About CRISMA
What is CRISMA and where is it located?
CRISMA short for Centro de Rehabilitacion Integral San Miguel de Allende is a state-of-the-art outpatient rehabilitation facility located on the outskirts of the beautiful city of San Miguel de Allende in central Mexico.
At CRISMA, we are committed to improving the health and quality of life of people with motor and/or intellectual disabilities, providing them with comprehensive physical rehabilitation services. We offer hydrotherapy services, auditory and speech therapy, pediatric physical therapy, neurological and psychological therapy.
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Is CRISMA a legitimate rehabilitation facility?
Yes! CRISMA was founded in 1996 by a US expatriate who asked the former President of Mexico, Vicente Fox, and his wife Dona Marta Sahagun Fox to take over the facility. The Fox’ raised funds to build a state-of-the-art outpatient rehabilitation facility in the year 2000.
Currently, CRISMA sees 180 pediatric and about 170 adult patients monthly. CRISMA is a 501(c) (3) organization (Tax ID:52-2361247) and is part of the Vamos Mexico Foundation.
Program Details
What does the program offer?
We offer volunteer, internship, mission trips and clinical rotations. The duration of each program is dependent on the university that works with us and their specific requirements for each program. We invite graduate students in PT/OT and Speech and Language Therapy to participate in our program.
The program length starts at 2 weeks and can last up to 12 weeks.
All dorm rooms include:
- Double rooms with shared bathroom, sofa, desk, closet, flat-screen TV, Internet service, coffee maker and microwave
- Coin-operated laundry room on premises
- A few single rooms may be available (depending on availability)
- Linens and towels will be provided
- Breakfast, lunch and dinner will be provided from Monday - Friday, plus Saturday breakfast
- Every room is thoroughly cleaned and sanitized before occupancy
What does the program cover?
- Housing and accommodation (dormitories are on site)
- Airport reception upon arrival if booked through the university program
- CRISMA Discovery, including a tour of Centro Fox, the Presidential Library, and the former family home of President Vicente Fox
- Pre-departure assistance and helpful guides/handbooks
- Onsite/international staff support
How do I apply and what are the deadlines?
Graduate PT/OT/Speech and Language Therapy students are requested to contact their clinical education professor at their respective universities, to receive academic credit. Students interested in volunteering or internships can contact Kirsten Frosh directly at contact@crismamexico.org.
CRISMA has signed affiliation agreements with universities across the United States and we are admitting students on a rolling basis including:
- Cal Poly Humboldt
- Metropolitan State University of Denver
- San Diego State University
- Texas Tech University
- UC Irvine
We encourage you to apply as early as possible so that you can secure a spot!
How does a clinical rotation work at CRISMA?
Students work directly with the Clinical Education Coordinator/Professor at their respective universities to learn how many weeks their program endorses the clinical rotation at CRISMA.
In general, PT students work M - F from 8:30 a.m. until 4:30 p.m. in a variety of clinical settings at CRISMA. The clinical settings include various medical treatment rooms, a pediatric-only treatment room, an adult rehabilitation room, and a hydrotherapy pool for both adults and children.
Each licensed PT can oversee 3 students by Mexican law
Who are the Clinical Instructors?
The medical team at CRISMA is comprised of medical director, Dr. Sergio Legorreta-Martinez, M.D., Ph.D., under whose supervision all students work.
There are on site:
- 3 licensed PTs
- 1 licensed OT
- 1 licensed Speech/Language Therapist
- 1 Psychologist
All medical professionals are fully licensed in Mexico. Check out the bios here.
Life During the Program
Where will I live, and will I have roommates?
Accommodations include dormitory-type housing on site. There are 21 double rooms. Depending on availability, students can request a single room for an additional charge.
All accommodations will be fully furnished with beds, a wardrobe, linens, a desk, WiFi access, a mini-fridge, and a microwave. Laundry facilities and a cafeteria are on site.
Three meals per day are included M - F and breakfast on Saturdays.
Who books my travel and transportation to and from Leon or Queretero airports?
Participants are responsible for booking their own travel to/from San Miguel de Allende. CRISMA will provide an arrival timeframe, and we will have a transportation company receive you at the airport!
What dietary options are available (gluten-free, vegan etc.?)
We will attempt to cater to most dietary requirements, including vegetarian and vegan diets. You must advise us of any allergies or special dietary needs at the time of your application as well as on your medical forms.
Please know that we may not be able to accommodate all dietary/allergy restrictions, depending on your needs.
Do I need a Visa?
U.S. citizens do not need a visa to enter Mexico for up to 180 days.
Do I need to speak Spanish?
No, however, the patient population will not be speaking any English since we are serving a very rural community. Our medical staff speaks English and can translate for the students.
Are there medical Spanish classes available for me to take?
Yes! We work with LanguagePlus, an online language tutoring company that provides PT-specific Spanish language classes via Zoom. Students are encouraged to learn some basic phrases in Spanish to make their experience more enriching. LanguagePlus offers reasonable packages.
Safety & Risk Management padB0
What safety and risk management measures are in place?
Participant health and safety is our top priority, and we have robust systems in place to address student support, risk management, and emergency response.
Do I need travel insurance?
Participating universities are required to ensure that their students have enrolled in international health insurance coverage.
How are prescription medications handled?
It will be the responsibility of the participant to make sure you bring enough medications for the duration of your entire abroad experience and to let us know what you are bringing. Please remember you might not be able to get the meds you prefer or need in Mexico.
If you normally get a smaller dosage than you will need for your entire abroad experience, you will need to apply for a “vacation waiver” from your doctor, as sending prescription medications internationally is usually met with difficulties when they arrive in-country and often does not make it to the recipient.
Do I need immunization?
No, but it is up to the university program that sends students to ensure that all students are up to date on their vaccinations.
