"This was an amazing opportunity to learn about medical practices outside of the U.S. and outside of allopathic practices." -Brady Hanson, August 2009 (MS-1 Kansas City University of Medicine and Bioscience)
Introduction
Program Fee
All fees are based on a 4 week program. For longer programs, additional fees are calculated on a weekly basis. While only 4 and 8 week options are available when applying, please click here for detailed instructions for 5, 6 or 7 week options.
Group Discounts for groups of 4 or more may be available for CFHI programs. If you have a group of 4 or more people that are interested in applying contact students@cfhi.org for more details.
Application Fee: $95
Program Fee 2010:$2095
Program Fee 2011 (except June and July): $2295
Program Fee 2011 June and July: $2445
ANNOUNCING 2011 PROGRAM DISCOUNT-Submit your CFHI 2011 program application before August 16th 2010 and pay 2010 fees for any January-May 2011 program. This is an average savings of US$200 for most programs.
* Please note that this discount will be applied to your final program payment fee after September 1st, 2010.
Payment Schedule: The application fee is charged upon application to the program. Within 2-3 weeks, applicants will be accepted or rejected for participation in the program. Upon acceptance, a transferable, but non-refundable deposit of $350 is due within 30 days. The final balance of the program fees is due 6 weeks prior to your program date.
* For equivalent costs in other currencies please click herefor currency converter.
Please note that all bank check or money order payments must be made in U.S dollars only. Credit card payments are converted to U.S dollars automatically.
Fundraising Scholarships may be available depending on budget allocation each year. Please visit the scholarships page for the latest information/availability for CFHI scholarships.
Once accepted, students may also do their own fundraising through Firstgiving.org. Please click here to view a sample fundraising page. Please note that some important restrictions apply to funds raised through Firstgiving. To review the terms of use, click here.
What’s included?
Pre-departure and on-site orientation materials and guidance
Accommodation on a shared basis with three meals a day. The local coordinators will charge you for additional nights outside the program dates.
International Emergency Medical and Medical
Evacuation Insurance
Airport pick up on arrival
Airport Drop-off (from Dehra Dun to Delhi- must be on the same weekend as end of program)
All transportation between cities (not to and from clinical sites)
All preceptor, hospital and coordinator fees
Scheduled meetings with coordinator and Medical Director
What’s not included?
Airfare to New Delhi, India
Passport or visa fees
Local transportation to and from clinic sites
Other expenses of a personal nature like weekend and after-hour activities. This includes but is not limited to local transportation, tourist trips in and around the program site, and any personal expenses incurred.
Location
Students attending this program spend two weeks in Dehradun, one week in Rishikesh and one week in the village of Patti.
Dehradun is the capital
city of the state of Uttarakhand (previously acknowledged as Utttaranchal) in India. Dehradun
is one such place whose awe-inspiring beauty attract tourist and can drive a
person mad. “Doon” dhoon or dun in Sanskrit
language means a valley formed by the tectonic activity within the earth. It is
gorgeously and magnificently placed within the HimalayanMountains in the north, the shivalik
hills in the south, the river Ganga in the
east and river Yamuna in the west. Dehradun is known as “valley in shivalik
hills” Dehradun is one of the enthralling destination for tourists from all
over the world. The queen of hills, Mussoorie, located near Dehradun here can
just make a person go breathless after seeing it’s beauty.
25 kilometers away (about 1
hour by road) from Dehradun, in the North Western foothills of Himalayas lies
Patti Masraj Gram Sabha (cluster of villages with one elected Governing Body
and one Head) About 4000 feet above sea level. These foothills are also
called as Shivalik Hills and enjoy all six seasons. CFHI clinic is located at
Village Patti which is the central location for all the villages. CFHI is
working in this area since 1999. This Gram Sabha (cluster of villages)
consists of 8 villages including Thangaon, with the population of approximately
1500 people.
The accommodation and space
for clinic has been provided by a former village, “Panchayat head” (elected
leader) who also runs a ration shop, where the entire village people come for
their daily requirement thus the place provides double benefit to the
villagers.
There is a governmentJunior High school which is situated
opposite to the clinic. The clinic provides routine health check up camp for
the school children along with the help of CFHI participants.
The clinic not only serves
the above eight village but also a few others which are adjacently cling to
Patti Masraj Gram Sabha.
Rishikesh is a scenic town set on the banks of the river Ganges, surrounded by hills on three sides. Rishikesh has hundreds of ashrams that are places of learning in Hinduism. Here scholars read the ancient scriptures and teach Hindu philosophy, traditional medicine, yoga and meditation. It has been called the Yoga capital of the world. Hundreds of thousands of yoga and meditation enthusiasts and Hindu pilgrims visit the river and the historic town every year.
The rural program will be in a small hamlet called Patti which is the central village of Than Gaon region. This village is nestled in the foothills of the Garwal Himalayas, 40 kilometers from the city of Dehra Dun at an altitude of 4,000 feet above sea level.
Please visit your local public, health office, or travel clinic and heed the advice of a travel physician. You should have all your routine childhood and adult vaccinations as required, including yellow fever for some countries, at least 4 week prior to departure. Be sure to set up a doctor's appointment up to 4 to 6 weeks before your trip. Please click here for a detailed explanation from the CDC of routine, required and recommended vaccinations.
Recommended
vaccinations (according to risk): These vaccines are recommended to protect
travelers from illnesses present in other parts of the world and to prevent the
importation of infectious diseases across international borders. CFHI does not require verification of recommended vaccinations; however we
strongly suggest getting all CDC recommended vaccinations.
Please click here for a
list of CDC recommended vaccinations for India.
Visas Please note that you will need to obtain a tourist visa prior to your arrival to India. You will receive more information about this once you are accepted to the program. You may also click herefor more detailed information on how and where to sumbit your visa
application. Please do not submit a visa application until you receive
CFHI's Program handbook with more specific instructions on how to apply.
