Prior to the program, I had never had the opportunity to travel alone and never really got to explore healthcare in other countries even though I always had interest in global/public health. Before CFHI, I didn’t know who to ask or where to go in order to find shadowing opportunities overseas that would allow me to learn about medicine and culture. I learned about CFHI at the UC Davis Pre-Health Conference during two lecture sessions about global health (one anecdotal and one from the program on ethics) and I knew immediately that this program was what I had been looking for.Dr. Jenny was even kind enough to exchange her contacts with me for a one on one zoom call where she talked to me and my friend for 2 hours about all our concerns post-COVID. The program even granted me the Community College Scholarship to help my family with the cost.I learned quickly the best way to reach the staff is by email pre-departure, though information on logistics could be more readily available, sooner released, or clearer. The application and training is very straightforward. The entire month in Puerto Escondido passed by too soon. I loved my clinic placements! The doctors, nurses, “chemicos,” and entomologist I met were all willing to teach and they are super sweet. I definitely find that you need to be willing to step out of your comfort zone, ask questions, and come in with an open mind. Anything I asked was answered in detail. Clinics themselves had a limited scope of practice focused on prevention, metabolic disease, and there was a lot of visits on women’s health, mostly prenatal care and family planning. Between the clinics and Spanish class, I learned how Mexico organized their medical care in the public sector, public programs, culture, and from many conversations with medical professionals and my professor, what is working and what needs to be done. The medical staff, including Dra. Isabela the Medical Director, even helped me learn in depth about violence against women in Mexico (an issue I want to address in the future as a doctor). When when things were slow, the doctors would explain the procedures we had done and taught us to take blood pressure (of course only taking hers and a fellow CFHI student to practice).In terms of the homestay, I was blessed to be placed with a sweet older lady who cooked bomb foods, mixing it up with traditional stewed meats to steamed veggies and rice when my roommate had gotten sick. The host sister even invited us to her birthday, took me out my first few days, and everyone made sure we got our conversations in. This being said, the experience is what you make of it and what you put in, you get out. For me, it was everything I could ask for. CFHI Puerto Escondido solidified that my future belongs to public health and taught me what I wanted from life.
Child Family Health International (CFHI) is a global health education nonprofit that partners with local communities and health systems in underserved regions to provide transformative clinical and public health experiences for aspiring health professionals. With a strong emphasis on ethical engagement, cultural humility, and sustainable development, CFHI offers immersive programs that expose participants to real-world healthcare challenges while supporting local providers and promoting global health equity. The CanSupport–Cancer program in New Delhi, India, is one such offering—focusing on palliative and cancer care in a resource-constrained setting. It offers students firsthand experience in home-based care, multidisciplinary teamwork, and the social determinants of health affecting vulnerable populations.
As a Medical Observer through CFHI’s CanSupport–Cancer program, I had the privilege of working alongside physicians, nurses, and mental health professionals providing end-of-life care to patients in their homes and local daycare centers. We served individuals facing advanced-stage cancer, HIV/AIDS, muscular dystrophy, stroke, and other serious conditions. I witnessed the importance of dignity, emotional support, and cultural sensitivity in palliative care, and developed a deeper understanding of pain management, family dynamics, and ethical decision-making. This experience not only strengthened my clinical observational skills but also taught me how to provide holistic, patient-centered support during life’s most vulnerable moments.
In addition to community-based care, I completed a one-month clinical observership at Apollo Hospitals in New Delhi, one of India’s leading private healthcare institutions. Under neurologists Dr. P.N. Renjen and Dr. Avinash, I observed diagnosis and treatment approaches for strokes, seizures, Parkinson’s disease, and Alzheimer’s, gaining familiarity with neurological exams, neuroimaging, and acute care. I also rotated in pediatric cardiology with Dr. Reetesh Gupta, where I observed echocardiograms, EKG interpretation, and pediatric cardiac surgeries. These combined experiences gave me a holistic view of both public and private healthcare delivery in India and deepened my passion for compassionate, interdisciplinary, and culturally competent medical care.
Participating in CFHI’s Pillars of Global Health Course was a truly enriching and eye-opening experience. Despite being virtual, the course was thoughtfully designed to foster deep engagement with global health themes, including health equity, social determinants of health, and culturally responsive care.
The structure of the program allowed for a dynamic mix of recorded videos, interactive quizzes and research papers, all led by experienced global health professionals and community-based experts.
The program promoted critical thinking, self-reflection, and cultural humility — all essential competencies for anyone pursuing a career in global or public health. The flexibility of the online format made it accessible and manageable alongside academic or clinical commitments, without sacrificing depth or quality.
I would highly recommend this program to any student or health professional looking to grow their global health knowledge in an ethical, accessible, and academically rigorous way.
Spending a month in New Delhi through CFHI’s Global Health Program was truly one of the most transformative experiences of my medical and public health journey. The program offered a rare blend of clinical exposure, public health education, and cultural immersion allowing me to grow both professionally and personally.
Through rotations with major hospitals and nonprofit organizations, I saw firsthand how healthcare is delivered in resource-limited settings with innovation, empathy, and deep community involvement. I was especially moved by the home-based palliative care model, where patients and families are cared for with dignity and compassion. I also engaged with programs addressing infectious diseases, substance use, and sanitation gaining a more nuanced understanding of social determinants of health and systems-level interventions.
Equally impactful were the cultural experiences that gave me insight into the rich history and diversity of India. In Delhi, I explored landmarks like Humayun’s Tomb, Qutub Minar, and the Lotus and Akshardham Temples. On weekends, I traveled to Jaipur to see the Amber Fort and Hawa Mahal, visited the majestic Taj Mahal in Agra, experienced spiritual serenity at the Golden Temple in Amritsar, and found peace in Rishikesh with yoga and a traditional aarti ceremony on the Ganges River.
This program helped me become a more reflective, culturally sensitive future physician. It challenged me to think beyond clinical care and consider how public health, community context, and culture intersect in healing. I highly recommend CFHI to anyone passionate about global health, equity, and personal growth. The lessons and memories from India will stay with me for a lifetime.
I’ve had the opportunity to travel abroad throughout my life, but my time with CHFI on a global health trip to Tarija, Bolivia stands out as one of the most rewarding experiences as a pediatric resident in training.
After arriving, I was warmly welcomed by the medical director and local coordinator, who provided a comprehensive orientation. My host family was also incredibly kind and hospitable. My host mother went above and beyond to ensure my comfort, even accommodating my dietary restrictions throughout my stay.
Once I began working in the hospital, I met weekly with the medical director, who connected me with local specialists in my areas of interest including pediatrics, pulmonology, and infectious disease. During my first week, I focused on the pediatric floor, where I had the unique opportunity of working with residents in the same field and year of training. Together, it was interesting to compare similarities and differences in our medical practices. In the following weeks, I worked one-on-one with a pulmonologist, learning about infectious diseases and teaching medical students how to read chest films that we taped up to windows each day.
In addition to my medical rotation, I attended Spanish classes every afternoon which were unlike any I’d taken before. These lessons combined classroom instruction with cultural immersion, as we visited local museums, cafés, and shops to practice Spanish in real-world settings. Despite having studied Spanish for seven years, I learned more during these lessons than ever before and even hope to continue them virtually.
During my time in the hospital, I encountered medical conditions I had previously studied in school but had not seen during residency. It was a valuable opportunity to observe how these conditions are managed in a different healthcare setting. At the end of my rotation, I delivered a presentation on respiratory diseases in Bolivia, which served as a meaningful culmination of my experience. This opportunity allowed me to deepen my understanding of respiratory disease management within a different cultural context while fully immersing myself in Bolivian culture.
My time in Tarija was an enriching experience that I will always treasure. My host family was truly amazing—and even after the trip, they continue to feel like a second family. I am also deeply grateful to the medical director and program coordinator, who thoughtfully tailored my clinical experience to align with my passions. I will always have close friends and lasting connections in Tarija, and I’m incredibly thankful to CHFI for making it all possible.
I recently completed the Global Health in the Philippines program offered by Child Family Health International (CFHI), and it was an incredible experience.
Our first week was spent in Manila, where we explored the historical and cultural factors that continue to shape the country’s healthcare system. Dr. Katrina Narcida, our local coordinator, was an engaging and supportive guide who not only answered our questions but also immersed us in Filipino culture. We visited both publicly and privately funded health centers, as well as local markets offering traditional remedies—giving us insight into the wide range of healthcare practices in the Philippines.
In the second week, we traveled to Tingloy, a remote island in the Batangas province. Life on the island is quiet and community-centered, with no major roads or cars and only one physician serving the entire population. We worked closely with the Rural Health Unit and observed how healthcare is delivered in this unique setting. One standout experience was witnessing the monthly immunization program, where nurses travel by motorcycle to different Barangays (villages) to administer vaccines to children. Community health workers in each Barangay played an essential role in assisting the nurses, highlighting how healthcare in the Philippines is truly a community-based effort. After each round of vaccinations, the grateful communities welcomed us with delicious home-cooked meals—a touching display of hospitality that reflects the warmth and generosity so deeply rooted in Filipino culture.
Whether you're a medical student like me or simply someone interested in global health, I highly recommend this program. It offers not only knowledge, but also the confidence and cultural insight needed to navigate and appreciate healthcare systems around the world. Immersing myself in Filipino culture—where community, compassion, and resilience are deeply woven into everyday life—was an experience that will stay with me both personally and professionally.
This unforgettable opportunity was made possible through the support of the Friends of the Philippines Scholarship, for which I am incredibly grateful. Their generosity allowed me to learn firsthand from the communities and healthcare professionals in the Philippines, and I will carry these lessons with me throughout my global health journey.
My experience in Durban, South Africa with CFHI’s Global Health Program was truly transformative. I gained hands-on exposure to HIV/AIDS, tuberculosis, and non-communicable diseases, working alongside dedicated local physicians in resource-limited settings. The local team’s passion and willingness to teach made this experience both educational and deeply impactful.
Beyond clinical work, I had the opportunity to immerse myself in South African culture and explore its incredible history. From hiking Table Mountain in Cape Town, visiting Nelson Mandela’s historic sites, and spotting rockhopper penguins, to trying Durban’s famous Bunny Chow, every moment was unforgettable.
This experience strengthened my passion for global health, patient advocacy, and health equity. I highly recommend this program to anyone seeking to broaden their medical and cultural understanding while making a meaningful impact.
My Training in Puyo, Ecuador:
When I arrived in Ecuador, I was welcomed with warmth and hospitality. My host family made me feel at home, introducing me to local traditions, delicious food, and the fascinating world of vector control. Mornings began with fresh fruit and eggs, followed by hands-on learning about malaria and dengue prevention, including local remedies like Palo Santo and vitamin B for mosquito deterrence.
Most of my time in Ecuador was in Puyo. Here, life moved at a slower pace with mornings marked by the sound of chickens and steady jungle rain. I worked with the Vector Control team, gaining firsthand knowledge of mosquito species, insecticides, and field techniques. Visiting communities with standing water and high mosquito activity was eye-opening, showing me the direct impact of public health efforts. The generosity of the locals was striking; I was welcomed into homes, offered food, and even had the chance to taste fresh guaba straight from the tree.
One of the most fascinating parts of my journey was discovering Ecuador’s rich natural medicine. At an ethnobotanical park, I learned about plants used for everything from wound healing to pain relief. A unique (and unexpected) experience was trying a traditional remedy for back pain: Ortiga. These stinging nettles were surprisingly effective.
At a local hospital, I observed a wide range of medical cases, from parasitic infections to chronic illnesses. My supervising physician was excellent—he took his time, listened deeply, and connected with patients on a level that went beyond medicine. His ability to integrate cultural and spiritual aspects into care left a lasting impression and reinforced my own passion for patient-centered medicine.
Another highlight was spending time in a remote Kichwa community. With no WiFi or modern distractions, life revolved around nature, family, and tradition. The children were eager to learn, and teaching them English became one of the most rewarding parts of my journey. I fully embraced the experience—bathing in the river, fishing with a machete, painting my face with natural dyes, and learning about traditional healing methods. Meals were fresh and simple, made from ingredients grown right in the backyard.
In my final days, I worked at a rural clinic and helped conduct medical visits in an isolated Shuar village. It was a humbling experience, reinforcing the importance of accessible healthcare in underserved areas. This journey wasn’t just about medical training—it was about cultural immersion, learning a new language, personal growth, and human connection. For anyone seeking an authentic and transformative experience, I can’t recommend this opportunity enough!
Spending a month in Oaxaca was more than just a medical experience—it was an immersion into a healthcare system deeply intertwined with culture, resourcefulness, and community. Shadowing physicians in clinics and hospitals, I saw firsthand how providers balanced modern medicine with traditional healing, where resources were scarce but compassion was abundant. I witnessed systemic health challenges firsthand—patients traveling hours for medical attention, hospitals working with limited supplies, and families playing a crucial role in their loved ones’ care. This experience taught me that medicine is not just about treating illness but about understanding the patient’s beliefs, environment, and access to care. Outside of the clinical setting, Oaxaca’s rich culture embraced me—dancing in the streets during festivals, tasting mole in a bustling mercado, and connecting with local healthcare teams who welcomed me as one of their own. This experience reinforced that medicine is universal, but healing is deeply personal, shaped by history, tradition, and human connection.
Wow! Before embarking on my CFHI trip to Cape Town, South Africa, I truly didn’t know what to expect. Looking back, I can confidently say that it was one of the most incredible experiences of my life! From the clinical learning at Red Cross War Memorial Children’s Hospital to the warm hospitality of my homestay family, the breathtaking beauty of Cape Town, and the support of the CFHI team—every aspect of the trip exceeded my expectations.
One of the highlights was staying with a local host family. The families who opened their homes to us were incredibly kind, welcoming, and accommodating. They made us feel at home from day one, offering not only a place to stay but also cultural insights, home-cooked meals, and a sense of community. It was an amazing way to truly immerse ourselves in the local way of life.
The CFHI coordinators were phenomenal. Whether it was helping us navigate transportation, answering our questions, or ensuring we had everything we needed, they were always available and ready to assist. Their dedication made the experience seamless and stress-free.
The hospital experience was equally eye-opening. Being part of the pediatric surgery team at Red Cross War Memorial Children’s Hospital gave me an invaluable perspective on how medicine is practiced in a resource-limited setting. I witnessed diseases and conditions I had only read about in textbooks and saw firsthand how doctors rely heavily on clinical skills and creativity to provide care when diagnostic resources are limited. The physicians and healthcare workers were not only skilled but also incredibly compassionate and dedicated, which was truly inspiring.
And then there’s Cape Town itself—absolutely breathtaking! It felt like something out of a dream. From the stunning coastline and rugged mountains to the unreal sunsets and rich cultural history, every moment spent exploring the city was unforgettable. Whether hiking up Table Mountain, visiting the Cape of Good Hope, or simply taking in the ocean views, there was always something incredible to see and do.
I wholeheartedly recommend CFHI to anyone considering an international medical rotation. More importantly, I cannot recommend the Cape Town program enough! It was a life-changing experience that deepened my appreciation for global health, expanded my clinical knowledge, and left me with memories that I will cherish forever.
My experience with the CFHI Ghana Virtual Internship was truly enriching and eye-opening. Although the internship was virtual, I had the unique opportunity to connect with local healthcare professionals in Ghana, learning about their healthcare system, challenges, and innovative approaches to public health. Through virtual interactions and case studies, I gained insights into how healthcare is delivered in resource-limited settings and the importance of community-based health initiatives.
The CFHI team provided outstanding support, ensuring I felt connected and engaged throughout the program. The opportunity to collaborate with peers from around the world, as well as the Ghanaian team, was one of the highlights of the experience. I also appreciated the cultural sessions that allowed me to better understand Ghana’s traditions, cuisine, and history—making the virtual experience feel more immersive.
This internship has deepened my understanding of global health and sparked a passion for addressing healthcare disparities worldwide. I highly recommend this program to anyone looking to expand their knowledge of international public health while working within a cross-cultural context.
Going into the program, I was unsure what to expect, but I'm glad I was able to experience it! I learned about Bolivia's healthcare systems and improved my skills in Spanish. I realized that Bolivia has a healthcare structure that we in the U.S. should envy. I thought that I was pretty well educated and held little bias, but by learning more about Bolivia, I began to recognize all the ingrained biases that stemmed from the United States media. I'm grateful for the chance to learn medical Spanish, as it will open so many doors. Dr. Uribe, who was the main professor, was the loveliest person and even invited me to come see her hospital in Bolivia. I would love to participate in more programs like this whether they are Virtual or In-Person. Truly, it was a worthwhile experience!
Several years ago, I spent two years living in a rural village in the Dominican Republic as a Peace Corps Volunteer. Immersed in a different culture, language, and way of life vastly different from my privileged upbringing, I experienced immense personal growth and gained a perspective that informed my path in public health and medicine. Now in my 4th year of medical school, I had the opportunity to spend a month living in Tarija, Bolivia through Child Family Health International. Here I was rotating in clinics and hospitals, improving my Spanish language skills, and immersing once again in a vibrant culture and community. While these two experiences were different in many ways, what ultimately remains etched into my mind and my heart remains the same - the people I met and the relationships I built.
I lived in a 3 generation household consisting of my host mom, her son (host brother) , and her 6-year-old grandson. My host mom does it all. She works as a dentist, is the chef of the household (cooking not only for her family but also for her fiance and his daughter), attends to her plants, and keeps everything in order. The more time I spent with her, discussing everything from the weather to cooking to U.S. and Bolivian politics, the more it felt like a genuine friendship, similar to that which I have with my own mom. In addition, we realized that we both have a second stomach for sweets, which came in handy when we went to dinner and could back each other up on wanting to order dessert. It also made teaching her how to bake tres leches (my host brother’s favorite cake) a no-brainer. It lasted less than 2 days!
My host mom created the sturdy, comfortable envrionment that made me feel like I had a home away from home. She had a genuine curiosity to get to know me as well as teach me about the aspects of her life and Bolivian culture that she loves and appreciates. It was her delicious, traditional meals that kept me energized during my month there (well that and the coffee I enjoyed multiple times a day). Some of my favorite memories in Tarija were the times we spent in the kitchen/dining room, preparing food, eating together, or talking over tea and snacks. The previous student was right when she said that our host “is the best host mother!”
Then there was my host brother, who is around my age. When he’s not taking care of his son, working as a dentist, or taking online courses to become a professor, he runs with a local running club. During the first two weeks as I was preparing my residency application, we’d sit together at the living room table after dinner, doing our respective work. The companionship during this somewhat stressful time was unexpected and quite calming. More unexpected, however, was when he invited me to sing-up for a 5k race that he and his running club were participating in. I ran cross-coutry and track in college (over 10 years ago), and it had been a hot minute since I participated in any competition. But as soon as we arrived in the early morning, doing warm-up experciese together, I had the familiar nervous excitement that always comes with racing competitions. After the race was over (I came second in my age group with the prize of a botte of wine made in Tarija!), we joined the rest of the running club members for a celebratory brunch. The following week we ran in another, more low-key 5k, and afterward I chatted with some of the same running club members as the week prior. They tried unsuccessfuly to get me to join the triathlon the following week. Though brief, I felt I was part of this energetic and supportive community.
The day before leaving Tarija, my host brother brother messaged me: “You’re not leaving yet, and I’m already missing you (tearful face emoji).” This sentiment alone describes what I find most valuable about my experience: the ability to connect with people, to compartir (share) parts of your lives, even if briefly, in a way that leaves a positive mark.
I had the opportunity of participating in the CFHI Virtual Program for Ghana. Through this program, I gained much insight and exposure to what Ghana's healthcare system is like, as well as the societal, political, economic, and cultural factors that contribute to their identity as a country today. The nuances and intersections in much categories was insightful to learn about as well as their rich culture. I learned so much through the activities, modules, and discussions we had in groups with the program director. Overall, I learned to apply many skills and came out with so much learned about Ghana, its identity as a country, its people, and more. I was able to gain a better perspective and understanding of important health issues prevalent in many countries such as the AIDS/HIV epidemic along with numerous communicable and non-communicable diseases.
I had the best experience with CFHI in Quito, Ecuador. I received a scholarship to participate in this as a two week global health elective as a fourth year medical student. Without this scholarship I would not have been able to have this opportunity, so for that I am incredibly grateful.
I was provided information about CFHI and Ecuador prior to departure through modules and an orientation. I was paired with an alumni who I was able to chat with and she gave me the best advice from the student perspective. We ended up having very similar experiences. I visited my doctor a month prior to leaving on my trip so that I could be sure that I was up to date on my vaccines and recommended travel meds, which served me well since I didn't get sick while abroad!
CFHI did a great job communicating with me about my host mom and transportation to and from the airport. I really appreciated that someone was able to pick me up and drop me off at the airport, since taxis in Quito can sometimes take advantage of tourists. On my first day, my host mom walked me on the route to the school, which was also the way to get to the mall, the park and many of the restaurants in Quito. I always felt safe walking around the city, and it was fun living within walking distance of everything I could need! My host mom prepared breakfast and dinner, but I was able to choose my own meals out for lunch. I lived with one other student in my program and we became friends over the two weeks. We each had our own room and shared a bathroom in our home. It was nice to have a partner to do everything with!
I always had a driver who would take us to our hospital rotations. Some days after rotations and lunch, I would also have Spanish lessons for about two hours in the afternoons. My Spanish level was assessed on my first day in Quito so that I could work with an instructor at my level. Since I was only there for two weeks, I feel like I missed out on learning more Spanish at school. Most of my Spanish speaking practice was conversational in the hospitals, at home and around the city.
I enjoyed having hospital rotations at both the private and public hospitals in Quito. The private hospital was very slow since they had lower patient volumes, but the doctors and residents were super friendly and eager to teach and include us in rounds. It felt similar to my clinical rotations in medical school, except we didn't write notes or formally present patients. Most of my energy was spent trying to learn medicine in Spanish! The public hospital was a lot busier with more patients to see; however, didactic teaching time was non existent. I did get to perform physical exams and recheck blood pressures on patients in the family medicine clinic. Overall, as a fourth year medical student I feel like I was performing below my usual level of stimulation which was ok because I wanted to practice speaking more than medicine. In addition to rotations, we learned about Ecuador and the health system in lecture once a week with the doctor in charge of the program.
Ecuador is a beautiful country with incredibly warm and friendly people. I visited Cotopaxi, Banos, the equator line and the TeleferiQo in Quito in my free time. I enjoyed running at the park or going for walks in the neighborhood after school. The food was tasty, the fruits were fresh and the coffee was incredible. I loved learning about the traditional medicine culture and visiting the various markets around town. This experience was unforgettable and worth it! I think the medical rotations themselves are better suited for college or early med school students, however I did take notes and compare medical decision making by providers in Ecuador vs. the US.
My time with CFHI in New Delhi was truly transformative, both personally and professionally. From the moment I arrived, I was welcomed into a supportive and enriching environment that allowed me to grow and learn in ways I had never imagined.
The CFHI program provided an exceptional range of clinical experiences. I had the chance to observe and participate in various medical practices, which enriched my understanding of healthcare delivery in a resource-constrained setting. The hands-on experience, coupled with insightful lectures, deepened my knowledge and skills.
The mentors and healthcare professionals involved in the program were outstanding. Their dedication to teaching and their willingness to share their expertise created a nurturing learning environment. They were always available to answer questions and provide guidance, which made the experience even more valuable.
CFHI’s program in New Delhi offered a profound cultural experience. Living in such a vibrant city allowed me to immerse myself in Indian culture, traditions, and daily life. This aspect of the program was incredibly enriching and helped me develop a broader perspective on global health issues.
The program is designed with a strong emphasis on community health. I appreciated how CFHI integrates community service into the experience, providing meaningful opportunities to engage with and contribute to local communities. This aspect of the program was particularly rewarding and highlighted the importance of giving back.
The CFHI team was exceptionally well-organized and supportive throughout my stay. From pre-departure preparations to on-the-ground support, everything was handled with professionalism and care. Any concerns or issues were addressed promptly, ensuring a smooth and enjoyable experience.
Participating in the CFHI program in New Delhi was an incredibly enriching experience that I will cherish for years to come. It provided me with invaluable clinical exposure, cultural insights, and personal growth opportunities. I highly recommend this program to anyone interested in gaining hands-on healthcare experience while making a meaningful impact in a global context.
In my quest of exploring and learning more about cultural competency, I wanted to expand cultural humility myself through cultural exchange and global health. I was so lucky to participate in the CFHI Durban program through the Thomas Hall Scholarship. There was so much to learn and physicians were so kind, open, and knowledgeable in explaining the pathologies to us students in ways that make it easy to understand. In times of patient stability, specialists and medical interns alike got to know us too, and we discussed differences in training in the US versus South Africa. Furthermore, there were so many different languages and cultures in South Africa, and being part of a homestay family helped immerse me in the predominant Zulu culture of Durban. Beyond clinicals, it was amazing to see historical events still intertwined with the election that was occurring while we were there. There was so much beauty in the nature and rich culture of South Africa, and these memories, experiences, and connections will always be a part of me.
I am an undergraduate student from the United States studying Health Sciences with a minor in Spanish. I chose CFHI's Global Health in Argentina because it perfectly encompasses my interests in language and healthcare studies. I had a wonderful experience and I would highly recommend this program! I spent days shadowing at the local hospital, practicing Spanish, and learning about the local culture. It was truly a one of a kind experience where I was fully immersed in the beautiful culture and learned about the world on a global scale.
The hospital shadowing experience was very well-rounded as I was able to observe pediatrics in dermatology, rehabilitation, mental health, emergency, and surgery. Everyone at the hospital was very welcoming and made it a great learning environment for me as an observer. I got to learn and understand the Argentinian healthcare system first hand and absorb all that I could learn from those experiences. Throughout my two weeks in Argentina, I was constantly challenged in my communication skills as I practiced the Spanish language. The patience of my host family and those in the hospital went a long way.
Living with a local host family was another major part of the experience and something that is now very special to me. My host family was extremely welcoming and taught me a lot about Argentina through their perspective. As soon as I arrived, I was connected with the local coordinators and the other CFHI students. I appreciate CFHI because I felt supported every step of the way and the coordinators made sure that all aspects of the program were well organized.
This experience has shaped me as a student, professional, and individual. I built so many long-lasting relationships and Córdoba, Argentina will now hold a special place in my heart forever.
I participated in Child Family Health International's program in Kabale, Uganda hosted by the Kigezi Healthcare Foundation. I spent an incredible month learning about Uganda's healthcare system, social determinants of health and KIHEFO's innovative solutions to public health issues across the region. From pre-departure training to returning home, I felt supported by CFHI every step of the way. I was impressed by CFHI’s dedication to global health ethics and would highly recommend CFHI to anyone seeking an immersive experience abroad.
In March 2024, the Child Family Health International (CFHI) deemed me the HBCU Leader in Global Health, providing me the opportunity to be a clinical shadow in the Pediatric Division of the Red Cross War Memorial Children’s Hospital of Cape Town, South Africa. Upon my initial arrival, I was welcomed by program leaders, Avril and Marion, at the airport. Following warm hugs, light-hearted conversations, and a short drive, I then met Auntie Carmen, my homestay mother. She is a Christian woman who loves conversing, laughing, and cooking, but she is also lovingly protective, reminding me of all the attributes my real mother possesses. It did not take long before I felt at home with her, and her daughter, Caleigh, a studious University of Cape Town (UCT) sophomore studying Genetics.
The day after my arrival, Avril, Marion, and I had orientation while eating breakfast over a beautiful view of the V&A Waterfront. They informed me of the program expectations, safety measures, and support services, if needed. More interestingly, I learned about the long-standing work partnership between Avril and Marion that turned into a lifelong friendship. Truthfully, I was elated, as their kind and warm spirits provided the reassurance that I needed to know this would be a pleasant experience. They, along with Auntie Carmen, truly set the tone for what was to be a harmonious time in South Africa.
Monday, March 4th, was when the real immersion began. Mr. T, owner of Tyrin’s Tours, arrived at my homestay with Avril and a local guide to begin my city tour. To start, we went to UCT to obtain my official identification that I needed during my clinical placement and to access university resources. Following this, we visited the Cape Town Tourism Office, Company’s Garden and the District Six Museum, to name a few. Toward the end of the tour, I had lunch in Bo-Kaap at a family-owned restaurant, Faeeza’s Home Kitchen. Surprisingly, we ran into a CFHI alumna from the February cohort who shared her plans to stay in Cape Town for an additional week. She appreciated the beauty of the city and wanted to explore more, which further increased my excitement about being there.
Tuesday, March 5th, was the first day of clinical rotations at the Red Cross War Memorial Children’s Hospital, and I was welcomed by Professor Sharon Cox, Head of the Pediatric Surgery Division. She introduced me to her diverse team of surgeons, notably with career-driven women in leadership roles. Despite being the only participant for the CFHI Cape Town March cohort, it provided more specialized learning and growth opportunities. My weekly schedule was meticulously structured. Each day began at 5:30 AM, and by 6:30 AM, I would leave home. Uncle Charles from Tyrin’s Tours would pick me up, always providing an energetic start to the morning filled with lots of laughter and great conversation. I arrived at the hospital by 7:15 AM, just in time to begin my duties at 7:30 AM. Mondays started with handovers, followed by sessions at the surgical and burn outpatient clinic at 1:00 PM, and concluded with time in the operating room. Tuesdays were packed with ward rounds, online oncology meetings, and clinic duties. Wednesdays focused on handovers and surgeries. Thursdays, while offering a quieter pace, provided the opportunity to observe surgeries for most of the day. On Fridays, I returned to the surgical and burn outpatient clinic. Additionally, throughout the week, I had the chance to attend lectures with Cape Town University medical students. These sessions covered a range of topics, including how to examine a child, different types of burns, neurodevelopmental disorders, and non-accidental injuries.
During my orientation on my first day, Professor Cox had expressed concerns about my lack of experience in the operating room. Many previous participants from the CFHI program were medical students who had already had such exposure. However, for me, this was a unique and invaluable opportunity. I reassured her by saying, "There's always a first time for everything," demonstrating my eagerness to embrace this crucial step.
On Thursday, March 7th, I had the privilege of observing a surgery for the first time, marking a pivotal moment in my journey as an aspiring physician. On this day, I witnessed both a skin grafting procedure and a laparotomy. My background in biology was beneficial as I had already seen plenty of visuals of human organs, and it was fascinating to see them in real life and up close. Although the skin grafting was somewhat difficult to witness, I did not retreat from the experience. Instead, I saw it as a rare and unique opportunity, embracing the learning curve. This was particularly true because certain cases, like the one we observed, are more common in South Africa than in the United States healthcare system.
These healthcare differences, new exposures, and my overall experience in Cape Town were discussed at my weekly meetings with Avril and Marion. During one of these sessions, I accompanied Avril to visit Groote Schuur Hospital, the site of the first heart transplant in the world. There, I learned about South African surgeon Christiaan Neethling Barnard, the donor Denise Darvall, and the recipient Louis Washkansky, who were all involved in this pioneering surgery. This tour, along with my clinical placements, profoundly deepened my appreciation for surgery, far beyond what I had previously felt. Each experience in the operating room not only enhanced my understanding but also fueled my passion for the field of medicine.
In my last two weeks at the hospital, I connected with Dr. Siyotula, one of the lead pediatric surgeons in the department. Her welcoming and joyful aura made me feel comfortable enough to request a meeting with her. To my delight, she provided sound advice and encouragement that truly motivated me to take the next step in my career. Dr. Siyotula was very intentional about her willingness to be my mentor and continue our relationship beyond the program.
Outside of my clinical rotations, I fully immersed myself in the vibrant life of Cape Town. My adventures began with activities like visiting Table Mountain, quad biking in Atlantis Dunes, and enjoying movies at the Galileo Open Air Cinema. My first weekend included a delightful outing with Auntie Carmen to Lagoon Beach for a light lunch, followed by an evening at Grand West where we tried Debonairs Pizza. During my second weekend, I took Friday off to embark on a three-day Garden Route tour, organized by Tyrin’s Tours and led by Mr. T's daughter, Taryn. The tour was packed with memorable experiences: we witnessed a stunning sunrise in the mountains, took a safari tour at Botlierskop Private Game Reserve, visited the Knysna Heads viewpoint, and the Knysna Elephant Sanctuary, where we had the opportunity to feed the elephants. We also explored the Map of Africa viewpoint in Wilderness, enjoyed canoeing on the Kaaimans River to a waterfall, and visited one of the world’s highest bungee park bridges. Although I did not bungee jump myself, I watched others take the plunge.
