Student programs
Acuculture Nicaragua is pleased to announce our Internship programs running in beautiful Granada, Nicaragua!
Our programs run for a
4 week, 8 week, or 12 week period.
come spend your next vacation sharpening your clinical skills and helping out the local community
What is includeD:
3 days per week in the clinic with Dr. Allan
Transportation from your home base to the clinic on these days is provided. Time in the clinic will be split between patient visits, observation and case reviews.Community days
These days will be scheduled based on coordinating with the communities we serve but are expected to run twice a week. We are currently servicing 2 communities, one in Nindiri and the other in Sandino City. These days will help boost your confidence by increasing the volume of people and cases you get to see and treat.
Pick-up and drop off at the International airport in Managua
It is also possible to fly to Costa Rica and take the bus over to Nicaragua, sometimes the airfare to Liberia is significantly more affordable. We’re happy to meet you at the bus stop if this option is better for you.Accommodations
The accommodations include a kitchen area giving you the ability to cook for yourself. We know that you will want to go and sample all of the amazing local fare, but we also know that you will want some down time, some home cooked meals and the ability to mix a smoothie for yourself from all the amazing local fruit!Guided Tours
We would love to share some of our favorite places as part of the full Nicaragua experience. We are available once a week to take you to sights like the Masaya Volcano, the volcanic lagoon, a jungle hike or even a beach day. Travel to and from these places will be included, but entry fare and/or food is not.
What is not included:Your flight
Extra Tours
Food and beverages
Scooter rental and/or transportation on days off
Internship Highlights
developing and/or sharpening clinical skills with Channel theory and Tung Style Acupuncture
Dr. Allan has been practicing acupuncture for the last 16 years and has extensive clinical experience in distal needling, channel theory and Tung style acupuncture. He has written a book on the subject and specializes in pain, neuro conditions and stroke rehabilitation. Practicing on a high volume of patients side by side with him will sharpen your skills and enhance your ability to “knock things out of the park” in your own clinic when you get back home. You will be mentored on needle depth & angle, point selection and diagnosis. Dr. Allan prides himself on being able to convey treatment techniques and treatment plans in a simple and effective way.“I have created the clinical internship experience I wish had existed when I was in school.”If you want to have an intern experience that truly builds your skills and translates into clinical effectiveness and confidence, this is the place for you.
Helping the Local Community
Our community outreach days will help facilitate learning by providing a high volume on hands on experience plus multiple examples of common cases here in Nicaragua. You can also be assured that your work will be appreciated and improve the lives of the people you treat. Community work here in Nicaragua will definitely “fill your cup”.Local Sites and Scenery
Enjoy hiking through tropical jungles with the monkeys, swimming in a volcanic lagoon, browsing busy local markets, and as much gardening and farm work as you are willing to offer on our 6 acres of tropical paradise.
additional options
Scooter rental
A great option if you want to tour around a little on your own, see the city and play around.We don’t recommend going into Managua on a scooter as driving there is a little nerve-racking, but around Granada a scooter can be fun…you will get used to sharing the road with horses and carts, other scooters, bicycles and motorcycles.
Tours
It is a pretty packed schedule, but if there is any time left, we can help schedule and plan some other great local tours with guides we trust. They can take you on some fun adventures. Depending on your preferences there is island boat tours, zip-lining, volcano boarding (think tobogganing down the side of a volcano on volcanic ash), surfing, Ometepe Island tour, tour the Flor de Cana Rum plantation, tour the volcanic coffee farm, sea turtle hatching tour, amongst others. We promise there is no shortage of fun things to see and do here.
Cost
4 week internship - $3,500
8 week internship - $6,500
12 week internship -$9,500
*All prices are in USD
Things to consider when coming to Nicaragua
Cellphones
We know you will want to have access to a cell phone. This is a very easy fix in Nicaragua. You can purchase a SIM card for a few dollars almost anywhere here and get a local Nicaraguan number. This will allow you to buy data which is also very cheap. Everyone here uses WhatsApp and it is the easiest way to text and talk with people back home. With access to Wifi, most of your calls will be free.water considerations
You can drink the tap water in Granada as it is treated, but most people drink bottled water and we recommend this. It is affordable and easy to get.Also, there aren’t many places in Nicaragua that have hot water. Having said that, there is very little need for it, cold showers here are not what they are in northern climates, they are most often a welcomed reprieve from the heat.VISAS
You will be issued a 90 day tourist visa as you enter the country, there is no need to apply for a visa before leaving.Money questions
Your bank cards and credit cards will work in most places, but cash is more convenient in Nicaragua. U.S. Dollars can be used in most places, but your exchange rate will be better at the bank. The national currency is Cordobas and is very easy to obtain, we recommend bringing USD cash and exchanging it here.Packing your bags
Make sure you bring lots of sun protection, hats, sun shirts, sunscreen and sunglasses. Bringing a light rain jacket as well can be helpful or an umbrella if you have one that is easy to pack.DO NOT bring binoculars or drones, they will take them at the airport and you will not get them back.