Click here to view a first-hand account of Gregory Petrossian's experience in the Introduction to Traditional Medicine, India program. (October 2009)
Click here to view a first-hand account of Anita Kappukatt's experience in the Introduction to Traditional Medicine, India program. (August 2009)
Click here to read a first-hand account of Marci Lee's experience in the Introduction to Traditional Medicine, India program. (Fall 2008)
Clickhere to view a video by CFHI alumnaMuna Beg of her experience on a CFHI India program (July 2008).
Participant Quotes:
" I am thankful for everything that I have learned in India and the relationships with the doctors, patients, and people I met. The differences in the healthcare systems of the United States and India are vast, yet similar. Doctors, nurses, and medical assistants, no matter where they are, want to help and heal their patient. This is the common ground of medicine throughout the world and a lesson I will never forget."
"It is one of the best opportunities to develop [a] student's sense of being a part of global village. I grew up a lot as a more independent thinker and became more outgoing, asking opportunities to learn things from the doctors I was working with. I really enjoy the face I gained [inside into] various aspects of health care practices not only limited to one discipline."
“My second favorite experience was being with Dr. Nisha and seeing c-sections and natural births. Dr. Nisha's practice, personality, and work has made me strongly consider focusing on women's health once I'm done with nursing school.”
- CFHI alumna, January/February/March 2008 (Pre-Med Senior, Oregon State University)
If you would like to speak to alumni of this program via email, please contact alumni@cfhi.org for more information.
Arrival Dates
Program Dates are as Follows
1.
August 7, 2010 (8 Weeks )
2.
August 7, 2010 (4 Weeks )
3.
September 4, 2010 (8 Weeks )
4.
September 4, 2010 (4 Weeks )
5.
October 2, 2010 (8 Weeks )
6.
October 2, 2010 (4 Weeks )
7.
November 6, 2010 (4 Weeks )
8.
November 6, 2010 (8 Weeks )
9.
December 4, 2010 (4 Weeks )
10.
December 4, 2010 (8 Weeks )
11.
January 8, 2011 (4 Weeks )
12.
January 8, 2011 (8 Weeks )
13.
February 5, 2011 (4 Weeks )
14.
February 5, 2011 (8 Weeks )
15.
March 5, 2011 (4 Weeks )
16.
March 5, 2011 (8 Weeks )
17.
April 2, 2011 (8 Weeks )
18.
April 2, 2011 (4 Weeks )
19.
April 30, 2011 (4 Weeks )
20.
April 30, 2011 (8 Weeks )
21.
June 4, 2011 (4 Weeks )
22.
June 4, 2011 (8 Weeks )
23.
July 2, 2011 (4 Weeks )
24.
July 2, 2011 (8 Weeks )
25.
August 6, 2011 (8 Weeks )
26.
August 6, 2011 (4 Weeks )
27.
September 3, 2011 (4 Weeks )
28.
September 3, 2011 (8 Weeks )
29.
October 1, 2011 (4 Weeks )
30.
October 1, 2011 (8 Weeks )
31.
November 5, 2011 (4 Weeks )
32.
November 5, 2011 (8 Weeks )
33.
December 3, 2011 (4 Weeks )
34.
December 3, 2011 (8 Weeks )
Eligibility
Language Ability: This program is open to those who possess
English
This program is open to participants who are 21 or over at the time of participation. We accept students of all nationalities with interest in international health and relevant educational background. Participants may be any of the following:
Medical Residents, MD & DO
Medical Students, MD & DO 1-2
Medical Students, MD & DO 3-4
Senior level Pre-Medical Students
Post-bacc pre-medical students
Gap year pre-medical students
Graduate nursing students
Nursing Students
MPH Students
Physicians Assistants Students
Naturopathic students
If you do not fit into one of these categories, please contact us to see if you would be eligible to apply.
Clinical Sites
The following hospitals and clinics are a sample of possible rotations during this program. Restrictions may apply for pre-clinical, and pre-medical students.
CFHI programs can be predominately observational depending on your previous clinical training, your ability to communicate directly with patients, local laws that prevent foreigners from directly providing healthcare services and whether the preceptors who will be supervising you trust your clinical skills. Rotation availability depends on local conditions.
Rural Clinic in the village of Patti For a week during the program, students will live in a small rural community called Patti, located in the Than Gaon region. The focus will be on primary care and preventative medicine. Here, students will spend one week living and working with a local physician, Dr. Paul, who has a BAMS (Bachelors in Ayurvedic Medicine and Surgery). Students will also go on hikes around the mountains and learn about the medicinal plants of the area. They will work in the Patti village clinic and participate in informal workshops on home remedies. This is a great opportunity to experience village life and health care in a rural area. Here is a summary of the weeks activities:
Daily Yoga classes
Medicinal plant identification hikes in the mountains
Workshop on home remedies
Clinical work in the rural clinic
Participation in health camps held at surrounding villages
Parmarth Ashram, Rishikesh The Parmarth Ashram is a center for promoting Naturopathic treatment and therapeutic yoga and medication. The institute provides students with first hand exposure to naturopathy through lectures and direct clinical experience. People come from miles to get services here, because it is free and it is revered as a deeply spiritual place. You will be able to go on regular rounds, receive lectures on Naturopathy, Ayurveda etc, observe, and work with trained Naturopathic physicians. During your time at this site in Rishikesh, you will stay in rooms at the ashram itself.
Doon Hospital This is a tertiary care hospital run by the state government of Uttaranchal. Since this is a government hospital, student will get a chance to see cases that have been referred from the primary health centers in the rural areas. This site offers a chance to compare state run health care services to the small private physician run clinics in Dehradun.
Dr. Nisha Gera Nursing Home Dr. Nisha Gera is an Ob/Gyn who runs her own private nursing home in Dehra Dun. The clinic runs both in-patient and out patient services. Since this clinic serves only women, male CFHI participants are not able to rotate at this site. Students may accompany her on rounds and observe during surgeries.
Vaish Nursing Home Dr. Vipin Vaish is an excellent pediatrician who runs his own neonatal and pediatric hospital in Dehra Dun. This facility serves middle- and low-income families. Here students can accompany him on rounds and may observe minor procedures that he may be doing. This facility is very popular with CFHI participants.