Despite my tour being among a diverse group of Americans, Europeans, and Australians who were volunteering in Cape Town, I formed a particularly close bond with Taryn, enjoying fun conversations and discovering how much she reminded me of her father. Mr. T subsequently took me on a 3-Day Western Cape Tour the following weekend. Our first day included visits to Cape Point, Cape of Good Hope, and a boat tour to see the Cape Fur Seals off Hout Bay, followed by a drive through Chapman’s Peak to enjoy the view. On the second day, I experienced a historical tour of Stellenbosch and visited three vineyards where I enjoyed wine tastings paired with cheesecake, chocolate, and biltong, each offering unique flavors. My final day was filled with a visit to the Hermanus Market, Betty’s Bay penguin colony, and a quick stop at Marion's house.
Toward the end of my third week and into my last week, Caleigh, my homestay sister, was finally on school vacation (or 'vac' as they call it). We spent time together, along with her friends, visiting places like the Oranjezicht Market, Cabo Beach Club, and Llandudno Beach, and even enjoyed a traditional Braai at one of their homes! I also had my first Gatsby sandwich, which I shared with Auntie Carmen, her sister-in-law Auntie Sue, and her son and his fiancée, all of whom were incredibly lovely and kind. On my last full day in Cape Town, which fell on Good Friday, I attended a play and church service with Auntie Carmen and Auntie Sue. The night ended with Auntie Carmen and me enjoying another traditional Gatsby sandwich and discussing the importance of community.
Although this was merely a glimpse of my time in Cape Town and an enriching experience, it was my willingness, as a solo female traveler, to engage with the community around me that greatly enhanced my time there. My time at the Red Cross War Memorial Children’s Hospital was memorable and career-enriching, but the connections I made in the community truly catalyzed my personal growth. The CFHI motto, "let the world change you," truly resonated with me, and I encourage future participants to embrace it—you might be surprised by what you discover about others and even yourself.
With the new family and community I have formed, I now eagerly look forward to returning to Cape Town, South Africa, with plans to visit again very soon.
[Picture Attached: Avril and Marion, the welcoming CFHI Cape Town, South Africa Program Directors]
My experience with CHI was nothing short of amazing!
During my clinicals settings, the medical officers were very welcoming and engaging in conversations. They all were more than happy to help me understand medical issues and expose me to different cases I may not have been exposed to back home. My favorite part of clinicals was attending surgeries every Wednesday. This experience was amazing because I was able to witness all the moving parts that play a role in surgeries and it was also my first time watching surgeries be performed on children as young as 2 months old! I also really enjoyed the Outpatient Department and being able to see all the new cases and clinics each week. This was super interesting and engaging because there was something new that I could learn every day from asthma clinic, neuro clinic, and just regular OPD. I developed cultural competency during my time here which will really help me with my career in the future when dealing with diverse populations. Finally, outside of clinicals, I was able to have the independence to explore the city and learn more about myself. I felt extremely safe in Accra and being able to go out and explore during my free time allowed me to learn many things about myself and pushed me out of my comfort zone. The local team was extremely accommodating and very nice! They always were available if I needed anything or had any questions.
This experience really changed my life for the better and I am so happy I meet so many great people and I plan to continue to build on the friendships I have made. CFHI is the absolute best and I HIGHLY recommend this program!
I’m a fourth-year medical student who participated in the Global Health in Quito, Ecuador program through CFHI. I would highly recommend this program to anyone interested in learning more about the unique Ecuadorian healthcare system, practicing Spanish with host families, patients, and other healthcare workers, and exploring Quito, surrounding cities, and the Galapagos! I spent three weeks in Quito and 1 week in Otavalo at many different clinical sites including OBGYN clinic and wards, the OR, the pediatric ED, and primary care clinics. I spent many hours practicing speaking with Spanish and building my physical exam skills. I was able to really explore what makes the Ecuadorian healthcare system so unique and get an understanding of how it operates. Throughout my month, I participated in many home visits for patients that couldn’t make it to the clinic, which allowed me to see more of the country and the people of Ecuador. My host family was amazing. They made me feel very welcomed and treated me as a part of their family. We only spoke in Spanish so that I could be fully immersed and continue to improve my Spanish. They made sure I had everything I needed and gave me wonderful advice on fun things to do in the city and surrounding areas on my free afternoons and weekends. My daily Spanish classes were very helpful and focused on getting a solid foundation in medical Spanish to make my time in clinic easier. The afternoon excursions through the school allowed me even more time to learn about Ecuadorian history and culture and practice Spanish in a real-life setting. After my program ended, I went to the Galapagos Islands where I saw thousands of animals and saw firsthand many of the things I had learned as an undergraduate Biology major – including visiting museums focused on the discoveries of Charles Darwin!
CFHI is a great program to experience cultural immersion, clinical exposure, and language acquisition. It was a very well rounded experience with a lot of helpful support in place from the coordinators, my host family, and alumni advisor. We had enough structure in our schedule to reap benefits from the experience and enough free time to relax and enjoy the environment. I definitely would recommend it to other students!
It was interesting to see some of the common chronic diseases (diabetes, hypertension, hypercholesterolemia) because of diet and food access, also seeing unique tropical diseases like Dengue and Chagas, and seeing the younger age that women tend to have children as a result of social factors.
My host mom was very kind and helpful and an amazing cook! She would always be interested to get a recap of our days so we could practice our Spanish. I really enjoyed my stay with her.
Spanish classes were also super helpful and I learned a lot that helped me increase my fluency. My teacher, Rocio was extremely kind, patient, and supportive to help us make progress on a lot of grammatical and conversational skills.
The many beautiful beaches and the overall environment in Puerto Escondido were very beautiful to enjoy. We even took a weekend trip to Oaxaca which was also a wonderful place to visit.
My name is Jenna Frantz, and I am a fourth-year medical student (just weeks away from graduating as an MD) at Wright State University Boonshoft School of Medicine. As I am preparing for my residency and career in emergency medicine, I am continually inspired by my foundational goal: to serve Hispanic patients facing barriers to healthcare, both domestically and abroad. When I found the rotation to Tarija, Bolivia, through Child Family Health International (CFHI), it was a great fit with my goals to obtain further education and experience in global health. I had previously rotated in Peru, Guatemala, Ethiopia, and Puerto Rico for service-learning opportunities (not affiliated with CFHI), and I could tell my experience with CFHI would be different. I was so excited for the stellar learning experience and cultural immersion provided by CFHI.
While still stateside, CFHI made sure I was well prepared for my trip logistically, culturally, and educationally. To facilitate this, there were multiple required online modules about the program, Bolivian culture, cultural sensitivity, and global health ethics. Additionally, the team remained in close email contact with me, and there was even a virtual orientation session to ensure I was prepared prior to takeoff.
Once I arrived in Tarija, I was immediately received with warm, kind smiles from Fabricio – the local program coordinator – and my host family. I got to live with a lovely host family for 8 weeks. The family had 3 daughters about my age, and they took me under their wing immediately, inviting me to hang out with their friends, to walk around the town, to go to the local cultural festivals, and so much more.
Aside from the amazing experience I had with my host family, I had a very comprehensive medical rotation. I rotated for 2 weeks in internal medicine, and 1 week in each of the following: rural primary care, urban primary care, Chagas’ disease clinic, emergency medicine, general surgery, and OB/GYN. I quickly found that the rotations through CFHI are not the same as my medical rotations in the United States – despite being fluent in Spanish, it is difficult to be fully-integrated into the care team as a foreign student where the documentation and work-flow are entirely different from the system in the United States. Furthermore, the local students had to start pre-rounding on their patients at 4-6am; as my scheduled arrival time to the rotation was at 7-8am each day, it was hard to be as fully-involved in patients’ care, since much of the decision-making took place in pre-rounds prior to my arrival. Despite this, it was not at all a barrier to my learning experience, but rather a shift of focus. My learning on this rotation was much more focused on cultural influences in medical decision-making, the influence of government in healthcare in a universal healthcare system, and navigating barriers such as broken equipment and out-of-stock medications.
Another amazing part of this rotation was the extreme kindness and generosity of the local physicians and medical students. Although they had absolutely no obligation to do so, they frequently invited me out to experience the beautiful nature and the lovely culture and customs in Tarija. While rotating in the rural clinic in San Andrés, the physicians took me to the river in the countryside after clinic to enjoy the gorgeous views and to take a dip in the water. At the urban clinic, the physicians invited me to hang out with them during the Carnaval Chapaco, as they wanted to ensure I could experience this great cultural tradition. While rotating in internal medicine, I became good friends with a local medical student, and she and I learned more about the local cultural importance of wine while we toured the local vineyards together. During my experience in general surgery, the residents invited me to get coffee, dinner, and to take a hike to the Chorros de Marquiri, the most beautiful waterfall I’ve seen in my life. All of these people went above and beyond, helping me to have an amazing time in Tarija, and it was truly one of the best parts of my CFHI experience.
My experience with CFHI was valuable and enjoyable, and I knew I had the constant support of my caring host family and the local team. I would highly recommend an experience through this organization for any students in the medical field who plan on having a career in international medicine.
As a 4th year medical student, I completed a month-long away rotation in Oaxaca, Mexico through CFHI, which allowed me to receive medical school credits. I was incredibly fortunate to have received the Susan Hersey Memorial Scholarship that covered my expenses for this experience and without which I would have never been able to go. I was motivated to complete this rotation to enhance my Spanish language and cultural competency in order to best serve my patient population at home. This experience exposed me to the ways that medicine is practiced in Mexico with a focus on healthcare disparities. We were able to shadow physicians in many specialties in government-run clinics and have the unique opportunity to participate in after-school childcare at Casa Emilie. With the kids, I was able to practice my Spanish language while we painted, played Legos, and worked on homework.
My program was specifically tailored to intensive Spanish language immersion, and I attended 3 hours of class each day at the Becari Language School after taking an entrance exam that assigned me to a teacher based on my level of fluency. I have never had such wonderful language teachers who explained cultural and grammatical concepts in a truly approachable way. Furthermore, I was fully immersed in the Spanish language by living with a host family that only spoke Spanish. My host mother was so kind, and thoughtful, and cooked the most amazing meals for us. I felt truly cared for and looked after. Moreover, I learned more Spanish in the last month than I have in a whole year of traditional classes in the US. In conclusion, I gained valuable insights for my future in emergency medicine, both on a global and local scale, within a captivating, historically rich city that offered a plethora of experiences and opportunities.
Participating in the Philippines–Remote Island Medicine Internship with Child Family Health International (CFHI) has been personally transformative and eye-opening experience that surpassed my initial expectations.
I’ve learned opportunities of studying abroad because of the fellowships I had in my community college. As a transfer student, I spotted a UC Davis flyer promoting the Philippines–Remote Island Medicine Internship in 2022 and envisioned it as a small goal. At the end of 2022, I found there could be scholarships such as Kerr-Lacy Study Abroad and CFHI Scholarship which we can apply for as an Aggie. I chose the Remote Island Medicine internship in the Philippines to broaden my global health perspective as a dual citizen. I chose it not only because I will have a chance to see my families but reflect on what I can do today to address health disparities in rural and urban areas. I aspire to find ways to integrate professionally. But most importantly, to learn what public health means to me as a global citizen and learn together with my co-interns. The interactions we had could be a way to forge relations with students like ourselves who may someday lead their programs internationally. My internship abroad turned out to be the last class I had as an undergraduate—solidified my plans of participating in public health as an aspiring nurse midwife. The words of Dr. Joel Buenaventura's sharing on his seven years of community medicine on the island resonates deeply: 'It is not the island that’s changed, it’s me.' This sentiment echoes CFHI’s powerful slogan, 'Let the World Change You.' The immersion and interactions I had in the Philippines and their healthcare system profoundly impacted my perspectives on global health and nursing as a student, seeing essentially how our connections with one another is.
We stayed in Metro Manila (capital of the Philippines) for about 2 weeks. From here, one of the experiences that provided me insight into public/global health was walking through UP-PGH with Dr. Paulo “Lopao” Medina while talking about a part of the Philippine health system where there is more subspecialty than generalist doctors (inverted primary to tertiary). This topic has been included in the healthcare system/situation lecture at the university along with the reiteration of the disjointed healthcare system where we sat with 4th year medical students. While being mindful of the values of CFHI, another local team experience I appreciate was walking at the 'Quiapo Medical Center' (complementary/alternative medicine) tour and the National Museum of Natural History tour, where Dr. Jerry mentioned how topography (typhoons) affects healthcare distribution and the lifestyles of a culture. In a piece of information in a public health class, I read a women's health article “Why The Philippines Has So Many Teen Moms” informed me about rising teenage pregnancy, access to abortion and the need for sex education. It is a topic I yearn to know more about. One of the most significant experiences I had was learning more about it in Manila and at Tablas Island, Romblon. In Manila, Dr. Jomer led us to see the Red-light District and rotations at the HIV clinic---where CFHI opened me to see sensitive patient-doctor interaction, and how affordability could affect referrals/quality of interventions. I remember Dr. Jomer shared that he has been doing an outreach similar to HIV clinics since high school, to community college, at UC Berkeley and meeting him today at CFHI as an Aggie. Another thing that stood out to me in Manila is our Debriefing Session/Exit Conference at the University of the Philippines where we are presenting what we learned as well as being in conversations between leaders at RHU in Tablas Island and leaders in Manila—how they creatively communicate, collaborate, and value the work that they do in their respective fields in public health. I recall “How the book isn’t always what could occur in actuality and how there could be times of what is needed should be the action. Trial and Error with the importance of guidelines in Public Health. And always remember that at the center of public health are the people”. These immersive experiences reminded me of the significance of words: “pagpapakatao” (being human/importance of kindness) and kapwa– “(I) self in the other” in patient care. At CFHI Philippines, I also realized how politics and healthcare are tied together.
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In our last 3 weeks at Tablas Island in the province of Romblon, we stayed at Mama Le’s home where she also takes care of her granddaughter—it made me reflect on the advantages of close-knit family ties. The “everyday” after our clinicals looks like walking near the pier with my co-interns, where we sometimes stargaze or watch lightning from a far. One of the fun aspects of the program here is having our orientation at the beach, going to Bon Bon Beach and taking boat rides, hiking near the Blue Hole, and exploring another Romblon island walking more at the Marble Capital of the Philippines with Dr. Jobin Maestro. In addition to that, I am thankful for being invited by the Municipal Health Officer (Dr. Jobin) on his Birthday joined by families and the RHU staff (forever karaoke). On the island, there are clinical observations on the dental clinic and observation of procedures done mostly by the nurses including circumcision, removal of birth control, immunization and outreach/communication on HPV vaccine (since 2023) on HS students. At the Rural Health Unit, observations of what midwives do such as newborn screening tests, assessing mother-child who gave birth at home in a remote place, and vaccines/supplementations given to pregnant women (if luckier, will witness birthing). I had the chance to observe more about: rural vs urban resources and compare it in global health, the fragmented/disjointed healthcare system, and the task shifting of their nurses and other healthcare workers. Another thing that stood out to me is visiting the Looc Marine Sanctuary with my co-interns on Tablas Island (my first time jumping, ofc with a life vest) and reflecting with Drs. Ged and Ken on the reproductive health presentation to a high school population by the RHU that had a “wasted” acronym. But most importantly, I am grateful for CFHI Philippines because it reminded me of my WHYs.
Moreover, I'm flabbergasted by meeting the CHFI Philippines director, who is part of the Department of Health International Relations (migration health), as an undergraduate. I learned how they have secured OFWs' health insurance to the country they are about to arrive. The information of fitness goes to the country of arrival or where they will migrate to. I specifically asked migration because I heard there are less studies tracing mental health for migrants and the different types of visas they hold from the Philippines to the US. In here, I perceive that there might be loss of data for analysis of health outcomes, and I speculate that transnational ties are already embedded in global health. I am grateful for Child Health Family International for the latitude of insights in global/public health and valuable experiences it provided me. I am reminded as well of the two time zones I have had since growing up. As an Aggie, I’m asked about my hometown that I’ll go home to–-here and there after the program. My internship at CFHI became a journey back home while I am at home.
This summer, I had the opportunity to participate in a global health fellowship as an HBCU Leader in Global Health. Thank you Child Family Health International for this wonderful, life-changing opportunity to experience medicine in Accra, Ghana! During my 4 weeks here, I was able to shadow physicians in various departments, observe surgeries, observe vaginal deliveries & c-section births, and learn about preventative health and malnutrition management.
I had an amazing time exploring Accra and shadowing at Princess Marie Louise Children's Hospital and Jamestown Maternity Hospital. I am so grateful to combine my love for medicine with my love for travel! Exploring global health through a service-based lens has given me an invaluable perspective on advocacy and health equity before officially starting my medical school journey.
I was selected as the recipient for Susan Hershey Memorial Scholarship (4-Week Virtual) to participate in a Child Family Health International (CFHI) Virtual Global Health Internship - Ghana.
Participating in this virtual health internship has been a transformative journey. The program's structure was well-organized, allowing me to delve into various aspects of the healthcare field from the comfort of my home. The areas I found most enriching were the trainings on Global and intercultural competency, Interpersonal effectiveness and engagement strategies. The online platform provided seamless access to resources and opportunities for learning.
I was impressed by the guidance and mentorship provided throughout the internship. Dr. Charles Chineme Nwobu: CFHI Ghana Medical and Program Director was approachable and eager to share his expertise. His insights and advice have been invaluable in shaping my understanding of healthcare practices and strategies.
During my internship, I had the chance to learnt about Ghana, Health Systems challenges faced by low/middle-income countries, Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) and Factors influencing the Spread of HIV, Case Presentation and Socio-economic Detereminants of Health. This hands-on experience has been instrumental in refining my skills and enhancing my confidence in a virtual healthcare setting.
Moreover, the interactive nature of the internship, including virtual group discussions and collaborative projects, allowed for meaningful peer interactions. Connecting with fellow interns and sharing experiences further enriched the overall learning experience.
I wholeheartedly recommend Child Family Health International (CFHI) Global virtual ans public health internship to aspiring healthcare professionals. It provides a comprehensive and insightful glimpse into the modern healthcare landscape, preparing individuals for the future of digital healthcare.
Thank you once again for this incredible opportunity and for the enriching experience I had during my virtual global and public health internship with your esteemed program. I look forward to applying the knowledge and skills acquired during this internship to my future endeavors in healthcare.
My global health trip to Ghana was an incredibly transformative experience. Not only did I gain valuable insights into global health, but I also underwent significant personal growth. Collaborating with a diverse group of students enhanced my teamwork and communication skills. Living and working together, I learned to appreciate the importance of compassion in healthcare, transcending cultural differences.
Witnessing a range of pathologies in Ghana highlighted both the similarities and nuances in healthcare practices between regions. From severe malnutrition cases and vitamin D deficiency to complex emergencies, I deepened my understanding of medical conditions and their management. The collaborative environment allowed me to learn from experienced peers while mentoring pre-medical students, fostering a sense of unity.
In the program's first week, I encountered cases of severe malnutrition, with associated psychological and developmental ramifications. Week two brought exposure to emergency cases, shedding light on resource constraints and the critical role of medical practitioners. Notable observations included meconium aspiration, Edwards syndrome, and various surgical procedures.
Week three's experiences included insights into medical education dynamics and the diverse roles of healthcare professionals. Week four delved into the complex social aspects of reproductive healthcare and anxiety stemming from traumatic birth experiences. Exploring the limitations of pain control during childbirth underscored the challenges faced by local obstetric units.
Overall, my time in Ghana expanded my medical knowledge, honed my interpersonal skills, and reinforced the universality of compassion in healthcare. The exposure to diverse pathologies and healthcare systems was invaluable, leaving a lasting impact on my understanding of global health.
My internship experience with CFHI was one that has found a permanent home in my heart. I have nothing to share but endless praises! From weeks before my departure until the moment I landed back home, my experience with the program and staff left me feeling safe and prepared for the entire duration of my journey.
Pre-departure, the staff remained kind, accommodating, and responsive. I had the pleasure of corresponding with Madelene for most of my pre-departure experience, and she was so kind and responsive! Even to the point of helping me navigate scholarship options (and I am grateful to call myself a recipient of the CFHI AMSA Scholarship, which helped me fund this experience).
My stay was very smooth: transportation was well-organized, regarding a secure pick-up to and from the airport as well as safe transportation to and from our clinical sites. My homestay experience was a blessing, and was incredibly immersive. Mama María (my host mom) only spoke Spanish, which added so much to my growth during my stay. She was loving and accommodating, and I felt that I found a real temporary home while I was there.
My experience with my clinical rotations was unforgettable. I indicated interest in OB/GYN, Family Medicine, and Traditional Medicine, and was able to experience each of those so beautifully. With OB, I was able to learn from not only my preceptor, but also from the nurses, anesthesiologists, and other medical students on his team. I spent a lot of time in the operation room (my first time in an OR ever!), and was able to observe hysterectomies, laparoscopic surgeries, births, and so much more! With Family Medicine, because I am a medical student I was able to practice taking vitals (which the doctor triaged beforehand), listen to lung and heart sounds, and witness how Ecuadorian physicians apply different skills that I have been gently exposed to through my clinical studies. My preceptor was patient, and such an excellent teacher. My traditional medicine rotation was life-changing. I accompanied a doctor to home visits, and observed curanderas and parteras as they conducted limpiezas con huevos and other treatments with pregnant patients. It was beautiful to see how integrated and respected traditional medicine is within the Ecuadorian healthcare system. The learning curve with my conversational and medical Spanish during my rotations was very steep, and I was both impressed and humbled to see how much my listening and comprehension improved over the course of the four weeks.
My Spanish classes with LatinoSchools were a good balance of pushing us out of our comfort zone to speak and practice, while maintaining an atmosphere comfortable enough for us to want to challenge ourselves. Sra. Antonella will always have a place in my heart! Te amo mucho!
The weekends were ours to enjoy, so I had the opportunity to explore so much more than I anticipated throughout Ecuador. I hiked volcanos, visited waterfalls and thermal baths, went tubing and ziplining in the rainforest – the school helped us navigate how to book our transportation and adventures securely. I am still in awe!
Everything about my CFHI experience in Ecuador was such a beautiful teacher. I will carry so much of this with me as a medical student and aspiring physician. I am eternally grateful for the experience, and for the scholarship that allowed me the opportunity of a lifetime. Thank you, CFHI!
My 4 week program in Ghana with child family health international by far the best opportunity I’ve come across. During this time, I was able to shadow healthcare providers at the Cape Coast Teaching Hospital allowing me to see first hand healthcare disparities and challenges the communities are being faced with. My rotations took place in the Pediatric & NICU ward which only grew my passion for wanting to work with children and loving mothers. Also, I had a chance to participate on outreach days with Planned Parenthood Association of Ghana whom goals was to educate the community on sexual rights and women’s reproductive health.
During leisure time , I took the opportunity to explore the Ghanaian community and see the beautiful landmarks and buildings. Truly immersing myself in the culture. Our coordinator made sure we experienced Ghanaian food each night by cooking us diner.
“Let The World Change You“ is the slogan of Child Family Health International and that’s exactly what I did during my time of the global health in Ghana program. Becoming a sponge and soaking up the experience to what i was surrounded with is the best thing I could’ve done.
I am beyond grateful for this experience that was both personal and professional. I can’t wait to continue to work toward my career of becoming a physician assistant!
I participated in Global Health in The Philippines Program. I traveled to Manila, Philippines, for one week and then was assigned to the remote island part of the program for three weeks. I was sent to a small island called Tingloy which had a population of 19,000 and was in the Batangas Province of Luzon. The first week when I was in Manila, the group I was traveling with and I were introduced to the rich culture of this country. We visited tourist spots like Rizal Park, the National Museum of the Philippines, and Intramuros. This helped introduce and contextualize what we would learn about the Philippine healthcare system. Then we traveled to Tingloy.
We also visited Masasa Beach, which is a beautiful beach. We also visited the blue lagoon, walked around town, and got invited to a couple of enjoyable celebrations, such as a fiesta hosted by the mayor. Many children on the island like to play Latto which is a game with these two balls that clink next to each other, and sometimes it gets a bit aggravating. However, it was still a wonderful toy and an experience to learn about. They serenaded us when we walked down the streets, which was pretty funny. Every month they go out into the branches or have specific days for certain barangays to come and get their children vaccinated. The parents are handed a vaccination book indicating which vaccine their child is supposed to get at what age and always bring them in their blue. I participated in a blood drive and got to shadow and see many other things, this is a once in a lifetime trip, and I would recommend it as I have learned so much in the past month, and it was worth the 30 hours of travel back home, lol. If you are considering it, this is a great program, and CFHI does a great job with cultural competency and integration with local preceptors. I made good friends with them, and they said we should catch up and meet when we visit the Philippines again.
My experience with CFHI was an amazing opportunity that I will never forget. I have recently graduated with my undergraduate degree, and I am currently working on my Master of Public Health with the focus of global health. When looking at CFHI, I thought that it would provide me a great experience inside of different culture and their healthcare system. The cite I chose to further my global health knowledge, was Córdoba, Argentina. I spent four weeks shadowing in the local hospital and building my knowledge of the Spanish language. This experience was one of the first times that I have been abroad and really was immersed into the medical field. Each day within my clinicals was something new and interesting to learn. I was able to ask so many questions and develop a greater understanding of the different medical specialties. The program allowed me to experience many specialties, and within this, I was able to learn more about myself and possibilities of what I may want to study in the future. All the hospital staff was welcoming and even with the slight language barrier, they always wanted to ensure my understanding. I was able to create connections and learn more about the culture and how the public health system is operating within Argentina. Once my hospital visit was finished, I then spent my time furthering my Spanish speaking skills. Coming into the program, I did not know much Spanish at all. Over the course of my time spent in Argentina by being surrounded by the language and the help of my daily classes, I was able to understand and speak at a basic conversational level. Another great aspect of the program was being able to stay with my host family. They were welcoming as soon as I arrived and wanted to show me around the city. They always wanted to make sure that I was comfortable and cooked amazing dinners that were traditional to Argentina. Moreover, I was able to spend time with my host sister and really learn more about the culture. It was like spending time with the little sister that I never had. All in all, this experience was more than what I expected and would not change any part of it. Throughout it all, I learned so much about myself and was able to further my knowledge within global health. In my eyes, I see this program as being a way for people to see a different side of the medical field within a different culture. Along with that, you learn so much about who you are as a person being fully immersed into a different culture. The experience is great as it is, but you get more out of it by putting yourself out there and creating connections and being willing to step out of your comfort zone. The program pushed me out of my comfort zone to help me develop key communication skills and confidence in who I am as a person and who I want to become. Overall, I would truly recommend completing a program through CFHI as it is an experience that will change your life. When you go to a different country you expect to learn so much about the other country and their culture, you never expect to learn more about your own country and yourself, which makes this experience unforgettable.
My experience with the CFHI virtual internship was memorable. Right after my bachelor's degree, I started thinking of how I could harness my public health expertise. Therefore, I started searching for internship opportunities through Google, and magically, I came across CFHI. Before then, a friend recommended CFHI for my consideration on LinkedIn.
After getting information about CFHI from an alumni on LinkedIn, I quickly browsed their websites, and boom, I came across the LMIC Leaders in Global Health Scholarship. This was a great opportunity for me because if I were to pay the cost of the program, I wouldn't be able to. I quickly applied for the scholarship, waited for the final decision, and was considered for the scholarship. It was a joyful moment, and a dream came true because this is the time to learn more about global and public health as an aspiring global health expert.
The bottom line is that I was able to participate in the CFHI's virtual Global and Public Health internship- Ghana as a result of the scholarship I received. I am Ghanaian, but through the virtual internship, I was able to learn more about the healthcare system in my own country. While participating in the program, I had the opportunity to participate in webinars organized by CFHI leaders and join high-level discussions with global health experts about current global and public health issues. For example, through the webinars, I learned about anthropogenic factors with regard to climate issues. Through the CFHI Pillars of Global Health course, I learned more about the One Health concept, planetary health, and global health.
CFHI programs are for anyone who wants to expand their knowledge of global and public health. I highly recommend the program to anyone who has an interest in global and public health.
My experience in the CFHI Global Health-Argentina was an enjoyable one. I participated in the program for 3 weeks and was able to shadow doctors in mental health and oncology. During my days in the hospital, I saw patients with many different conditions. I also was lucky enough to see the collaboration of the mental health and oncology sectors. Some of my days in the hospital were very difficult because I spoke very little Spanish and the doctors whom I was shadowing spoke very little English, but they always did their best to help me understand what was going on. Also, during my time in mental health another CFHI student who was fluent in Spanish helped by translating for me. Other than going to the hospital, my experience consisted of Spanish classes 5 days a week and planned group activities. I truly enjoyed and definitely needed the Spanish lessons. My instructor did her best to make our classes conversational but also ensuring that we internalized the material. The classes were really fun compared to normal college classes, for example we played charades and tumbling monkeys but changed them so that we were learning as we played. Some of our group activities included a wine tasting, presentations about viruses in Argentina, and lunch as a program. The program advisors were absolutely amazing. They always did their best to make me feel comfortable, whether it was just asking if I needed a snack before Spanish class or checking how living with my host was going. After my classes, I normally went out to eat with some of the other CFHI participants. I got to try a lot of the food in Argentina, which I absolutely fell in love with, especially dulce de leche. Every time I went for ice cream, I got a flavor with dulce de leche. I also had the chance to go sightseeing and I must say that Cordoba is a beautiful place once you take the time to enjoy it. One of my favorite things that I saw in Argentina was looking at the city from on top of the Sarmiento Park Stairs. The host that I had during my stay in Cordoba also made my stay all the more enjoyable. We had a bit of a language barrier, but we did our best to communicate. She always gave me the best restaurant recommendations and gave me a lot of recommendations of things to do while in Cordoba. Overall, I truly enjoyed my global health experience in Argentina and would recommend others to do it if they have the opportunity to. I hope to do another soon.
I decided to study abroad during my 4th year of medical school in order to practice my medical Spanish and learn about healthcare in a developing country. My medical school advisor suggested CFHI. While reading the description of each program, I was particularly drawn to the Quito, Ecuador program because they offered rotations in Obstetrics and Gynecology (my future specialty) as well as Indigenous, ancestral medicine (which has contributed significantly to modern medicine). I was also granted the CFHI Loeliger 4th year International Elective Scholarship, without which, this incredible experience would not have been possible.
Throughout the program, I was impressed by the thoroughness and organization. The program organized drivers to pick us up from the airport when we arrived and the same drivers also picked us up from the school to take us to the hospital each day. The drivers themselves were incredible! They spoke slowly, clearly, and were incredibly patient, so they functioned as great impromptu teachers. They taught us about the local culture (plata y placa driving system based on license plates, education system, growing pains of the Metro, etc) and gave us great suggestions for where to go on our weekend trips.
CFHI did a great job choosing a host family. I also really appreciated that I was placed with two other American medical students who were also participating in the program. Because there were three of us, it made it feel safer to walk around and explore the city and it was easier to make plans for the afternoons and weekends. They were built-in travel buddies, and it was perfect! Our host mom was incredibly welcoming and experienced in hosting students. She spoke slowly enough so that we could converse and understand her Spanish. She had previously worked in the tourism business, so she knew all of the good places to go and gave us recommendations for what to do and how to get there, etc. Her food was also absolutely amazing! She introduced us to so many Ecuadorian dishes. When we left for weekend trips, she also packed us breakfasts for the road which was super sweet of her.
CFHI also did an impeccable job choosing hospitals and doctors to work with. I learned so much from all the doctors, medical students, and medical staff. Dr. Cadena in the ER was very patient and helped us practice taking patient histories in Spanish. Working with Dr. Jacome in Family Medicine was an incredible experience even though I'm not going into family medicine; she's a great teacher and the patients love her. Dr. Carrera, in the ObGyn clinic, was also very patient and an excellent teacher. It was great to learn more Obstetric and Gynecology vocabulary in Spanish and learn about some of the cultural differences in the field. We discussed the similarities and differences in our healthcare systems. She told me about the frustrations regarding medication shortages and the months-long wait to get an appointment (similar to the US). At the Jambi Huasi clinic in Otavalo, we observed the interactions between Western and Indigenous medicine practices. Jambi Huasi means Health House in Quichua, the native language. We had the privilege of watching one of the indigenous parteras (mid-wives), Mama Michi, perform "La limpia con cuy" (direct translation: the cleaning with a guinea pig). It was a unique opportunity to witness this centuries old tradition (the earliest references are around the 1500s) and how the indigenous use guinea pigs as both a diagnostic tool and treatment. We also did some house calls for the people who couldn’t make it to the clinic,
During the first two weeks of the program, we had class in the afternoon, in addition to the morning hospital observation. Our teacher, Monica, was very receptive to reviewing vocabulary and grammar topics that we wanted to practice. I also really enjoyed the class excursions. The first week we went to the market where we tried a variety of fruit (taxo, granadilla, granada, mango, zapote, pitahaya, piel de serpiente (salak), guanabana, caqui, orito, chirimoya, uvilla, gulupa, achotillo, pepino dulce). The next week we went to el Museo de Guayasamin and the professors got us a half off discount!
