Program Training Workshop

Over the course of a weekend, health care professionals and Operation Smile staff prepare high schoolers for their role as a member of a student team serving on an Operation Smile surgical program. Students gain a mastery of the material they’ll teach overseas and begin designing their educational materials they’ll use while on site.

The opportunity of participating as a student volunteer on a surgical program is a privilege earned only by our most dedicated young leaders. In order to be offered a place in PTW and subsequently receive placement on an international surgical program as part of a student team, you will need to:

• Currently be in your junior or senior year of high school, or be a university freshman who has until now been unable to attend PTW

• Have been involved with Operation Smile for at least one full school year

• Have held a position of responsibility within an Operation Smile Club

• Have attended one of Operation Smile’s student leadership conferences (ISLC or LEA)
• If applying from within the Hampton Roads area, have been involved in the planning and hosting of a local Operation Smile event

You’ll teach the fundamentals of health care to our youngest patients at the program site, including: handwashing, oral hygiene, nutrition, fire safety and more.

Of course, we want to support the teens and adults on programs as well! You’ll teach teens and adults how to provide hands-only cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR), and we encourage you to bring materials to connect with them, too, (for example, bringing nail polish for teens). We also encourage you to consider making or gathering reusable pads and other menstrual-health items for women attending the program.

Yes, Operation Smile staff in country often connect us with local schools and community groups that would appreciate our support, and, if possible, we go to their location to volunteer.

Of course, program dates are scheduled to best serve the needs of our patients in the countries where we work. For most student volunteers, it’s likely you’ll have to miss some days of school; for this reason, clear and open communication with your school and teachers is highly recommended. Operation Smile will support you as best as possible, including providing an absence request letter.

In order to be best equipped to find a program placement, applicants are asked to give at least a month of continuous availability. This allows us to respond to program date changes which do occur on some programs. You’ll provide this information in your application for PTW.

Reach out to Craig Russell, the international program manager for Operation Smile Student Programs. His email address is [email protected].

U-Voice is a unique opportunity for our most devoted undergraduate volunteers to serve as a journalist on an Operation Smile international program and help tell the stories of our patients and volunteers.

The opportunity of participating as a student volunteer on a surgical program is a privilege earned only by our most dedicated young leaders. Ideal U-Voice candidates are self-motivated, detail-oriented and compassionate students who are great listeners, culturally sensitive and love nothing more than shining the spotlight on others. In order to be accepted to U-Voice training and subsequently receive placement on an international program as part of a student team, you will need to show you have:

• A demonstrated dedication to Operation Smile, with at least one full year of service with tangible impact

• Attended one of Operation Smile’s student leadership conferences (ISLC or LEA) or plan to attend ISLC 2024

• Finished your freshman year of university and are in good standing

Absolutely not! U-Voice welcomes students of every major and interest to apply.

In many places where we work, our staff doesn’t always have the bandwidth to cover the program and produce content. As a U-Voice student storyteller, you’ll help in this effort by:

• building relationships and conducting interviews with patients and volunteers
• taking pictures
• writing feature stories
• hosting an Instagram takeover on @osstudpro
• Supporting social media efforts for the in-country Operation Smile foundation

Bethany Bogacki of Operation Smile Student Programs runs this program and is happy to answer your questions! You can reach her at [email protected].