Dr. Prem Nath, Reiki, Acupressure, Ayurveda and therapeutic Yoga Dr. Prem Nath has over 50 years of experience in traditional medicine. He is an expert on Reiki, Acupressure, Ayurveda and Theraputic Yoga and Meditation. Dr Prem Nath did his BIMS Bachelor of Integrated Medicine and Surgery in the year 1952. He has also done diploma in Reiki and Acupressure. For last fifty two years he has been practicing integrated medicine. He has taught Yoga in educational institutes like DOON SCHOOL and INDIAN MILITARY ACADEMY at Dehradun.
Dr. Inderjeet Nanda: Dr. Nanda is a homeopathic physician, who works at and run his own private clinic.
Governmental Ayurvedic Hospital at Majra Dehradun This government hospital provides Aurvedic diagnosis and treatments practicing the traditional medical healing technique known as Panchkarma (a holistic cleansing and rejuvenating program for the body). The facility has become well known for its affective treatment of the most common chronic diseases as Aurvedic medicine is known for its low occurrence of side affects. The hospital is located on the Delhi Highway (NH 72) adjacent to the Majra Government High School and serves a population of great socio-economic diversity. Patients come not only from the city proper but also from the villages as it is located near the southern periphery of Dehradun. This hospital receives above 50 patients every day and clinic hours are from 9am to 3pm.
Vohra
Nursing Home and Clinic – At Prem Nagar Dehradun This clinic is situated just off of the Delhi Highway
(NH 72) in Premnagar which is a small town close to the north western periphery
of Dehradun. The hospital is located near the Indian Military Accadmy (IMA) and
serves a large geographic area. Patients of all socio-economic positions are
seen, however most are of a middle class status. Many patients also come from
nearby villages including Than Gaon and its adjoining areas.
All rotations
are subject to change depending on local availability. Local coordinators will
make alternate arrangements if a particular activity or facility is not
available during the program month.
Program Details
Programs are four (4) weeks long, and can be extended up to 8 weeks. Please see our FAQs (right side menu) for more details. We strongly suggest you read the "Rotations" section of our FAQ's for more information about "Hands-on vs. Observational" experiences during your rotations. Please take the time to download and read the "Rethinking your elective" document in that section, particularly the paragraph "Getting hands-on experience."
CFHI Arrival and Departure Dates CFHI participants should schedule their flight to arrive at any time on the designated "arrival day" (see right side bulleted menu for exact arrival dates). Program activities and arrival orientation generally start the following day, thus arriving on the arrival day ensures all participants are present to take part in these activities. The departure date of each program occurs on the Saturday four (4) weeks following the arrival date. Participants not planning on doing extra traveling outside of the program should be sure to schedule their flight to depart at any time on this day.
Please note that four (4) full weeks of lodging at the "program site" (Dehra Dun and surrounding areas) is covered by the program fee. This usually includes one (1) night upon arrival in Delhi if the flight arrives late in the evening and one (1) night at the end of the program in Delhi if your flight departs early on the last Saturday. Participants are transported to Delhi from Dehra Dun on Friday or Saturday, depending on the flight departure time. Participants must depart from Delhi on the program end date (Saturday).
Clinical and Public Health Rotations CFHI's rotations are designed to offer you clinical and observational experiences relevant to your level of medical education. The program includes the following educational aspects:
Pre-trip orientation materials & web conference opportunities
Orientation upon arrival, including cultural adjustment exercises
Scheduled meetings with Medical Director and Local Coordinator
Clinical rotations Monday-Friday, excepting holidays or work stoppages, working with a local physician who has opted to participate in CFHI as a teaching preceptor
Information sessions that highlight the health care system in that country, common cases you will encounter and other site-specific information
Post-trip debrief materials & other on-going alumni activities/services
We recommend you study as much Hindi (and other local languages) as possible before you go, as it will greatly decrease personal frustration you may experience during the CFHI experience. All of activities listed above will be conducted in English and all of our partners in this program speak English, yet many other people you will encounter may not.
If you expect that you will need academic credit for your CFHI program, you will be responsible for getting your university's approval. CFHI can help you and provide you with the appropriate material (printing out this website information generally is not sufficient), however we are not an accredited institution and cannot award credit ourselves. Please click here to read more about ways in which CFHI can help you obtain academic credit from your university.
Comprehensive Orientation and Full Time Coordinators One of our local coordinators will meet you on arrival at New Delhi International Airport from where you will be transported to the guesthouse. CFHI's local coordinator, will arrange all accommodations, meals and provide orientation on issues around diet, safety, transport, currency conversion, communication, travel, norms and culture. Our coordinators will hold meetings to monitor and evaluate the program and will provide 24-hour emergency support.
Accommodations (Shared Basis Accommodation will be provided on a shared basis (2-3 students per room). The food provided in the program is traditional Indian vegetarian cuisine. Please note that the accommodations do not include facilities like air conditioning, Internet, telephones, mineral water, and hot water bath. Accommodation in this program varies depending on the location of the students throughout the month.
New Delhi: students will stay overnight at a local guesthouse when they arrive until they go to Dehra Dun.
Patti Village: (one week): simple cottages built at the health farm.
Dehra Dun: (two weeks): local host families.
Rishikesh: (one week): a local guesthouse that is affiliated with Parmath Ashram.
If you decide to arrive early or stay in CFHI's accommodations after your program has ended, you will need to pay for the time spent outside of the program. These fees should be paid directly to the local coordinator of the program. The prices are about $50 USD per night for a hotel in Delhi, and around $10-$25 USD for extra nights at the homestays in and around Dehradun (includes meals).
Communication You will be assigned a mobile phone (with free unlimited incoming calls) for the duration of your stay. All-important phone numbers will have been pre-programmed along with a limited amount of airtime for emergencies. To make calls over and above the airtime included, you can purchase pre-paid phone cards at various locations locally.
You will be required to sign a $100 release form in order to receive the cell phone. You will not be charged the $100 fee if the phone is returned in good working order to your program coordinator.
