For Mexico’s most vulnerable, life remains a challenge. In partnership with UBELONG, this global health 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.
UBELONG has a reputation for providing very affordable opportunities for students by implementing a model that relies on local partners to provide services such as airport pickup, orientation, housing, meals and field support. Mérida is the destination for this program, a city recognized as one of Mexico’s most welcoming destinations. Regarded for its safety, Mérida 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 forty minutes by bus from downtown Mérida, and there are watering holes and caves that are well worth a visit. The Celestun Mangroves, where pink flamingos 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.
DATES
24 Jun–5 Aug 2019
HOUSING
Housing will be in a Volunteer House, maintained by UBELONG. It is only five blocks from the Plaza Grande, the bustling center of Mérida. The cost for the housing will be included in the program fee that is paid to UBELONG.
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 credit hours)
IAS 397 (3 credit hours)
HLTH 403 (3 credit hours)
HLTH 492 (3 credit hours)
Participants may not take any other courses on this program, including BYU Online courses, without approval by the program director and ISP.
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
$1,405
This cost includes LDS undergraduate tuition for 6 credit hours spring or summer session, international health insurance, emergency fee, and program oversight.
Students will also pay a program fee of $865 directly to UBELONG 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, UBELONG also requires a $295 reservation fee due upon acceptance.
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 on 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 2019.
Once accepted into the BYU program, students will submit resumes to UBELONG for internship placements.
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 Dec 2018
Applications will remain open until program is filled. If spots remain open, the final deadline is anticipated to be 1 Feb 2019.
Complete the online application at kennedy.byu.edu/apply (select the application for MEXICO PUBLIC HEALTH EDUCATION). 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 UBELONG application, be accepted by UBELONG, and complete UBELONG pre-departure requirements. A police background check is required and the reservation fee of $295 will be paid to UBELONG, which is due upon acceptance by UBELONG.
FACULTY
Randy Page, a 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 the program site for six weeks. Students will 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
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
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.
