enough proximity to get a clear view of each procedure. While our students do not receive hands-on experience, their observations and conversations within the hospital often influence their drive to pursue careers in healthcare. CULTURAL LEARNING Three times a week, Gap Medics students participate in “Global Health Tutorials.” These teaching sessions address the ethical and practical dilemmas faced by local healthcare professionals. Taught by hospital mentors and other healthcare experts, topics include everything from universal healthcare in Thailand to maternal and newborn health in Tanzania. By immersing our students in the cultures of their host countries, they become sensitive to the needs and emotions of the patients with whom they interact on a daily basis.

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COMPREHENSIVE SUPPORT

PRE-DEPARTUREMany of our students are traveling alone for the first time, and the process of preparing to go abroad would be daunting without a strong support system in place. From the moment they register, Gap Medics students gain access to our comprehensive pre-departure services. Our “desk officers” are experts on their respective destinations and are happy to answer questions and aid students in their preparations. Students also receive unique login credentials for “My Gap Medics,” our customized online trip planner. At the core of My Gap Medics is an interactive to-do list that reminds students of important milestones in their preparations, such as checking with their doctors about vaccinations and inputting their flight information. As the primary resource for students during the preparation process, My Gap Medics also contains detailed and up-to-date information on accommodations, hospital placements, mentors, in-country support staff, and fellow participants. Students can even book travel insurance and activity packages through the site.

IN-COUNTRYProfessional staff teams run all of our overseas programs, with each member having expert knowledge of the local area. Our exclusive houses, which serve as the bases for our programs, are fully staffed with program managers, placement coordinators, night companions, caterers, housekeepers, gardeners, and security personnel. All in-country staff are employed and trained directly by our head office team and—unlike many other organizations— we do not outsource our operations to third parties. Even the individuals who meet students upon arrival at the airport are part of the Gap Medics family and can be distinguished by our distinctive, branded T-shirts. As our program managers and in-country staff serve as the main points of contact for students on our programs, it is their mission to make sure that students feel safe, comfortable, and included. In addition to providing welcome briefings, tours, and hospital orientations, our staff members often join students during their free time, helping to facilitate activities and to provide guidance while perusing the town. Should students require any further assistance while on our programs, our in-country staff members are eager to be of service.

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ACCOMMODATIONS, CATERING, & TRAVEL

ACCOMMODATIONS & CATERINGEach Gap Medics house has beautiful grounds and a welcoming atmosphere that provides for a sociable base from which students can learn and explore. During our most popular periods, each destination accommodates over 60 students per week. Kept private by walled gardens and feeling like small communities, all houses feature large kitchens, dining facilities, social areas, and outdoor spaces. Furnishings are simple and comfortable, with single-sex bedrooms being shared between two to five students. Bathroom facilities are provided en-suite. Our in-house caterers use delicious local and seasonal ingredients in the preparation of both regional and Western dishes. They are often happy to host impromptu cooking lessons and to get our students involved. Meals are served Monday through Friday, with the kitchens remaining fully stocked on weekends for students to help themselves. We do our best to cater to students with specific dietary requirements. Each Gap Medics house offers a variety of on-site activities. Depending on his or her destination, a student can play volleyball, roast marshmallows

around the fire pit, take a dip in the swimming pool, or enjoy a traditional barbecue. TRAVEL OPPORTUNITIES Students have free time in the evenings and on weekends. As we host our programs at tourist-friendly destinations that are located in close proximity to sites of cultural and natural importance, we offer a variety of organized travel opportunities. For instance, students in Tanzania can join us on safari at a national park and students in Thailand can join us in the jungle for a hill tribe experience. If students are interested in additional travel opportunities, our desk officers and program managers are happy to recommend hotels and activities at most popular tourist destinations.

AMAZING FACILITY. GREAT LOCATION... BEAUTIFUL AND

VERY SAFE .

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SAFE DESTINATIONSTHE VETTING PROCESSFirst and foremost, we choose destinations that are friendly and welcoming toward overseas visitors. We run our programs in small towns and developed cities with low rates of crime, where we can establish a rapport with local communities. The operations team from our head office regularly visits each location before setting up a program and throughout its life as a Gap Medics destination. SECURE ACCOMMODATIONSBy running our own houses, which are exclusive to Gap Medics students, we are able to guarantee a standard of safety, security, and comfort that companies who use host families or hostels would struggle to achieve. Each house has enhanced security features, such as high-walled gardens, PIN entry systems, and safety deposit boxes. While security teams monitor all Gap Medics houses around the clock, they primarily serve to provide peace of mind to our students. CONTINUED MONITORINGWe consistently monitor government travel information from a number of sources, including the U.S. Department of State, the Australian Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade, and the British Foreign & Commonwealth Office. Of course, our offices are in constant contact with our overseas staff through a variety of means. Our program managers update each student’s profile regularly so that we know exactly where he or she is shadowing and what he or she has planned for the weekend. While we can be reached at any time via e-mail, our office phone numbers, or our emergency phone line, we are proud to say that emergencies are very few and far between.