To learn more about how to make phone calls to and from your program country, click here. * (CFHI does not endorse any services provided by these sites nor does it guarantee the accuracy of their information). Please note that there is no internet/e-mail access in the villages. While you are there, you will be able to check e-mail on weekends in Dehradun.
Program Months All CFHI groups of participants fluctuate in size through out the year. The summer months tend to be the busiest time of year, so please plan ahead and apply early if you want to secure a space in a specific program during the summer months. During the rest of the year, the group size in a program can be small, especially during the fall months. However, we will NEVER cancel a program due to the size of the group, even if there is only one participant.
Why should I go abroad and study global health issues with CFHI?
To read more about our perspective on the importance of global health and how we are trying to make a difference in your professional development, see "Why CFHI?" above.
2)
What is the First Step?
Read the website information and decide in which program you are most interested. Using the search option, find a program that fits your goals, your academic skills, and language requirements. Read all the program information in detail. Look at the past participants experiences on the program on that web page. Reading the past participants experiences will give you a very good idea of what to expect while you are on the program.
When you are ready to apply to a program click on "Apply Now" located on any Program Description page. Follow the application procedure detailed on the website.
3)
Who should my references be? What is required?
Choose two professional references that know you and your work style well. They may be professors, supervisors at work or a volunteer position, coaches, etc.
Your references will be emailed directly once you submit your application. PLEASE let them know that you are applying to our program and that they will hear from us VIA EMAIL. This is a very simple format of fielding recommendations, there is no requirement for references to write and mail letters. They will only have to reply to an email that describes what we seek in our participants.
4)
What is the duration of the program?
CFHI programs are 4 or 8 weeks long. All program fees specified are for a 4 week duration. If you choose to stay for a total of 8 weeks, your program fees will double (ex: the program fee for 4 weeks in Oaxaca, Mexico is $1825, if you extended that for another 4 weeks for a total of 8 weeks your program fee would be $3650). You may apply to two separate programs back to back if you would like (Example: Quito and Community Medicine, Ecuador programs for February and March). If you choose to do this, please email us at students@cfhi.org for instructions on how to do so without having to contact your references twice.
5)
Are there set starting dates?
All of our programs begin on Saturday and end on a Saturday. Normally, these dates lie around the first of the month and run to the end of the month. Check specific program descriptions for exact dates. We ask that you ARRIVE at your program site on Saturday so that you may settle in and begin orientation on Sunday when possible. If you are a clinical year medical student and your rotation dates with your school do not coincide with the set dates, please contact the office and we will see if we can accommodate your needs.
6)
What is the deadline for application?
There are no application deadlines. We prefer to receive the applications at least 3-4 months in advance; however, some programs fill up nearly 7 months in advance, especially in summer. The advance notice allows us adequate time to make all the preparations according to your needs. Please inquire by email or phone about the space availability of the particular program and month that you would like to attend. Programs will close one month prior to the program start date.
7)
How does CFHI choose the participants?
We accept a participant if we have a program place free and if they meet our eligibility requirements. Admission runs much on a first-come, first-serve basis. So if you are thinking of applying, try to send in your application as soon as possible. We make a decision based on your application form and two references from your University or professional contacts supplied on the application form.
8)
Can individuals with little or no Spanish apply to programs in Spanish speaking countries?
Yes, we do accept individuals who speak little or no Spanish. Please be aware that the more Spanish you know before you go, the more medical experience you will get out of the program. At the very least go to your library and get some lessons on tape and study as much as you can. If you have little or no Spanish skills, we strongly suggest that you go at least 2 weeks early and take Spanish at the language school before the program starts. If you plan to do this, please contact students@cfhi.org after you are accepted into the program and we can provide you with the contact information of the language schools we work with.
9)
Do you accept undergraduates in college as participants in your programs?
We do accept undergraduates who are 21 years of age at the time of participation to most programs.
10)
Can I participate if I am under 21 years of age?
Due to a Board of Directors mandate regarding liability issues, we are not able to accept individuals into our international programs who are not 21 years old at the time of participation. If you are turning 21 during a program month, you may apply to a program during that month or after.
We would like to accept as many participants as possible, but our programs cannot accommodate everyone. We want to give the opportunity to travel with our programs to the people with the most relevant coursework and experience available. If we were to offer the program to everyone who was interested, there would be no space for 1st year medical students and post-graduate pre-medical students looking to solidify their commitment to the health sciences.
11)
Where does my program fee go?
Like most not-for-profit organizations that run international volunteer programs, CFHI’s income is largely generated from our students' program fees. These fees are an essential way for us to run the programs for you and to support our international partners who host you – all at the same time.
This does not necessarily mean that your entire fee goes only to the community where you work. Let us explain by taking a quick look at what it takes to run an international organization like CFHI.
There is a significant cost involved in answering your emails and calls, maintaining the website, doing the paperwork you require for your university, ensuring the quality of the programs and managing the finances of a multi-million dollar organization. In addition, it is important to remember that costs to do basic business functions in the are several times the cost of doing business in the countries you visit.
CFHI has a unique structure that allows our partners autonomy and fiscal stability. At the same time, we manage a complicated series of programs throughout the world, maintaining accountability and transparency required for organizations working in the current global environment.
CFHI maintains an incredibly low overhead cost of 6.4% (most funding agencies consider an overhead cost of less than 30% to be good, and less than 15% to be excellent). You can read more about nonprofit organization standards at www.guidestar.org. You can also read about how CFHI is ranked by an independent charity watchdog, Charity Navigator by looking at CFHI's "Affiliations" page.
All programs are offered “at cost”, meaning that CFHI does not acquire any profit from student fees. The cost you pay is the cost of the package of services you receive.
If you have concerns about the structure of the program, about pre/post-trip support or about the finances of the program, PLEASE DO NOT ask your local coordinators. It is not their job to address these issues, which should be brought up with the San Francisco CFHI staff only. This is to avoid hassle for our dedicated, hard-working partners and so that we can answer your questions most thoroughly and accurately about the global activities of CFHI. ALL PROGRAM FEES ARE NON-NEGOTIABLE, and we trust you will not take advantage of the graciousness of your hosts by violating this CFHI standard.
