Summer Global Health Immersion Program (SGHIP) | Volunteer in the Philippines

SGHIP 2025 Applications Now Open!

Application open at the bottom of this page until November 3rd!

APPLY HERE!

ABOUT SGHIP

Our Summer Global Health Immersion Program (SGHIP), is a 1-month medical/community health volunteer program in Pampanga, Philippines for high school students.

SGHIP inspires students to grow as individuals, help various communities with the mobile clinic of ABC’s for Global Health, and foster interest in the medical field.

All high schoolers from Northern California are welcome to apply! We are accepting responsible and passionate high school applicants (Friends for the Philippines) who will be joined by US college and Filipino medical students, led by Dr. Julieta Gabiola and Dr. Arthur Gallo

Instagram: @friendforphilippines
Questions? Email friendsforthephilippines@gmail.com

Goals of SGHIP

Learn medical skills

With ABC’s mobile clinic, students learn medical skills like to take vitals and talk to patients while shadowing doctors. Other skills include suturing, how to use EKG machines, and how to perform physical exams. Students will also learn about non-communicable diseases, the medicines for them, telemedicine, and public health.

Visit different communities in the Philippines

Clinics allow students to visit 20 disadvantaged barangays (communities) in the Province of Pampanga in the Philippines. Weekends are open for trips to different parts of the Philippines, such as Manila, Baguio, and Tagaytay, to bond and explore Filipino culture together.

Conduct research

Students get the opportunity to research topics relating to the communities they visit. Research culminates into group projects led by our mentors. Previous years include research on diabetes, hypertension, and the social determinants of health. Students can also contribute to ongoing and upcoming research in collaboration with ABC’s.

Build connections

Every clinic, students will learn to make connections with patients if it’s while taking their vitals, interviewing them for research, or just talking to them while they wait for a consultation. Yet, along with the medical aspect, a big aspect of this program is stepping outside of comfort zones and having fun! Throughout the month, students (high school, college, and medical) grow together as one big family learning collaboration and communication. Through Dr. Gabiola and Dr. Gallo, students get special opportunities like meeting the founders of the ABS-CBN foundation and touring the University of Philippines College of Medicine (from the 2023 and 2024 trip) that they experience with each other.

MENTOR INFO

Are you an undergraduate or graduate student but still want to participate in this opportunity? Apply to become one of our mentors!

SGHIP mentors educate and assist the US high school students as they explore the medical field and life. Prior experience in the medical field is not required, but interest is highly recommended. Mentors will participate in the same activities, projects, and roles as students, but have the added responsibility to lead high school students in research project groups and help high school students learn. Mentors will guide students to achieve their goals of the project and help conduct the research. This will require a time commitment of 1-3 hours per week prior to the summer trip as well as a commitment to the program while in the Philippines.

Qualifications:

We are looking for strongly motivated and responsible people who are:

Currently living in the US and are currently studying for their undergraduate or postgraduate degree
Open to teaching and learning about life, medicine, and the Philippines
Able to guide high schoolers on research
Flexible and willing to communicate efficiently and effectively with others, whether it be high school students, med students, staff, and other mentors

Interested? Contact Dr. Gabiola through email at jettegabiola@gmail.com

Please include the following:

Introduction to yourself/Resume
Reason for interest in the program
What you hope to gain out of the experience

SGHIP TESTIMONIALS

"Coming to Pampanga with ABC's was truly a transformative experience. Although I was raised in a family with an extensive medical background, I was never exposed to the more clinical, humanistic aspects of medicine until I was able to witness Doctor Gallo and Doctor Gabiola in action. One thing that really stood out to me was the way that patients would be willing to sit for hours in the Philippine heat just to be able to have their checkup conducted by a doctor that truly cared for and, more importantly, wanted to form a deep connection with their patient. SGHIP is an amazing way to directly help communities with little to no access to healthcare while implementing strategies to create lasting effects in underserved communities. Without this program, I never would have discovered my passion for serving and the importance of discipline and perseverance."

Santino O., SGHIP 2024 High School Student Participant

Fee Breakdown

Total: $4000-5000

Non-refundable fee to ABCs $250

Board & Lodging $2000

Flight (dependent on booking date) ~$1500

T-shirt Uniforms for clinics (4) $50

R&R/laundry/miscellaneous $200

Further Information

When: June 12 - July 12, 2025

Where:

797 Purok 2 San Jose, City of San Fernando, Pampanga, Philippines 2000