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COMMUNITY INITIATIVESSUPPORTING OUR HOST COMMUNITIESWe believe we have a strong social obligation to support the communities in which we work. Our commitment to social responsibility influences every decision we make, and we are also passionately committed to minimizing any negative environmental impact that our operations may have. Although the majority of what students pay us is used to cover the cost of accommodations, food, administration, and program development, at least 10% of program revenue goes directly to the hospitals in which students work. This is typically split evenly between program mentors and the hospitals. We employ local people to run our programs whenever possible, ensuring that our staff have expert knowledge of the area and culture. By providing comprehensive training and demanding the highest standards of professionalism, we equip our teams with valuable skills and experience that will benefit their communities both during and after their time with Gap Medics. Our houses are built and furnished from scratch, and we employ local builders, carpenters, and artisans who use sustainably sourced materials produced as close to the site as possible. Where feasible, we also install solar panels in order to reduce our carbon footprint. The development of each house channels tens of thousands of dollars into the local economy through small, eco-friendly industries. Our caterers endeavor to use fresh, local, seasonal ingredients as often as possible. In addition to reducing our environmental impact, this makes our food taste excellent. It is also worth noting that the developing world suffers from a lack of infrastructure when it comes to waste disposal—most waste is either burned or dumped onto empty land. One way we reduce our contribution to this problem is by turning all of our biodegradable waste into compost on-site. Of course, we are always exploring new ways to further reduce our environmentally damaging waste. NON-HEALTHCARE VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIESWhile our pre-health programs aim to promote student learning and give insight into healthcare careers, many of our students want to make real contributions to the communities in which they work. We are happy to facilitate community volunteering opportunities for our pre-health students during their free time. We have established relationships with a number of orphanages, care homes, and schools for the disabled, all of which operate with limited resources and truly value an extra pair of hands.

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HOW YOU CAN HELP

Gap Medics students come from a variety of financial backgrounds. Some students are able to pay for their program costs outright. Still, others struggle with the overall costs of our programs, even after ambitious fundraising efforts. Many of these students are bright, talented, and motivated individuals—they simply lack the financial resources required to undertake placements abroad. Thus, Gap Medics is seeking partnerships with the pharmaceutical industry in order to help these aspiring health professionals afford life-changing exposure to global health and the hospital environment. FULL SCHOLARSHIPS One potential way your company can make a big impact is by sponsoring academically talented students through full program scholarships, which would include flights and program costs. Your company could predetermine the number of scholarships you would like to award. In addition, Gap Medics would welcome you to determine eligibility for such a scholarship and help adjudicate applications. Alternatively, we would be happy to establish criteria and process applications in your stead. Students tend to get the most out of our programs when they attend for at least two weeks—this allows them to spend at least 10 days in the hospital and to explore their destinations over a minimum of one weekend. If you would like a quote of the cost to sponsor an individual student for a certain length of time, please feel free to enquire with us. PARTIAL SCHOLARSHIPSPartial scholarships would also open up our programs to a number of students in financial need. A partial scholarship could cover all program costs, leaving only the price of flights and extra activities to students. Alternatively, your scholarship could cover some of the program costs, essentially creating a discounted placement for eligible students. OTHER OPPORTUNITIESOur potential students would welcome any contribution toward the costs of placement. If you are interesting in supporting Gap Medics students, but would prefer to propose a unique idea for scholarship, please feel free to get in touch. On the back cover of this informational pamphlet, you will find our contact information in addition to a variety of social media links. We look forward to speaking with you!

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GAP MEDICS PROGRAMS:Pre-MedicalPre-NursingPre-Physician AssistantPre-DentalPre-Midwifery

DESTINATIONS:TanzaniaCroatiaPolandThailand

WEEKLY PROGRAM FEATURES:Unique hospital department placementDedicated mentor in healthcare23+ hours observational shadowing3x Global Health Tutorials

ALL PROGRAMS INCLUDE:Exclusive accommodationsIn-house cateringArrival airport transferLocal orientationIn-country supportHelp with preparationsOnline trip planner PROGRAM AVAILABILITY:Year-round1-12 week placements availableAverage length of 2-4 weeks

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CONTACT USGap Medics, One Market Street, Spear Tower,Suite 3600, San Francisco, California 94105, USAinfo@gapmedics.com 1.415.361.4076

VISIT US ONLINEWWW.GAPMEDICS.COM

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