12)
What is the payment schedule once you are accepted into the program?
The application fee to a CFHI program is $95 and is due at the time your online application is submitted. The $350 deposit, which is applied toward the total cost of your program, is due within 30 days after acceptance to the program or 45 days prior to the start of the program, whichever comes first. All application ($95) and deposit fees ($350) are non-refundable. The final balance of the program fee is due 45 days prior to the program start date. If you are accepted into to any program within 45 days before the start date, all program fees are due within 72 hours of acceptance, without exception.
13)
Does CFHI offer any scholarships?
CFHI does offer a limited number of scholarships for specific programs. Normally scholarships are available for selected spring and fall programs.
There is much more information on the "Scholarships" page, which is located here --> "Program --> "Global Health Education" --> "Scholarships".
14)
What if I find a host family on my own or don’t want to take Spanish classes?
CFHI strongly encourages you to stay with the host family with whom we place you. These families have experience with our students and our programs, so, they adapt easily to your cultural preferences and needs. If you choose to seek housing or have found housing outside of the program please contact us at students@cfhi.org
If you visit a Spanish-speaking country, we strongly encourage you to participate in the language portion of the program. Spanish courses are based on medical Spanish so even if you are a fluent or a native speaker, we believe the opportunity will be beneficial to you. The more Spanish you know the more opportunity you will have to get a hands-on medical experience out of the program. If you have any questions please contact us at students@cfhi.org.
Please note: even if you do choose to find other housing arrangements, or do not take Spanish courses, your program fee will remain the same.
15)
Are the rotations set and mandated, or does one have a say in them?
On your application, you will be asked what types of clinical preferences you have. It is VERY important for you to complete this section of the application. Your clinical rotations will be based on this information. This information is sent to your Medical Director before your arrival so s/he knows what you are interested in. They will try and incorporate those activities with your clinical rotations. For example, if you have a specific interest in pediatrics, they will try to place you in rotations with high interaction with children.
16)
When do I get my rotation schedule?
The local Medical Directors will give you your rotation schedule during your first meeting with them, upon arrival. Depending upon availability, you can ask for changes or preferences after the first week of the program.
17)
Is the program a hands-on clinical experience or observational?
The purpose of our programs is to provide first-hand (rather than hands-on) exposure to the way healthcare is practiced at our various sites. That said, the amount of clinical exposure you get on the program will depend on the following factors:
(1) Whether you are a clinical or pre-clinical student. If you are a fourth-year medical student or advanced level nursing student with good communication skills you can expect to see patients yourself under the supervision of your local preceptor. If you are pre-clinical you will be more in an observational role till the doctor can develop trust in your abilities. It is essential that you work hard to develop good relationships with the doctors in the program. You will get more hands-on experience if you advocate for yourself, and work to express your skills and comfort in the clinical environment. In that same light, if you do not know how to perform a clinical procedure, you should NOT do it. To read more about the ethical implications of doing medical work abroad, a great read is this article published in the Student British Medical Journal: "Rethinking Your Elective".
(2) Your language ability... while you are still getting to grips with your Spanish or other local language, you may find that the amount of direct work you will be able to do will be limited. As your language skills improve you can look forward to taking histories, conducting patient interviews, and discussing case studies with your clinical physicians.
The experience is different for each and every participant depending on their individual skill set and the trust that they can build with their preceptors. In addition, sometimes local laws prevent you from providing direct clinical services, no matter what your level of education or certification in your home country. The physicians will try and involve you as much as possible so you must show interest, enthusiasm, drive and an ability to ask questions. The more outgoing you are, the more doors will open.
18)
If I am a pre-medical student and I don’t have the items listed in the sample suitcase reference guide, do I need to bring them?
ALL participants in CFHI programs are required to have a white coat with a nametag. You should receive a CFHI nametag in the mail. Alternatively, you can bring your own nametag, which can be pinned on the coat, or even one that sticks to the fabric if you do not have one embroidered. Please also bring one green and one blue set of scrubs if you have access to them. Some clinics REQUIRE scrubs. A pocket Medical Spanish dictionary in Spanish-speaking countries is also helpful. You DO NOT need to bring a stethoscope, or drug reference guide if you do not have them. If you do not have the required supplies check out www.Allheart.com, they offer these supplies at an affordable cost!
19)
How can I get Academic Credit for this program?
Academic credit can be arranged with the cooperation of your university or school. After you are accepted, you may request an “elective letter” to be sent to you or your advisor with information about how you will be evaluated and basic roles and responsibilities of CFHI participants. Each program site has a Medical Director who will complete any on-site evaluation forms. It is very important that you carry these forms to your program site, and take responsibility for their completion and submission to your school. We also ask that you fax or mail a copy to CFHI to keep in your file. CFHI will not be held responsible for incomplete evaluation or credit.
20)
What is a Clinical Journal?
All participants are expected to keep a Journal for the duration of the program abroad. It is very useful to write down your clinical and cultural experiences you have that relate to the program. You may transcribe this document into a word file and you may be asked to submit the journal upon return from the program. This document is used for program evaluation procedures as well as for academic credit if you need supporting documentation from a US based faculty physician.
21)
Where can I obtain donated Medical Supplies to carry to the host country?
PLEASE NOTE THAT AS OF OCTOBER 2008, WE NO LONGER SEND A BOX OF DONATED MEDICAL SUPPLIES TO INDIVIDUAL CFHI PROGRAM PARTICIPANTS. However, we would like to urge you to collect basic supplies such as gloves, dressings, gauze & alcohol pads, medical tape, bandaids, masks and syringes on your own to carry with you to your program site, as a way of establishing goodwill with your host community.
Please contact the CFHI office at students@cfhi.org for more information about what types of supplies are useful, and ideas about where to solicit donations. It is important that all items are NOT expired.
In past years, CFHI sent over medical supply boxes to over 500 participants a year to our partner sites. So, to you, your box may look small, but it all adds up, and does make a huge impact.
