For Mexico’s most vulnerable, life remains a challenge. This internship focuses on working with local community organizations and programs providing services for the vulnerable and disadvantaged. Interns can choose to work with organizations and community centers that work with people with disabilities or with disadvantaged children. Or, students can work with a local food bank that aims to improve the food security of people in poverty. Merida is the destination for this program, a city recognized as one of Mexico’s most welcoming destinations. Regarded for its safety, Merida is a fantastic location to explore and experience Yucatan culture. The Plaza Grande, lined by beautiful colonial buildings, is bustling with activity and makes for a great place to stroll or just sit back and relax. Beautiful beaches off the Gulf of Mexico are easily reachable in 40 minutes by bus from downtown Merida, and there are swimming holes and caves (cenotes) that are well worth a visit to cool off from the heat. The Celestun Mangroves, where pink flamingoes can be viewed, is nearby, as are many cultural activities in the area. Some of Mexico’s most impressive Mayan archaeological sites are close, including the famous Uxmal and Chichen Itza, which is one of the new Seven Wonders of the World. You can learn more at www.byuglobalhealth.org
Mexico Vulnerable and Disadvantaged Populations
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DATES
Starting date is expected to be Monday, June 21, 2021 and will run for 6 weeks. Students will likely need to be in Merida on the day before.
HOUSING
Housing will be in a hostel. The hostel will provide breakfast and lunch daily. The cost for the housing will be included in the program fee.
COURSES
Students in the program Summer Term are required to take a minimum of 6 credits from this list of courses: IAS 399 (3 or 6 credits), IAS 397 (3 credits), HLTH 403 (3 credits), or HLTH 492 (3 credits).
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
$1,493
This cost includes LDS undergraduate tuition for six credits spring or summer session, international health insurance, emergency fee, and program oversight. Students will also pay a program fee of $930 directly to our local partner in Merida for a placement of six weeks which includes housing, airport pickup, internship placement, and on-site support. This program fee also includes breakfast and lunch during your placement. In addition to the program fee, a $100 reservation fee will be paid to our partner in Mexico. Students will be responsible for paying the program fee and the registration fee directly to our Mexico partners through a bank transfer. Does not include international airfare, passport, visa(s), transportation to local NGOs or organizations, personal expenses, airport dropoff, and costs associated with a police background check.
PREPARATION
At least an intermediate level of Spanish is required. However, students not speaking Spanish at this level may be accepted one the condition that there are adequate numbers of students in the BYU group available to act as translators and interpreters for the rest of the group. Students from all majors are welcome. An international preparation course (IAS 369R, 1 credit hour) is required to be taken winter semester. Once accepted into the BYU program, students will submit resumes to UBELONG for internship placements.
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 at:
BYU Travel | 801-422-6293 | travel@byu.edu | 280 HRCB
PREPARATION
At least an intermediate level of Spanish is required. However, students not speaking Spanish at this level may be accepted one the condition that there are adequate numbers of students in the BYU group available to act as translators and interpreters for the rest of the group. Students from all majors are welcome. An international preparation course (IAS 369R, 1 credit hour) is required to be taken winter semester. Once accepted into the BYU program, students will submit resumes to partners in Merida for internship placement.
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
Students must be adults 18 years-of-age or older. Priority Deadline: 1 December 2020. Applications will remain open until program is filled. If spots remain open, the final deadline is anticipated to be 1 February 2021. Complete the online application at kennedy.byu.edu/apply (select the application for MEXICO GLOBAL HEALTH). 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 complete forms provided by our partner organization in Merida and complete the pre-departure requirements they require. A police background check is required after acceptance. The first payment is due upon acceptance. Please refer to the 2021 Payment Information document (see kennedy.byu.edu/isp-forms/ISPpayments2021.pdf).
Priority Deadline: 1 December 2020
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.
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
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.
