CFHI - Global Health Experiential Learning Program (Early Fall 2024)

Eligibility

Undergraduate and graduate students in "good academic standing" (2.0 or above) from any UW campus may apply. UW students are eligible to receive academic credit for participation in the program only if they enroll in and successfully complete the accompanying TBIOMD 490 class in the spring taught by UW Tacoma professor Leighann Chaffee.  

Dates

August 17 - September 7, 2024

Note: Dates do not include travel time to and from destination.

Choose from one of the following CFHI program options: 

India

Global Health In Delhi, India 

Travel to Delhi, India, the second most populous city on the planet. Join NGOs working to implement social reforms and improve public health outcomes through educational campaigns and trainings with emphasis on the spread of HIV/AIDS in India, tuberculosis, and management of infectious diseases. Learn about key public health challenges such as low rates of immunization, poor sanitation and waste management, and unsafe  drinking water. Understand the lingering impact of India’s caste system and challenges in implementing public health initiatives within a culturally and linguistically diverse population.

Study abroad in Delhi and you will:​

• Be placed within public health nongovernmental organizations working to implement social reforms and improve public health outcomes in India with emphasis on the spread of HIV/AIDS, tuberculosis, and management of infectious diseases.
• Learn about key public health challenges facing India such as low rates of immunization, poor sanitation and waste management, and unsafe drinking water.
• Understand the lingering impact of India’s caste system and challenges in implementing public health initiatives within a culturally and linguistically diverse population.

Bolivia 

Global Health in Tarija, Bolivia 

Learn from health professionals and become immersed in Tarija’s healthcare system, including community clinics, secondary and tertiary level hospitals, and a leading clinic for the treatment of Chagas Disease. Chagas, the “new AIDS of the Americas,” currently infects 1.8 million people in Bolivia alone, primarily in rural areas. Shadow healthcare professionals as they undertake patient consultations, laboratory analysis, and prevention efforts in surrounding communities, while learning from local experts about the latest developments in Chagas research. In addition to clinical rotations, participants can choose to meet with the staff of a local children’s shelter providing vocational training and social services for underserved youth to learn more about the socio-economic determinants of children health.

Study abroad in Tarija and you will:

• Rotate with local physicians through specialties including pediatrics, surgery, cardiology and internal medicine in a regional teaching hospital. 
• Become immersed in Bolivian culture and language through conversational and medical Spanish classes while living with a local family in Tarija.
• Witness treatments for pathologies not commonly seen in North America, including parasitosis, tuberculosis, and Chagas.

Learn from health professionals and become immersed in Tarija’s healthcare system, including community clinics, secondary and tertiary level hospitals, and a leading clinic for the treatment of Chagas Disease. Chagas, the “new AIDS of the Americas,” currently infects 1.8 million people in Bolivia alone, primarily in rural areas. Shadow healthcare professionals as they undertake patient consultations, laboratory analysis, and prevention efforts in surrounding communities, while learning from local experts about the latest developments in Chagas research. In addition to clinical rotations, participants can choose to meet with the staff of a local children’s shelter providing vocational training and social services for underserved youth to learn more about the socio-economic determinants of children health.

Study abroad in Tarija and you will:

• Rotate with local physicians through specialties including pediatrics, surgery, cardiology and internal medicine in a regional teaching hospital. 
• Become immersed in Bolivian culture and language through conversational and medical Spanish classes while living with a local family in Tarija.
• Witness treatments for pathologies not commonly seen in North America, including parasitosis, tuberculosis, and Chagas.

Academic Content: 

Context for Global Health Experiential Learning: TBIOMD 490 (1 credit)  

Global Health Experiential Learning Program: TBIOMD 491 (2 credits) 

Participants will be required to successfully complete TBIOMD 490, an on-campus pre-departure course that will provide background in the field of global health and prepare students to gain maximum benefit from their CFHI global health experiential learning program (GHELP). The 1-credit TBIOMD 490 course will meet in person once a week for one quarter during the academic year before students engage in a three-week GHELP in August/September, fulfilling the TBIOMD 491 sequence. Together, the TBIOMD 490-491 sequence (3 credits) may fulfill a student’s Biomedical Sciences or Environmental Sustainability capstone requirement.

Steps students take to receive UW academic credit:

1. Apply to the CFHI program of your choice through the UW Tacoma study abroad website before or by March 15th. Click on the "Apply Now" button on the top of this page to begin your application. 
2. After March 15th, you will receive instructions from UW Tacoma about applying directly to CFHI. DO NOT APPLY TO CFHI BEFORE YOU ARE GIVEN INSTRUCTIONS FROM UW TACOMA. 
3. Once CFHI has accepted you to the program, please email your proof of acceptance to the Office of Global Affairs at UW Tacoma [uwtintl@uw.edu] and to Professor Morgan Heinz [hheinz@uw.edu].