22)
What about Customs Clearance for Medical Supply donations once I arrive in my host country?
You will not have any problems taking medical supplies out of the country. Please make sure to put all supplies in your checked luggage.
The Inventory Sheet is to be handed over to the local preceptor during first-day orientation. Please show the customs officials the letter only if you are searched or questioned as to why you are carrying the supplies. Due to possible delays and we strongly suggest that you re-pack the medical supplies into your own luggage before departing. If problems arise at customs and officials are asking you for payments or bribes to carry the supplies into the country, we ask that you leave the supplies at the airport so you may pass.
23)
Who do we approach if we have complaints or problems with the program?
If for some reason you have any problems with the program, please contact your local coordinator to try and resolve them. You can also speak to your medical director regarding clinical placements and issues. If for some reason you feel the need to contact us, please do so via e-mail. If you have questions about any financial aspects of the program, please direct them to CFHI in San Francisco. If you have an emergency situation and you need to contact CFHI USA representatives after business hours, you may use the emergency contact phone number you have on your important numbers contact card. Please note that collect calls made to the CFHI office will not be accepted unless in case of medical, legal or other emergency. All formal complaints and withdrawal notices must be made in writing via e-mail or post to the CFHI office.
24)
What types of accommodation are available while in the programs?
Accommodation varies from program to program. Please visit the program pages for details about accommodation. Many of the programs use homestay families to house participants individually or on a shared basis. The homestay feature allows for an unforgettable cultural immersion experience, and for many participants is one highlight of the program. Other types of accommodation include: small hotels, hostels, guesthouses, and dorm style accommodations. It is very important to note that all accommodation is provided for the program dates only. If you would like to stay longer with your host family, you must let the local coordinator know this at the beginning of the program, and you will be required to pay for those additional days to the local coordinator. Remember that there are new participants arriving on the last day of your program and everyone needs a place to stay!
25)
Can I change my host family if I am not happy?
If for some reason you are unhappy with your family please talk to your local coordinator at your site. Please make sure to always discuss problems with your family, and it may be an issue of miscommunication. If things cannot be resolved on your own or with the help of the coordinator, you may switch families within the program.
26)
Shoud I take gifts for my host family?
Yes, participants are encouraged to take small token gifts for the family they will be staying with. These can be chocolates; a book of photographs from your home area; or your local sports teams t-shirts or caps. Even household items that people may not buy for themselves, such as towels, are highly appreciated. Be creative!
27)
Will I have email access while in the program?
In most programs you will be shown where internet cafés are located where you may use email and international phone lines. Email access is very affordable, and the international calls from these places, also are very reasonable. In some programs, you will be able to use computers in your coordinator’s offices. Please ask once you arrive.
28)
When do I get the information about my homestay family?
If you are participating in a program that has homestay family accommodation for the entire 4 weeks, you will receive it from the local coordinators via email approximately 2 weeks prior to your program start date.
29)
Can I use the phone at my homestay family’s house?
CFHI strongly encourages participants to use public phones whenever necessary. In most countries, you may purchase affordable phone cards that provide a limited number of minutes of phone time.
30)
When do I fly in?
Please arrange your international flight to arrive on your program start date. All dates listed on this website are Program Start Dates. The program runs from Saturday through Saturday for 4 weeks. At many program sites, there will be a mandatory Orientation with your program group and medical director on Sunday. For Example, if the program start date is May 1st, please plan to arrive on May 1st. Participants may also arrive early to travel independently before the start of the program. Please let us know if this is the case, so we can arrange for you to meet up with your local coordinators.
31)
When do I fly out?
Each program lasts 4 weeks. The program arrival date is a Saturday, and the finishing date is 4 weeks following on a Saturday. For example, if your program date starts on April 3rd, your ending date is May 1st. You may leave on this Saturday, as you will not be working on that day, but WILL be working on the day before, a Friday. Participants may also stay and travel independently if they wish.
32)
Where do I fly in?
If your program is in Ecuador, please fly into Quito.
If your program is in Bolivia, fly into La Paz.
If you are in the Introduction to Traditional Medicine Program or the Rural Himalayan Rotation Program in India, please fly into New Delhi.
If you are in the Infectious Disease program in Mumbai, please fly into Mumbai (Bombay), India.
If you are in the Clinical Rotation in Oaxaca, fly into Oaxaca City, Mexico.
If you are in the Tropical Medicine on the Coast of Mexico, fly into Puerto Escondido.
If you are in the Healthcare Challenges in South Africa program, please fly into Cape Town.
If you are in the HIV/AIDS & Healthcare in South Africa program, please fly into Durban.
33)
Where can I get cheap flights?
Although we realize you are a student, and in all likelihood on a tight budget, we recommend you make sure you buy flight tickets that give you the flexibility to re-arrange your travel plans at a later date. International travel, especially travel to developing countries, can be affected by many issues out of CFHI's control - sickness, natural disasters, political circumstances, etc. It is much better to pay a little extra to have some flexibility and refund ability with your ticket, than to be stuck at the last minute if the situation abroad or at home leaves you unable to travel with CFHI. While situations like these are rare, we want you to be as protected as possible from financial impacts that could result otherwise.
To get a cheap flight, you must try and call as many travel agents as possible. CFHI has preferred travel agents that we will share with you after you are enrolled. Their contact information is included in your handbook that you will receive after you have paid your program deposit, and available after your acceptance in the online resource area. In our experience, international fares are very high if you call the airline directly or if you search on the web. Call you local travel agents and try and shop around as much as possible. Another good place to look is the travel section of your local newspaper for current deals by consolidators.
34)
What time should I arrive?
Most international flights arrive late at night into Quito, and New Delhi. Someone will come and pick you up at the airport whatever the time of arrival. Since many of our participants arrive after 11:00 at night, our coordinators and homestay families are very used to picking up at late hours.
35)
Will I be picked up at the airport?
Yes, you will be picked up at the airport by the local coordinator and taken to your homestay family or other accommodations (depending on the program). In some programs, your homestay family will pick you up from the airport. Once you are at home and settled, the coordinators will contact you to let you know when and where you will be meeting to receive your orientation and hospital schedules.
