Shadow physicians for 20+ hours per week, observe multiple specialties, and gain a more global perspective of medicine and health care firsthand. As you explore different medical specialties, you see the European healthcare system from the inside. Outside of the hospital, students broaden horizons by exploring Greece, and participate in educational activities designed to examine and compare various international health systems including European and U.S. systems of care. The program is an excellent opportunity for those thinking about a career in medicine, nursing, allied health, health care systems or administration, public health, or health care policy. It helps you discern if a career in health care is right for you and can fine-tune your health care career interests. Foreign language skills are not required. Physician partners are prepared to host English-speaking students.
The program location is Thessaloniki, the second largest city in Greece. Students will shadow doctors at the European Interbalkan Medical Center, a private hospital providing a full range of medical specialties and state of art medical technology and expertise. Thessaloniki, located in the north of Greece, makes it possible for students to optionally travel on Saturdays to awe-inspiring Meteroa and the beautiful beaches of Halkidiki. On Sundays, students attend church with the Thessaloniki Branch, one of only three congregations of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in all of Greece. The program includes a one-week faculty-led excursion where students will visit beautiful Greek Islands and Athens. BYU is partnering with the Atlantis to provide this opportunity in 2020. You can learn more at www.byuglobalhealth.org
DATE
May 8 or 9 – June 5, 2020 (starting or finishing date may vary by a few days)
HOUSING
Housing will be arranged by the Atlantis and will likely consist of hostel-, apartment- or dorm-styled housing sharing a room with another student.
COURSES
Students are required to complete six credits. Students chose three credits of internship (HLTH 496R*, IAS 399R, LFSCI 199R, LFSCI 399R) or Applied International Health (HLTH 481) AND three credits of either Directed Public Health Readings (HLTH 492), Health Problems Workshop: Comparative Analysis of U.S. and European Health Care Systems, Policies, and Health Outcomes (HLTH 403R), or Mentored Research (HLTH 491R).
HLTH 496R* is for senior-level public health majors. It requires completion of prerequisite courses and that specific internship requirements are met. HLTH 496R is usually not suitable for Health Promotion students in this program, but may qualify for Health Science students under certain conditions.
Participants may not take any other courses on this program, including BYU Online courses, without approval by the program director and ISP.
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
$5,800-6,300
This cost includes Latter-day Saint undergraduate tuition (6 credits), internship placement fees, housing, breakfast on weekdays for 4 weeks, 2-4 group meals per week in program location, international health insurance coverage, local excursions/cultural activities in program location vicinity, and some transportation. Also included are costs associated with the one week trip – transportation, accommodation, some activities, and at least one meal a day.
Does not include international airfare, passport, transportation not related to hospital shadowing, airport transfer to and from program housing location, international data plan, personal expenses, and most meals. On arrival in Greece, students are required to pay for a taxi or public transportation to get to the host hotel. The program is expected to start in Santorini, so students will purchase flights to Santorini and then depart from Thessaloniki.
PREPARATION
Accepted students are required to participate in an international preparation course (IAS 369R, 1 credit hour). This second-block evening course will be held during winter semester. Accompanying spouses need to be credit-bearing participants on the program. Spouses will also need to apply online and take the preparation course.
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/student/scholarships).
APPLICATION PROCESS
Priority Deadline: 2 December 2019. Applications will remain open until program is filled. Final deadline is anticipated to be 1 March 2020. 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 BYU program. Greek language proficiency is not required, but those with language proficiency will be given higher consideration. Accepted students will be required to also complete on-line application and pre-departure materials for Atlantis.
FACULTY
Randy M Page, Director of the Global Health Internship Program and Professor of Health Science is the faculty director for the program. Tana Page, Adjunct Faculty in the Department of Health Science, will be the Assistant Director.
SCHEDULE AND TIME COMMITMENT
Students will be in Greece approximately 4 weeks. Students will be required to complete academic assignments prior to this time and upon returning home from the program. Students must arrive in Greece by the first day of the program.
INTERESTED STUDENTS SHOULD CONTACT
International Study Programs
101 HRCB
kennedy.byu.edu/isp
Randy M Page
2030 Life Science Building
randy_page@byu.edu
Tana S. Page
2148 Life Science Building
tana_page@byu.edu
PROGRAM ADJUSTMENTS
ISP reserves the right to cancel this program, revise its offerings, or make any adjustments to the preliminary cost estimates due to conditions beyond its control.