In addition to the market and Museo de Guayasamin, there’s an endless list of activities to do in Quito! The first weekend we explored Parque Carolina and Metropolitana. We also visited La mitad del mundo (middle of the world) and made sure to check out the two museums. Fun fact: the larger, more well known, monument is actually not the true middle; the true middle is actually at El Museo Intinan where you can do fun scientific tests like the Coriolis effect and balance an egg on a nail. We rode the teleférico (cable car) up the mountain side to get an incredible view of Quito- just make sure to go on a sunny day without clouds and bring a jacket because it’s surprisingly cold up there. Centro Histórico was also full of history and we found out that the hostel, Secret Garden, did free tours- I would highly recommend it! We also happened to be in Quito during Semana Santa (Holy Week) so we saw the parade (La Procession de Jesus de Gran Poder). On the weekends, we ventured outside of Quito to Baños and Quilotoa. After the program, we went to the Galapagos and the Amazon. Ecuador has so much to offer in terms of culture and dramatically different environments.
It was a privilege to be welcomed into so many communities; I learned so much from the medical staff, the patients, CFHI staff, and my host mom. I'm so glad I found CFHI and that they helped make this trip possible with the scholarship. I'm looking forward to starting residency soon and incorporating the language skills, cultural competencies, and medical knowledge that I have learned in Quito, Ecuador to benefit future patients.
Practicing my Spanish while immersing myself in another culture prior to residency had long been a goal of mine, and CFHI helped make that happen. I really enjoyed both my language classes and homestay in Oaxaca and was able to take part in local art and cooking classes outside of the hospital as well. I'm grateful for the opportunity and would love to participate in a similar program with CFHI again.
I had a great experience with CFHI overall. I had been looking for an opportunity for a Global Health elective during my fourth year of medical school, and one of the programs my school suggested was CFHI. A couple of students had participated in CFHI electives previously and had good experiences, so I figured I should try to go through CFHI as well. I actually registered for the elective in the Philippines, but two months before departure that elective was cancelled, which was unfortunate. However, CFHI worked with me and quickly registered me for another site of my selection on the same exact dates. I ended up selecting India, where I would go to New Delhi, Dehradun, Mussoorie, and Patti. From pre-departure to arrival back in the United States, everything was very smooth and planned well. We always had organized transportation between sites, our home stays were amazing, our weekend trips were organized beautifully, we always had communication with our site directors, and they were very open and flexible in catering to our experience. The rotations were interesting and productive. The only caveat would be that during our clinical rotations, most patients do not speak English. So, if you did not know Hindi (I didn't) you may be kind of lost during the encounters. However, providers made attempts to explain as they could and were very open to questions. My favorite part about the experience was the opportunity to interact with the host families and the community. I really appreciate how much we were welcomed and how kind they were to us.
I spent 4 weeks living in Oaxaca City, Oaxaca, Mexico and exploring the foundations of traditional medicine. I chose to travel to Oaxaca because of my connection to traditional medicine and my interest in cultural anthropological studies. As a physician, I hope to incorporate elements of traditional medicine into my practice, and I have a particular fascination with how different cultures integrate western and alternative medicines into one system for healing.
My experience with CFHI allowed me to compare the uses of traditional medicine practices in Oaxaca to the understanding of integrative medicine and traditional practices in the United States. I am so incredible grateful for the opportunity to learn in such an expansive and lively city. Being able to immerse myself in the Oaxacan culture was an experience I will never forgot and will only continue to inform my practice as a physician during residency. I improved my medical and conversational Spanish to the point of intermediate learner and was able to engage in learning that was entirely in Spanish. I learned so much about the traditional medicine practice in Oaxaca and different herbs that I can continue to learn about and utilize in my medical practice. I developed a deeper understanding of the interactions between traditional medicine and hospital medicine to inform my practice as an integrative medicine – family medicine physician. I also immersed myself in the Oaxacan culture and food and found a deeper appreciation for the way of life present in Oaxaca. I am so grateful I applied for this program and will continue to draw on experiences from this journey for the rest of my life.
In February 2023, I attended a month-long CFHI program in the Philippines. My time in the Philippines was everything I had hoped for and more. I have been a part of global health trips in the past, but nothing to this extent. Using what I had learned from my previous trips, as well as thinking about my future career, I developed four goals for this program: to understand the Philippines health system (including both the pros and cons), gain some knowledge within maternal and reproductive health, become more comfortable immersing into a culture different than my own, and get a better idea of what I want in my future career of global health. I am excited to say that with the help of so many incredible people, I successfully accomplished all of these.
My time in the Philippines was split into two parts: Manila (week 1) and the Remote Island Medicine (weeks 2-4). In Manila, we spent time familiarizing ourselves with the Filipino culture as well as the Philippines Health System. We got to tour local hospitals (both public and private), as well as attend lectures about their healthcare. The first week was crucial to having a successful experience because it laid the necessary groundwork that allowed us to truly learn from our time on the remote island. For majority of our time, we were on the remote island, specifically Tablas Island. We stayed and worked in the municipality of Alcantara with the local doctor, Dr. Jobin Maestro. Dr. Maestro was such a blessing to our experience; he made sure that we not only understood the health system and surrounding issues, but he also ensured we really learned about and immersed into the Filipino culture. Some of the medical aspects of this trip that we observed included prenatal checks, postpartum home visits, immunization clinics, animal bite clinics, and dental visits. I specifically chose this program because it offered some learning experiences in Maternal and Reproductive Health, so it was a blessing to learn about pregnancy care in this area of the world. In addition to so many educational opportunities, we also got to have a lot of fun in the process. We traveled to nearby islands (Romblon and Boracay), explored Tablas Island, and attended some events around town.
Overall, the program was very well run. The other leadership involved in this program, including Dr. Joel Buenaventura, Dr. Paolo Medina, and Dr. Angelo Aquino, were all fantastic and worked very hard to make this experience a meaningful one. Between all the doctors, the patients, and everyone else I met along the way, my Philippines program changed the way I think about medicine as well as my future career as an Ob/Gyn. I am very thankful for my time in the Philippines, and I am very thankful for CFHI allowing me to participate in this experience.
I went to Delhi, India for two weeks with CFHI and I couldn't have imagined what an amazing experience it would be! I have always wanted to study abroad and I will be wrapping up my Health Sciences undergraduate degree in a semester so I decided now was the time. During my two weeks I went to various rotations in palliative end-of-life care, adolescent de-addiction centers, HIV treatment and prevention centers, and had discussions with a LBGTQ organization, pediatrician, acupressure therapist, and more!
I had also never traveled out of the country by myself and while intimidating at first, CFHI was so supportive in every aspect of travel! And so helpful with whatever I needed or wanted while in country.
I had such a great learning experience! Never knew virtual internships could be so interesting and engaging as well. CFHI is really passionate about the work that they do. I highly encourage everyone to participate if they have the opportunity to.
This experience is perfect for those curious about global health and looking to further their knowledge through the lens of a particular country. During the program, you have the opportunity to learn from the perspective of your program host and create a relationship both with the host and your classmates, who all bring valuable perspectives. The program also allows the opportunity to collaborate with students from other programs and backgrounds, which creates a wonderful atmosphere to learn about some important general topics in global health. Each expert was engaging and welcoming, inspiring creativity and curiosity in all students! I felt comfortable to ask my program host anything and feel comfortable to reach out after the program about more opportunities for furthering my knowledge. On top of that, participants have access to a wealth of resources from CFHI that allow you to expand upon topics of curiosity, and importantly, to view global health work ethically. I would recommend this program to someone with a hunger to know what the field of global health is all about, and to those who want to open their minds to health care in a global context.
I always dreamed and yearned to leave the country for study or internships while I was in college for my undergrad. At the beginning of August, I was finally given the chance to travel to Ghana with CFHI, not just for a practicum but also to take in the sights of a different nation. I merely adored it. I was quite nervous and eager because I was traveling to a nation where I didn't know anyone, but I realized that this was an opportunity for me to overcome my introversion.
Contrary to my expectation, I adjusted quickly since the CFHI made sure a coordinator and a preceptor were present for each step we took. Yes, there were instances when we solved problems on our own; that was also a valuable part of the experience. I improved my freedom and started to operate with less guidance. I had a great time and learned a lot during my rotations at Princess Marie Luis Hospital. In the classes I took at Liberty University, I came into contact with and experienced all the health facts I had learned. Through my interactions with others, I developed cultural sensitivity, but I never saw myself as superior to them. Instead, I learned to value the beauty in our differences. I also gained cultural humility as a result. I will always be grateful to CFHI for this transformation, and I eagerly anticipate traveling to other places with them. This program has my recommendation.
I never thought virtual experience can be this enriching until I participated in the internship program by CFHI. They made sure to make this virtual space the most engaging and interacting one. Everything starting from the correspondence, timely response and process of selection is highly appreciable. The program, discussions and content gave me Public and Global Health perspectives from a lens I had never imagined. This experience had definitely added value to my professional and academic journey by allowing me to explore different health care systems in an innovative manner. I had the opportunity to: Virtually engage with different countries and health care systems added value to my existing knowledge and experience, Self paced learning and activities provided the time of self reflection and evaluation and helped me design my own pathway towards work in domain of public and global health issues, and More time to interact with fellows and colleagues from different demographic regions created opportunities for more networking and socializing.
I had the wonderful opportunity to expand my knowledge and awareness about cultural differences, and how to have better interpersonal communication. They provided me with great tools to learn about professionalism and intercultural effectiveness within the global health field during my 4-week virtual internship. I really enjoy the space they created for us to meet doctors and professionals from all over the world to bring awareness to disparities within health systems and global issues. Their realities and how it is important to dig deeper to understand how we can make a change was a great start to learning how to support my own community. I enjoyed learning about my country of choice from home and found it very meaningful to learn about its culture and traditions. I feel more confident now approaching and communicating with people from different backgrounds and plan to use the tools from CFHI throughout my career working internationally.
As a medical student, I had an amazing experience with CFHI. I had thoroughly researched global learning experiences prior to choosing CFHI, as I wanted a program that was committed to doing global health work and teaching students in a sustainable and culturally-appropriate way. I felt like CFHI truly prioritized the wellness of the local communities they were in and were very cognizant to avoid the common pitfalls of volontourism, lack of sustainability, and the white savior complex. I couldn't have been more right.
From the start, the CFHI staff were kind, responsive, and cared about my personal needs as a program participant. They helped me identify a scholarship (the AMSA Global Health Scholarship) that helped fund my entire global experience. While I originally planned to participate in the on-site Global Health and Intensive Spanish Program in Quito, Ecuador, the program was unfortunately cancelled last minute due to unforseen political circumstances. Even though the situation evolved rapidly only days before we were set to leave for Quito, I could tell how much the CFHI team cared about prioritizing the well-being of the local community and not placing extra burden on that community with our visit, as well as protecting student safety. The team was communicative and quick in these stressful circumstances, and I ended up switching my scholarship to the Virtual version of this program.
My virtual experience was nothing short of incredible. While I was doubtful that it could fulfill the my expectations in the same way that an on-site program would, CFHI did an incredible job of choosing local experts to speak to us on global health issues and medical ethics. We were assigned a local Spanish teacher from Quito. I had minimal Spanish knowledge before - after 6 weeks of this course, I feel like participating in this program has vastly accelerated my learning in a way that would have taken months or years during a normal academic year.
Participating in this experience has helped me take the first steps in becoming a more culturally-competent physician. I also plan to continue learning Spanish, with the goal of hopefully helping Spanish-speaking patients feel more comfortable if I am their provider. I could not thank CFHI enough and would highly recommend this program to anyone in the medical field or not.
When looking for a pre-medical global health experience, ethics was at the top of my list of priorities. I did not want to be put in a position where I was asked to perform procedures that were outside of my qualifications. So I scoured the internet looking for top rated programs that would aid in my education and provide a myriad of opportunities for personal growth. My research lead me to the AAMC website where CFHI was featured. After digging deeper, I knew that CFHI was the organization for me. With leading global health ethics standards, I knew that I was entering a situation of safety and protection! The nonprofit heavily values the local community and teaches participants about cultural competency and conciousness. When I arrived on site, my coordinators were fabulous and walked me through how to live in the city of Oaxaca! Halfway through my program, I expressed that I wanted to learn more about traditional medicine, and then the next day my Spanish class cirriculum had been shifted to accomadate that! They really want to work with you to customize the best experience possible! My program focused on Global health and health justice in Oaxaca, Mexico. I was able to shadow in four different clinical locations, one each week that I was there. I learned so much from the healthcare providers just by observing their practice and customs! Then, in the afternoons, I took Spanish classes tailored to medical vocabulary. The evenings were free for us to explore the wonderful city. This month truly changed my life, and I could not recommend it more for someone! CFHI is the way to go!
Being a Public Health person, I had always dreamed of exploring and learning about health care systems of different countries. I would always wonder how different developing and developed nations combat the global health issues and what are some of the beneficial strategies that I can learn to make health scenario of my country better. The dream seemed unachievable because of the limited resources I had only until I learned about the internship program by Child Family Health International (CFHI). I knew that this is something I had been looking for. The program was one of its kind with outstanding faculty and instructors. It led me have the exposure of learning and understanding different health care systems, their challenges and the way they work. It seemed like I traveled across the globe by just sitting infront of my screen and it was journey which is worth remembering every second. The program strengthened my understanding of public health, gave me real life insights and did not only add my theoretical knowledge but also helped me learn the practical implementation. I would recommend every student in their academic life to attend this internship program to know better about public and global health.
I was fortunate to be a part of the CFHI program in Argentina. This program was an immersive experience that provided me with invaluable information about Global Healthcare and specifically the culture and practices of medicine in Argentina. Going into the program, I knew I was going to be placed in hospitals. However, I was unaware of just how supportive the CFHI staff was going to be, they truly made my experience the best it could possibly have been. CFHI provided incredible hosts families that made me feel at home and welcome in my month spent across the world. They also talked closely with the coordinators in the hospital to make sure each student was taken care of based on their individual interests. The program also expanded farther than just the medicine present in Argentinian hospitals, providing us students with cultural immersion classes covering topics such as tango, wine and history. These additions made the experience more holistic and thus it was able to contribute to me as a person and not solely just as a future healthcare provider. In addition, I would like to mention the quality of the staff that CFHI has employed. I was blessed with three amazing program directors (Carlos, Charly and Agustín) who served as helpful advisors, fierce advocates, strong support systems and wonderful friends. The staff was available at all hours and willing to assist in any issues that appeared during the trip. CFHI and their staff are what made the experience one that I will cherish for the rest of my life and I cannot put into words just how grateful I am for this organization.
My experience with the virtual CFHI Ghana program was a memorable one and a great learning opportunity. Not only did I learn about the Ghanian culture and traditions such as the many staple foods. I learn't about the different social factors that may influence the decisions and choices of people and as patients. This also helped me to understand how I would need to approach patients in similar settings. Through the program we discussed and analysed clinical case scenarios, this has contributed to my preparation for my internship once I graduate from medical school. This program has been very enlightening and through it I have also met people from different countries and learned about the healthcare practices in their respective countries. I have enjoyed being a part of the CFHI program and I would recommend this opportunity, I learned about many different aspects beyond the healthcare system and I will forever be grateful for this opportunity.
My name is Michaela Forouzan and I was very fortunate to be a part of the April Virtual Program focusing on the nation of India. Throughout this program, I have learned from a series of health and global professionals about illnesses throughout India. At the end of the session, I was able to apply all my knowledge through the creation of a presentation that I believed to medical professionals. It was absolutely amazing to receive such great feedback and inspiration from these medical professionals, and apply my knowledge to the future of global health.
What am going to share is perhaps one of my most thrilling moments as a medical student and more exciting in the COVID 19 era. Ive always dreamt of being a global health specialist and CFHI did exactly what i needed in these times. It was my first time to share such an experience and opportunity to interact with fellow students from different parts of the world. Doing a virtual elective with emphasis in India opened my mind to resonate and identify as a global citizen. I realised we share alot of challenges with many countries out there(out of Uganda,Africa) and that gave me a challenge to imagine that my practice as a doctor shall benefit every human being that comes to me. I enjoyed the Indian weekend classes, wow! Another international language was learnt and spending hours online to share knowlege and experience with my collagues across the borders was worth it. I look forward to sharing my experience with other students in Uganda who dream of achieving Big. Thank you CFHI!
CFHI offers sites across the world for a variety of students, and I absolutely loved my rotation in Oaxaca, Mexico as a medical student. This trip was specifically designed to help us learn about medicine in Latin America, with a focus on appreciating healthcare disparities. We were able to shadow physicians in many specialties in government-run clinics and even the Civil Hospital of the city. From outpatient work, to prenatal care, and even surgeries and the Emergency Department, we were able to participate and learn so much. In the afternoon's, part of your learning was Spanish class, tailored to your level of fluency. Even as a fluent speaker, the expertise of our teachers was apparent and they helped me learn so much about Medical Spanish and grammar. They have host families for us to live with who in my experience were absolutely so kind and excited to have international students (and cooked AMAZING food). Overall, I felt I learned so much for my future career in medicine and what I can do to serve internationally and locally, all encompassed in a beautiful, historic city with so much to do and see.
As a young aspiring African intern of the CFHI Global Health Comparative Virtual Internship, and a national of a Low Resource Country (Burundi), I would highly recommend the program to more college graduates in the relevant fields of public health as well as any entry-level professionals to participate in the virtual internship with the CFHI to gain ground in the ins-and-outs of how international NGOs promote health for all and intervene holistically in sometimes-familiar settings as the ones I come from; while gaining cultural exposure and learning to team work with like-minded global health professionals
The internship taught me that sometimes less is better. As a prospective global health professional born and raised in Africa but educated at a medical college outside the continent, I had to experience major incongruities between the theoretical framework of medicine and the efforts needed to implement health equity in hospital settings and community health services. To understand how this gap applies less extensively in the social and economic settings of African LMICs, I had to surmise how the fine line between the two fields affect health delivery and outcomes, and how I can participate in bettering the healthcare systems of my continent in the near future.
Due to the short-bits format of the teachings I received during Dr. Charles Nwobu’s online lectures in Ghana, Dr. Hema Pandey from India, as well as the Director’s Seminars and multinational Global Health Roundtables, I was able to capture the essence of cultural effectiveness and adaptability as the bases of successful collaborative efforts to bring affordable and accessible healthcare for all. Additionally, as an intern under the Outpatient & Community Health Services Department of Village Health Works—an international NGO based in New York and Burundi, I am now using the knowledge I acquired to help build self-reliant community health systems in Kigutu, one of the most remote regions of the country.
I am grateful to have been awarded the Thomas Hall Scholars Program scholarship for the virtual internship and hope to see more young aspiring global health professionals enroll in the different programs CFHI has to offer.
Choosing to participate in this program is easily one of the best decisions I made this year. I have always wanted to participate in the internship program without success so I was very excited when I was awarded the Susan Hershey Scholarship for this program. The program director did a great job of curating Public Health classes, virtual facility tours, and even Hindi language classes. Even though it was virtual, I felt like I was really in India learning about the public health system and some of the successful interventions. I had the privilege of interacting with some of the NGO managers and getting their insight on solving their public health challenges. I also learned about cultural adaptability and found the global health lectures very informative. This experience was very enlightening and rewarding. I look forward to sharing my learnings and experiences with my colleagues.
In my academic career, the most meaningful experience for me was the Virtual Global & Public Health Internship program I completed in Ghana. This internship gave me back my motivation for pursuing medicine and it opened up new interests for me. I now for sure want to get a Masters in Public Health and I want a global health certificate or fellowship. This internship was very eye-opening because Ghana’s healthcare system, although is a different sphere than America’s, has many instances where it overlaps with the American system. The social determinants that affect the health of Americans, also play a crucial role in the health of Ghana’s people. Working on case studies with the wonderful physician who was coordinating our program was my favorite part of this entire experience, because it helped me expand my knowledge and it made me feel as if I am an actual doctor working on initiatives for the community. Although this experience was virtual, I am greatly hoping I could go in person one day (possibly when I am in medical school or doing my masters program). Learning about the health of other countries has always been my goal ever since learning about Doctors Without Borders. This internship has also taught me to push myself into becoming an actual advocate for health especially in marginalized communities, because those with heartbreaking stories are those suffering from being underserved and unheard. The entirety of Child Family Health International is built on the fundamentals of social responsibility, service-learning, empowerment, and education. Truly a wonderful experience that I will always recommend to others!
I participated in the Global Health Comparative Virtual Internship in Ecuador and loved it! From the virtual tours to the cooking session to Spanish classes, it felt like I was there. The teachers were genuinely interested in the students and provided so much insight. That was one aspect. Then there were the discussions with CFHI leaders from different countries, which was very informative. For each public health challenge, we would learn about the obstacles in each country, how they impact the people, and reflect on our roles as future leaders. We also had interactive seminars which challenged our thought process and preconceived notions about Global Health, culture, and health. This program was beneficial and aligned with my goals!
I am studying for a Masters in public health at. University of West Florida. I heard about the virtual practicum at CFHI through my school, applied and was accepted for a 4 week virtual practicum in Ghana. I got to do a project which ticked all my boxes. I had a fantastic supervisor who taught me a lot. I had support from the virtual internship coordinator who helped with organising everything. Some of the highlights of my practicum were the Director's meetings and Global roundtables where various global health topics were discussed. We also had some capacity building on cultural competency and explored our own attributes/attitudes and how we could improve. It was a lovely experience and I would love to do it again.
I, Ibtesam-E-Fajar, a final year medical student doing my MBBS from Pakistan, believe that
joining CFHI internship program was the best decision for my career as well as for my self-
reflection and personal development. Till today I had only seen what Pakistan as a developing country was suffering from, but CFHI, with the help of the best mentors and the best virtual internship gave me an informative world tour showing the struggles of different countries, I was introduced to new terminologies, new ideologies, new techniques, new information, new concepts, new methodologies, new people, different cultures that I had never explored before. My level of awareness, knowledge and concepts has increased so much that it will help me spread further awareness among people around me. I can't bring a change in the society unless I know what the actual problems are and what's the right and most ethical way to deal with them but now I feel confident as I developed understanding of the interplays between disease processes, poverty, social circumstances, culture, geopolitical realities, historical contexts, and the complexities of health and wellness, it makes me feel that, if I'm given the right opportunities
and the right platform, I can now play my role in providing health equity and justice to everyone without any discrimination, not only will I focus on human health but equally on planetary health. I thank CFHI for polishing me into a better health professional and a better human. I look forward to working with CFHI in future as well by being their representative in Pakistan.
I have been dreaming of going abroad and learning Global Health since freshman year in college. However, I was hesitant because of the high cost. Fortunately, the Comparative Global Health Virtual Internship came at the right time. I was able to learn a lot in this program from ethical volunteering to different types of healthcare system. The cultural sessions are always my favorite because I was taught by the people who are actually living in the country, not from someone who previously visited. CFHI created such an amazing opportunity for students like me to get to know the medical experts from different countries while maintaining a safe distance because of COVID-19. This whole experience made my summer more meaningful and definitely brought a lot of benefits to my future endeavors.
I can't say enough positive things about my time with CFHI! I wanted an internship that I could do online because of my job and uncertainty with the pandemic, and this was the perfect fit for me. I learned so much in the month before my job started full time, and it really opened my eyes to the jobs in the field of Global Health. Logistically, the instructors offered flexibility and grace, and the physician in charge of directing my cohort and teaching us about Ghana was living there at the time, so we learned from someone in the field, rather than someone talking about their time in the country you choose. CFHI also does a fantastic job of cultural respect, humility, and making sure that their practices are sustainable long term. I am so thankful for this program and the opportunities it afforded me.
Child Family Health International is an amazing organization. I participated in the virtual internship in Ghana and felt like I was truly there. The leader gave us so much insightful information. Sometimes wifi wouldn’t work but they always figured it out and kept us informed. If your thinking about participating do it!
I absolutely loved my Ecuador Virtual Public Health Internship. The lessons were engaging and informative, and the intensive Spanish instruction was challenging and rewarding. I grew as a student and a global citizen during my four weeks of participation, and I even registered for a second four weeks in another country. Thank you CFHI!
I decided to join the Child Family Health International Virtual Global Health Comparative program with the determination to get more than just experience in public and global health but also connect with other students and global health professionals. My program focused on Ghana, and I've learned a lot from our weekly lectures on Ghanaian culture and public health.
I would like to recognize Dr. Nwobu, our main lecturer in Ghana region, for his work in moderating our discussions and sharing his personal experiences of being a public health practitioner in Ghana. Likewise, I learned a lot from the webinars on comparative and professional aspects of global health in general. During some sessions I got an opportunity to share my personal experiences with health care in Turkmenistan (my home country).
Even though CFHI was offering primarily in-person internships before, they perfectly managed and executed virtual internships. I was lucky to study with a diverse cohort of students from Canada, the USA, Ghana, Turkmenistan and India, who shared their culturally-unique perspectives on topics that we discussed in class. Our sessions were interactive and informative, which helped me to stay engaged during information-intensive sessions.
Even though my internship didn't include a Spanish aspect to it, I still got an opportunity to practice my Spanish listening during round-table discussions, where delegates from Latin and South America shared their perspectives on different health-related topics in Spanish.
My internship ended two weeks ago and I can't help but keep thinking about what to try next. I gained immense insight into public and global health from the CFHI virtual Global Health Comparative Internship and this positively contributed to my decision to study global and public health in graduate school. Hopefully, I will have another opportunity to participate in CFHI internships (next time in person) to get a different experience and share it with my friends.
The Child Family Health International (CFHI) Virtual Global and Public Health Internship was an enriching and valuable learning experience for me. The sessions were very well organised, and it enabled me to gain a better understanding of the public healthcare system in India and the local and national public health programs. The sessions on personal and professional development, as well as cultural sensitivity, were very insightful. Thank you CFHI for this amazing and excellent internship experience and I highly recommend the CFHI Internships to students interested in Global Health and Public Health.
As an adult graduate student with school-aged children, I was always looking for internship and practicum opportunities to participate. The internships that I came across were good but the timing was always an issue. I was looking for a specific internship that will give me the flexibility to work around my family's schedule.
So, when CFHI announced last May that it was opening the doors of virtual internship opportunities, I was all over the place! It was a dream come true for me. Even though it was a virtual one, as far as I am concerned, an internship is an internship. Of course, the face-to-face, in-person internship in a global setting has its perks and advantages. No doubt about that. Without the COVID-19 pandemic, I would have opted for an in-person internship abroad as well. However, due to the pandemic, the CFHI staff was strategic enough to think beyond the traditional internship format and bring forth an innovative virtual one that will suit many adult students like me, including much younger students. It is a matter of opportunity and such opportunities never last. So, if one appears, just grab it!
And that is exactly what I did. I grabbed the opportunity and participated in my first-ever (virtual) internship with CFHI.
It was an amazing, eye-opening experience. From our Ghana preceptor to my cohort colleagues, and all the lessons learned and videos shared with us about the healthcare systems, food, history, and cultural traditions in Ghana, everything in between was enriching, enlightening, and exciting.
I concluded my one-month CFHI'S global public health internship (Ghana) just last week and I am already thinking of when to enroll for another CFHI internship in another part of the world. This is how fulfilled I am with my CFHI experience!
This irganization helped me secute a virtual MPH practicum with an organization India. In addition I was able to get a partial scholarship for my prracticum through them. The program I was placed in was relevant to my professional aspirations and helped me decideon what I want to specialise in for my career goals. O apppreciate the cultural competencclasses provided andhighly professional and knowledgeable staff both in the US and India. Thank you for a greay experience. I would recommend this program to any undergraduate or graduate student interested in global health. I plan to do another on-site immersoon program with this orhanozation in the fitire.
Grace LT
I did my first virtual internship with CFHI in August 2020. As a Master of Public Health student from India, it was a great learning opportunity for Public Health management in low resource settings of Uganda. Though it was completely online, Dr. Geoffrey literally walked me through the health burdens, health systems, pandemic management, and cultural aspects of Uganda. I developed a well informed critical thinking mindset to approach Global Health and Public Health from the grassroots/community level.
The entire CFHI team immensely helped to bridge the possible gap of cross-cultural differences. The quality of the internship teaching materials is so superior that I delved into multiple features of Public Health. Thank you CFHI and the partner organization KIHEFO, Uganda, for that awesome Internship experience.
I interned with CFHI this summer, and although it was virtual, I learned a lot about global health, cultural competencies, and Ugandan culture. A great experience with Dr. G!
I participated in the Remote Island Medicine program in Quezon, Philippines. The entire process leading up to the trip was smooth and informative. I also appreciated that my capstone project topic was selected by the local hosts themselves and not by CFHI.
My experience in the Philippines went just as smoothly as the trip preparation. The hosts I was working with were excellent mentors, super ambitious and successful in their fields, and well connected as well. This meant that besides the rich knowledge and context they provided us, they were also able to provide additional experiences, like a visit to the WHO HQ. The experience helped me to begin to build an international professional network.
Besides the professional connections I made, I continue to cherish the personal ones I made even 2 years later. My host "family" and neighborhood friends, as well as the medical student traveling with me, enriched my experience and really helped push me into the culture. The time we had off to explore our surroundings and connect with the community provided just as much growth as our time working.
It was an amazing 4 week's experience in a new and diverse culture and to participate in the community through CFHI.
When deciding what organization to begin a trip with to India, CFHI was one of the organizations that stood out most to me. Recognized by the UN, I did some more research into the organization's history of sustainable learning in the community. From my experience, CFHI truly does partner with communities to create a learning environment that is safe for the community as well as the participants in the trip.
I traveled to Pune, India for my 2-week experience in Maternal and Child Health. Rotating through a variety of sites: hospital, clinic, rural. We were able to share our preferences for site placement/areas of interest in these locations. Outside of the clinical experiences, I was fortunate to have an amazing group of friends who I met while in Pune (both from India and from the United States).
I went to the Philippines in Jan ' 20 before the whole Covid lockdown went into full effect. I was assigned to one of the small islands to work on a rural health community medicine project. It was one of the most amazing things I have ever done. Not only was the teaching incredible, the experience was everything that I could have asked for. As a senior medical student, I saw how community workers cared for rural communities, worked with medical centers both on the coast, and all the way up into the mountains and assisted in public health initiatives like family planning, and vaccinations.
I can honestly say that I have a little Filipino family on the island of Marinduque. So much love, and care is shown by both the community, healthcare workers and professors. I want to return back as a resident, hoping to be working in ER medicine/Disaster Medicine someday.
This was an outstanding experience in community and tropical medicine! I was a global health major in undergrad but had still not explored global health abroad by the time I was a 4th year medical student. One reason for this was because I was hesitant about how ethical a lot of medically focused opportunities abroad were. CFHI was the perfect answer to my questions and I am so grateful for the opportunity to have learned global health first hand from the physicians and community health workers who lived and served in the area I studied.
The clinical experiences were varied and informative and I really enjoyed the opportunity to practice the Spanish I was learning in my afternoon classes with the doctors and nurses I was working with as well as patients. One of my favorite clinical experiences was getting to take part in vector control with one of the community health workers who taught us as we went door to door interviewing and educating community members.
Both teams in the US and in Mexico were super helpful and responsive with everything from the beginning to the end and the pre departure information and trainings prepared me well for the experience. I felt super safe while traveling alone as a woman in Puerto Escondido and thoroughly enjoyed leisure time on the gorgeous beaches, strolling the markets, and taking weekend trips to nearby cities.
My experience in Puerto Escondido was overwhelmingly positive and will definitely influence the way I practice medicine as a physician. I am most grateful for the cultural insight I gained through this immersive experience and the huge improvement in my Spanish language skills, and I look forward to continuing my language study.