36)
Do I need to get a visa?
More detailed information on this is in your country handbook that you will receive after we have received your deposit payment. For non-US passport holders, please check with the consulate of your country of residence for more information regarding travel to the country of destination. However, be aware that US Citizens must have a valid visa for India. Participants need to apply for a Tourist visa for India. A sample visa application form is provided in your country handbook.
37)
What vaccinations do I need?
Detailed information on vaccinations will be available in your country handbook. This handbook is mailed to you after you have paid your deposit. You may also consult the CDC at www.cdc.gov/travel.
38)
What should I pack?
A sample suitcase is included in your program guide that you will receive once we have received your final payment. Refer to this list when you are packing for your trip. You may also want to purchase a Lonely Planet guide or other travel guide for more information about climate and weather during the months that you will be in the host country.
39)
What kind of insurance do I need?
CFHI provides international health and emergency medical evacuation insurance as a part of the program. The coverage is valid for six months from the start of the program. You will receive more information about this in your country handbook after you have paid your deposit, and via email once the policy is enacted.
40)
Are the program locations safe? What precautions are taken to ensure my safety?
CFHI takes safety matters very seriously. All of our program sites are well prepared for any emergency situations and emergency plans are in place for natural disasters and international crises. We do not operate programs in countries where there are active travel warnings by the US State Department or in areas deemed dangerous by the US State Dept.
Personal safety is controlled as much as possible at each program site. Participants are placed in host families that have hosted others in the past, and all have been properly screened by the local coordinating agency (i.e. language school or organization). When in public places, please be aware of your surroundings at all times, and travel in pairs or groups whenever possible. Be vigilant about your surroundings and your awareness at all times. We advise that you do not drink alcohol excessively, and to never go out at night alone. Listen to your local coordinators at all times. They know the safety issues best in their own communities. Other site-specific safety tips are located in your program guide that you will receive after you pay your final payment.
41)
Why don't I set it up myself?
The CFHI programs are designed to give participants the most fulfilling possible experience. It is common that participants cannot afford to take more than 4 weeks as part of an elective, and we make it possible to use that relatively brief time fully. You would not be able to create the same experience in such a short period of time. Equally as important, CFHI provides a mutually beneficial partnership that honors the physicians and clinics with whom you work. We are a non-profit organization that aims to empower our partners and offer unforgettable experience to our participants.
While some people may have personal or professional contacts in another country, most do not. Without some form of preceptor or coordinator it is usually difficult to become involved in the health care areas of these countries in any meaningful way. Through the network of hospitals, clinics and academic institutions with which we work, we provide the participants with a broad and comprehensive view of these international health care settings.
Orientation issues such as language barriers and unfamiliarity with the structure and function of the health care system are dealt with gradually while the participants have already begun working.
In addition, the people who participate in CFHI programs have other participants with whom they can network. For many, being able to share experiences and talk about the differences in medicine abroad vs. at home is one of the most valuable parts of the experience.
42)
What free time will I have on the program?
Evenings and weekends are free. Participants will be free to make travel plans on the weekends. CFHI does not make travel arrangements for you. However, our local coordinators can help you with any information or contacts you may need.
In today’s world we often see the uneven distribution of healthcare that leaves many impoverished communities underserved. Economic, political, and social factors all contribute to people’s access to healthcare, both internationally and at home. Increasingly, we need culturally and linguistically competent healthcare providers around the world to address these inequities.
2. How do we address the problem?
Child Family Health International’s (CFHI) Global Health Service-Learning Programs combine instruction, experience, service, and reflection to create a model that supports physicians and clinical sites abroad, addresses the healthcare needs of the underserved, and adds an unforgettable experiential element to each program participant’s education.
CFHI programs bring service-learning to hospitals and clinics around the world, allowing participants to gain insight on the contextual constructs of illness and healing in foreign settings. Program Alumni return from the host country with new perspectives on healthcare systems and delivery in places where resources and supplies are extremely limited. To read further on the potential benefits of international experiences for health students, we recommend the paper “The Effect of a Global Multiculturalism Track on Cultural Competence of Preclinical Medical Students” by Godkin and Savageau (2001).
Since 1992, CFHI has arranged for nearly 4,000 pre-medical, medical and other students of the health professions, from over 400 top universities in the and the world, to work and study in Bolivia, Ecuador, India, Mexico, and South Africa
3. How does the community benefit?
While a student’s ability to practice medicine may be limited by clinical knowledge or language skills, the participant’s contribution to the community is not an illusion. For example, we provide each participant with a box of donated medical supplies to carry with them for distribution among partner facilities. In addition, our partner physicians at each program site are compensated for their willingness to mentor CFHI students. This supplementary income promotes job retention in countries where physicians are paid small salaries, often by financially strapped governments. Furthermore, the exchange of information between students and their preceptors provides an invaluable experience for participants, the patients, and the physicians.
4. How do participants help in the clinic?
Each of our program sites has many locally qualified and experienced healthcare providers, so the participant’s primary motivation for participation should not focus on a concept of humanitarian aid, in which one expects to provide medical care to people that would otherwise not receive it. The participant’s main objective should be to actively observe, according to current language abilities, level of training, and local laws, in order to develop a high level of community health awareness. While abroad, this happens in the social and cultural context of the program site. Child Family Health International (CFHI) would like to stress to prospective applicants and institutional partners, that service-learning is not an episodic volunteer experience, and our student programs are not designed to provide service to those who would otherwise not have healthcare.
5. What kind of educational experience is the CFHI global health elective?
CFHI's rotations are designed to offer you hands-on or observational clinical experience (depending on your clinical and language skills as well as local laws), much like what you would experience during a rotation in the . The program includes the following educational aspects:
Pre-trip orientation materials & web conference opportunities
Orientation upon arrival, including cultural adjustment exercises
Weekly meetings with Medical Director and Local Coordinator
Clinical rotations Monday-Friday, excepting holidays or work stoppages, working with a local physician who has opted to participate in CFHI as a teaching preceptor.