Payment Schedule

Program budget sheets can be found below:

Method of Payment: the administrative fee and program fee will added to your MyUW student account on August 29, 2024. Payment is due October 11, 2024. 

Orientation

To be eligible to study abroad, all program participants must attend an online pre-departure orientation facilitated by the Office of Global Affairs. Participants are also required to attend an in-person pre-departure orientation facilitated by the Office of Global Affairs/UW Study Abroad as well as your CFHI program-specific orientation. Orientation must be completed prior to the enrollment deadline for the quarter that you are studying abroad. 

Withdrawals

The $370 UW Study Abroad Administrative Fees are non-refundable once a contract has been submitted. Students withdrawing from a program are responsible for paying a percentage of the program fee depending on the date of withdrawal. More details about the withdrawal policy are included in your payment contract. No part of the program fee is refundable once the program has begun (please refer to Emergency Withdrawal information below, if applicable). The date of withdrawal is considered the business day a withdrawal form is received by the Office of Global Affairs. Notice of withdrawal from the program must be made in writing by completing the following steps:

Please email uwtintl@uw.edu and copy your program director(s) providing notice that you will no longer be participating in the program. You will also need to respond to any further communication from the Office of Global Affairs to finalize your withdrawal.

We continue to monitor the situation and will provide ongoing updates. If the UW Tacoma Office of Global Affairs cancels your program due to COVID-19, you will not be charged any study abroad program fees or administrative fees under the control of our office.

Emergency Withdrawal

If you cannot participate in a study abroad program, you may submit an Emergency Withdrawal Petition. If granted, the Emergency Withdrawal may allow for partial relief from your financial obligations to the program.

An Emergency Withdrawal Petition may be submitted in the following circumstances:

• Unanticipated change in financial situation
• Medical emergency
• Death in immediate family
• Active military duty
• Unusual or extenuating circumstances

To submit an Emergency Withdrawal Petition, complete this form and email it to uwtintl@uw.edu.

Financial Aid and Scholarships

• A large percentage of UW students utilize financial aid to study abroad. Most types of financial aid can be applied to study abroad fees.
• For UW Tacoma students, you can submit a revision request to increase the amount of aid for the quarter you are studying abroad. These additional funds are usually awarded in the form of loans. To apply, fill out a revision request form, attach the budget sheet for you program (please email uwtintl@uw.edu to request a budget sheet for your program) and submit these documents to the UW Tacoma Office of Financial Aid. 
• For UW Seattle or Bothell Students, you can apply by filling out a revision request form, attach the budget sheet (please email uwtintl@uw.edu to request a budget sheet for your program) and submit these documents to the Office of Financial Aid. 
• Consult the Financial Aid section of our website for more information on applying for financial aid, special considerations for summer and early fall programs, and budgeting and fundraising tips
• Please also review this list of scholarships: these are opportunities that can help fund your study abroad experience. Please note that many of them have deadlines before your study abroad application is due. For help with the application process, please contact uwtintl@uw.edu.

Budgeting Tools 

We understand that figuring out your finances for study abroad can be complicated, and we are here to

help. Here are some ways to find additional support:

• Email uwtintl@uw.edu to request a budget sheet. The budget sheet will allow you to view the estimated budget of all expenses for this program.
• UW Tacoma students can attend a How to Fund Your Study Abroad event - more information is on the Events page of our website.

Travel Documents and Insurance

All program participants must have a valid passport in order to travel abroad.

Visas 

Child Family Health International will guide students through visa processes. You can research visa requirements by calling the consular offices of countries to where you will be traveling or visiting the following website: http://travel.state.gov/content/passports/english/country.html. 

The cost and requirements for obtaining visas vary. It is your responsibility to determine visa requirements for all countries you plan to visit while abroad including countries that you plan to visit before or after your study abroad program. This is an especially important consideration if you are planning to do more than one study abroad program.

Insurance

The University of Washington requires students engaged in educational activities abroad – including study, research, internships or community engagement – to purchase UW Student Abroad Insurance. If you are a current UW student, you are required to purchase coverage UW Student Abroad Insurance. Details are on the UW Study Abroad Insurance page.

Changes in Costs or Scope of the Program

In the event of significant devaluations of the dollar, some adjustments to program activities may be necessary. If there are any political events that might compromise the safety of the participants, a rescheduling or cancellation of the program may be necessary. If such changes occur, students will be notified of the changes and options will be presented.

Program Cancellation

If viable enrollment is not reached by April 1, 2024, individual programs may be cancelled. Participants will be given the opportunity to switch to one of the other programs.

Equal Opportunity and Disability Accommodations

The University of Washington is committed to providing access and reasonable accommodation in its services, programs, activities, and education for individuals with disabilities. To request disability accommodation for this program, contact Disability Resources for Students at least 8 weeks in advance of your departure date. Contact info at tacoma.uw.edu/drs.