I decided to go with CFHI as part of my global health elective for medical school because of the wide variety of locations they have. I really wanted to go to Ghana and experience healthcare in another country, predominately in a hospital setting. CFHI provided me with an opportunity to rotate with different services at the Cape Coast Teaching Hospital and also provided me with everlasting memories that I will never forget. I made connections with residents and house officers who I deeply respect. There wasn't much help in getting there but once I was there things just started to fall together. I would suggest to anyone wanting to go to another country to look into CFHI due to its variety of program locations and also the ability to work in an already established setting. In addition, there are weekly lectures that introduce students to Ghana and public health. I do suggest that you be diligent and on top of making sure you have all of your required documents before hand and its correct because there wasn't much assistance with ensuring the information was uptodate. Take a look at the variety of things to do in both Cape Coast and Accra (3hrs away by van) for weekend activities as well. The program is what you make out of it. There is definitely time to explore and to learn so your trip is what you want it to be.
I spent an incredible month in Puerto Escondido, Mexico, in the Women's Reproductive Health Elective with CFHI. CFHI handles it all- from the homestay to the clinical experiences to the language learning. As a busy medical student, I'm extremely grateful for this once in a lifetime opportunity to do clinical learning alongside language learning. Additionally, one of the best things about the program was the opportunity to learn alongside incredible peers from other medical schools who were also participating in the program. Our group of CFHI-ers provided a supportive space to reflect on experiences as well as a space to go through the growing pains of being in a new country with different customs. Through Spanish language classes, I learned Spanish grammar concepts and Medical Spanish with my peers. I left the program ready to learn even more Spanish and excited about all that I had accomplished in just one month. I also appreciated the opportunity to practice interviewing patients in Spanish at one of the clinics in Puerto, but hope that this opportunity will be expanded to all the clinics. I highly recommend this program to others. I will say that I think students who have studied Spanish before will likely get the most out of this program compared to those who have not studied Spanish at all.
I had the amazing opportunity to go to Ecuador with CFHI's 2 week intensive Public Health program. This experience allowed me to see the different medical and health conditions faced in each community and how it is addressed and treated. From Guayaquil's urban centers to Puyo's indigenous community, medicine and health education is used different to create valuable impacts.This experience allowed me to create a network of people interested in the same goals. What surprised me was how tight knit and close we got to the people we shadowed and met. I never expected to come back from this trip with such valuable relationships, many made in 1-2 days. This program exceeded my expectations fully!
CFHI's Public Health and Community Medicine program in Delhi was my first global health experience as a pre-med student in 2010. It reinforced my passion for medicine and transformed my entire career path, focusing on reducing health disparities. This is an amazing organization that provides a truly unique experience through integration of the local culture and opportunities to work with and learn from diverse clinical and public health settings. CFHI has great relationships with their host countries and organizations, and it is wonderful to see CFHI give back and help empower local communities. I could not have found a better organization to work with!
I can confidently say that I am glad that I made the decision to travel to Mumbai, India through the CFHI Infectious Diseases Program in 2005. I went on this eye-opening trip as a Public Health student and realized that I had so much to be thankful and grateful for. I understood that we were lucky in the United States and in some developed countries when it comes to having the capability and capacity to eradicate some infectious diseases such as Leprosy. I had learned about Leprosy from my science classes and seen images of the devastation and incapacitating nature of the disease, but it is nothing compared to actually seeing it in reality. CFHI has made it an effort to provide the opportunity for access and information about global health to health professionals, nursing students, medical students and public health students. CFHI have been able to carry this role out because they constantly strive to maintain relationships with all their host countries institutions, and families. Access to health information and awareness of health maintenance is a fundamental human right. CFHI has a solid stance on that so it is not surprising to see CFHI at the top of the Great Nonprofits.
I also hope to someday join CFHI in bringing awareness to the global fight against Addiction and Mental Health issues.
I will end with Gro Brundtland’s words, “There can be no real growth without healthy populations. No sustainable development without tackling disease and malnutrition. No international security without assisting crisis-ridden countries. And no hope for the spread of freedom, democracy and human dignity unless we treat health as a basic human right.”
My trip with CFHI to Uganda was my seventh international global health volunteering trip and CFHI was the fourth organization I have volunteered with. I can say with confidence that CFHI is the best global health non profit I have traveled with. My trip with CFHI was in the fall of 2017 as a part of my practicum project for my masters in Global Health. CFHI partnered me with a great organization called OmniMed based in Kisoga, Uganda. During this trip I completed a research project evaluating an improved cookstove project in the area and teaching community health workers.
What really impressed me about CFHI is their commitment to finding the right program for their students and ensuring their students adhere to strong ethical standards while in country. When I was preparing to go on my trip, I was able to have a conversation with Robin surrounding what my interest were and how long I wanted to travel. From there, she was able to match me with a program that she thought best fit my interests. With the abundance of programs to choose from it can be hard to navigate the global health volunteering space, and CFHI was able to match me with a program that I would not have considered at first but was the perfect fit for me.
In all of my experiences volunteering internationally, CFHI is one of the few non-profits that really adheres to high ethical standards. Most other organizations I have worked with at some level cater to the volunteers, trying to ensure that they have a good time. This can sometimes lead to unethical practices that I won't get into here. I was really impressed with CFHI's commitment to teach their students about these ethical issues and keep the focus of the trip on the work that the student was going to be performing in country to ensure that the student was having a positive impact. This commitment is what has inspired my continued involvement with CFHI, and I cannot recommend them highly enough to anyone who wants to participate in one of their programs!
As a pre-medical student I participated in a CFHI program in Oaxaca, Mexico in 2005. It was probably one of the most formative experiences and set into motion a career tailored to meeting the needs of those who experience health disparities. CFHI is a world class organization that really “gets it” when it comes to Global Health Education. From a logistics perspective CFHI crafted a wonderful learning experience that including a family home stay to integrate one into the culture, medical-focused language classes, weekly lectures, and a variety of clinical rotations to suit ones interests. When deciding to embark on a month long global health trip you want to know the organization you choose is committed to crafting a great experience for you. CFHI clearly did this for me and thousands of others. This quality only comes via CFHI investing heavily in their relationships with their host-countries. CHFI is on the forefront of creating responsible and sustainable curriculums with their host countries so that both the student-learner and the host-country benefit. You really can’t find a better organization to create a global health experience!
In August 2019, I participated in the five week long Pediatric Health Care in La Paz, Bolivia with Child Family Health International. It was the best trip of my entire life. I made many new friends, learned so much about medicine, saw different syndromes and illnesses, travelled to beautiful places in Bolivia, and tried great foods. As a premed student in my second year of university, the CFHI Pediatric Health Care program helped me decide my career goals and my path for my future.
With this program and this nonprofit, I was given the opportunity to shadow many different doctors and nurses in different departments at various hospitals and clinics. I saw surgeries, burns, draining of hernias, births, different diseases, and so much more. I learned so much about diagnoses and about public health problems. By doing this program, I discovered how much I love working with medicine and working in Pediatrics. Now, I am a lot more motivated towards working to become a Pediatrician.
My experience with CFHI Ghana was great! The local institutions I worked with were clearly accustomed to having visiting students and their familiarity allowed for my experience with them to be productive for both me and them. The individuals I worked with at these institutions did a solid job of incorporating me into their team by delegating clear discrete tasks to me which made me feel like a valued member of the team.
The CFHI local coordinators went out of their way to ensure that I was well settled and checked in frequently about ways my experience could be improved in real time. The country director was also clearly invested in participants having the most meaningful experience possible and made arrangements to this effect. I am already thinking about my next global health experience with CFHI!
I am a second-year medical student and I went to Accra, Ghana through the CFHI program ( https://www.facebook.com/ChildFamilyHealthInternational/)!
I rotated in the ER department and was able to round with the fifth-year medical students from Accra College of Medicine and Family Health Medical School. On my first day I rounded with the fifth-year medical students and I was terrified and intimidated. The way they presented, answered the doctor’s questions and interrogations on details about their cases, and dissected their differentials was astounding. With only one year of medical school under my belt, I felt useless and unknowledgeable compared to them. However, I tried to stay as engaged as I could, listening to patients’ hearts and lungs, interpreting x-rays and EKGs, and perfecting the craft of the history and physical exam. This coming year we’ll learn more about chronic illnesses and management, so I’ll be able to deepen my clinical knowledge and skills.
I was happy that I was able to recognize a lot of drug names since Pharm is one of my favorite classes and could ask questions about treatment plans and care management. Most of the pediatric cases were acute tonsillitis, acute otitis media, bronchopneumonia, bronchiolitis, and complications of sickle cell disease (SCD). I was able to see an infant that was diagnosed with Trisomy 21 aka Down syndrome and had a heart murmur. I was also able to see a patient that had a palpable thrill and murmur. I sat in on my first Morbidity and Mortality (M&M) meeting and learned a lot about that part of medical care. I also participated in various lectures on proper handwashing skills, stages and treatment of malnutrition, how to properly clean the umbilical cord postpartum, triaging, and common respiratory/cardiovascular diseases in children.
One of the most memorable days was when I clerked with one of the fifth-year medical students. His partner wasn’t coming till the afternoon, so I was there to make sure he asked all of the right questions. We exchanged mnemonics on the history of present illness (we learned OLDCARTS and he learned SOCRATES) and social history. I quickly jotted down all the aspects of the history that should be asked and felt grateful that my school had forced us to create our own SOAP note from scratch countless times. He was grateful that I was able to ensure he asked all of the necessary questions. Our main differential was Vaso-occlusive crisis as a complication of SCD. Our other differentials were osteomyelitis and cellulitis. Both doctors ended up supporting our top differential and it felt good to be able to come up with the correct diagnosis. The child also had otitis media but we weren’t sure if it was secondary to the SCD since they are more prone to infections, or independent of the SCD.
All in all I learned a lot this week, more than I ever thought I would and I’m so excited to rotate in other parts of the hospital. This experience is strengthening my desire to go into Family Medicine even more apparent and necessary.
I just returned from my second internship abroad with Child Family Health International (CFHI). The first was as a premedical student to Ecuador (Urban/Rural Comparative Health) for 10 weeks, and this most recent was as a 4th year medical student to Argentina (Hospital Medicine in Latin America) for 4 weeks. My rotation in Argentina was also supported by a scholarship through CFHI and the American Medical Student Association (AMSA). My first experience was so positive and meaningful that I was ecstatic to have the opportunity to do a second program with CFHI. I really stand behind their organization, I love that they provide learning experiences for students and health-professionals across the entire spectrum of your educational journey. They emphasize using traveling to learn from your host country and “letting the world change you” (not the other way around). You are there to learn and absorb from your host culture, which I think is the most sustainable and responsible form of travel/volunteerism.
After returning from my program in Argentina, I feel ready to start my career as a physician. My confidence in medical Spanish has been boosted over the last month working in the hospital and taking Spanish classes through CFHI and I now feel capable of providing competent care to my Spanish- speaking patients. I also feel privileged to have had the opportunity to learn about a healthcare system outside my own. It has made me more aware of how other countries structure their health care system, prioritize health care delivery, and provide care to their patients. Having this experience will make me a better physician. I’m grateful to CFHI and the AMSA for mediating this experience, for all the wonderful doctors I worked with in Argentina, and for each and every patient I have had the honor of taking care of.
I was granted the wonderful opportunity to attend a week-long Spanish Intensive & Healthcare Seminar in Oaxaca, Mexico with Child Family Health International (CFHI) in April. In the short months I’ve experienced as a first year medical student at GW, I’ve quickly realized that global health strongly draws me in, and I’m so grateful to CFHI for providing me with the opportunity to explore this interest further. My week in Oaxaca was full of vibrant colors, melodious words previously unknown to me, flavorful foods, kind patients, and the welcoming smiles of caring and hardworking health professionals. I learned a lot about the healthcare system in Oaxaca and other parts of Mexico, and even got to sit in on a ground rounds organized for the medical students of the region!
My learning of conversational Spanish was accompanied by the medical Spanish I was taught both in private lessons, and at the healthcare facilitates I rotated through. My week was full of interesting encounters with patients. At Hospital Carmen, I observed the management of an elderly woman who presented with an MI. I interviewed and examined an OB patient at Centro de Salud Ejido Guadalupe Victoria. At Hospital Civil, I shadowed as a lumbar puncture was performed on a gentleman with altered mental status. My experiences in Oaxaca armed me with so much knowledge but also left me wanting much more when it comes to global medicine. I’m excited to be embarking on a new global health journey in Cordoba, Argentina this summer with CFHI again!
Blessing of Baba” is the driving force in our lives.
Started with baby steps and now with the support of many like minded people we are running two schools for underprivileged children.
Being associated with them for more than ten years, we followed series of steps to convince them about education and its importance. http://saikapyar.in
In February I traveled to Accra, Ghana and worked in Princess Marie Louise, a Pediatric hospital partnering with Child Family Health International. The attending physicians, residents and staff were happy to have us and worked to make our experience as fourth year medical students rewarding and professionally enriching. The in-country staff described the many ways CFHI helps to support the work of the hospital, including contributing to a needy fund for patients and fixing equipment in the facility. This gave me confidence that my program fee was well spent. CFHI coordinators also worked to make sure we had a fun and safe experience. The CFHI home team in San Fran followed up with us on our experience when we got back to the US. I recommend the program to those interested in learning more about West Africa and seeing how medicine is practiced in resource-challenged settings.
This was a great program. Everything was very organized and structured so that I didn't have to worry about not knowing where I was supposed to be at any given moment. There were many points of contact throughout the whole process. From being picked up at the airport, adequate knowledge about the program from the host family, tour of the city and public transportation on the first day, coordination of hospital sites and physicians, the whole process was very seamless. Quito is a very easy city to navigate with great and cheap public transportation. Uber is also very cheap there. There are also lots of weekend trips that can be done to explore more of Ecuador. The rotations were all interesting and educational, with physicians teaching in between seeing patients. You get to work in a maternity hospital ER, adolescent pregnancy clinic, postpartum floor, outpatient clinics, and labor and delivery. I felt that the Spanish classes were excellent especially since there were only 4 students or so in each class. I would recommend this program!
As I move into my 4th week in Kabale, I’ve definitely gotten a taste of what it’s like to live in Uganda – at least from the perspective of a muzungu (foreigner). On a typical day, I’ll wake up early and go for a jog around a local golf course up the hill from the apartments. Lots of local people jog there too! I’ve made it up to 5 miles of mountainous jogging at a high elevation, which I think will serve me well when I go back to Texas. We’ll typically have breakfast of chapatti and eggs, a combination Ugandans call “Rolex”. It’s so delicious I’ll definitely be craving it when I get back home. Most of our meals are served by Patricia, who’s in charge of the Kihefo apartments. She also makes fabulous peanut butter, which I can bring home for some friends if they wish.
I am a fourth-year medical student who traveled to Argentina. I was able to go abroad after receiving the Child Family Health International (CFHI)/American Medical Student Association (AMSA) Scholarship. The program I participated in was a 2-week hospital medicine intensive Spanish course in Cordoba, Argentina in February 2019. I am originally from South Florida, but I go to medical school in Orlando, FL
I loved my CFHI experience in Argentina. The hospital time was interesting and Spanish classes were helpful for improving my Spanish. The other students on the trip were all from the states, but I have heard that during some months they are from all over the world. The city was beautiful. The accommodations sufficient (with my host mom being an excellent cook and good conversation). I loved rooming with two other students in the program and we all practiced Spanish with our host family over dinner. I wish I stayed longer!!!!
I chose the CFHI program that was held in Tarija, Bolivia that focused on primary care and rural medicine. So far, my experience with the CFHI program has been phenomenal! I have been fortunate enough to travel to another country to learn and understand their healthcare system and become immersed in their culture. Aside from clinical/hospital rotations that were part of the program, other participants and I were able to learn more about the city, culture and became friends with the locals.
One of the components of the program that I would like to highlight is the CFHI team both in the country interned in and the one back at home. They were able to help and answered our questions in a timely manner. What I also enjoyed about this program, is that it built a community within the participants and the medical coordinators. CFHI continued this community feel even after the program was completed through them continually reaching out to the program alumni. Therefore, those who are looking/interested in getting valuable experience while abroad I recommend CFHI. They will work with you to have a memorable experience while abroad, especially if you let the “world change you.”
I came across CFHI as a pre-med student - I wasn't sure what branch of medicine I wanted to study. All I knew was that I was interested in traditional medicine and women's health, and that I liked traveling. I approached their table at a pre-health conference and was insistently drawn into a rich conversation with them. My eyes were immediately opened by CFHI who taught me what global health entails, such as the social determinants of health and the importance of approaching a trip as a learner and observer of the local culture. Being aware of cultural boundaries. Responsible and ethical partnerships. After doing my research, I realized that these values were not common in other abroad programs. I decided that a trip with CFHI would lead to my personal, academic, and professional development and signed up.
Besides the obvious integrity of CFHI, what drew me to CFHI and continues to impress me is the genuine personal attention and sincere compassion towards their students. CFHI is a small organization, and it shows in their student interactions and intimate communication. I felt completely supported throughout the entire process. They want to help their students and make it easy. They encouraged me to apply for a scholarship, with fully funded my trip. The application process was straightforward, as it should be.
CFHI is furthermore unique among other "study/volunteer/work abroad" organizations because of its individual focus. Rather than joining a trip 'slot', you decide where you want to go, what focus you want to have, what specific clinics you want to shadow at, when you want to embark, and for how long. It is totally catered to make it worthwhile for the student, while also assuring the highest quality ethical partnerships with locals. Each day consists of a medical aspect and a cultural aspect, reinforcing the idea that health is more than just the doctor-patient dynamic.
My 6 week trip in Oaxaca, Mexico focused on Women and Maternal Medicine, Midwifery, Indigenous Medicine transformed me, and now I am pursuing to be an OB-GYN, a profession I never would have chosen if it weren't for the eye-opening perspectives I got from my CFHI trip. And for that I am forever grateful. Thanks CFHI for all the opportunities and integrity you are putting into the world.
As a student, I have to complete a field experience in order to graduate. I had already completed the requirements for field experience but wanted to learn more about maternal health. So when I found at that Child Family International had a program dedicated to HIV and Maternal Health, I immediately jumped on the opportunity. I had the honor to receive a scholarship from CFHI which allowed me to go to Uganda. I chose CFHI because of their message of sustainable and ethical methods when sending students overseas. There are many volunteer programs out there but none with such a strong message. In the pre-departure packet, CFHI has students read about cultural competency, volunteerism, and even discussed the savior complex.
The program itself was an amazing experience. CFHI has a partnership with a local Kegezi clinic called Kihefo. The clinic has many departments so students who don't necessarily want to focus just on maternal health have the opportunity to shadow different departments. There is a dental clinic, an HIV/AIDS clinic, a maternal clinic, and a general practice clinic. As an aspiring midwife, I loved going to the maternal health clinic. There I learned how to measure/record a fetal heartbeat, measure how far along a baby is, and common complications. A big highlight for me was watching a live birth. It was amazing and something I would never forget.
The living conditions were very good. We received three meals a day and a water bottle for each meal. The Kihefo apartments are quite nice. There is not hot water all the time but it was totally worth it. The staff here is excellent and everyone is very supportive. I would caution LGBTQA+ students as this is a conservative country that is not that open to students from different sexualities. There are of course students from these backgrounds who did not experience any type of discrimination and harassment but it is important to note. Overall, this was a good experience.
I came into my experience with Child Family Health International thinking that I would get some hands-on healthcare experience that would make me a better healthcare professional in the future. I came out of it with a new perspective on what health means and a trip that - although different than I was expecting and not "hands-on" - will truly make me a better, more culturally conscious and stronger global citizen and health advocate.
Through CFHI, I learned to question my perspective and learn from local experts. I learned that health is not only the classes I took, the biological processes I studied or the hospitals I was familiar with, it is social, it is personal and it looks different to each of us. Healthcare in India is something that I am by no means an expert in, which is why I was refreshed that CFHI fosters a learning environment where participants are learners and local experts are teachers, guiding students through the intricacies of global health and social determinants of healthcare in different environments.
Participating in the CFHI program in Delhi and Dehradun, India broadened my horizon and opened my mind to what it means to provide quality health care around the world, and I am forever grateful. Thank you CFHI!
I went to Ecuador through the Child Family Health International Intensive Beginner Spanish and Health Care Program. Child Family Health International programs are inter-professional and open to students ranging from undergraduate pre-health students up to residents and post-graduate students.
The Intensive Beginner Spanish Program is unique in that participants begin with service-learning placements rather than clinical rotations. In this program, I received increased Spanish language instruction in preparation for entering healthcare settings. In the mornings, I did community engagement projects and learned about the cultural and social context of Quito before entering the hospitals. One whole month seemed like a long time to be away when I was preparing for my trip, but the time actually flew by. We spent every morning during the week working in the clinic or hospital, and rotated to a different site each week. The last two weeks, focused on practicing Spanish skills during clinical rotations at local healthcare facilities such as community level clinics on the outskirts of the city serving low-income populations and specialized emergency care. Other rotations included a public maternity hospital for high-risk pregnancies. I came away with more confidence communicating in Spanish within social and professional settings, as well as a holistic view of healthcare systems in Quito and how Ecuadorians access these services. A typical weekday I would get up around 5:30am to get to the hospital or clinic by 7am. I would work in the hospital or clinic until 12pm. All of the students had a 2 hour lunch break, and then classes began at 2pm. All Spanish classes were 2 hours: one hour of grammar and one hour of medical vocabulary.
The first two weeks I was at The Camp Hope Foundation. Camp Hope provides services in health, rehabilitation, special education, and recreation, work for children, adolescents, young people and adults with a severe disability, with few economic resources, orphans and abandoned children in order for them to achieve independence and integration within society. Their objective is “To contribute to the comprehensive development of children, adolescents, young people and adults with a severe and moderate disability, involving the community and their families in the process.” Camp Hope organizes agreements with medical centers throughout Quito in order to support participants medically at a low cost. At the Hope Camp, I worked with nurses and physical therapist to help children with severe mental and physical disabilities. I was able to work one on one with kids doing physical therapy, sensory exercises, and music therapy.
Hospital IESS is teaching hospital, located in the northern part of Quito, that receives funding from the government and other civil organizations. It provides primary, secondary and tertiary care at low cost. In Ecuador, all people have access to free healthcare, but there is a great disparity between the quality of facilities available to the wealthy and to the poor. I worked alongside medical students and residents in the emergency room general trauma area. I participated in morning rounds, general consults, and follow-up treatment. In all of the public sites that I worked, doctors repeatedly told me that certain things weren't available, because there was no money. This was most evident my last week in the maternity hospital. Patients in labor did not have sheets or pillows on their beds.
At Hospital IESS I was in the Emergency Department with Dr. Julian Cadena. I worked alongside the Ecuadorian 5th year medical students and nurses. I observed a variety of small procedures, and as the week progressed I got to do small tasks on my own. When a patient would come in I would take the patient history and evaluate their pain level. I also learned how to take and read electrocardiograms. This was one of my favorite parts of the experience. I was surprised that neither the doctors nor nurses use gloves while treating patients; thankfully I brought my own gloves. The last week I was at Centro de Salud Carcelen Bajo which is a small local health clinic. My experience here was much less hands on. I observed Dr. Monica working with pregnant mothers and their babies. I did taking blood pressure, oxygen saturation, and other vital signs.
Going to Ecuador I was nervous that the career I aspired for, would not be a good fit for me. I did not know if I could keep up with the high intensity of critical care nursing. However, I now know that I am on the right track pursuing a career in nursing. I also now have a much broader world perspective and understand that there are many more ways to regard life than the way we do in America. Ecuadorians had a way of embracing life that was thrilling and refreshing. Reproductive Health in Quito combined my medical interests with the opportunity to improve my Spanish skills, which will be very valuable as I move forward with my career. I feel that this program added a vital dimension to my medical education.
Good organisation
Good support
Willing to help
Flexible electives
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Wonderful staff who were happy to help and impressively supportive from the get-go.
This is also one of the only organisations I found that made an intentional and significant focus of re-investing back into the elective community which is a rare gem and made a strong impression.
Looking forward to a great experience with them next year. Couldn't recommend them enough.
I had a wonderful experience working with CFHI. I went abroad to Ecuador for 1 month doing a Spanish immersion program. I really enjoyed my clinical experience as I know many of the other students did as well. They were very flexible making sure that our clinical experience met our needs and expectations. The spanish classes were also very helpful. For the first two weeks we were at a foundation for children with cerebral palsy and this was so amazing. We thought we would be just playing with the kids and feeding them but it turns out that much of the staff and kids needed general physicals so we had the opportunity to help with that. The doctors there are great teachers and we learned so much. The healthcare system is of course much different and it is great to have some many patient people willing to teach. I would definitely recommend this program to students looking to study abroad!
My month completing CFHI’s Child and Social Determinants of Health program in Accra, Ghana moved so quickly, as it was filled with so many exciting moments both in the clinic and in the country. Not only did I expand my knowledge on a medical level but on a cultural level as well. From seeing elephants 10 feet away while on safari to observing the biggest umbilical hernia I have ever seen, there has not been a dull moment. Reflecting back, I have learned so much that I believe will make me not only a better doctor, but a better person as well. Although Ghana is a developing country, it is humbling to be in a place with fewer resources than the US and see how other people live around the world. It was also an important learning experience to meet people in a nation that was colonized and whose people suffered terrible injustices.
This experience has improved my medical knowledge and will remain a formative part of my medical education. The prevelance of certain diseases is very different in Ghana compared to US, so I was able to see and learn about a number of pathologies that are less common at home. So many important public health programs are in their infancy here in Ghana. I believe it is helpful to see how systems and resources develop overtime and to understand what they came from. I also learned about the power of patient education. No matter how many medications you provide or the number of times you see a patient, teaching parents why these things are important is the only long term way to improve the health of a child. From HIV management to the prevention of malnutrition, money may be a barrier to improved health but the ultimate challenge is due to a lack of education. This emphasizes the importance of doctors working hand in hand with the entire medical community, social work and public health to educate patients. Overall, this was an amazing and humbling learning experience that I would recommend to all!
It’s interesting how I entered into CFHI’s Public Health and Community Medicine program in New Delhi with a number of assumptions, both concerning study abroad programs and the country of India. At the end of the program, however, I stood corrected. CFHI’s sweet yet concise motto states, “Let the world change you”, and how appropriate. The two-week intensive program provided me with both an educational and cultural understanding of the public health system and in the context of India’s vibrant and dynamic culture. Given the nature of short-term study abroad programs, CFHI allowed me the opportunity and the means to delve into the most challenging issues that exist concerning global medicine, and in a professional and ethical, but above all, meaningful approach. As a young and aspiring pre-medical student, I can state with much confidence that I have been changed.
This past fall, I spent 6 weeks in Ecuador through CFHI’s Coast to Rainforest: Community Health program. I loved the comparative nature of this program in that I was able to shadow in clinics in Guayaquil, Puyo, and Quito. Every week was different in terms of the size of the clinic/hospital and the types of patients I was interacting with. I had the chance to provide education about mosquito-borne diseases like Dengue and Zika in a community in Guayaquil through the SNEM program. In Puyo, I was able to learn more about rural and indigenous health as well. One of the unique components of this experience was visiting the San Virgilio indigenous community in the Amazon. They were so welcoming and happy to share their culture and knowledge of medicinal plants with us.
Overall CFHI takes a lot of care into putting together a program that fits your interests and time. Both the local and main staff in the US are incredibly helpful and attentive when any problem arises while you are abroad. In addition, CFHI’s dedication to ethical global health programs is evident in both the training provided to students before leaving and the close interaction with community members and local health care providers abroad. This program is a great opportunity to learn more about healthcare in South America, meet new people, and experience a new culture.
The first day of arrival was exciting yet overwhelming. Arriving at 5 am, I was worried I would have no way to get to my homestay. Yet I am glad that the program coordinators had arranged a pick-up time from the airport to a hostel until later in the morning. Charly (local coordinator) picked me up and took me to my homestay where my hostess was wonderful and a source of information of the city. Getting lost in the city was intimidating but Carlos (program coordinator) and Charly make the transition easier and educated us in the culture, language, what and where to eat, our schedules, and hospital location and rotations. Truly well organized and made the transition much easier.
I was assigned to Cordoba hospital and I chose the burn unit because it uses different specialties such as dermatology, and post-op care to treat and manage a burned patient. Dr. Olmos showed me around and taught me many things she felt were important in the recovery room. I can tell that the physicians I interacted with had a personal connection with patients and spoke to them like family. Everyday, majority of patients and doctors pass by a hallway that has the words written in Spanish "No perder la humalidad" meaning "do not lose your humanity" and the words do inspire providers to do their best for their patient's best interest in managing care. Overall, it was a truly humbling experience, and yet two weeks in Cordoba was not enough and I yearned to stay longer. Knowing the Spanish language does help and being able to communicate with others is amazing. I could never speak in Spanish with anyone other than my family and speaking my mother tongue felt great. I thank CFHI commitment and mission for helping me participate in this wonderful journey.
Here is my blog: https://cfhihospitalmedicineinargentina.wordpress.com/
I first became involved with CFHI as a one-month intern after hearing about its mission with global health at a school activity's fair. This internship sparked my interest to dedicate my subsequent summer to two of its 4-month programs in Oaxaca City. The overall structure of each program is similar, one composed of hospital shadowing, afternoon Spanish lessons, and community volunteering. One thing that I really liked about the program is its flexibility. During the program, I had the opportunity to choose where to volunteer, so I chose to volunteer at a rehab center for children with mental or physical impairments. Additionally, I also volunteered at Centro de Esperanza, a grassroot organization dedicated to providing afterschool classes to children from low-income family. Both experiences were similar such that they allowed me the chance to learn to interact with children; but most importantly, both experiences made me much more humbling and appreciative of what I have. I am from a low-income immigrant family in the upscale neighborhood of San Francisco, so I didn't have much either. But when I was interacting with children whose childhoods are marred by illnesses, I formed immense gratitude towards the things that I took for granted, such as no-cost schooling, physical health, and hard-working parents.
Furthermore, I gained a comprehensive view of the healthcare in Mexico by shadowing in local health clinics, the only public hospital of Oaxaca City, and one of the many private hospitals in the city. Thanks to CFHI, I had the opportunity to witness healthcare disparity and unequal distribution of healthcare resources. From observing medical care given in the halls of the public hospital to the clean, private rooms of the private hospital, I saw a stark contrast in the demographics of the patients, which was not surprising but still affirmative of the pronounced healthcare disparity in Mexico.
To top it off, I had a wonderful time with my host family. The matriarch of the family was my host-grandmother, and she was very motherly to me. She took care of me when I was sick with gastroenteritis for a week.
Overall, I had a great, exotic time in Mexico. I was learning a lot and having a great immersive foreign experience. It greatly impacted my goals right now for the future.
Child Family Health International (CFHI) gave me the opportunity to give back to my motherland. I remember interviewing for Belmont's Pharmacy program and telling my interviewer that I would like to go back to Uganda for a month in my fourth year as part of my experiential education. It was a dream then, and now a reality. This was my first global health trip and it was definitely a life-changing experience. Robin and Ally were essential in setting up this trip and I am very grateful for all their help and tireless efforts. This is the first time Belmont University College of Pharmacy has had a rotation site in Uganda and the first Public Health//Missions elective that has lasted an entire month, and it was a great success. Several students are already interested in pursuing this elective in their fourth year and I hope I can return as a CFHI volunteer in the near future. As a person of color and from an underserved community, I was able to learn from first-hand experience of other social determinants that I had not personally experienced. HIV, malnutrition, poverty, and gender inequality are still a reality in many communities, including Kabale, Uganda I feel it is my role, as a global citizen, to start making the right changes as the world continues to change me. I like the Kigezi Healthcare Foundation (Kihefo) model because it integrates sustainable healthcare initiatives that fight disease, poverty, and ignorance. In Kabale, I participated in patient care in the general clinic (most common disease states include malaria, brucellosis, and typhoid), HIV/AIDS clinic, and maternal clinic. Besides my clinical experiences, I participated in gardening and visited a traditional healer for the first time. I learned more about how he incorporates spiritual, traditional, and western medicine. I also had the opportunity to visit the bishop that baptized me as a little girl (he moved to Kabale shortly after he baptized me and I had not seen him since then) and that made me feel like my spiritual circle is now complete. I have many questions after this trip, and I do not have all the answers, but I will continue to learn and be an advocate for quality healthcare for all. Thanks again CFHI and the Thomas Hall Scholar Award #lettheworldchangeyou
Only in the initial phases of devising my trip so can't give full assessment but they have been great so far!
CFHI gave me the opportunity to be taken seriously as a medical student in another country. While I continued to improve my language ability in the classroom, I was also able to engage in the real world. While the experience mostly involved shadowing, I was able to take away valuable and unique experiences.
Great support for our Princeton students for many years now, very accommodating of their needs as well as the requirements of my internship program. Highly recommended partnership!