Information sessions that highlight the health care system in that country, common cases you will encounter and other site-specific information.
Post-trip debrief materials & other on-going alumni activities/services
If you are attending a program in a Spanish-speaking country, we recommend you study as much Spanish as possible before you go, as it will greatly decrease your personal frustration during the CFHI experience. Most activities listed above will be conducted in Spanish, except for the orientations and alumni services.
MD Consult and FIRST Consult bring the leading medical resources together into one integrated online service to help physicians efficiently find answers to clinical questions, make better treatment decisions, and stay abreast of recent developments. MD Consult has been adopted by over 90% of North American medical schools and by over 1,700 health care organizations in 46 countries worldwide. FIRST Consult offers an evidence-based resource for the Point of Care, peer-reviewed content and a differential diagnosis tool.
(Please view the FAQs on the right had panel for more information)
6. What are the objectives of the CFHI Service-Learning program?
CFHI’s International Health Service-Learning Programs help participants:
Develop a larger sense of cultural competency
Observe and develop existing clinical skills
Broaden public health knowledge
Develop creativity in problem-solving
Deepen their commitment to service
Promote medical supply conservation
Prospective participants may apply online. Our participants are 21 years of age and over, come from around the globe, and are dedicated to a diverse array of professions in health.
7. Where do your students come from (past participants' colleges/universities)?
CFHI has provided global health education programs to nearly 4,000 health science students since 1992. Our participants come from over 35 countries and 400+ of the most prestigious universities in the world, and represent a huge variety of the medical profession’s student population.
8. What role do domestic institutional partners (i.e. universities, collaboratives) play?
In addition to providing quality programs for individual students, CFHI is dedicated to building relationships with institutions of higher learning for relevant international programs. Creating and sustaining international programs is a long-term and labor-intensive process. Our international partnerships with physicians and clinic sites are established and reliable, and CFHI can offer the expertise needed to administer an international program to match institutional needs. Some of our current partnerships include:
Princeton University—Health Professions Advising Office and the Pace Center for Service-Learning: CFHI developed a domestic and international health service-learning program that combined 5 weeks of international work in Quito, Ecuador with 40 hours of service in Spanish-speaking health centers in urban New Jersey.
Oregon University System—IE3 Global Internship program: CFHI designed 11-week clinical internships in and that focus on cultural competency and valuable clinical experience within the structure of an internship. The internship promotes planning and goal-setting for students in the clinic setting.
College Corps—CFHI currently working with College Corps, a project started several years ago by Harvard University undergraduate students, to offer 8-week programs in Bolivia, Ecuador, India, Mexico or South Africa, for pre-med students.
University of California Davis—has teamed up with CFHI to offer a quarter-long study abroad program in Oaxaca, that highlights Latino/a Health Internship Program for undergraduate students. This course is certified by the university as a 20-unit course entitled "Bi-National Health".
If you are an administrator and would like to discuss partnership possibilities we would be excited to hear from you! Please contact Program Staff at CFHI at students@cfhi.org or by phone at (415) 957-9000 and ask for Nick or Amanda.
9. What is service-learning?
Child Family Health International (CFHI) would like to stress to prospective applicants and institutional partners, that service-learning is not an episodic volunteer experience, and our student programs are not designed to provide service to those who would otherwise not have healthcare.
Service-learning is a structured learning experience that combines community service with preparation and reflection. Students engaged in service-learning provide community service in response to community-identified concerns and learn about the context in which service is provided, the connection between their service and their academic coursework, and their roles as citizens.
Service-learning differs from traditional clinical education in the health professions in that:
Service-learning strives to achieve a balance between service and learning objectives - in service-learning, partners must negotiate the differences in their needs and expectations.
Service-learning places an emphasis on addressing community concerns and broad determinants of health .
In service-learning, there is the integral involvement of community partners - service-learning involves a principle-centered partnership between communities and health professions schools.
Service-learning emphasizes reciprocal learning - In service-learning, traditional definitions of "faculty," "teacher" and "learner" are intentionally blurred. We all learn from each other.
Service-learning emphasizes reflective practice - In service-learning, reflection facilitates the connection between practice and theory and fosters critical thinking.
Service-learning places an emphasis on developing citizenship skills and achieving social change- many factors influence health and quality of life. The provision of health services is not often the most important factor. In service-learning, students place their roles as health professionals and citizens in a larger societal context.
Citation: Seifer SD. (1998). Service-learning: Community-campus partnerships for health professions education. Academic Medicine, 73(3):273-277.
Local Team
Medical Director Dr. Sanjay Gandhi is the medical director of the "Introduction to Traditional Medicine" and the "Rural/Urban Himalayan Rotation" programs run by CFHI. He is responsible for arranging your clinical rotations and relevant lectures. He runs a private clinic by the name of "City Heart and Medical Centre". He is trained in emergency medical services and caters to all kinds of medical emergencies especially respiratory and cardiology. He is a committed physician who enjoys working with the students and the local community, and will do everything he can to make your program a meaningful learning experience.
Local Coordinator The local coordinator for the "Introduction to Traditional Medicine" and the "Rural/Urban Himalayan Rotation in India"programs is Mayank Vats. He will offer support services and has extensive experience handling overseas students from US, UK and Canada. Being on the ground he will offer expertise and perspective that is unmatched and is ever-present to deal with any eventuality and provide full support and guidance for the duration of your trip. India Coordinator CFHI's India Coordinator, Hema Pandey, coordinates activities for all CFHI programs in India. She has been instrumental in establishing CFHI's growing presence in India, developing new program sites and researching CFHI's growth potential in-country. With more than 10 years of experience in the health field, Hema has handled a wide range of projects for government and non-government organizations in India, including the Indian government's Year of Scientific Awareness (YSA) 2004, which highlighted needs and issues related to disaster preparedness, health & nutrition, and soil & water conservation.
A login and password is not required to navigate the CFHI website. Password
access is reserved for those who have been enrolled in a CFHI global health
education program or for CFHI Global Partners and Preceptors. To apply for
a global health education program, please click here.
