In partnership with Child and Family Health International (CFHI), students can elect a global health internship experience in Ecuador. There are two options. Option 1 is for those who already have a foundation in Spanish. They will spend half of their time in urban hospitals or primary clinics in Quito and half in community clinics. Participants will experience first-hand the health challenges in clinical settings that represent Ecuador’s rural and urban divide. Students will become immersed in Ecuadorian culture and language while living with local families and participate in Spanish language classes with an emphasis on medical Spanish. Option 2 is for those who lack a foundation in Spanish. They will spend four weeks in Quito. The first two weeks comprise intensive Spanish instruction and participation in a community engagement project with a local NGO to learn the cultural and social context of Quito. For the next two weeks, students are placed in clinical rotations at hospitals or community-level clinics. Students gain confidence communicating in Spanish within social and professional settings and an understanding of healthcare systems and how Ecuadorians access these services.
You can learn more at www.byuglobalhealth.org and www.cfhi.org
DATES
The starting date for Spring Term program is May 7, 2022 and will run for 4 weeks.
HOUSING
Housing will be in a homestay arranged by CFHI, where two meals will be provided daily.
COURSES
Students in the program Summer Term are required to take a minimum of 6 credits from this list of courses:
IAS 399
HLTH 403
HLTH 481
HLTH 492
HLTH 491
LFSCI 199
Note: LFSCI 199 is for Life Sciences majors only and requires prior approval. Life Sciences interns may read the syllabi and apply at lifesciences.byu.edu/internships. Graduate credit for MPH coursework may also be available.
ELECTIVE
Students may be interested in investigating the local culture by taking IAS 380 Cultural Proofs for 1–3 credit hours. This self-guided course allows students to do independent intercultural research, interview locals, and experience local culture.
COST
$3,700-4,200
This cost includes LDS undergraduate tuition for six credits Spring Term, international health insurance coverage, homestay, two meals a day, airport pickup, transportation to program activities, orientation, placement and coordination of clinical/public health activities, and on-site coordination and support.
Does not include international airfare, passport, visa(s), immunizations, personal expenses, some meals, cell phones/international data, or personal excursions.
TRAVEL
Students are responsible for purchasing their own airfare to and from the program. Airfare reservations must be made through BYU Travel. Students should contact a BYU Travel agent.
BYU Travel
280 HRCB | (801) 422-6293 | travel@byu.edu
PREPARATION
An international preparation course (IAS 369R, 1 credit hour) is required to be taken winter semester (2nd block).
All participants are required to show proof of complete COVID-19 vaccination by the time the preparation course begins.
FUNDING SOURCES
Regular BYU tuition scholarships, Pell Grants, and Federal Insured Student Loans may be applied to study abroad programs. Academic departments and colleges may assist with scholarships and grants. Private grants and scholarships outside of BYU may also assist (see kennedy.byu.edu/scholarships).
APPLICATION PROCESS
Priority Deadline: 1 December 2021.
Applications will remain open until program is filled. If spots remain open, the final deadline is anticipated to be 1 February 2022. Complete the online application at kennedy.byu.edu/apply. The application requires a $35 fee. Applicants will be interviewed once the application is complete. Students will be notified via e-mail of their acceptance into the program. After acceptance by BYU, students must complete the CFHI application, be accepted by CFHI, and complete CFHI pre-departure requirements.
FACULTY
Randy M Page, Director of the Global Health Internship Program and Professor of Public Health, is the faculty director for the program. Tana Page, Adjunct Faculty in the Department of Public Health, will be the Assistant Director.
SCHEDULE AND TIME COMMITMENT
Students will be in country for 4 weeks. Students will also be required to complete academic assignments prior to this time and upon returning home from the program.
INTERESTED STUDENTS SHOULD CONTACT
International Study Programs
101 HRCB
(801) 422-3686
isp@byu.edu
kennedy.byu.edu/isp
Randy M Page
2030 LSB
randy_page@byu.edu
Tana S. Page
2148 LSB
tana_page@byu.edu
PROGRAM ADJUSTMENTS
International Study Programs (ISP) reserves the right to cancel this program, revise its offerings, or make any adjustments to the preliminary cost. If it becomes necessary for ISP to cancel a program, all program payments made to BYU ISP will be refunded to the student’s BYU financial account. ISP is the only office authorized to cancel any of its programs.