CFHI has been a great partner. Medical students from my institution have participated in many of their programs and come away with career-changing or life-changing experiences. As an institution, we appreciate the communicative nature of CFHI and the in-country support they provide to our students, especially regarding their safety and security.
CFHI provides excellent opportunities for students who are interested in global health. It is a highly ethical organization that partners with communities all of the world to help those communities provide sustainable health and wellness programs for their people. I highly recommend the CFHI to my students who are interested in gaining a global perspective on health.
Child Family Health International CFHI has been a wonderful partner to the University of MN Pre-Health Student Resource Center. We have had many students access amazing experiences throughout the world. The programs are high quality, well-run, and perhaps most important built upon the ethical principles that Dr. Evert promotes for any global experience. Pre-health students return ready to use those experiences to talk about the importance of cultural humility as a future health professional.
I recently completed the Remote Island Medicine 4 week CFHI program in the Philippines as my last rotation as a 4th year medical student. This is my second CFHI program, and I was very impressed with my previous experience when I went to Ecuador. I chose CFHI again because of their partnership with the local people year round, rather than being like other non-profits who come in temporarily and then leave. CFHI works with local preceptors to integrate participants into the local existing healthcare system, providing what I think is a more authentic and accurate view of the local country’s health care. I want to learn how the locals provide sustainable healthcare, not go there to provide only a temporary solution.
The Philippines program is highly structured, while still flexible to meet the various education levels of the participants. The local program Medical Director, Dr. Joel Buenaventura, has a strong vision of what participants will gain from their experience: Understanding the structure of the Philippine Health System (PhilHealth), how health care is delivered in local units, called barangays, and what goals and strategies the barangays use to keep their local population the healthiest based on their specific needs. Dr. Joel and Dr. Medina, the associate director, is great to work with. They make sure that we safe and also know all the local secrets: great food and activity recommendation. My local preceptor, Dr. Maestro, who I spent a majority of my time with, was also very welcoming and made sure I got as much clinical or cultural experience I could. CFHI Philippines does a great job of escorting you to all of the different sites so that you are not lost or left figuring things out on your own.
Going to the Philippines is definitely a great first experience abroad! The food is great (and everyone wants to feed you!) and the people are friendly, especially if you stay with a host family. English is also the second national language so asking for directions or recommendations is not difficult here. And the country is gorgeous! The water is the bluest of blues and the sand is white. I had a great time here connecting with the locals and learning from them how health care resources can be best utilized. We were able to see health care in many different settings: big tertiary care centers in Manila, smaller local hospitals on smaller island as well as immunization and prenatal clinics in geographically isolated areas. I am so grateful that CFHI created this partnership with the locals so I could truly see the Philippine health care system up close and personal. Thank you Child Family Health International for a life and career changing experience!
Volunteering with Child Family Health International for a month in La Paz, Bolivia through the Pediatric and Adolescent Medicine Program was by far the best experience I have had with a U.S. based organization that provides global medicine opportunities for students. CFHI is an incredible service learning organization which in large part is due to the strong relationships they have in the field. These relationships foster unbelievable learning experiences for students while empowering local communities. The host families, local coordinator, Spanish teacher, medical director and local physicians are deeply committed to this sustainable and culturally respectful model. The rare clinical exposure is observed alongside local physicians that have long established relationships with patients. CFHI is embedded within the community and provides students with many opportunities to grow in cultural awareness and competency as future global health professionals. I was given the opportunity to work in a variety of different inpatient pediatric departments including pulmonology, infectious disease, hematology/oncology and neonatology. I also was provided with the chance to visit the neighboring women’s hospital and experience primary care in the community of El Alto at a clinic that serves many Aymara and Quechua families. The opportunities provided for me were designed specifically according to my interests and every attending physician I worked with was eager to teach with the deepest passion imaginable. CFHI not only provides rare and special opportunities for students but protects the local community by making sure students work within their realm of ability. This fact makes CFHI an organization that I champion and feel is creating sustainable opportunities for students with meaningful impact. I would recommend this organization to any student in the healthcare system that desires an authentic and life changing global health experience while helping to bolster a local community.
I participated in a CFHI organized trip to northern India as part of a rural/urban Himalayan medicine rotation. CFHI had partnered with my medical school's global health program to help bring us a larger selection of international experiences. The rotation was 4 weeks long and was designed with 2 weeks in an urban setting and 2 weeks in rural areas. Overall, it was an incredible experience that was very eye opening and I would recommend it to just about everyone.
What made the experience special is that we were connected with the pre-existing local health systems rather than stand alone/foreign sponsored clinical sites. What this meant for me, is that I got a true look into what healthcare looks like on a daily basis in northern India. Personally, I think that finding experiences like this can be difficult to come by.
The office staff and well as in country coordinators did a good job. The US office was very responsive and helpful in answering questions. The in country local coordinators got the job done, but communication was sometimes difficult and there were multiple episodes instances of confusion and miscommunication. However, this didn't detract from the experience at all and at no point in time did we feel unsafe or in jeopardy because of the snafus.
Overall, I would recommend CFHI to others looking for a global health experience. They offer a wide variety of experiences and go about making them happen in an ethical responsible way that is different than may other organizations.
My very first trip abroad was certainly one for the books and I thank CFHI for that! During the four weeks I was away, I was able to travel to three different countries within East Africa; Kenya, Rwanda and Uganda. After vacation in Kenya, I completed the 2 week intensive global health education program with Child Family Health International. The program was called "Maternal & Child Health, HIV and Realities of Health Access", and took place in a rural town called Kabale, located within South Western Uganda. The experience was phenomenal; from the people I met, the breathtaking scenery, the delicious food I tasted, the sights I saw, and the information I obtained. One of my favorite parts of the trip was being able to visit different clinical settings, shadowing the clinical staff, and learning how our American health systems compare and contrast with health systems in these countries. I am from Washington D.C., where the rate of people living with HIV is still very high, so it was eye-opening to witness HIV diagnosis, counseling and treatment in another country. I also enjoyed visiting the beneficiaries of a public health project which was being implemented to decrease rates of malnutrition. My own personal public health interests include chronic and infectious diseases, maternal/ child health, social justice issues, and eliminating health disparities among under-served populations; all areas of which this trip covered. I am forever grateful for the opportunity to experience a world so different from mine, and will move forward in pursuing my career in public health with a new interest in global health as well!
My time in Puerto Escondido, Mexico through CFHI was nothing short of extraordinary. Upon arrival, I was greeted with warm smiles and open arms. While I had done quite a bit of traveling prior to this experience, this was my first time traveling truly alone and with a more career-oriented goal. That being said, I was very nervous and I apprehensive about how my experience would be.
Luckily, my apprehension soon dissipated after my arrival. In my short time in Puerto, not only did I work on my project regarding childhood obesity in Mexico and learn an incredible amount about the Mexican healthcare system, I also was given many unique opportunities to learn about the culture and the people of Puerto. Being associated with the Oasis Surf and Language school allowed me to meet a ton of new people and have access to many amazing activities. To name a few, during my three weeks I was able to learn how to surf, freshen up on my Spanish, go to the local market, eat amazing local cuisine, release baby sea turtles on the beach, visit two different midwifes, learn how to cook typical Mexican meals from my host mom, watch movies on the beach, visit a wildlife refuge, hike along some ancient trails, and listen to the stories of some amazing local people.
Every day I would go to a local clinic and work on discovering and reducing health disparities that I found to be present in the population, and every evening I would sit on the beach and watch the sun disappear below the rolling ocean waves. It was truly a setting and an experience that made me reflect and realize how lucky I am and how badly I want to improve the health and well-being of others in populations around the globe. I am so lucky to have had the chance to experience all that I did with my short time in this coastal town of Oaxaca, and I would not have had such a chance if it weren't for CFHI! I definitely recommend this program and this organization to anyone who is looking to experience something new and life changing in the realm of healthcare.
I had researched various organizations before commencing my voyage to India. Though I do believe that travel can be spontaneous and unplanned, I think that when it comes to volunteering, proper research must be executed. There exists this "benevolent gratification" that many travelers are drawn to when it comes to going abroad and volunteering, however a lot of "aid" is not necessarily beneficial or productive. With that said, after much research, I picked two organizations to work with during my stay in India. One was with interest in alternative medicine (CHFI) and the other focused on modern medicine. I can say that with the comparison of the two, CFHI was undoubtedly the most engaging, dynamic, and nourishing organization that I've participated in. The locations were superb, as I got to work in the rural village of Patti, perfectly off the grid and secluded, which was therapeutic as much as it was mystifying and eye opening. Never did I think I would be in a tiny village at the foothills of the Himalayas, connecting with villagers like I did. We also had the pleasure of spending Diwali in Rishikesh, which was a natural paradise and truly one of my favorite places in the world. That area totally spoke to me as someone who is reflective and quite spiritual. Here we got to learn about natural healing with acupuncture, water therapy, mud therapy, and reflexology, as well as experience practicals from our instructors. It was magic. Finally we spent 2 weeks in Deradun where we got to live as medical students. This meant we took the bus to our rotations, which were actually quite encompassing (they took up the entire day) but in turn, extremely beneficial. I felt like I was getting what I asked for with medical volunteering. I learned about homeopathy, Ayurveda (with fabulous practicals), and speak with a 104 year old doctor for 2 weeks. It was such an amazing, moving opportunity. I really loved how thoughtful and easygoing our host family was, and our guide, Manyank was so elaborate with our entire experience. He took us to a wedding, taught us Hindi, helped us fabricate weekend plans, took us out to dinner, and had thanksgiving with us. I really miss him actually! I loved that yoga classes were included in the first 2 weeks of the program- it was the most immersion I've ever had in the practice. And honestly, with comparison to the other organization that I worked with, the material I learned through this program was invaluable. It was in depth, meaningful, impressive, and something that I share at any chance I get. The depth of the Ayurveda and homeopathy and alternative medicine that I learned was absolutely incredible. It truly means a lot to me, and has made me a more medically creative person. And the experiences I had during this program will always move me. India is in my bones now. I love this organization and what it does. I would 100% love to have the pleasure of working with CFHI again!
I participated in the CFHI's Public Health & Community Medicine program in New Delhi, India during December 2015 - January 2016. I still have a hard time really explaining how awesome of an experience it was. Before the program began, I was full of emotions and a little apprehensive about how it all would all transpire and relate to what I have already been learning in my MPH program. Four weeks away from my family for the holidays was a tough pill to swallow but I was up for the challenge that ultimately changed my perspective in a lot of different ways. Not only did I learn so much about how public health integrates into community medicine in another country but I learned a lot about myself and my ability to translate the raw emotions that I felt while I was there. Both in-country coordinators made me feel like I was home and a part of their family. I also loved the weekly check-ins that the program provided for us to write our thoughts and talk with the coordinators about what we saw and how we were feeling. It gave me a chance during the program to reflect about the trip and the specifics of what I learned while visiting each organization.
Being able to be a tourist and visit the Taj Mahal, the Golden Temple, the Humayun's Tomb, the Red Fort and a myriad of other historic sites was the icing on the cake. This was my first international trip and by far CFHI set the bar high for providing such a cultural experience with different components that I couldn’t have imagined learning and/or understanding. I am very thankful and forever grateful to the CFHI staff and the in-country coordinators for the opportunity. I honestly think that everybody should be able to participate in global immersion programs and especially through CFHI because it’s simply one you won’t forget. The amount of confidence and pride that I have when asked about my participation in the CFHI program definitely hasn’t changed a bit since January and it honestly won’t ever! Thank you again CFHI!
They helped me fulfill a lifelong aspiration to learn to speak Spanish. I am not fluent but after participating in the CHFI Intensive Beginner Spanish course in Oaxaca, Mexico I am vastly closer than I was before. While abroad I could tell CFHI was a respected community partner and one that valued sustainability. I would highly recommend working, volunteering, or participating in their programs.
I really loved my experience abroad in Argentina as part of CFHI's two week intensive program! I spent two weeks in Cordoba, Argentina, working alongside physicians and medical residents in one of the largest public hospitals in Cordoba. I had so many opportunities to learn from the residents as well as teach them about medicine in the United States. As a senior year nursing student, this experience was particularly valuable because it felt like a capstone project for my undergraduate degree. I was able to use all the skills I had learned in school and combine them with the Spanish language background I already had. CFHI's program also gave students enrolled time in a classroom, to fine-tune our language skills and expand our knowledge on Argentinian culture. I wish I could have stayed for a longer program duration (4-6weeks), but I will always treasure my two weeks in South America. Now, as a practicing Registered Nurse, I can definitely say that this experience helped shape who I am as a health care professional.
I volunteered with “Hospital Medicine in Coastal Ghana” program in Cape Coast, Ghana as a licensed occupational therapist and volunteered in the Physiotherapy department. My one month in Ghana was absolutely phenomenal. I connected instantly with the rehab staff, the nurses within the wards, the market women within the waiting areas and patients and their families. There was an instant exchange of knowledge, resources and culture throughout my experience. The patients, staff and CFHI coordinators all became family - I felt at home. I am thankful for my experience with CFHI and would greatly recommend this organization.
I applied as a freshman pre-med student to experience hospital medicine in Cape Coast, Ghana. After being accepted into the program, I was impressed and extremely satisfied with CFHI's organization and preparation for what seemed an extremely challenging pursuit to volunteer in Ghana. They quickly made me a part of the medical community and lifted the stress of traveling, making the preparation and volunteering stages both personal and professional.
I participated in the program, Infectious Diseases and Hospital Rotation in Mumbai, India. During my rotation, I had the opportunity to observe Infectious Disease Specialists who are well known not only in India but also around the world. The specialists were not only knowledgeable but also very kind. I am grateful to CFHI for providing me with one of the greatest experiences.
I worked with CFHI during my 10-week internship in Kabale, Uganda and I have only incredible things to say about this organization. While I was in Uganda, I worked with the local NGO, Kigezi Healthcare Foundation (KIHEFO), learning about Maternal and Child Health and primary care in a low resource setting. As an undergraduate and pre-medical student, I felt 100% prepared (and safe) to live in a developing country for 10 weeks, mainly because of CFHI's wonderful preparatory methods and resources. Because of the opportunities that CFHI has given me I've: met absolutely incredible people during my time in Uganda, made relationships of a lifetime, and have never been so motivated to continue my path towards a career in global health. Webale Monunga CFHI and KIHEFO :)
I participated in the Pediatric and Adolescent Medicine program in La Paz, Bolivia for four weeks and loved it! I liked that I was able to see healthcare in La Paz in different settings: I had two weeks of rotations at two different local community clinics and two weeks at the city's largest children's hospital (one week in surgery and one week in the pulmonary unit). The physicians I worked with were patient, kind, and very willing to work with me.
Not only was the clinical experience great, but the cultural experience was even better. My group and I were able to visit a new tourist site every weekend and our language facility made it so easy to plan the weekends. I also loved my homestay mother. The homestay experience was key in helping me practice and improve my conversational Spanish.
I would definitely recommend this program to anyone looking to combine their interests in healthcare and experiencing new cultures!
I attended CFHI's two week intensive Tropical Medicine and Community Health program in Puerto Escondido.
CFHI programs appealed to me because they are not for profit and based in partnership and exchange. Their motto, “Let the world change you,” is real and something that all of us in dominant cultures should do more. Being in Puerto with CFHI was a transformative experience. It was helped me to expand my view of community and global health, and see the ways in which our actions in the United States and modern medicine affect the rest of the world.
I was welcomed into the clinical settings and appreciated the ethical approach of CFHI surrounding international experiences in healthcare. Volunteering to "fix" problems in other countries from an ethnocentric position doesn't usually create sustainable change - and often is damaging to communities. I really appreciated how the medical director in Puerto was a public health doctor in the community. Our (excellent) language classes and homestay were through another local business - and very professional. My whole experience in Puerto felt like real service learning, and was built upon long-term sustainable relationships.
My time in Oaxaca was illuminating in that I could see how all different kinds of medicine can coexist. And I also found people that I could relate to, especially in terms of the paradigm shift we want to create. It’s not always easy to merge the old with the new. We need evidence-based practices in healthcare, but we also need the wisdom and knowledge of our ancestors – and we are losing this with each passing generation. We need to reconnect the mind and spirit to the body when we’re working with patients and we desperately need all forms of healing on all levels – from individual to community to global.
I went to Oaxaca, Mexico with CFHI for a month. This was my first time practicing medicine abroad and I appreciate how careful they were about making sure that I only did what I was qualified to do unlike other programs which sometimes let people do things way above their level. They were always available which made me feel safe at any point I was in Mexico. My home stay, clinics and hospitals I visited, and Spanish school were all set up and ready to go upon my arrival. I rotated through peds, surgery, internal med, L&D, ED... My medical director was extremely receptive of what I wanted out of my experience.
I got way more out of this experience than I could have possibly imagined. I previously shied away from short missions trips because I was afraid I wouldn’t be able to fully immerse myself in the culture and really get something out of it while giving back. This trip with CFHI was perfect because my role often fell at the same level as it would be in the US which made it easier to feel immersed into the environment. The only down side is that it was quite expensive, but CFHI did help cover half my funds with a scholarship which was easy to apply for.
A month was also the perfect amount of time to get to know plenty of people, learn medical knowledge in Spanish, and get to know the area well enough that I would feel comfortable visiting another time (which I can't wait to do). I absolutely recommend it to any other med (or nursing) students!
I just returned from an amazing month-long global health experience in Quito with Child Family Health International. I witnessed some great medicine, took Spanish classes, immersed myself in the culture through a homestay, adventured across Ecuador, and made many lifelong friends. I learned so much about both medicine and myself through this experience. While any country will have differences in policy and operations I was surprised at just how similar clinic in Quito was when compared to my experiences in the US. In a way, it was beautiful illustration of how universal the human condition is. No matter where you are from, what work you do, or how you identify, all humans face the same medical problems across the world. This is a simple and obvious truth that is surprisingly difficult to grasp until you experience it firsthand. From stomachaches and cough to cancer and dementia, humanity can’t escape illness and (hopefully) doctors will always be there to aid and heal those in need. I highly recommend CFHI to any medical student!
It’s been one week since I got home from my amazing trip to Argentina and there has not been a single day where I haven’t talked about the incredible experience I had. I enjoyed it so much that my only regret is not staying longer than two weeks. When I arrived in Cordoba for the Hospital Medicine program, I was greeted by Carlos (one of the local coordinators for CFHI) at the airport and he took me to my homestay. I got to stay with an incredibly kind woman whose daughter and two granddaughters lived in their own apartment not far from us so I really got to bond with all four of them. The other local CFHI coordinator, Charly, taught me how to get to the hospital using the local bus system and after that I was set to make the most of my two weeks.
All of the doctors, residents, and students in the hospital were so helpful and always took the time to explain what they were doing whether it was a basic physical exam, an EKG, or stitching up a wound. I got to spend every morning in the local emergency hospital and I learned so much it was amazing. As soon as I told people that I was a student from the United States, they would ask me lots of questions about California (where I’m from) and about the medical school process in the US compared to Argentina. Everyone was really friendly so I felt very comfortable right away. I loved getting up and going to the hospital every morning because I knew that in the four hours that I was there, I was going to learn so much. I really wish I had planned to stay for at least a month because two weeks was not nearly enough! I am so grateful that CFHI put together this amazing program and I definitely plan on participating in more CFHI programs in the future!!
I am forever changed by my Ugandan experience. Thank you CFHI for this amazing opportunity, and thank you KIHEFO for accepting me like family. This was truly a once in a lifetime adventure. CFHI provided me with an opportunity to be immersed in Ugandan culture. This is the way to experience global health! I was forced to put my own assumptions aside and learn to think about health from a different perspective. I left Uganda with a new sense of purpose and a renewed passion for global healthcare.
Uganda is a great country with even greater people. I will never forget the special people that I met. The KIHEFO staff was incredible and truly did everything possible to ensure that I enjoyed my stay. I am forever grateful for there amazing hospitality. This entire experience has changed my outlook on not only health but also on life.
I regret not reviewing CFHI's Cape Town project beforehand as CFHI's reputation got the best of me. It is apt to say that the program is total rubbish. Here is some information that you are not told.
1) There is NO clinical rotation. CFHI's webpage advertises the opportunity to observe in general surgery, general medicine, pediatrics, HIV clinic, and casualty. The reality is that you are placed in Internal Medicine for the duration of the program. When I brought this fact up, one of the coordinators, Avril, got mad and replied word for word "Why can't you be open to the experience?"
2) The staff offers ZERO accommodation. It was extremely frustrating to work with Avril and Marion (coordinators of the program). It seems that their answers to any problems in the program are "Be open minded", "Don't let the small things get to you", and "You are already blessed to have this opportunity". The driver associated with the program is one of the grumpiest, least accommodating person that I've encountered. You are picked up at 6:30, because he doesn't want to sit in traffic. You arrive at 7, and you wait until 8 to begin observing.
3) The planning of the homestay is counter logic. All the volunteers are placed in a neighborhood called Vanguard Estate. It is in the region called Athlone. Two blocks down is a massive township called Langa. Think townships as one grade above slums. You can imagine that the neighborhood is not safe at all. Additionally, you are in a remote location where there is nothing fun to do. To head to the city where most attractions are, you have to either take Uber or drive. You can imagine the accumulated cost for that.
I speak from the bottom of my heart when I say that you should avoid this program. If you want to be placed in South Africa, choose Durban. It seems that project has more positive reviews, and I doubt it can be worse than Cape Town's project. Save yourself money and time.
CFHI 12/11/2015
Thank you for sharing this feedback with us. We are sorry to hear that the program did not match your expectations. We take this type of feedback very seriously we welcome the opportunity to continue to improve. I would like to encourage you to contact us directly so that we may learn more about your concerns and address them directly. Thank you for again for your feedback and for bringing these important issues to our attention. Sincerely, Robin Young, Assistant Director- Africa and Asia, Child Family Health International. Email: robin@cfhi.org
I was awarded a scholarship with CFHI to go abroad to Durban, South Africa, to participate in the HIV & Healthcare program. To put it simply, this was one of the most incredible experiences of my life. I'm an MPH student studying global health and was considering pursuing medicine after graduation but was still undecided before starting the program. Not only did the program answer that question for me, but it gave me so much more. It was a truly life changing experience for me.
Though my time was relatively short, the program packs an immense load of clinical experience into just a few short weeks. It would have taken years and a much more advanced clinical background to be able to have these experiences in the U.S. and I think it would have taken a much longer time for me to make future career choices without this program. I am so grateful to have been given this opportunity! And I really think I will return to South Africa in particular to work eventually, since my interest is in HIV. In terms of infectious disease, this program is also great for providing exposure to clinical conditions that are much more rare in the U.S. such as HIV and TB.
Durban was also such an incredible city! I was able to make such meaningful friendships with the other students in the program as well as my host family, and even some of the health care providers during rotation. I could not have chosen a better place to do this program.
Overall, I had an amazing experience and would recommend anyone considering a career in health care, an interest in global health or global service, or interest in HIV/TB to apply for this program. It is a very hands-on experience that provides great clinical exposure, and in one of the coolest places in the world :)
CFHI is an amazing organization that does an excellent job melding a learning experience with assisting global communities. I've been a part of many nonprofit organizations and CFHI is by far one of the most organized and thought provoking. As a volunteer in both South Africa and India, I felt well immersed and blended into the local communities.
CFHI India went above and beyond to provide me an amazing public health experience in Delhi. I learned far more than I anticipated, and I'm excited to apply this knowledge to my future career as a public health physician.
This summer I participated in a health related program in Uganda. Through CFHI, I was matched with the KIHEFO general clinic in Kabale Uganda where I was able to shadow physicians in the general clinic. Along with this experience there was a public health component via outreaches in the villages in the Kabale district.
The people were amazingly warm and welcoming. Uganda is a very safe place to be and the program is very structured which is great for those who have never been abroad. There was cultural immersion as well and plenty of time for tourist activities like safari. Overall a great experience.
In the Summer of 2013, I was selected to receive the International Enhancement Grant, from Indiana University’s Office of the Vice President for International Affairs, to finance the, Intensive Beginner Spanish Program sponsored by Child Family Health International (CHFI) in Quito, Ecuador. My experience was incredible!!! As a medical student, the program broadened my context of health care as it relates to the United States and developing countries. The Spanish classes provided by, “The Amazing Andes Spanish School,” especially those that focused on medically related Spanish, were effectively taught and engaging. These classes were particularly helpful when I volunteered at the community maternity hospital and family medicine clinics. With the help of the program, I had visited several historic sites, such as the Presidential Palace and Iglesia de la Compania de Jesus; and took excursions to Baños and Mindo
Sometime in 2007, I was awarded a scholarship to participate in the Infectious disease program in India. This was my first experience, ever, in Global Health.
True, we did stay in some run down leprosy village for a part of the program and I stayed hungry alot of times because I wasn't vegetarian, those experiences were what put courage and resilience in me to go where people refused to go and do what people refused to do 4 years down the line.
Today, I am going on to study Global Health at one of the World's best university because CFHI launched me out on a path from which I have never looked back.
I implore prospective students not to get half way and quit (some people did), I ask you to brace up, laugh out loud and enjoy the ride. It might feel abit strange but you will gain perspective and Knowledge that far outweighs minor discomforts.
I wish you all the best and see you at the top!
I participated in the Pediatric and Adolescent Medicine program in La Pax, Bolivia this past June 2015, and it was an extremely beautiful and illuminating experience. My time spent working with doctors and nurses in varying specialties was invaluable in giving me a chance to learn more about the health care field, as well as about intercultural medicine. I would highly recommend this experience to anyone who wants more exposure to the medical field, or to those who aren't sure if this career is right for them. As for me, as a result of this program I have decided to continue along my path into medicine.
CFHI does a great job finding inspiring and intelligent doctors to shadow during our time at the program. Before I left, they were extremely helpful, accommodating, and answered all questions and concernsi I had about my trip. They also provide many resources to fundraise for the program. During the program itself, we are connected with a coordinator who lives in the country, in my case the kind and wonderful Gonzalo Claire. He was available for us whenever we needed him, and worked with us to give us each experience we desired. With his help I was able to shadow a doctor in a women and children's clinic that no other student had worked in before. Overall, I would recommend this program, and CFHI specifically, for anyone who desires to expose themselves to global medicine.
This organization is doing great work for many underserved communities through partnering on local projects with local leaders and students. I worked to bring new insights to program coordinators in charge of running a female sex worker program by providing a review of the published literature. Following my participation in their public health India program, I have become more culturally sensitive and been able to advocate on behalf of similar communities.
Program: CFHI Cape Town, South Africa
Duration: 1 Month (July)
Price: Very reasonable (book/pay for your own flight)
Structure: Very well planned and connected with very skilled local coordinators/preceptors/doctors/locals/host families.
Experience: This solidified my aspirations to become a doctor. Full immersion into the world of doctors. The cultural aspect was beautifully balanced with the local sight seeing.
My rating: ∞ / 5
Arrival:
After a 35 hour grueling travel time, I arrive in the Cape Town Airport. I retrieve my luggage and dilly dally around to see if I can exchange currency in an oddly uncrowded airport. Near the exit, I see Mariam extremely worried but also relieved to see me. I know this was going to be a lovely experience when I see the care in the local coordinators and preceptors. I arrive at Aunty Carol and Uncle George's place (host mom and dad) and immediately I can tell that CFHI only finds the best and safest host families to house their volunteers. Later on, this was further confirmed when I notice an increased amount of food left for me (when I'm unable to make it home to dinner) only a few days after I got there - she notices I was a big eater! It truly feels like home. The living situation couldn't be any better. It is safe, fun, and warm.
Work/Activities:
Again very well timed and structured. Work during weekdays from 8-3pm roughly in the hospital and transportation to the hospital is also included. Weekends are on your own, including meals. The hospital life is the bomb! Even though this is a mid-sized teaching hospital, we were able to shadow doctors to our hearts' content, which is a DREAM for premeds. We learn a great number of things and are able to shadow great and passionate doctors. Every week we have meetings together with Marion and Avril to reflect on our time in hospitals; it paves a way to meld the group together and to further improve the program. I believe CFHI made a very smart move in including this as a method to improve the quality of the programs (which, in my opinion, is hard to do because it's already SO GOOD). In all, this is a very valuable experience for medical related students because you work very intimately with doctors and you learn immense amount of knowledge along local students and international students. The staff and doctors were extremely friendly and everybody acted as if the hospital is a house for a big family. Volunteering in GF Jooste teaches humility, passion, culture, knowledge about inequality, and so much more!
I can personally vouch for CFHI's Cape Town program, since I have been there. In all the conversations and communications I've had with CFHI, they've been highly helpful and kind. With the art of extrapolation, I can venture to say that all their programs are worth exploring. CFHI not only opened my eyes to medicine in general, it also showed me first hand how real health disparities in the world is. I can confidently say that CFHI have made an immense mark in my life in pushing me towards global awareness and I am truly grateful for this opportunity!
I'LL BE BACK!
In April 2015, I participated in CFHI’s “End-of-Life and Palliative Care” program in Trivandrum, Kerala India. This was a four-week program volunteering with Pallium India, a charitable trust founded by Dr. M.R. Rajagopal (known as the “Father of Palliative Care” in India) that provides palliative care to Trivandrum and the surrounding villages and seeks to educate nurses and doctors in the art of palliative care. As part of Pallium’s mission to educate healthcare providers, Dr. Rajagopal and his team provide a few six-week training courses per year that will allow doctors and nurses to become certified in palliative care. My four-week program coincided with the first four weeks of one of these training courses, so I was able to gain valuable, classroom-based education in palliative care as well as clinical experience on the inpatient ward, in pediatric and adult outpatient clinics, and on home visits in the city and multiple surrounding villages.
Palliative care is all about providing patient-centered, holistic care as well as psychosocial and spiritual support for the patient and family. It’s a team effort (doctors, nurses, social workers, and volunteers), and Pallium recognizes this. They have developed a grassroots, community-driven model for delivering palliative care that relies on the generosity of the community for financial support and the commitment of local volunteers as the backbone of their home visit teams. As a fourth-year medical student, I found great value in the classroom instruction in communication, symptom management, bioethics, and end-of-life care. However, I was most touched by my clinical experiences with the patients, especially on the home visits. Getting to step inside someone’s home and observe the home-care team’s interactions with the patients and families was a privilege. Empathizing with a patient’s situation is necessary in palliative care, and there is no better way to do this than to visit a patient in his or her home.
I highly recommend the “End-of-Life and Palliative Care” program to anyone who is interested in palliative care, whether you are a student, doctor, nurse, social worker, or just someone looking to learn more about palliative care and experience the hospitality and beauty of Kerala (also known as “God’s Own Country”). It was a life-changing experience for me, and I am grateful to CFHI and Pallium India for allowing me to take part in the program.
I participated in CHFI’s Intensive Beginner Spanish in Quito, Ecuador! I chose this location because I wanted exposure to South American culture and I also wanted to work on my Spanish. I went to Ghana during the summer between my first and second year of medical school and that trip was amazing. Studying abroad creates opportunities to challenge yourself on many levels and expand your world-view. I was truly blessed to have another opportunity to study aboard.
The Ecuadorian landscape is truly amazing! Definitely beyond any of my expectations! In addition to Quito, we spent time in Otavalo, Mindo and Banos! The Spanish classes were helpful and I was able to use this Spanish while volunteering with the elementary school kids. The healthcare experience was also interesting. The attendings were eager to answer questions and discuss the local healthcare issues.
Over all this trip was a great experience! I will be a family medicine resident in a couple months and I am grateful for the additional Spanish I learned and the opportunity to experience a culture different from my own. I've always been committed to helping underserved populations and expanding my worldview and through this program I was able to do both!
When I first arrived in Cordoba, I was more than little enthusiastic to see how my experience in Argentina will be shaped by my perspective as a (dare I say) adult and young almost-doctor.
I arrived in Córdoba, the second-largest city in Argentina, renowned for it's beautiful colonial structures and for being a center of higher education since the Jesuits established the first National University here in 1613. As a soon-to-be double graduate of Jesuit universities, I was obviously excited to be immersed in a city built on the same foundation. I was met by, Charly, the coordinator of Intercambio Cultural, the local partner of CFHI who made this trip come together for me. Charly greeted me like an old friend with the one-cheek-kiss hello, a simple reminder of the warmth that makes Latin America feel like a second home.
The warm welcome of the ICC team lasted throughout the entire trip, with lectures and day trips that made for an easy, educational transition and very difficult parting from my life in Argentina!
