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A rainy roadside in Costa Rica changed everything. Jonathan Birnbaum watched buses pause for photos and press on, while he and his family stepped out to help. That simple choice grew into International Service Learning, an education-first, healthcare-focused organization that partners with ministries of health and local teams to deliver ethical, hands-on experiences for students, faculty, and professionals.
We dig into how ISL built a model that puts community needs first and learning at the center. Jonathan explains why the organization shifted from general service to medical care, how faculty-led teams became the norm, and what it takes to credential nurses and clinicians so they can legally practice in-country and earn CEUs. You’ll hear the structure of a nine-day trip—from orientation to home visits, mobile clinics, community celebration, and cultural immersion—and the quiet systems that make it work: bilingual translators, vetted kitchens and hotels, and evacuation plans tuned by on-the-ground staff who know the neighborhoods, not just the news.
This conversation unpacks the heart of responsible global health. Instead of chasing big numbers, ISL chooses careful, supervised clinics that uncover root causes like indoor smoke, water safety, and sanitation. We talk scholarships, leader fee waivers, and why airfare is left to travelers so ISL can stay focused on education and safety. Jonathan also shares what’s next: rebuilding post-COVID capacity, expanding specialties, and deepening partnerships with universities and associations to create accessible, high-quality global health programs across Latin America, Africa, and Asia.
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Book Recommendation:
- Where There Is No Doctor - Werner, Thuman, & Maxwell
I also want to thank our listeners for joining us as it is our goal to "share the voices of international service" with you!
As a 50+ year nurse that has worked in quite a variety of clinical roles in our healthcare system, taught healthcare courses for the past 20 years at the university level, and has traveled extensively with students on international service-learning trips, I can easily attest to the fact that it is the hands-on experiential experiences that are most meaningful in life! I hope that by hearing these voices you too can become involved in service, whether it be locally, nationally, or internatioally.
Feel free to check out our website at www.internationalservicelearning.org, follow us on Instagram @islmedical, or send me an email at [email protected] if you wasnt to learn more about international opportunities for yourself, your school, your church, or any other cohort!