I just arrived less than a week ago from my CFHI Maternal & Infant Health Program in Pune India and what I have learned and experienced is incredible. I am a MSW (Masters Social Work) graduate interested in maternal and infant health and I have found this program amazingly educational, both professionally and personally. Here is a piece of this adventure:
What did I learn:
I know I will be asked this by everyone. I already have been many times.
So I watched many surgeries. You will ask, what does this have to do with social work? Well, for one thing, all knowledge is useful. Professionally speaking, I will not become a doctor. With this being said, whether I work in a hospital or not, my clients or patients will have surgeries. They’ll see doctors. I’ve had a glimpse into that scene, the decisions doctors make, how they say it, why they do. Doctors to me perform the role of social workers too, so the connection was easily made. If I have a patient that needs a hysterectomy or has undergone thyroid cancer removal surgery, I’ve seen it. I can tell them about it. I’ve seen childbirth and this made me feel wild, in the best of ways. I cried and I knew that my life needs to be centered around this miracle. Personally, I gained something invaluable. I am stronger than I thought. All my life I’ve told myself that I couldn’t see surgery, that I would lose it and embarrass myself. I discovered the contrary, that I found it very interesting and I found myself looking forward to being in scrubs and mask again and again. It isn’t glitter and rainbows. It’s gross but it’s us and I’m ok with this. How often do you change how you view yourself?
I know something about how India’s medical system works, how it’s like and unlike our own systems. This is easier spoken than written about so if you have questions I’ll try to answer.
I know what it’s like to feel alone, unlike everyone else, isolated. Does this compare exactly with a foreigners experience in America? No. Even here I hold my privilege. But I have feelings I’ve never had before, so maybe I can empathize with my clients, wherever they’re from. I’ve learned to observe quietly. I’ve learned to ask questions. I want to treat people the way they want to be treated, and this lesson comes up again and again, whether it’s with greetings, food eating, or lesson teaching. How to be respectful of other cultures while not losing yourself. I’ve learned to be flexible, to embrace not being able to control everything, the value of money. I’ve taken for granted the resources I have. How many times have I thought something was cheap but have it be insanely expensive in rupees? I talk about traveling the world but when I think of the rupee cost for education, plane tickets, living expenses, I realize how lucky I am, and how arrogant I must sound.
I’ve learned much.
India has surprised me. It is much more than I ever expected. It’s both traditional and growing. It’s dusty and bright. It’s overwhelming and comforting.
I’m lucky. I’m so so lucky.
Thank you so much Child Family Health International (CFHI) for giving me a chance to learn all that I have. I'm forever grateful!
I was involved with CFHI through the UC Davis study abroad center's joint Quarter Abroad program in Oaxaca, Mexico. I was at first hesitant to enroll in this program due to financial worries and insecurity thereafter, but I got to thinking: if not now, then when? What better time to travel abroad and meet new peers than now? CFHI's involvement in the program reassured me that we would do minimal harm as foreigners. For a nonprofit, CFHI certainly has made a name for itself and with good reason. The money charged for the program goes directly to the communities they are helping, which means there's minimal power being taken from the people they're helping. My only regrets are that CFHI felt absent for a large part of my stay, and that the University would charge so much for its role in the program, but that's a different issue. Nick Pencko is especially awesome and a great program director. He should undoubtedly receive a raise. ;)
As for the Oaxaca program, I would without hesitation suggest that those interested enroll in this program. It's such a beautiful, historical, and dynamic Mexican state, and one of the safest in Mexico. There are plenty of things to do, see, and learn. I for one discovered, thankfully, that general medicine is not for me. I further discovered a weakness didn't know I had when I became woozy while watching a surgery. More than that, this program put me more in tune with Mexican culture, which is becoming more and more important, especially in the Western U.S. I learned much about the health care system in Mexico in comparison to that of the U.S., and the pros and cons of each. Aside from learning, there is also a rich history and culture in Oaxaca, along with to-die-for culinary masterpieces such as mole. I would recommend CFHI to anyone who wants to immerse themselves in a culture and learn without the risk of upsetting the political or socioeconomic structure of the place they're visiting.
When I first arrived in Cordoba in the middle of the night, I had no idea what to expect. I had seen pictures of Buenos Aires but didn’t know what Cordoba looked like. After finally arriving at my homestay, I quickly fell asleep. Waking up in the morning, I hear “Yasamin! Yasamin!” and a little girl with curly brunette hair runs towards me and crashes into me as she hugs me. In that moment, I knew this was going to be home. I lived with an abuela, but her daughter and grandkids lived down the street so they were always over. We sat down and ate the classic Cordobes breakfast food, criollos, and talked for hours and hours, laughing, and getting to know each other. While I had studied abroad in Spain a few years ago and stayed with a family, this was their first time. The girls were so excited and asking questions left and right about different American movies and t.v. shows while I asked about their local food, tv. shows, cultural festivities etc. They were so welcoming and constantly checking to make sure I felt comfortable. I immediately felt connected to them and felt like they were my own family.
That night we walked along the Cañada river to Patio Olmos, the central shopping center of Cordoba. We had a great dinner and watched a live performance of folk music. The whole room was energized and the people were swaying to the tunes. I looked around and saw people of all age groups. What surprised me the most was the number of elderly people chatting away in the late hours of the night! Compared to the US where you barely see older people out during the night, in Cordoba their out regardless of the hour and full of life. I looked around and immediately felt at home with music in the background and people laughing and smiling all around me. The energy and warmth was contagious and I couldn’t be more excited to spend the next two months in this beautiful city with my beautiful family.
My goals for the time in India were to obtain an understanding of the very complex Indian healthcare system and improve my Hindi skills. Both of these goals I was able to accomplish with my Hindi reaching the level of being able to interview patients towards the end of my time there. I have visited India many times in the past, but usually in the comfort of my grandparents’ large home in the metropolis of New Delhi. This time, I was able to see the country in a new light.
CFHI truly allowed me to truly get a taste of the many different levels of Indian healthcare. I was able to see patients in the city with hypertension all the way to patients in small villages who had been in farming accidents. With my Hindi skills and knowledge of the culture I began to connect with the Indian patient population. I was able to understand their problems and complaints in the greater context of Indian society and values. I was also able to closely see the many issues like pollution and poverty that plague India and became resolved to help in a more meaningful way as I develop the skills to become involved in global health in the future.
I had an absolutely amazing experience with CFHI’s HIV/AIDS program in Durban, South Africa. As an incoming 3rd year medical student at the Ohio State University, this was one of my first hand’s on clinical experiences. Our coordinator, Maureen, housed all 6 of us with local Zulu families. All of us had wonderful experiences with these families. They provided us with a place to stay and home cooked traditional Zulu meals. Many of them had children our age that we were able to spend time with. This greatly enhanced our understanding of the Zulu culture and language. Over the following 3.5 weeks I rotated through various departments at King Edward Hospital in Durban, a public secondary hospital. During the first week I was able to participate in Pediatric morning rounds, Intern lectures, and assist in my first Caesarean section. I spent the following week with a team of general surgeons. I was able to observe various endoscopic procedures, observe general clinic days and stay on overnight calls to observe and assist in surgeries. I was able to assist in a leg amputation and observe an appendectomy, gastrectomy, lymph node biopsy, inguinal hernia repair, exploration laparotomy, as well as other smaller procedures. I learned procedural skills for the first time as well as continued to expand my medical knowledge. During the 3rd week I rotated through various departments including Psychiatry, Urology, and Casualty. Although many of the conditions were similar to those seen in the US (burns, asthma, GSW, hydrocele, etc) many cases were complicated by concurrent HIV/AIDS and/or Tuberculosis. Virtually every patient is screened for both of these conditions- something that is rarely done in the US. It was incredible to see how these diseases can manifest in hundreds of different ways-ways that I may never observe in the US. In my final week I worked at the Blue Roof Clinic, a clinic providing free HIV/AIDs care to the community. I was able to shadow a HIV specialist and observed how she incorporated education and wellness into each of her patient's care.
Aside from the clinical experience there was ample time to explore South Africa. On my first weekend, I went on a Safari in St. Lucia and Hluhlwe Game Reserve. Maureen helped coordinate this experience with a local tour guide. On the second weekend, our group stayed in Durban to go horseback riding , experience the local nightlife and attend a township tour organized by CFHI. On my third weekend, I went to Cape Town-which was certainly a highlight of my time here. During the week days, we had most of our afternoons free. We were able to go to the beach on various occasions (Durban weather is warm almost every day of the year), Victoria Market, Durban Botanical Garden, Pavilion Mall, and Florida Road. Overall, the CFHI clinic schedule allowed for a balance of educational clinical experience and social and cultural exploration in South Africa. With no reservations, I would recommend this program to any student interested in pursing a health care related field that has an interest in exploring a new culture and health care system.
CFHI connected myself and a classmate, both fourth year medical students, to a great healthcare organization in Kabale, Uganda called KIHEFO. At KIHEFO we were able to study tropical medicine, learn about the complex social issues affecting healthcare in Uganda, and learn how Ugandans are working to tackle big problems to like access to care, HIV and malnutrition. The clinic is organized in a way that highlights the interwoven nature of maternal and child health, HIV and nutrition in Uganda.
This past March i participated in CFHI's Amazon Community and Indigenous Health program which brought me to Ecuador for the first time in my life. My experience was one of personal growth, adventure, friendship, and broadening of the mind. Our first week was spent in Quito a large, beautiful but culturally a rather bland city. The intensive spanish courses helped refresh my spanish and prepare me for the challenge of adapting to the the various dialects I would encounter throughout my trip. My time spent shadowing a doctor in the emergency clinic was full of excitement, and I left with a better understanding of the routine of admitting and examining a patient. At the end of the first week we took advantage of the days off in Baños, a cool little adventure/eco-tourism town in the cloud forest of the eastern Andes. We had a large group of students from the program in town together, so we had a blast getting to know each other while enjoying the attractions the town has to offer.
The next three weeks of the program were spent around Puyo, a large town of roughly 70,000 inhabitants on the edge of the Amazon. Based there, we spent our three weeks at clinics in Pitirishca, Mera, and staying with a Shuar family 12 km into the Amazon from Pitirishca. The last week in the Amazon was especially enlightening. A somewhat challenging trip involving a 6 hour hike through the mud to reach the village, this opportunity provided me with an experience that would be difficult to arrange otherwise. Immersed in a whole different world, we experienced a community completely in tune with the environment around them. Gustavo, our Shuar host and guide, lead us through his world and shared his knowledge of natural medicine and his peoples culture. It was an experience I will never forget, and one I will be hard pressed to replicate.
I participated in the Intensive Beginner Spanish and Healthcare program in Ecuador. During the program we had both Spanish classes and volunteered. Most weeks we had Spanish classes Monday through Thursday with Fridays off for weekend travel. We had a lot of opportunities to travel which was a lot of fun and a great way to see more of Ecuador.
We also had the opportunity to volunteer. My first 2 weeks I was at a school for 3-5 year olds, which was a great way to practice my Spanish. My second 2 weeks I was able to shadow clinicians. I spent one week in pediatrics and one in family medicine. I originally didn't have my first choice specialty, but they were able to switch it for me when I got there.
My favorite part of my trip was actually an adventure we got to do in Quito. A couple of my friends and I got to go to the Quito Zoo. While it took 2 bus rides and a taxi to get there, it was a lot of fun! Because it was so far out, we were the only tourists there, which forced us to use our Spanish. It also allowed us to see several animals local to Ecuador without traveling too far. It was a ton of fun!
I just returned from Oaxaca, Mexico, where I participated in the Intensive Beginners Spanish and Healthcare program in May, 2014. I loved it! The Spanish school in which I studied, Becari, was small and quaint, and the all of the staff and teachers were friendly and helpful! I would highly recommend this school, and met other groups of travelers that were bouncing around from school to school until they settled on this one. My Spanish improved VASTLY, which was one of my biggest goals through this program. If you're worried about not knowing enough Spanish before going, and you have the option of going to Oaxaca a bit early, I would recommend doing so and taking classes through Becari. While in Oaxaca I spent two weeks at a Children's Center, where I helped with homework, lessons, and played with the children. Another week was spent shadowing in a health clinic, and the last shadowing in the Hospital. I most enjoyed my experience in the Hospital, because I got to experience a lot of new things, including abdominal surgeries and childbirths. It was really interesting to see so many different aspects of the healthcare system in Oaxaca. Oaxaca as a city is beautiful, and I met so many wonderful people, including my host family, there! I recommend getting out and seeing as much as you can both in and outside of the city! Great food, lots of museums, interesting architecture- so much to do and see! The organization, CFHI, was great with all of my predeparture questions and concerns, and I really felt supported by the organization. They are doing a great thing, and I definitely see myself looking into their other program sites in the future, once I'm a more trained healthcare professional.
This past April I participated in the CFHI Maternal and Child Health program in Pune, India. The experience from the day I was accepted into the program until the day I returned from India was wonderful. CFHI kept in contact with me throughout the many months before the program began. I received program information via mail and email, and felt very comfortable heading out to Pune.
I was the only person in the program during the month that I was over in India, but the program directors in Pune and in the States made sure that I was doing well throughout the entire trip. I felt very supported during my time over there. Each morning I met with the program director to discuss either the rotation I'd be going to or some interesting cultural information about India.
The rotation was set up so that each week I worked with a different obstetrician or pediatrician in both hospital and outpatient settings. Every morning I would go to the clinic and observe the physician during their normal day of clinic or hospital rounds. During my obstetrician rotations I was able to assist in a few surgeries and deliveries. I saw how different the hospital facilities were from ours in the states. The open aired buildings and women and men's wards that were crowed with people contrasted with the hospitals that I've worked in during my medical school training.
The pediatricians' offices were also always busy with patients and their families. I am heading into a pediatrics residency, so I enjoyed working in these clinics the best. The physicians taught me how to diagnose and treat some diseases that we would rarely see in the states, like Typhoid Fever, but I also learned so much about treating malnutrition, diarrheal diseases, and dehydration.
During my third week, I also was able to work in a rural clinic outside of Pune. The rural clinic was one of my favorite experiences. On the morning that we went there we picked up four residents from the local medical college and drove about 3 hours outside of the city. The mountains were beautiful and it felt wonderful to be outside of the noise and busyness of the city for a while. When we arrived at the clinic a crowd of people were already waiting there for us. I was able to work with both a pediatrician and an obstetrician during the morning. We saw over 60 patients, and by the time we were finished we all were exhausted, but satisfied that we were able to see everyone who came.
I enjoyed talking and spending time with my host family as well. They made sure that I had more than my share of the great Indian food, and was able to experience many of the wonderful places to see around Pune on my evenings and weekends off. I am grateful that I was able to participate in an Indian wedding, climb one of the nearby mountains, see multiple temples throughout the city, and visit the historical Buddhist caves. Coming home after my four week stay I can say that I feel more informed both about the health care system and the culture of this beautiful country. I can't wait to return.
I just returned from a CFHI trip to Bolivia. I participated in the Pediatric and Adolescent Medicine in La Paz, Bolivia program. I had a wonderful experience and definitely feel that the time I spent participating in the program will have a positive impact on my future career as a pediatrician. I saw some interesting diseases (i.e. Leishmaniasis) that are very uncommon in the United States. I also had the opportunity to explore some beautiful sites within the country. My host family was phenomenal and all of the food was delicious. Although I am still not fluent in Spanish, I feel that my language ability has improved and I have gained cultural perspective that will most definitely be beneficial in my future interactions with patients. I highly recommend this program, especially to those considering careers in pediatrics!
You can read my blog about my month in Bolivia here: http://boliviarachael.wordpress.com/
I recently participated in the CFHI program of Realities and Healthcare inequities in Oaxaca, Mexico. This has definitely been one of the most amazing trips I've been on. Not only did I get to be immersed in a magnificent culture but I was able to learn medical terminology in Spanish which is very helpful as a bilingual nursing student about to graduate. I enjoyed that I had the opportunity to go to 5 different clinics and hospitals in a three week period. It was amazing to observe different surgical procedures and go to a rehabilitation center in the same week. On the other end one of the best cultural experiences I go to witness was a wedding ceremony at Santo Domingo on Saturday night. The wedding was almost a community event with a parade, music, and dancing dolls to help celebrate. The hospitality of my family in Oaxaca was also amazing. I will definitely be missing the home cooked Mexican food!
I participated in the CFHI Dentistry and Oral Health program in Quito, Ecuador. WOW, what an experience of a lifetime! I worked with a government owned dental clinic in central Quito, a beautiful colonial town. The staff there was great, kind, and always patient. For two weeks, I volunteered at the clinic from 8am to 12pm. I worked closely with Dr. Herrera, and assisted with many fillings and prophylaxis. At home, I am a dental assistant at a Pediatric Dentistry practice. So, the most exciting procedure I was able to assist with in this program was wisdom teeth extractions with the maxillofacial surgeon, Dr. Cano. I also assisted the prosthodontist with mixing and taking impressions. All the patients were very appreciative of their dentists and always left with smiles.
I highly recommend this program for any future dentists wanting to not only experience a comprehensive dental outreach program, but also explore a beautiful country during weekend trip opportunities.
I was part of CFHI's Intensive Beginner Spanish and Healthcare in Oaxaca, Mexico program from October 2013 to November 2013. I had an amazing time in Oaxaca learning about the healthcare system and exploring the beautiful city of Oaxaca. Being apart of this program allowed me to gain plenty of first hand experience in the medical field. During my program I volunteered at a rehabilitation center for children and got to see many different types of therapies and also directly help the facility by taking care of the children. I also rotated through a hospital and a community clinic. Through my rotations I was able to witness a child birth, which was defineitly a touching experience. Getting to see how medicine was practiced in a different country was a truly eye opening experience. As a pre-med student, CFHI's Intensive Beginner Spanish and Healthcare in Oaxaca, Mexico was a very helpful program. Not only did it give me valuable healthcare insight and experience it also allowed me to improve my Spanish speaking skills and learn more about the Mexican culture. Also, Oaxaca was a beautiful city full of culture that I am lucky to have been able to spend a whole month there. Thank you CFHI for the awesome experience!!
I had the absolute BEST experience with CFHI!! I participated in the Amazon Community and Indigenous Health program in Ecuador where I observed rural and urban healthcare in the city of Puyo, as well as learn about natural medicine from a traditional, indigenous family. Not only did I learn a great deal about the culture and the healthcare system in Ecuador, but I feel like I was able to contribute to the health and well-being of the people. During my time in Ecuador, I shadowed doctors in the Emergency Department and Family Medicine and got to see a wide range of cases. Everyday was completely different. I personally observed many trauma cases in the ER such as motor vehicle crashes, deep wounds, etc. while Family Medicine consisted of assisting with pap smears, prenatal care, and digestive health issues. My favorite part about the program was definitely the jungle visit with a Shuar family. I learned so much about medicinal plants (which I now use to this day) and also just living in the Amazon in general...i even got the chance to become a godmother to one of the Shuar kids! it was just an unbelievable trip.
As a pre-med student, I know that all the skills and experience I learned through CFHI can directly apply for me to become the best physician I can be. Thank you CFHI!!!!
As a Child Family Health International participant, I traveled to Puerto Escondido, Mexico on the “Tropical Medicine and Community Based Care on the Coast of Mexico” program. The program was outstanding, and the people at CFHI both in the US and while in Mexico were all committed to the wellbeing of the participants and the communities they serve. I am so thankful for having had the opportunity to go abroad with CFHI -- what an adventure! Beautiful beaches, fun music, local food, and surf lessons filled the afternoons and weekends. And best of all, this vacation-like experience included an altruistic mission: supporting the health of the local community. With subtle lessons in cultural competency, the daily experiences abroad have forever made me a better healthcare practitioner to all patient populations. It was both humbling and rewarding to provide primary care in the local health clinics of rural towns surrounding Puerto Escondido. Now, back in NYC, I realize that I am more understanding of many of my patients, in particular who are immigrants, who struggle with a language barrier, or who are from cultures different than my own. Lastly, I am thankful for the language skills acquired in Mexico during the Spanish classes as well as in the clinics, on the beach, and at the homestay. Knowing Spanish, especially medical Spanish, enables me to provide better care for many of my Spanish-speaking patients and allows me to pursue a greater diversity of career opportunities.
I am a nurse; now back in school to become a nurse practitioner. I have student loans and very little time off from school; regardless, I found a way to be an international volunteer. If you like traveling, enjoy challenging yourself, and aspire to be the best healthcare professional you can be, then make the time, find the funds, and go abroad with Child Family Health International – ‘let the world change you’.
I just finished a volunteer experience with the Child Family Health International organization at Oaxaca, Mexico. This experience was absolutely priceless. I stayed with a Mexican host family, which maximized my ability to learn Spanish during the experience, as their ability to converse in English was minimal. The hospitality (and the food) that the family provided me with was superb. The program was split between clinic time and Spanish courses (in addition to ample time for recreation as well). The language school affiliated with CFHI--Becari--had a great director who facilitated everything related to the stay, in addition to giving us advice on where to visit around the city, as well as tourist locations in Oaxaca. In conclusion, I had a great time in Oaxaca. I got to learn Spanish, primary care medicine along with differences between Mexican and US systems for medicine, as well as had ample time to visit various locations in Oaxaca which I thoroughly enjoyed. I would do it again in a heartbeat.
I had an amazing time during my CFHI trip to Durban, South Africa. CFHI works closely with local healthcare organizations, and provides a lot of support for volunteers. Throughout the 5 weeks I spent in Durban, I learned a lot, made great connections, and felt as though I was making some contribution to the healthcare system in South Africa.
Overall, I had a great experience with CFHI during my Intensive Beginner Spanish and Healthcare program in Oaxaca, Mexico. I was able to observe doctors at two different government-run clinics. Both doctors were very friendly and enthusiastic about teaching me more about the how the public healthcare system works and about their cases. Gradually, they allowed me to work more directly with patients, from taking their basic measurements to assisting in basic medical procedures.
What I loved most about Oaxaca were the people and culture. My host family was so warm to me, as was everyone else I encountered there. I could always find performances around Zocalo, and it seemed that everyone loved to dance there! Oaxaca is such a community-oriented place with an incredibly rich culture, and it was the perfect place to develop my Spanish skills and learn more about the culture. The program was well organized and flexible, and I am very happy that I spent my summer before medical school doing this.
I participated in the Introduction to Traditional Medicine in India program through CFHI. Based in the north of India, we spent time in two different cities and also in a small village. This trip was absolutely INCREDIBLE. CFHI does a wonderful job providing the perfect amount of structure while also leaving freedom to explore a new place and really tailor the experience to fit personal expectations and goals. The doctors and homestays were all enthusiastic and open to developing lasting relationships, which really made the trip. I learned beyond what I ever would have expected about the integration of western and traditional medicine, and I believe that CFHI is the gold standard of what an NGO should seek to achieve. Their programs are community-based, instill a culturally sensitive and comprehensive understanding of global health issues, and provide quality care and opportunities for service-learning through collaboration without imposition. I would highly, highly recommend CFHI to anyone seeking to broaden their understanding of public health concerns around the world!
I had a WONDERFUL experience through CFHI in the Amazon Community and Indigenous Health Program. Through this program, I had the opportunity to volunteer in hospitals throughout urban, rural, and indigenous areas of Ecuador. I met and worked next to a range of different physicians who all took their time to explain different illnesses and treatment options to me.
During my second week, my CFHI group hiked 7 hours in to the Amazon jungle to live with the Shuar community. It was one of the best experiences of my life. They taught us how to cook, hunt, and use medicinal plants. I became close friends with the Shuar leaders and their children. A few weeks later we had the opportunity to volunteer at a small community clinic in Pituriska (the closest town to the Shuar). Everyone in the community had relatives in the Shuar and spoke the native language. We had the opportunity to visit nearby homes and schools to deliver vaccines and do new-born check-ups. It was a wonderful way to get out into the community and learn about how local families live.
I learned a lot through this experience and wouldn't trade it for the world. I know now that I want to become a primary care physician that works in low income areas. I also hope to continue providing medical aid abroad. We shadowed American missionary physicians for one week and saw the difference they made in the lives of their patients. Ecuadorians traveled hours to be seen by these doctors. I hope one day to have the same impact as these physicians.
I participated in the CFHI Public Health and Community Medicine program based out of New Delhi, India. This was a four week program that took us to various different government and non-government programs involved in public health work. It was a challenging and demanding exposure to the problems that revolve around public health. However, it is equally rewarding and eye-opening. Through this first hand exposure to the people working out in the field, and to those that they serve, I was able to better understand the causes of these problems and routes for solutions to them, though routes that require a lot of work. The key thing is to go into it with an open mind and jump right in since New Delhi can be a jolt in and of itself, on top of the things you see and learn about in the program. That being said, the program gives you exposure to public health that I believe would be rare to obtain elsewhere and the local coordinators are very helpful and attentive to your needs and they play a huge role in making you have the best time possible.
I participated in the HIV/AIDS healthcare in Durban, South Africa program. I was able to learn a great deal about HIV/AIDS through the community and public health venues. The greatest incidence of HIV/AIDS occurs in Durban therefore it is essential in learning more about this topic.
Before this trip my knowledge of HIV/AIDS existed in articles on global health forums and public health books. Now I can say I’ve been here in the thick of it. Through spending time in clinics, hospitals, staff, and public health leaders I’ve come back with so much more knowledge. I got to do this while living with a wonderful host mom and brothers who taught me the Zulu culture. I ate traditional food with my hands, spent time with HIV patients of all ages, saw the good a health system can do and the bad effects that an illness can have on a society. I would like to thank everyone for their support in getting me to this CFHI experience. I’m sad to be leaving already but glad to be getting home to share my experience and hopefully create awareness of HIV/AIDS and the importance of global public health.
Thanks to a scholarship from CFHI, I was able to realize my dreams of travelling abroad and gaining first-hand experience living and promoting sexual health in the beautiful nation of Ecuador. From May-June 2013, I volunteered in CFHI's Sexual Health as a Human Right program.
While in the program, I worked with Copprende, a non-profit organization that provides sexual and reproductive health education to the public. During my time at Copprende I learned about the organization while assisting with presentations and community health fairs. My culminating project was to propose a new sexual health theme to diversify the foundation's efforts in community outreach and sexual health education.
In four weeks of cultural immersion, I learned much more than I could ever learn in a classroom setting. I chose this program because I am interested in researching the factors that impact teen pregnancy and contraceptive use in the Latino community, both inside and outside of the US. Latinos in Ecuador and America are different in many ways, but there is much to learn from their shared beliefs and habits that come from having a similar background.
Cultural immersion is a great way to shed light on the similarities and differences that influence a culture. Thanks to Child Family Health International and Copprende I have a broader conception of research that could hopefully improve the sexual education and outreach efforts of organizations interesting in improving the health and social status of the Latino community.
I participated in two programs with CFHI; Intensive Beginners Spanish and Amazonian Community & Indigenous Health. I could write extensively about both programs, however I was much more impacted by my time spent in the Amazon. During this program I spent a little over three weeks in a town (Puyo) that lies just on the outskirts of the Amazon jungle. Two of my weeks were spent in and around the town while the third week was spent visiting an indigenous tribe within the Amazon. During my time in Puyo I shadowed physicians at the well known Voz Andes clinic where I was able to see a full spectrum of health cases. Some patients were locals who simply needed standard care while others traveled more than a day to receive treatment. My second week in Puyo was spent on the public health trail where I followed a Ministry of Public Health employee door to door in checking for mosquitoes in an effort to eliminate dengue. Finally, my week in the jungle was probably my most memorable time. The route to get there started with an hour bus ride to an outpost clinic followed by a four hour hike along a muddy trail that was impassable by anything but foot. The hike was beautiful in addition to exhausting. However, the effort was worth it as I was welcomed by the local tribe with open arms for the duration of my four day stay. During this time I was invited to be part of several traditional rituals and songs. Additionally, one day was spent going over the local flora to learn what plants were consumed and for what purposes; medical or otherwise.
Simply put, my trip into the Amazon was full of breadth both medically and culturally. It couldn't have been more spot on.
The program I participated in within CFHI was called "Sexual Health as a Human Right: Ecuador's Unique Model". As a person that studied business and minored in health, it was a great way for me to experience the administrative aspects of a health initiative on an international level. I had the opportunity of working with Copprende, an NGO in Quito, Ecuador. It was a great way for me to see how an NGO as well as health facilities operate differently than in the USA. It was really intriguing to learn how sexual and reproductive health was viewed in Ecuador. It was great opportunity to compare and contrast. I learned a great deal and it increased my cultural sensitivity on the subject.
The first couple of days were spent learning about the organization and about the larger organization that they are a part of called Prosalud Inter Americana. The majority of my days were spent traveling to universities, police or military schools, and health facilities distributing brochures. Sometimes it was assisting in the facilitation of a presentation/charla. On other days, I spent time in the office working on my contribution. It was interesting to see the reaction of others about the topics discussed to them during our outreach.
I had wonderful Spanish teachers and everyone noticed my improvement. The teachers were always patient and very helpful. I wouldn't have learned so much without them. I also lived with a great host family who were always interested in what I had to say. This particular program, Sexual Health as a Human Right, is a great program especially for those seeking a non-clinical experience.
My time with CFHI was incredible. I learned so much and had tons of fun along the way. The directors, both local and back in the states, are very helpful and happy to answer any question or help with any concerns. The medical rotations showed me so may different sides of medicine, from the cultural aspects to the technical. From Spanish lessons to the homestays, the program includes everything one could want when volunteering abroad. CFHI has affirmed my desire to work in medicine, but more than that I now feel like I have become much more of a global citizen.
It was one of the best rotations of my medical school career. Getting the opportunity to perform a number of procedures while also seeing what healthcare challenges another culture faced allowed me to develop tremendously as a doctor and person in the beginning stages of my career. As a group we got a better understanding of why diseases like TB and HIV are so prevalent because Avril Whate spent an extensive amount of time speaking with us about the decades of healthcare neglect during apartheid.
I can't stress enough how welcoming Avril and Marion Williams were to our group. They did an amazing job teaching us about the culture of Cape Town and the complex history of its people. Such a great 4 weeks and I would highly recommend this rotation.
Had a great 4 weeks here. Could not have asked for better experience. I was very impressed by the organization from our local coordinators Marion and Avril. Within hours of stepping off the plane we had a meeting with both if them to explain the ins and outs of Cape Town: how to be safe, what to expect in the hospitals, what to expect in our home stays, things to do in Cape Town. It was informative, fun, and a reassuring way to let us know they would always be there. Because of these two, there were never any surprises and I knew that if an issue did come about there would already be a plan in place to fix it.
I have done multiple trips abroad throughout undergrad with many different organization programs. Of all of the local coordinators I worked with, Marion and Avril were the only two that were constantly visible and in constant contact with the group. They didn't just show up when there was an issue, but instead would meet us for dinners and festivals and whatever else was going on in Cape Town that they thought we would enjoy. My amazing experience with CHFI was almost entirely due to these two individuals. I will definitely be recommending this program to other medical students.
Participating in CFHI's health program was the best clinical experience abroad I have ever had. The families I stayed with in both Quito and Chone were very kind, accomodating, and hospitable. They gave me a taste of their culture, customs, and values while making me feel a part of the fmaily. This program has helped me to become a more culturally sensitive, well-rounded, medical Spanish speaking future doctor. I would recommend this program for every current and aspiring health care professional. It's an experience of a lifetime. I came back with a refreshed outlook on life and better sense of self, and hope this feeling stays with me for a lifetime!
Attending CFHI´s Dentistry and Oral Health Program in Quito, Ecuador gave me a very different outlook to health care. This program is by far the best volunteer abroad program out there. The advantage of being able to receive Spanish classes whether you´re a beginner or want to brush up on medical or dental terms in spanish is really good. I am currently on my last week here in the program and it has been quite an experience. The people I have met and got to know better, come from all over the states. Together, we all struggled to better our Spanish conversational skills and to fit in to Ecuadorian daily life.
My time in the dental clinic so far is truly an unforgettable experience. The opportunity to work under a dentist outside of the USA and to see how they perform dentistry is a unique experience. In the clinic, resources and materials are very limited! I am very glad that I brought gloves and masks here to Quito because I more than likely would not have been able to help assist the doctors without them. Being here has really opened up my eyes to appreciate the things I have back home. Using everything effieciently and effectively makes a difference here and when I get back home to the dental office I shadow, I will definately make sure I am using things efficiently-
The people here in Quito are very nice people. I always make sure I greet whoever I pass by with ¨Buenos dias¨or ¨buenos tardes¨. The cultural here in Quito is very beautiful. I am always opened to trying the different foods that the homestay prepares, which is ALWAYS DELICIOUS. My favorite thing to have here in Quito is the hot chocolate with cheese, which always has to be eaten together.
When I wasn´t at the homestay, dental clinic or the language school, the other CFHI members and I would explore Quito. A popular place to go out here is La Mariscal. They have a lot of dancing clubs, bars and restaurants. There are also many things to see here that you must visit during your stay in Quito like the el mitad de mundo. A great thing about coming to Quito, is that everything is very cheap, which is a good thing if you´re on a budget. Since my program is only 2 weeks, I have spent about $150 so far!
Because of CFHI, I have abroad experience in the dental field. CFHI put in a lot of time and effort to make this program a true successs. This program has opened my eyes to the different concerns, diseases, techniques and treatments that exist outside of the USA. I cannot thank CFHI as much for this wonderful opportunity. I highly recommend anyone thinking about attending a CFHI program to do so without any hesitations as I did!
The first two weeks were spent getting to know people, adapting to the new culture, and trying my hardest to learn this new language. I loved getting to know all the students in the program. We all came from different states and had different paths for our medical careers, but we all had similarities that allowed us to get along with one another. There were people in med school or working to get into med school, public health majors, nursing majors, and someone about to go to dentistry school. We all shared the common belief that we wanted to help people and we wanted learn and understand another culture other than our own, which helped us get along. It was nice having someone to talk to when you were missing your family, and one of the best parts about being with a group of people is we were always going and exploring the new environment. There were so many things to go do on the weekends. We took trips to Otavalo, Banos, Cotopaxi, Cuenca, the jungle, and much more. One of my main regrets was that at first I wasn’t going on weekend trips because I wanted to stay and take more Spanish classes. Taking extra classes is good, and I am sure it helped me a little bit; still the best way to learn is by going out and talking to people. Learning about the culture and experiencing it. I realized this later on and decided to change my flight for a later date and allow more time to travel. Anyone who is planning to have an experience like this one, I suggest planning time and allocating money to travel, even if it is weekend trips. The public transportation in Ecuador was cheap and interesting; I saw so many things I would never see in a plane. On the way to Cuenca, I got to see so much of the Andes Mountains. We got to see how different cultures were from different parts of Ecuador. People that live in Cuenca have a different culture than people that live in Otavalo and people that live near the jungle have a different culture also. Ecuador is so diversified. I highly suggest visiting different places and planning time after rotations to see some of the amazing places in Ecuador if anyone is planning to do this program.
During clinical, I was able to see and learn many things about the culture. My eyes were opened about how people live on limited resources. When there is limited access to resources, the health care that is given is limited. Patient satisfaction and comfort is the last concern. During my clinical I got to apply knowledge and skills that I learned in nursing school. I was pleased to develop a better understanding of global health care and community health. Each clinical taught me a lot about family practice and preventative health.
This experience has developed me into a stronger and wiser person. I see the world in a different light. I believe I have only started to open my mind into seeing what the world is truly like. I have now seen what it is like for people who have to fight every day. I appreciate all the blessings and luxuries that I have growing up as an American citizen I can’t even put into words how amazing this trip was. I hope to make more trips like this in my lifetime and expand my knowledge about the world.
I was a volunteer with CFHI’s Public Health & Community Medicine in India program in August 2012. I chose this program because while I feel that while health care workers and doctors are instrumental in increasing a population’s health, they are not able to do it alone. Public health infrastructure is essential to keeping people healthy and providing programs and resources. I felt that CFHI’s program in India was unique from a lot other programs I considered. Our rotations ranged greatly, exposing us to many challenges that India faces. Our visits included free outreach medical care programs in addition to well-funded private hospitals. We had discussion with female sex workers, went to juvenile de-addiction centers, and homes for street children among others.
The program was well organized and I never on my own could have seen and visited all the organizations we went to. The local coordinators were very helpful, not only with logistics, but they were also great resources to understanding more about India and the culture. The program did not sugar-coat any medical or public health issues, and I felt I got a much more real understanding than I could have from any book or article.
I am applying to medical school, and the public health rotations in this program gave me a more unique perspective and deeper understanding of the complex issues involved in providing health care in a developing nation than clinical work alone could have.
I went to Oaxaca in 2006 as a part of the first cohort with my undergrad university and CFHI was incredible. They were well prepared, accommodating, and super helpful. The clinical rotations were really great and the doctors were as eager to teach as we were to learn. Even in the midst of some intense political turmoil, CFHI made me feel safe and cared for. They also were able to secure rotations even when we were evacuated to the coastline because our university decided it was too unsafe for us to stay in the city centre.
I was a volunteer with the CFHI Rural/Urban Himalayan program in Uttarkhand, India in August 2012. There were three students involved in the program at the time and we spent four weeks living in a variety of settings and experiencing the different modes of health care delivery in each place. Overall, the experience was fantastic from a cultural and public health perspective. Health care and the large-scale challenges in health infrastructure in India were very different from my home country, Canada. I gained a much better understanding of the crucial role that social and environmental determinants play in health. Clinically, the placement did not offer many learning opportunities directly related to clinical, patient management on an individual level. However, I went into the program expecting that to be the case and I am already a medical student in Canada so I know I will get that clinical experience at home. Most importantly, I never felt as though my position as a foreign student was ethically questionable or exploitive. I was particularly welcomed by the staff at the Landour Community Hospital in Mussoorie, and I plan to go back some day and spend more time there. It was a Christian hospital, which may not be appealing to all students, so be aware of that when you sign up for the rotation. I never felt pushed to join in with religious services etc. Logistically, the program coordinators did a good job. We never had any transport issues and the home stay was very comfortable. Overall, I would recommend this program to medical or public health students, with the caveat that it is not a hands-on clinical experience.
I think this is a good time to look back and reflect a bit on the hospital experience in some detail. It was amazing to be able to go to places and observe things that I’ve never had the opportunity to go or see before. Even though there were some slow days, overall I loved it.
So, this is how the overall month went. Each week we rotated to different hospitals or to different units within hospitals and tagged along with Doctors/Surgeons and Nurses. Some weeks we would go to multiple different locations. While in these rotations we would observe so much. We got to follow along in rounds, and occasionally even participate in the discussions, and we were able to observe almost all aspects of the state health care system. In my time in South Africa, I spent a week in King Edward’s Pediatrics Department as well as it’s Surgery Department. In surgery, I was able to observe some amazing procedures such as laparoscopic gall bladder removal and (in the trauma ward) the insertion of an intercostal tube into a stabbing victim. That was amazing!
I was also able to spend a full week at St.Mary’s Hospital, where I did rounds in the medical ward, pediatric inpatient ward, and pediatric outpatient ward. I also spent a considerable amount of time in the theater as well as the Antiretroviral (ARV) Clinic. The last week of my stay, I also had the opportunity to visit an orphanage (picture below) and go to the Malagasy clinic, which was a really great experience. At the clinic I got to see firsthand the first line of institutionalized healthcare; the place where basically everyone went previous to arriving to the hospitals. This time spent within the medical system of Durban was more amazing than anything else I’ve had the opportunity to do in my pursuit of medicine thus far. It was stunning to be able to interact with patients and physicians on such an intimate level (or as intimately as possible given the language barrier with many patients). One of the most interesting things for me was that, as an African-American, this is the first time I’ve ever truly just blended in. It seems like a minor thing, but it was strange to me to be surrounded by other black men and women everywhere. At hospitals where I’ve been before, I always stuck out like a sore thumb, but here, I was home. I truly loved it.
I was a participant of one of the CFHI programs, Confronting Tropical Infectious Diseases in Mumbai, India this past July 2012. This volunteer experience has taught me so much about the world and myself. I have learned that I can adjust to any circumstances and live in any place in the world. I am looking forward to become a doctor and to practice medicine in rural areas where the supply for is limited and highly need it.
I knew that being part of this program and being exposed to a complete different culture will aid in increasing my awareness for global health understanding, I just did not know up to what level my understanding will increase. The experiences I have acquired through this program will facilitate to establish self-confidence as a future physician. They will enhance the development of trust between my future patients and me regardless the difference in religious beliefs and culture.
Along with gaining new skills, I also enjoy learning about India, and its people, culture and customs. There is no right or wrong way to do things, there are just many different ways to do them and accomplish the same results and goals.
One of the challenges I faced was not speaking Hindi. My channels of communication with people from this country were limited due to this barrier. I could not understand what they were saying either, although being humble and having a smile helped me to feel welcomed everywhere I went.
I am looking forward to get involved in more programs that will allow me to visit countries where there are an increasing number of underserved communities in need for medical care. I recommend this program for anyone thinking about specializing in Infectious Diseases. Visit www.cfhi.org and click on Confronting Tropical Disease Challenges in Mumbai Program for more details
This was an amazing experience for me. I had never flown to another country before, so I really did not know what to expect. CFHI really took care of me when I was there, placing me in an excellent homestay and checking in with me regularly. They also answered all questions that I had before the program began very promptly and were very accomadating to my schedule (I went outside of the recommended program start and end dates and did not have any problems). It is hard to offer points of improvement for constructive feedback. The program is a bit expensive, combined with the cost of flights to the country. However the cost is well worth it, and CFHI provides fundraising suggestions for you. As for the program itself, I had much freedom to do what I was comfortable with. Perhaps this could very with each preceptor at the locations, which would be outside of CFHI's control, but their medical director allows flexibility in scheduling to change rotations if you are unsatisfied (the same with your host stay as well). I got more clinical exposure than in Med1 back in the states, doing physicals on children with things like pneumonia, hip displasia, and meningitis. I have my strongest recommendations for the program.
When I had initially embarked on this trip I had low expectations of the future while in South Africa. By this I mean I knew that life would have been different from the United States but how different was something I could paint in my mind. I was also a bit perplexed at the idea of living with perfect strangers as my home stay family. However this trip ended up being a learning experience as well as a sense of connection with others whom I had previously never encountered in life. During my stay I was able to appreciate the community life and family life that is shared among each South African citizens. Everyone is different but very alike as they tied with the past, present and promising future. Although life was very different to a great extent to life in the United States we are somehow very alike. We share the same stress and common goals in life. There was no difference in the heart of a person unless one chose to look at the color of their skins. I had very friendly neighbors that made my trip worth while. My daily activities after the hospital were varied and always fun. At times it always felt as if there was so much to do and so little time to do it. I was very please with how amicable the atmosphere was in the hospital among professionals. Although there was a great amount of stress applied to the work and seriousness there was also a sense of ease that helped to make the work easy. I learned a lot about the Zulu culture as well as the Zulu language. I admire their prairies and vast landscape that are almost never ending. The tourism in the country was something that we were all driven to achieve. I learned about strength and courage as I watched people around me deal with daily struggle of life with great optimism. The struggle of a family for clean water and electricity was something I was familiar with through the stories of my country of birth the Democratic Republic of Congo. I was able to share with the people of South Africa my life experience as well as give hope by showing them that their struggles although significant are somewhat better in certain areas than the struggles of other African nations.. In the Cape, I was able to see the both the similarity and difference the socio-economic lifestyle of its citizens. For instance, there were parts of the cities in which you will find only a certain culture which was mainly influence by the race that lives in that community. I remember going out one night in the sea point neighborhood and it was beyond belief the lifestyle that I saw there. I must say there was absolutely no difference between the city of Los Angeles and some part of the cape. One strange thing that did strike me the most was the lack of crime. I was almost always expecting the worst because we hear stories but truthfully I got to realize that all stories are a bit exaggerated. In short, this trip gave me a mirror image to myself. I was able to enter another world and see how intricate and similar it is from the one I know, but it also allow me to look into myself and appreciate as well as compare certain things I have in my world.
I have been a board member for 10 years, 2 of which were as Chair. I do this because I love the organization, its passion, its relentless pursuit of what its belief systems are, its values, and the friendships build over the years. That time represents 25% of my lifetime, so it should say for something about CFHI. Ajoy Mallik
This past November I went with Child Family Health International (CFHI) on their Healthcare Challenges in Cape Town, South Africa program. I worked at a public hospital called GH Jooste in Manenberg, a township located right outside Cape Town. I experienced first hand how doctors and nurses had taken care of patients while the hospital was understaffed, overworked and had limited supplies. However, during my time there, the doctors still took time out of their busy days to teach me about a wide variety of tasks including reading ECG graphs, taking blood, interpreting patient histories and lab results, as well as minor surgeries. I shadowed doctors in the trauma department for 3 weeks and then the orthopedic clinic for 2. There I was allowed to apply pops (casts) under supervision and scrub in to observe orthopedic surgery.
My days would begin with rounds, and because GH Jooste was a teaching hospital, every staff member (doctors, nurses, students) participated. Each patient was examined and the resident or supervisor in charge would make each a new “case,” explaining how one would come to a clinical diagnosis and plan out a treatment. Most of the time the doctor would do a quick physical examination, read the blood results and be able to identify what was wrong. As a pre-med student, I came into the program having only a basic biology background and whenever I was lost, someone would always take the time to walk me through each step.
My homestay family, along with the local coordinator and medical director, were amazing and I couldn’t have asked for more. They always called to check in on me and my homestay family was accommodating, warm and welcoming—I felt right at home on the very first day. I still keep in contact with all of them and I miss them dearly!
This program was one of the most amazing experiences I have ever had and it was truly life changing. I originally chose this program because I needed to figure out if I wanted to pursue medical school. When I returned, I had no doubt that I wanted to become a doctor. I really hope that other students, whether or not they are going into the medical field, take advantage of CFHI’s programs because what you gain is a once in a lifetime experience.
I graduated as a pre-med student from UC Berkeley with a degree in molecular immunology. In an elective global poverty course, I could not help but realize the strong connection between infectious diseases and global poverty. To develop my interest in global health, I went to Ecuador through CFHI for a month to work in clinics both in Quito and by the rainforest, to better understand tropical diseases specifically. It was a life-changing learning experience. Not only did I learn so much about how public health initiatives work firsthand, I experienced a new culture and the extent to which culture and health care are connected in Ecuador. Every doctor, medical student, and health worker I interacted with was incredibly welcoming and friendly. They made great efforts to not only include me in different cases, but to also teach me about the medicine behind it. I loved interacting with patients so directly since clinical internships in the States usually involves being seen but not heard. Beyond the actual clinical aspect of the program, I had an amazing time making local friends, bonding with other students in the program, and exploring the beautiful country itself. I learned so much about myself and my interest in global health, and I am positive that I want to continue to be involved in helping underserved individuals internationally as a doctor.
I am a student at UC Berkeley in my first year that is a Political Science/ International Relations major, but with a large interest in Public Health. I planned to live in Berkeley over the summer so I searched for public health related non-profit internships located in the SF Bay Area. I came across Child Family Health International that combined both my interests of international affairs and public health and applied!
I am writing from the perspective of an SF office intern and not a participant of CFHI programs, however, I still feel strongly about the integrity and remarkable quality of this organization. The staff is all of varying background, making the workplace a dynamic environment. They all have a love for travel and therefore, inspire their students to make the fullest advantage of their learning experience overseas. A lot of work is put into the coordination of the program, and making sure each student is satisfied while abroad. The organization is truly dedicated to its cause of being able to provide service-learning opportunities to pre- health science students while introducing participants to a first hand global health perspective. For that reason, I feel so fortunate to have had the opportunity to work here over the summer knowing that my efforts contributed to the greater cause of CFHI.
I recently went to La Paz, Bolivia with Child Family Health International for their Pediatric and Adolescent Program. The program allowed me to learn about the healthcare system in a developing country. Unfortunately, during my month stay there, the physicians were having their first strike ever in Bolivian history. The physicians were striking against the government for the lack of resources in the hospitals and the recent increase in daily work hours without an increase in pay. The media called the physicians “lazy” and the community members followed the media. Even with protests from the community, the physicians continued to stand up for their beliefs and marched everyday. The police would line the streets in front of hospitals and clinics to control the demonstrations and crowds. I soon learned that striking was common throughout the entire work force of Bolivia. From public transportation to sex workers, different groups protested everyday.
While clinical settings were limited due to the physician strike, I was able to rotate through 3 different hospitals with the 4 other students from the United States. We as students were welcomed by the physicians and residents at each facility. One was the main public pediatric hospital of La Paz, one a brand new private hospital, and the other a small public hospital in a poor neighboring city. Both public hospitals lacked many resources and the poorer hospital was overcrowded. This program allowed me to learn how physicians dealt with health without resources and about Bolivia’s health insurance and coverage.
The other students and I were able to enhance our Spanish not only through the clinical setting, but through our daily Spanish classes. Living with a host family also helped my conversational skills. The host family was extremely welcoming and kind, and the son spoke fluent English. On the weekends, we were able to explore the city and even travel throughout the country. Going to a different country to experience health care first hand and living with a local family is a unique opportunity that I am extremely fortunate to have experienced!
For the past two months, I have been traveling with CFHI (Child Family Health International) on the Maternal and Child Health Program in Pune, India. Child Family Health International is a small non-profit organization that provides the means to be globally immersed in the healthcare system of a culture. CFHI provides students with the necessary tools to go and learn about global health in a local setting. Even with the vast language barrier in India, I was able to learn much about the culture, the people, and the way their healthcare system is arranged as well as many clinical applications of diseases I may never encounter again! The program coordinators in Pune give us a good mix of clinical hours and local sight-seeing so we have a diverse experience. This experience has shaped who I am going to be as a healthcare worker in a global setting and has also shown me the path in the healthcare field that I wish to take. I recommend CFHI to anyone who is looking for global healthcare immersion!
This past March, I traveled to the southwest coast of India (Trivandrum, Kerala, India) for four eventful weeks to take part in CFHI’s new and unique program, “Palliative Care in Southern India”. As someone experiencing India for the first time, I was pleasantly overwhelmed with a flurry of new things: new sights, smells and sounds. Magic and wonder are paramount in India, but equally so it is laden with misfortune and sorrow. This program provided the right amount of exposure to help me develop a broad understanding of Indian culture and its place within the healthcare system.
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Child Family Health International (CFHI) is a small, nonprofit organization that invites students to explore healthcare systems of differing countries at the grassroots level. You can find yourself in India, Bolivia, Ecuador, Mexico and South Africa! I traveled to Puerto Escondido, Oaxaca, Mexico with CFHI and was so moved by my experience that I am soon returning for the third time this year!
CFHI provided me with the tools to gain a thorough understanding of the culture and the healthcare needs of the people of Oaxaca. This was achieved by staying with a local family, attending Spanish class with a local teacher each day, and traveling to various medical clinics to better understand rural and urban medical practices and the structure of Mexico's healthcare system. Throughout my stay in Puerto Escondido, I felt culturally tested and challenged, in a way that could only benefit an individual being offered new perspectives on healthcare, culture and life and opening up their mind to the world at large. I witnessed cases where a lack of access to better medical care was continuously the underlying problem, visited families living in scarce, unsanitary conditions in the smaller, rural communities and was exposed to differing norms and practices in healthcare and within Mexican culture that shared similarities with my own, while simultaneously posing great differences. I learned a great deal from local doctors and nurses, by spending time in the clinics with them on a daily basis and seeing firsthand how culture and economic factors play into the healthcare system and effect their experience as medical providers as well as the patients' experience. With the right attitude you can accomplish so much through CFHI's programs. I was able to maximize my time in the clinics by being proactive and asking to observe additional surgeries and taking the time to build relationships with the doctors and nurses. My schedule offered the perfect balance between work, study and having time to explore the community.
Without question my experience with CFHI has become a stepping-stone for my future goals in global health and has motivated me to begin playing an active role in the field. My time spent in Oaxaca has become a part of who I am and what I continue to pursue today. I am extremely grateful for initiating my global health experience with a knowledgeable, culturally aware, hard working, and kind-hearted organization such as CFHI.
I volunteered in Cape Town, South Africa with the healthcare challenges program. I had an amazing four weeks and actually did not want to come home. First of all Cape Town is a great city to be in and has such stark contrasts that you see not only in the hospital but daily. Second, CFHI was a great group to volunteer with. Everything was very organized from the pickups to the local coordinators, Avril and Marion. The hospital we volunteered at serviced the townships so the patient population had many cases of TB, HIV/AID's and violence such as stabbed hearts. My homestay family was amazing and I actually enjoyed spending most of my time with them rather than various tourist activites.
When I decided to travel abroad to expand my cultural competency and medical experience, I was very apprehensive about traveling to Latin America. With my limited, OK zero, Spanish education, I was worried I would not be able to fully participate in the culture and clinical rotations. However, after my first two weeks in the Intensive Immersion Program offered in Quito, I feel exponentially more prepared to take advantage of my upcoming clinical experiences. After taking 32 hours of Spanish classes in my first week, I was able to participate more and more in dinner discussions each day. I was also able to haggle pretty effectively at the indigenous market on our trip to Otavala during my first weekend. The classes (my teacher Juan Carlos is AMAZING by the way) focused not only on learning the language, but also on medically specific Spanish and cultural differences to expect in clinic.
In my second week, I volunteered in a local high school. The staff and students and Humbold were very helpful and welcoming, although I did receive some well deserved jeers when the butchering of my Spanish go atrocious. Being forced to communicate only in Spanish without the crutch of an English speaker in many of the classes greatly expedited the recall of my previous Spanish lessons, especially when I tried to teach a physics class. Additionally, the opportunity to teach English classes gave me the chance to review the basic Spanish I was trying to learn. One of my favorite times was hanging out with a 13 year old practicing our pronunciations and making fun of each other’s struggles, him with the “th” sound and me with rolling my r’s. The kid was also a natural at catching an American football.
Although I do feel way more prepared for clinic that is about to start, I do think the Intensive Immersion Program is best suited for the first month of a two-month program. This way you get to spend six weeks in clinics versus a very limited two weeks in a one-month program. So far, my trip has gone better then I expected. After no previous Spanish exposure I can actually communicate, although probably equivalent to a 5 year old, and enjoy this beautiful country. Everyone has been amazing, from my host mom to my Spanish teachers, to the students I had the joy of hanging out and practicing with. I am super excited to start clinical rotations and am so happy with the program choice I made. I think it was tailor made for me.
I had the fortune of travelling to Ecuador in February 2012 in completion of a month-long program called Urban and Rural Comparative Health. Overall, the experience was incredible and I learned a lot about how the nation’s healthcare system operates. I started in Quito and was able to work in a number of Ecuador’s public institutions, including the Pediatrics ward and Obstetrics ER at a major urban hospital. Two weeks later, I traveled to Chone, a modestly sized town, in the interior of the country, though much closer to the coast. Although the way medicine was practiced was different, major themes permeated throughout the experience as a whole.
Although learning about another country’s healthcare system was both interesting and eye-opening, I also had an amazing time interacting with the other volunteers and Ecuadorians we came in contact with. The homestays in both locations were awesome and gave me all the opportunity in the world to practice my Spanish, which I hope to continue using during my medical training in the U.S. I had the chance to appreciate Ecuadorian culture by partaking in it. For instance, I was in the country during their Carnaval—corresponding to our Fat Tuesday—which is a national holiday there.
All in all, I would recommend doing this program to any health professional student who’s interested in gaining clinical experience in diverse healthcare environments, improving his or her Spanish and having truly rewarding cultural exchanges.
In February 2012 (during my fourth year in medical school), I participated in a program through Child Family Health International called “Health Care Challenges in South Africa.” The program was based in the Cape Flats area just east of the southern suburbs of Cape Town, Western Cape province. My clinical site was G.F. Jooste Hospital, which is located in the township of Manenberg. I spent the four-week period in the Casualty (Emergency) Department, where I assessed and treated adult patients (and some adolescent trauma patients). Other rotations available at Jooste include Orthopedics (OR and clinic), Infectious Diseases clinic, HIV Testing and Counseling, and Physiotherapy.
The South African health care system is also faced with major “brain drain” due to physicians and other skilled professionals leaving in droves for places like the UK, Australia, Canada, and the US where salaries (and standards of living) are substantially higher. One of the major issues I encountered at Jooste was the lack of competent nurses. Physicians and medical students, therefore, are involved in nearly every aspect of patient care from phlebotomy, starting IV drips, and imaging to transporting patients and delivering specimens to the lab. While there, I became proficient at reading EKGs, starting IVs, and performing LPs. I even learned how to diagnose disseminated TB with a bedside ultrasound (obviously a skill more useful in SA than in the US). I felt more engaged with my patients there than I ever have during medical school, simply because I was involved with every aspect of their care. I also honed my clinical exam skills, as clinicians there must rely more on clinical assessment, given the limited resources available for imaging and specialized testing.
I would recommend this rotation to anyone who wants to experience first-hand how a health care system with limited resources (both monetary and personnel) manages to provide quality healthcare to a large proportion of the population, even in the setting of a major infectious disease burden.
For the first time in my life I spent Christmas and New Year away from my family but to be completely sincere I felt right at home. This past December I was fortunate enough to participate in CFHI's amazing Community Based Care and Tropical Medicine Program in beautiful Puerto Escondido, Oaxaca, Mexico. From the second I arrived my until the second I left, my host family, friends, professors, and doctors all treated me with kindness and respect. I learned a tremendous amount of information about tropical medicine such as malaria, dengue, and chaga but I also learned a lot about chronic conditions like diabetes and hypertension. As I shadowed the nurturing doctors around the Puerto Escondido area I would undoubtedly learn about a variety of common and uncommon patient needs. As a pre-med, I salivate over getting this kind of exposure and knowledge and being submerged in this environments created a unique and powerful experience that the internet has yet to match. You can read as many books as you want or talk to people for hours about their experiences but until you live it and make that human connection you'll never fully understand. Connecting with the humble people of Puerto and earning respect from patients and peer created an extremely rewarding and fulfilling experience. CFHI really outdid themselves as they have thought of everything. First, as soon as I was accepted into the program they constantly emailed me guiding me through all the requirements that I had yet to fulfill (like my own personal checklist). Not only was it simple to submit the application (as I never ran into any glitches) but the scholarship I received was really what sealed the deal for me. I'm very grateful and appreciative to have received it, without it I wouldn't have gone. They arranged for someone to pick me up from the airport to take me to my local coordinators home then to my host's house. From the time I was picked up I was shown around or shown how to get around which if you know how to take a taxi you'll be fine (and don't worry a taxi ride costs about 50 cents). Whoever I was with whether I was at home, school, clinic, or restaurant all I had to do was ask a question and I was always kindly answered or shown how things worked down their. In short, I was taken care of just like my worrisome mother wanted. A regular work day (Monday through Friday) started with breakfast with my family and a short walk to catch a taxi that was going towards my clinic site. After a full day of enriching shadowing it was back to Puerto for Spanish class (conversational and gramatical). Topics were almost always medically related to help me communicate with patients as best as possible. I grew up speaking Spanish but these classes still benefited me greatly. My professors were friendly and fun to hang with. Fun fact: my language school also doubled as a surfing academy so not only did I improve my Spanish I also picked up surfing! After Spanish class I would attend another lecture on Mexican healthcare systems and morbidity and mortality concerns. After that I would usually walk home to do my homework or study up on certain illnesses or conditions. Soon after that was dinner with the family then it was off to bed. Weekends were free for me to explore. I could go to the beach and play volleyball, soccer, swim, or simply relax with an umbrella drink. There are plenty of restaurants and bars to go dance or sing or, if your into art, their are plenty arts and crafts vendors or ancient ruins you can visit. This trip couldn't have been more well-rounded. CFHI really did their homework on this one and it's an experience that anyone can only benefit from. I'm proud to call myself a CFHI alum and I'm sure if you decide to participate in this amazing nonprofit organization you will grow as a person and student and you will undoubtedly enjoy your adventure.
From September to December 2011, I participated in the UC Davis Quarter Abroad in Oaxaca, México program also known as the Latino/a Health Internship Program. A combination of lectures on binational health, clinical rotations and brigades work, the program was a life-changing experience! Every aspect of the program helped me better understand how the culture and language, politics, immigration, among many other things affect the health delivery system in México. To get a close view of how primary care is delivered in México, we rotated through health clinics. First-hand, I was able to see how the national politics and corruption affects the quality of care. Many of the health care providers were very sure that the government had sufficient money to provide more health facilities (to ease the overcrowding), to increase the resources, and to update their medical technology. However, because of corruption, the money sent from the federal government was not arriving in the amount that it should. As a result, many of the doctors had to be resourceful with the tools they did have. On the flip side, the doctors at the health centers were very friendly with the patients. Instead of creating a setting of "I'm the doctor" and "you're the patient," there was a very dynamic and open relationship between the two parties that allowed for a welcoming environment. At the state general hospital, there were hundreds of people waiting for care. Financially strapped, with low resources, and not enough personnel to treat all the patients, the care patients received here would not be acceptable in the U.S. Often times, it seemed like we were working in an assembly line since the patient visits were sometimes very quick and impersonal. Observing this type of care, I was able to appreciate much more the services we CAN receive in the U.S. I highlighted the word "CAN" because we have to recognize that even in the United States with our world-class medical technology and treatments, not everyone is privileged enough to access them. The poor in México, in the United States or anywhere around the world, more often than not, receive the lowest quality of care. Part of the program, we spent three weeks in the spectacularly beautiful town of Puerto Escondido, Oaxaca, México. Here, we completed brigades work, which included group presentations at the health centers and at the local schools (elementary, middle and high schools) on family planning, gender roles, and tropical diseases (dengue, chagas, and malaria). This experience allowed us to be creative using skits, colorful diagrams, and demonstrations to teach the locals about issues affecting their communities. In particular, I really liked working with the students; they were very happy to have us there and full of questions. Overall, my experience in Oaxaca, thanks to the work of CFHI, was extraordinarily amazing!
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From September to December 2011, I had the privilege to participate in the UC Davis Quarter Abroad in Oaxaca, México program also known as the Latino/a Health Internship Program. During these three months, we attended lectures on bi-national health, participated in clinical rotations at the local health centers and the state general hospital, and completed brigades work on family planning, tropical diseases (malaria, dengue, chagas) and gender issues. On Mondays and Tuesdays, we attended the lectures, which were conducted by our university professor and our local medical director from Oaxaca. From Wednesday to Friday, we completed our clinical rotations, which would last from 8am-12pm. At the local health centers, we shadowed doctors while they conducted their primary care consultations. Many of the visits revolved around women and children (October was national immunization month). We also saw patients with hypertension and diabetes. One of the most nerve-racking experiences while rotating at the health centers occurred when a young, pregnant mother came-in to deliver her baby. A house employee, the young woman left her family and her small town to work in the city to help her family financially. Pregnant and without any family, the employer brought her in. However, the woman was only a few months pregnant. Although the doctors called for an ambulance to take her to the hospital because of her fragile condition, they did not arrive quickly enough and so the doctors had to deliver the baby at the clinic. Born before full term, the baby was not breathing correctly. No longer able to wait for the ambulance, one of the doctors took the baby to the hospital in the back of a truck that the clinic owned. Once the ambulance finally arrived, the mother was also sent to the hospital, but they later returned her to the clinic. This was one of the most shocking experiences because of how quickly the situation turned from a regular visit to the doctor realizing the woman was ready to give birth to delivering the baby and then not knowing if the baby had survived. White coat on and stethoscope around my neck gave me an unlimited access to primary care consultations, surgery rooms, delivery rooms, and the emergency department. Observing patient to nurse/doctor interactions helped me understand the differences that exist between countries in terms of culture and professionalism. I learned that although we may be under high stress, have limited resources, and flooded with patients, it’s important to remain calm, professional, and be empathetic to the patient’s needs. One of my favorite cultural experiences was Día de los Muertos (day of the dead), which takes place on Nov. 1st and 2nd. During this celebration, altars are created with food, flowers, photos, and other items to remember loved ones that have passed away. A tradition long held in Oaxaca, our group entered an altar and tapete contest (tapetes are colorful sand sculptures built on the ground). We decided to dedicate our altar and tapete to the town of Huatla de Jiménez and a "curandera" or shaman María Sabina, who was known for using hallucinogenic mushrooms as a form of healing/traditional medicine. Thousands of people came to see our altar and tapete at the cemetery. I really enjoyed this experience because I was able to speak to hundreds of people (locals and foreigners) and share with them the story of María Sabina. People were extremely happy to see us participating in the local festivities, and we were very honored to be part of the local traditions. After three months of living in Oaxaca and weeks spent as an observant at local health centers and the general state hospital, I feel more culturally competent to treat Latino patients and in particular, those with an indigenous background. Service to indigent communities has always been a major focus in my future career plans. I hope to use my education to provide medical care to low-income communities, immigrants, and those without health insurance or a limited public health insurance plan.
In October, 2011, I had the unforgettable opportunity to participate in Child Family Health International's Reproductive Health program in Quito, Ecuador. As a fourth-year medical student, this was a great time for me to to an elective abroad. I learned about CFHI at the AAFP National Conference for Residents and Students where they gave me a free t-shirt. It wasn't until two years later, when I began to seriously consider an international rotation, that I learned about the variety of well-developed programs that they offer. I chose this program because I am interested in family and community medicine, and particularly enjoy Women's Health and Pediatrics. Reproductive Health in Quito combined my medical interests with the opportunity to improve my Spanish skills, which will be very valuable as I move forward with my career. I applied for the scholarship through CFHI, hoping that it would make funding my trip more feasible, and I am very thankful for the financial assistance. Also, if it hadn't been for the scholarship, I might not have kept as detailed journal/blog entries or taken as many photos, and I am happy to have these to share with my family and friends, and future participants.
One whole month seemed like a long time to be away when I was preparing for my trip, but the time actually flew by. We spent every morning during the week working in the clinic or hospital, and rotated to a different site each week. For the first two weeks, we attended Spanish classes at the Amazing Andes Language School all afternoon. I had only had a brief Medical Spanish course before my trip, but I studies a lot on my own and was able to place into the "intermediate" Spanish class. These classes provided lessons on grammar as well as Medical Spanish, and often focused on medical terms that were relevant to our particular clinic sites (maternity hospital, pediatric clinic). Following class, we would have some free time to run errands, or just return home to relax. We had dinner at our home-stay every night at 7. Following dinner, we were often busy with homework or studying Spanish, but we also had time to go out or stay in and talk with family and friends back home. After working all week, we had all of our weekends free to travel and take in all that Ecuador has to offer. As I stated above, I have always been interested in Family Medicine and Community Health, so it seemed natural to get involved in activities that provide services for people who are medically under-served. In Ecuador, all people have access to free healthcare, but there is a great disparity between the quality of facilities available to the wealthy and to the poor. In all of the public sites that I worked, doctors repeatedly told me that certain things weren't available, because there was no money. This was most evident in the maternity hospital, where laboring patients didn't even have sheets or pillows on their beds. Still, with limited resources, all of the doctors I worked with provided invaluable services to their patients by focusing on small ways to improve health, such as making sure vaccinations were up to date, providing education about nutrition and contraception, and promoting breast-feeding.
Looking back, I feel that this program added a vital dimension to my medical education. My school places a lot of emphasis on cultural awareness in the curriculum, but learning about different cultures in a lecture hall cannot compare with being immersed in a culture for several weeks. I feel that after this experience, I will have a better understanding of the experiences and values of my hispanic patients and hopefully will be able to make them feel comfortable. Finally, after having to navigate a foreign country, I have a newfound respect for all people who have emigrated to the US or speak English as a second language. As I move forward in my career, I would like to continue to learn and practice Spanish, so that I can communicate clearly with more patients. I would also like to incorporate international rotations to South and/or Central America into my residency training and future career so that I can continue to explore different cultures while providing much needed services. For more info about my trip, feel free to check out my blog at http://brightmedstudent.blogspot.com/.
I participated in CFHI's Introduction to Traditional Medicine, India program in July 2011. This was my first experience abroad and, as would be expected, I was quite nervous before I left. Upon arrival in Delhi I, along with the other participants, were guided through every step of our journey to Dehradun. The program staff were nothing short of amazing, and it was quite evident that they were truly passionate about their jobs.
This is a program geared toward medical and pre-med students. I, however am neither; as an anthropology student I went into the program knowing little to nothing about medicine or the healthcare system. I never felt behind or out of place, and if anything I felt that the other participants and staff saw my alternate viewpoint as useful in a fuller understanding of different situations.
As I am in no way medical, as an ethical decision, I made it a point to not have physical encounters with patients. The medical/pre-med students did, however, take full advantage of such opportunities when they presented themselves.
I had a wonderful experience shadowing doctors in Dehradun for two weeks, learning about Homeopathy, Reiki, Ayurveda, Accupressure, and how western-style medicine functions in the context of India. A third week was spent in the enchanting town of Rishikesh, nestled in between the edge of the foothills of the Himalayas and the holy Ganges river. In Rishikesh we stayed in an Ashram, having daily yoga lessons and lectures on the various therapies of Naturopathy. The fourth week was spent in the rural village of Patti, secluded, deep in the foothills, from the hustle and bustle of the heavily trafficked urban center. Here we had early morning yoga with views of the sleepy sunrise against the misty valley that could your breath away. We had a more hands on approach to learning about Ayurveda and went on nature walks to find naturally growing medicinal plants.
This experience was one that I will remember always. The staff was so warm and inviting that I am still in contact with many of them to this day. I also loved it so much that I am doing the program again this June.
I participated in the Rural/Urban Himalayan rotation, and worked in various settings providing medical care throughout North India. Due to the language barrier (most patients speak Hindi, Garwhali, etc.) and reliance on history for diagnosis, a large portion of my time there was spent as an active observer. Assertiveness with preceptors was my bridge across this barrier--they were eager to give synopses of what patients were saying when prompted. As time went on, my Hindi skills improved and the individuals I helped treat were quite patient with me as I attempted to obtain basic histories from them in their native tongue.
Paramount to the design of this rotation is exposure to diverse healthcare settings in both rural and urban areas. Hence, day to day activities varied based on location. However, generally our days were divided into morning & evening hospital/clinic sessions of about 3 hrs each, with lunch and afternoon tea allotted in between. This afternoon gap left time to explore the local areas. For example, in the Himalayan foothills we might go out for a hike or spend time journaling, and in the cities you can shop, stake out at an internet cafe or bookstore, or even take a Bollywood dance class!
One of my favorite facets of Indian culture is the inherent hospitality, and the networking provided through CFHI's local coordinators immediately connected us with locals. "Friends of friends" upon meeting our group for the first time would shower us with tea, snacks, and their excellent company almost universally wherever we went. When we left each town it was heartwarming to remember the shopkeeper, cab driver, chemist... all the local pillars who I had formed personal friendships with. Without the immediate networking provided by CFHI, this would not be possible to the same extent.
It was a great opportunity to work with conditions not commonly seen in the US (i.e. TB, rheumatic heart disease..) and enlightening on an intellectual level to understand how healthcare is delivered in a different culture, but the greatest lessons extended much deeper than this as my character was refined by being challenged through an unfamiliar environment & ideas.
The structure that CFHI gave was a supportive one, just enough to guide but never overwhelming. They arranged major transportation between sites, lodging, meals, etc. but never overplanned or scheduled the experience, giving us freedom to explore a bit, and flexibility to accommodate our interests. Local coordinators were always a phone call away and approached the relationship with participants more as a friend than an administrator.
I wish every medical student this opportunity, to develop cultural awareness & competence in dealing with patients from disparate backgrounds. Additionally, to understand the strengths and weaknesses of the Western system of providing healthcare & delivering it to the masses.
I recently participated in the Sight for All Opthalmology program in New Delhi, India. It truly has been an amazing experience. Not only did it strengthen my professional and personal communication skills, but I was able to gain knowledge about global health issues and how collaborative strategies can be developed to solve some of the health related problems existing in developing countries, such as India. As a pre-med student at UC Santa Cruz and an aspiring physician, this program gave me more of the right reasons to become a healthcare provider. On a daily basis, my day started around 9am and ended at 4 or 5 pm, including lunch. During these hours, I had a chance to shadow and get hands on experience from a great team of physicians. The physician on duty would show me the procedures of an eye check up and then allow me to perform the same procedures on multiple patients. I spent most of my times in the retinal, cornea, OT, and pediatrics. In the Operation theatre, i was given the opportunity to closely watch different eye surgeries being performed by physicians on duty. There was so much knowledge passed on by professionals everyday. I would definitely recommend this program to anyone wanting to gain more hands-on clinical skills and learning about a different culture. Trust me, there will be no regrets! This is one part of my life that I will always look back and smile. During the program, there are so many under-served lives you touch and in return, you begin to appreciate life in general. AMAZING!
Hi my name is Sameer Aggarwal and I just recently graduated from the University of California Davis. I am a pre-med student who is currently applying to medical school. I wanted to take some time to inform potential participants and give my recommendation for CFHI, as my experience has truly been an amazing time that has changed my view on health care and furthered my desire to continue to participate in global health campaigns.
On a daily basis in the program, I would usually come to the hospital and shadow a physician in either the pediatric, cornea, or glaucoma clinic. From this time, you have the opportunity to prod physicians about patients’ conditions, interact with patients, and learn a variety of clinical skills in the diagnosis of disease. The physicians were all very welcoming and responsive to questions posed by participants. Usually after shadowing, we would head to the physicians lunch quarters. After eating lunch, you would either have the opportunity to spend time in a different clinic or observe surgery. Because of the opportunity to participate in different clinics, I felt the program offered great flexibility and allowed me to see different things on a day to day basis.
In addition to our time at the hospital, each week we were sent to outreach camps. At outreach camps, health care workers from the hospital were sent to remote villages to perform basic clinical care for underserved populations and identify patients with disease that could be corrected. Those that required intervention would either be given medication or taken back on a bus to the main hospital in New Delhi, India for surgical intervention. From these camps, I learned a lot about global health, lack of health care access, and a variety of clinical skills with basic instruments such as a flashlight.
The program coordinator was very helpful planning events for us throughout the country. She set up excursions to the Taj Mahal in Agra and for the participants to see a nearby historic city called Jaipur. In addition to these adventures, we received advice on a variety of tourist destinations to visit in New Delhi including Khan Market, Connaught Place, Qutab Minar, and much more. The program offered participants plenty of time and opportunity to experience these touristy sites. Furthermore, we often had the opportunity to just hang out at local shopping malls, complexes, and coffee shops.
Overall I think the experience has been rewarding and has made me more appreciative of my circumstances, given me a better understanding of the socio-economic aspects that lead to poor health, and inspired me to continue participating in global health campaigns. In addition, I have learned a great deal about India’s rich culture, history, and people. So if you are someone who wants to have an impact on others, contribute to helping provide medical services for the underserved and those internationally all while gaining essential clinical skills, I would highly recommend the CFHI program!
I participated in the Urban Rural Health Comparative program in Quito and Chone, Ecuador. I had always wanted to study abroad and learn another language. This program was for 4 weeks and it allowed me to compare both rural and urban health care systems to the health care system of the U.S. I thoroughly had a great time! The Spanish classes and living with a host family really helped me improve my Spanish speaking and listening skills. I also learned medical Spanish which was very beneficial since very few of the doctors I shadowed knew English.
I did rotations at community clinics in Quito and various hospital departments in the rural area of Chone. The rotations were 4 hours in Quito. In Chone, we were allowed to do morning and afternoon shifts (but no evening or night shifts). All of the doctors I was in contact with were nice and loved to teach. In Quito, I was at a community clinic that served the poorer population in the hills of Quito. I got a chance to see obstetrics, pediatrics, and family practice. I was there at a time when kids were coming in to get their certificate to attend school. All children had to have a physical exam and lab work done to get a certificate saying they were healthy enough for school. This was neat because it was like all school aged kids started out the school year with a clean, healthy slate. In Chone, I was at a government hospital (Davila Cordova). I rotated through in the pediatric, neonatal and delivery, surgery, emergency room, and internal medicine departments. I also got a chance to observe a doctor doing consultations after her Grand Rounds. Working in Chone was great. I got to do some physical exams on patients and discussed other naturopathic treatments with the doctors. I really like how doctors both answered and asked questions so it was learning on both sides.
Between clinic shifts and Spanish classes there was plenty of time to explore parts of the country and there is a lot to see. The local director planned for our group to go to Banos the first weekend we were there. We were able to hike and do rafting and other extreme things as a group which was fun. The following weekend I explored Quito more which is full of history. The free weekend I was in Chone, my program partner and I decided to take a trip to the coast since we were 2 hours from it. That was fun being on the Pacific Coast in another country. I would love to go back!
In all I would say that with this program it is important to remember to have an open heart and an open mind. You can make the most out of anything that comes your way, just be open to changes.
Just before embarking on the Andean Health program in Quito, Ecuador, I had finished my training as a medical assistant at my local community college. I am thankful and appreciative for this experience because it’s uncommon for students in vocational training programs to travel abroad and most do not have the financial means experience health care in a global context. Without the scholarship that I won through my community college I would not have had this opportunity.
I spent one action packed month in Quito Ecuador. I lived with a vibrant 80 year old woman, who I call my host abuela (grandmother), in a ground story flat in the north part of town. She is a retired grade school grammar teacher; I couldn’t have asked for more in terms practicing and improving my Spanish. She introduced me to local cuisine through her culinary feats which inspired me to go out into Quito and try different foods. I love the hearty meat broth soups with hominy, the tomales, and grilled plantains.
Quito is the second highest capital and I certainly felt it with loss of appetite and when I walked around the block my feet just dragged along. Quito is a beautiful city nestled in a valley that is longer than it is wide; it runs north to south. The landscape included rolling mountains and volcanoes and found it easy to orient myself to Quito since the mighty Pichincha Volcano loomed to the east. I spent my first week was spent acclimating to the altitude and learning my way around on foot, bus and taxi cab to get from and to Spanish school and my clinical rotations. I enjoyed riding bus because it was a true cultural immersion. Each bus had personalized decorations and music, street musicians hop on to play a tune then hop off and vendors sell their wares for a few stops.
I often saw the other participants in my program who became second family to me. I delighted in learning about their ambitions to become nurses or doctors; two participants were studying to become naturopathic doctors. On weekends we traveled together to Otovalo, renown its colorful market, the town of Mindo cloud forest which is known for being in the cloud forest and having mind dizzying zip lines, the town of Banos where we went white water rafting.
The clinical rotations were fantastic! I spent my first week in the outskirts of Quito at a public clinic/Centro de Salud where I shadowed a family practice doctor who saw migrant workers. I spent my second week in a maternity ward where I witnessed live births for the first time- both vaginal and caesarian. In my third week, I shadowed a pediatrician at the recuperation ward for teen mothers…In my last week; I observed surgeries at the military hospital. I found the doctors were personable approachable and allowed me to assist them when I felt ready and comfortable. I found assisting in newborn exams very memorable because I will never the the sound of the fast paced newborn heart beat.
These are the experiences are priceless to me and will be my introduction to health care and feel that it prepares me for a career in healthcare. Also, the experiences remind me that I that employers seek and I felt that my experience at CFHI gave me that advantage. I recently accepted a job with my city’s health department to work in a clinic that serves the transgendered and homeless population. I recently sat in a panel interview with hiring nurse managers from several clinics who were impressed that I did this. I had other clinics that wanted to hire me and I am thankful that my experience in Ecuador has given me a global perspective on health.
I participated in CFHI's Child and Maternal Health program in Pune, India this past August. As a premedical student, I had the opportunity to witness countless surgeries and medical procedures such as laparascopies, caesarian sections, abortions, and basic check-ups. In addition, I rotated between 3 to 4 physicians and healthcare settings such as hospitals and private clinics in order to give me a great breadth of experiences.
One of my favorite memories by far is shadowing a primary care physician in a rural area. This physician operated a government run clinic, which means that services and prescriptions are free to patients. I was amazed as I watched him treat patient after patient, moving far faster than any American doctor I had ever seen in that span of time. As a plus, it was breathtaking to walk amongst the mountains and witness the lushness that marks monsoon season.
My experience with CFHI reinforced my decision to work with underserved populations here in America. The mission of the program underscores my belief that global interactions between countries is necessary to help the world's most vulnerable people receive affordable access to healthcare services. I would recommend this program to a pair or group of friends to also best take advantage of the weekends for exploring nearby cities in India!
I went to Durban, South Africa for four weeks on a program called "HIV/AIDS and Healthcare in Durban" with CFHI. Throughout the four weeks, I rotated through various healthcare sites in and around Durban, including hospitals and local clinics, and one hospice. I got to see the South African healthcare system in action from a first-hand perspective without having to participate in it, which, as I am not a medical student, I am not qualified to do anyways. Essentially, I shadowed doctors, nurses, clinic counselors, and other healthcare professionals as they did their jobs, each playing a key role in providing healthcare to patients affected by HIV. I saw everyone from infants to adults receive evaluative medical attention in a way that doesn't exist in the United States--insight which is invaluable and enriching. The program was not too stringent or overly-structured, which I appreciated as the subject matter we were dealing with on a daily basis was very heavy in itself. I definitely have gained a newly informed perspective on international healthcare for this global epidemic, which I will continue to be grateful for.
As an alumni of the Amazon Community and Indigenous Health program in Ecuador, I am proud to say that my experience with CFHI was one of the most educational and inspirational of my life. From observing surgery to learning about la farmacia de la selva (the pharmacy of the jungle) with the Shuar community, every moment of every day was a learning experience. Keeping an open mind during the clinical rotations was important because one of the main objectives of the program is to observe the differences in the health care system of the host country. Additionally, practicing Spanish with patients in the clinics and with the home-stay families really gave me a sense of immersion that is essential to learning a second language. For anyone interested in learning about themselves, health care, and culture while making a difference in people's lives, the programs that CFHI offers are the opportunity you are looking for.
Participating as part of CFHI’s Introduction to Traditional Medicine in India was one of the most amazing experiences I have ever had. I spent 2 weeks in the city of Dehra Dun learning about homeopathy, ayurveda and making rounds in a private hospital with Dr. Sanjay Gandhi. A week was spent in a rural village named Patti where I worked alongside of Dr. Paul in CFHI’s clinic. Two of the days in Patti were spent hiking to other villages and setting up clinics within their homes and a final day was spent learning of medicinal plants and their preparation and use. A final week was spent in the yoga capital Rishikesh where I learned about the practices of naturopathy.
Mayank Vats that is there to support every endeavor taken, whether you are traveling to the Taj Mahal or you are learning the streets of Dehra Dun. The host family really made India feel like home with hot meals and loving hearts.
Participating in CFHI’s program has had a huge impact on how I view myself as a health care professional and taught me lessons that could not have been learned without the wonderful physicians in India that support this program.
My experience in CFHI was truly amazing! I completed the four week Introduction to Traditional Medicine Program centered in Dehradun, India during July 2011. The Program was split into four different week long experiences, each of which provided new and exciting opportunities. Two of the weeks were spent in Dehradun following physicians, one week was in Richikesh studying Naturopathy, and one week in the village of Patti. Richikesh is one of the most beautiful places you will ever see. It is situated on the Ganges River and is one of the holiest cities for Hindus. The participants all traveled together on the weekends and I had an opportunity to see many different sites including The Golden Temple in Amritsar, the city of Mcleod Gang (place of Tibet's Govt.), and of course the Taj Mahal. The entire staff was supportive and really eased the transition into living in northern India, which is defined a shock to your system at first. Mayank Vats, the Dehradun Program Director, is extremely helpful and fun. I can vividly remember being in his car on the way back from Richikesh listening to Jack Johnson. The CFHI program provides a very safe way to experience a beautiful culture and to feel like you are really making a difference in the world at the same time.
The Ecuador Urban & Rural Comparative Health program was amazing with its rich exposure to the unique cities of Quito and Chone! The program provided opportunities to see the different types of health problems plaguing each community. The people and culture of Ecuador are warm and friendly; this program is highly recommended!!!
I did the Rural/Urban Himalayan rotation in India and I loved every second of it. I would recommend this program to anyone! It changed my life and opened a whole new perspective on what I want to do in the medical field giving me the inspiration to do rural, underserved patient care in the States and internationally.
Here is an excerpt from my favorite experience while in India:
"Imagine a place completely removed from society. No roads. The only way to travel to the nearest village is by foot or pony. If you get hurt and need a doctor you can walk to the nearest clinic ranging from 1 to 15 kilometers. If you are lucky, you will only have to hike up one foothill in the Himalayas. There are leopards, wild elephants, and king cobras you have to constantly be on the look for. Streams to cross. Rice and corn fields to tend. This is Patti. A village located in the foothills of the Himalayas about an hour away from Dehradun. It's hard to believe a place so secluded could exist so close to the hustle and bustle of Dehradun...Tuesday is health camp day and once we hike the two hours to Batolli (the village where we are setting up our health camp), we can now do what we came to do: set up clinic. We walked into a room with two tables. One for Dr. Paul and his equipment of a barometer, otoscope, tongue depressors, thermometer, and stethoscope. He sat at the head of the table with an empty chair to the left for the patient. The second table was covered in the various ayurvedic medicine and drugs that Dr. Paul may prescribe to the incoming villagers. Virrinder and Kamla handled this table and distributed the different medicines and dressings to the patients after Dr. Paul finished his workup. In his notebook, he would write down the patient's name, diagnosis, blood pressure, temperature, and treatment in one word answers. It is simple and to the point because all individuals in India are responsible for their own medical records. The five of us students are responsible for taking the blood pressure, which is a portable barometer which is very effective. Dr. Paul sees 17 patients in the four hours we are there and hikes to this village about once a month. We see a patient with a bee sting who had a severe inflammatory response in the eye. A small boy with a hole in his rotting tooth and Dr. Paul says he had too many sweets. Next, we see a girl with a worm in her GI tract making her hungry, craving sweets, and a white rash on her body...We see Dr. Paul heal his patients while at the same time making them laugh...The atmosphere in Patti is fun, light hearted, and of course lots of laughter! They say laughter is the best medicine so I can see why Dr. Paul is so successful with his patients! ...Patti was a once in a life time opportunity and a week that left me craving for more and never wanting to leave."
I did the 4 week program "Urban and Rural Health" in both Quito and Chone, Ecuador. This was one of the most fulfilling experiences of my life. My Spanish increased tremendously from the classes and host family, I fully experienced and gained an appreciation for the healthcare system in Ecuador, and I fell in love with the Country and its people.
My program was called Andean Health and was based in the Capital city of Quito. It gave me the fantastic opportunity to learn Spanish and understand culture. There's also a lot of support when you go from the two local coordinators. They remain open and willing to help you out in any situation and encourage you to get out and experience the culture. They try really hard to keep you safe by warning you of the right places to eat and how you can protect your stuff. I ran into absolutely no trouble because I laid relatively low and didn't carry anything valuable with me. This includes those expensive hiking backpacks. The only problem that I could've encountered during this trip was someone opened my backpack while I was walking around the city. But, since I had nothing of value, they left me completely alone. There was more than ample warning about carrying backpacks around the city.
The best part of my experience was learning about the culture. I got a lot from exploring the city and even more by spending time with my family! They taught me how to make bread, as well as ice cream. And, the way they worked as a family of 13 under one roof was absolutely amazing!!!! It gave me a greater respect for their culture and cultures in general.
I went as a nursing student. Much of the clinical experience was mainly observation, but if you got into the program that went to Chone, you got as much clinical experience as you were comfortable with! The doctors sometimes allow you to perform check-ups along side them and even quiz you! Not only did this experience teach me a lot more about the nature of medicine, but it also taught me a great deal about how life can play out. In the case of Ecuador, time is something that is very precious. A doctor can have anywhere from 3-4 patients a day to more than 20 patients all within the same time limits. So, there must always be a careful balance between giving your patient the time they need to fully explain their situation and being able to give all of your patients the help that they need. But, not only did this give me a new perspective on how things run in clinics and hospitals, but it also gave me my first real life experience within a clinical and hospital setting. It was great to see how doctors, interns, nurses, and other healthcare workers work together to achieve the common goal of helping a person to get better, as well as the interesting experience of seeing my first procedure and surgery. It really gave me the sense of not only the fragility of human life, but also the strength that one mere person can have into response to a travesty, such as the death of their unborn child, or the courage one can have in the face of pain.
My Spanish capabilities also skyrocketed! I went there with almost no spanish and by the end, I was chattering away with my family almost everyday! I think it was mostly cause I spent the majority of my time with my family.
I was amazed at all the things I got to experience in my program. It opened my eyes to a lot of things many U.S. citizens avoid and ignore here. What kind of effects poverty can have and how religion and culture can impact a person's life.
my program was in Ecuador in the Urban & Rural Comparative Health program in the capital city of Quito and rural town of Chone for one month in total. What was so great about the program was that you are totally immersed in Ecuadorian culture. All the coordinators and doctors that help organize the students are local. This way you don't feel like a tourist taking a guided tour. I felt welcomed by the Ecuadorian coordinators, doctors, and the locals. I've heard doctors criticize programs that insert American doctors in foreign countries where they perform high-tech surgeries, procedures, medical treatments, etc. I was glad to see that CFHI did not take this approach. The program is purely a learning program for students who want to expand experiences and knowledge of global healthcare, especially in underserved areas. The program is structured such that medical rotations are 4hrs in the morning followed by 3-4hrs of Spanish class in the afternoon. Spanish class can be very helpful depending on your Spanish level.
During the first week I observed pediatrics in a clinic serving a poor area. We participated in a vaccination campaign and walked through a barrio in Quito knocking on doors and inquiring as to the vaccination status of children.
The second week in Quito was at the Military Hospital where I saw many different surgeries including more advanced laparoscopic procedures. I particulary enjoyed this week as I was able to follow a surgeon through clinical visits, rounds, and surgery. The military hospital is always busy with a lot going on.
The last 2 weeks were spent in rural Chone. The first thing I noticed stepping off the bus was the heat and humidity. But these things were more than made up for by the amiable host family. The hospital Davila Cordova in Chone lacks AC in many rooms but is a place with a lot to do and a lot to learn from. We spent our days in the departments of Surgery, Neonatal, Deliveries, Emergency, Pediatrics. The doctors and nurses are very nice and there is a small town environment where it seems that everyone is friendly. I scrubbed in on several surgeries and the doctors are more than willing to let you assist based on your skill level. All were willing to answer questions and talk with me. Overall Chone was a great experience. Here there were rarer diseases such as malaria and Dengue.
The CFHI experence was unforgettable. We had our weekends free to make trips and I had a great time with the other CFHI students. I highly recommend this program. The higher your medical education level and Spanish ability the more you will get out of this program, but regardless your level you will learn a lot.
In April 2011, I participated in the four week program, entitled, “Doing More with Less, Healthcare in Remote Southern Bolivia,” specifically in the small and beautiful city of Tarija. The program exists through Child Family Health International, a leading nongovernmental organization which places health sciences students in global health education and community service programs in five different countries. Students participate in clinical rotations at general public health clinics throughout Tarija. The state of Tarija is unique in that it offers universal health insurance for all its inhabitants. In turn, this has created an enormous demand upon the health care system in the region which, sometimes, cannot be met because of the lack of health care personnel, monetary funds, and equipment. As students, we witnessed firsthand the difficulties many Bolivians have in accessing health care services in this region. In the recent decade or so, training opportunities for health care personnel in Bolivia have expanded dramatically with the founding of more private universities. The number of graduate level programs in medicine, nursing, and dentistry have doubled and there are larger numbers of providers available to serve the population. Within the past twenty years, the government of Bolivia has responded to the country’s dire health situation by passing several acts which allow local and regional governments to formulate social and economic development plans for health actions while funding would come from the national budget. In 1998, the Ministry of Health and Social Welfare designed the Bolivian Health System as a universal access system based on primary care and embracing gender and intercultural approaches. In Bolivia, current priorities include providing basic health care to more women and children, expanding immunizations, and dealing with the problems of diarrhea and tuberculosis which are leading causes of death amongst children. For the first two weeks of the rotation, we primarily worked in Villa Avaroa, a center for general public health facility located within the immediate outskirts of Tarija. Many of the women and children hailed from nearby rural communities and underserved areas of Tarija. It was pretty evident that much of the patient population comprised of the lower socio-economic groups of Tarija. The second half of the rotation involved primarily working in the Hospital of San Lorenzo, which is a smaller town or “pueblo” located approximately thirty minutes from Tarija. This hospital also served the locally underserved area of San Lorenzo and surrounding communities. We worked in the general public health care system which is funded by the government of Bolivia. Resources are limited. There is a well-developed system of free vaccinations for infants and children, but families have to seek these services. In both of the facilities, free vaccinations were offered for women and children. A high emphasis was placed on nutrition and many prescriptions were offered to patients for nutritional supplements and vitamin supplements. Nutritionists and nurses explained the significance of these supplements and value of a balanced diet and nutrition to the patients and their families. We observed these sessions and assisted in administration of the prescriptions as well as in nutritional education. The lack of sanitation and hygiene were prevalent among patients and their families as was evident by their clothes and body odor. We saw several infants and children with advanced dental caries and infections due to lack of basic dental hygiene. Many patients came from impoverished backgrounds and living conditions. Transportation from the rural countryside to larger cities for health care can be an issue for many residents of the “el campo” (the countryside). Residents of nearby countryside communities often make several trips to health care facilities in a given year, but those in the further rural areas cannot make it. There are small health care teams that will make monthly trips to various rural communities for the rendering of basic health care services. We participated in two of these trips to different communities in the rural areas, and it was a very unique to have this experience and I definitely learned a lot. These rural communities are quite far by driving distance and the team of health care providers included the physician, a nurse, the driver, and the medical students. I remember one day in which we saw seven children from one family, ages 14 to 3. They all had pediculosis and were suffering from the common cold. They lived in huddled conditions in a small, two room house in the hills of the countryside with an outhouse for a bathroom and very limited access to any city resources. NGOs and the churches play a significant role in health care delivery. While in Tarija, we had the opportunity to attend a large public health fair with booths from various dimensions of the health care system. There were representatives from public health programs involved with the prevention of infectious diseases (such as Chagas disease, TB, rabies, malaria, yellow fever, typhoid, etc), local schools, programs for the control of diabetes, herbal and traditional medicine groups, exercise and yoga groups, reproductive health and birth control education groups, programs for the prevention of sexually transmitted diseases, lactation groups, and many more. There were hundreds of people who attended the fair, from local students from colleges and high schools, health care professionals, military personnel, the general public, etc. The fair catered well to the needs of an entire community and was very well-organized with educational booths, demonstrations, posters, and speakers. I learned a lot and the well-designed and artistic, creative posters were very effective ways of communicating important points about the different health conditions and concerns that are prevalent in Southern Bolivian society. I also learned about the 24 hour “enfermeria” centers located sporadically in different parts of the cities, and these function as 24 hour “emergency rooms” staffed by nurses and provide basic services for immediate need ailments.
In Tarija and in other areas of Bolivia, much of specialty and sub-specialty medicine services rely upon the private sector, which cater mostly to the middle and upper classes. Larger numbers of lower socioeconomic groups seek specialty care in the secondary and tertiary level public health facilities. For this reason, there is an advantage to having a universal health care access system, one which provides basic services to all. The access, though, may not be as easy as access in the private sector. We also learned in depth about the different clinical pathologies that are prevalent in Southern Bolivia, such as Chagas disease, tuberculosis, and parasitosis. In the first two weeks of the program, there was a strong focus on Chagas disease, an infectious disease that is a major cause of death and disability in South America. We participated in prevention and epidemiological programs as well as clinical rotations where we observed the various manifestations and stages of Chagas infection. Bolivia, in the heart of South America, is home to the most indigenous population in the region and is the poorest country in South America. Proper nutrition is a huge problem in Bolivia and approximately a quarter of the country suffers from malnutrition. Statistics indicate that only about 20 percent of the rural populations have access to proper sanitation and safe drinking water. Bolivians living in rural areas lack proper sanitation and health services, rendering many helpless against potent diseases like malaria and Chagas disease. Major infectious diseases with high degrees of risk in the area include foodborne or waterborne diseases such as bacterial diarrhea, hepatitis A, and typhoid fever; vector-borne diseases such as dengue fever, malaria, and yellow fever; and water-contact diseases such as leptospirosis. While delivering health care in the rural areas, we also saw many patient cases of parasitic diseases such as giardiasis, ascariasis, and strongyloidiasis. I will have to admit that there are some challenges to working in a foreign country, including an initial lack of understanding how the health care system works. Along with the language barriers at times, there is also, sometimes, a sense of frustration because one wants to do more to directly help the patients and their families, but there are so many obstacles due to economic and social reasons. There is only so much the health care providers in the public sector can do for their patients, and this was evident from what the physicians told us too. They had limited resources in hand to directly aid the patients. Through conversing with the physicians and nurses, we learned that things are not easy for them as they get paid minimally and jobs are not widely abundant for health care providers. Some were also caught up in very busy days with a constant stream of patients and only so much in terms of the amounts of medications they could provide because even pharmaceutical supplies are limited within the public sector. All in all, I learned a lot about the conditions of health care for the vast majority of people in Bolivia. Many people cannot afford to render the services of private practitioners and have to seek health care in the general public health system. The good thing about the universal health care system is that all individuals are able to access at least some form of basic health care, which is better than no access at all. I also learned a lot about the many prevalent health conditions in the area ranging from mosquito-borne infectious diseases, parasitoses, rabies, and heart conditions to uterine cancers, chronic manifestations of different diseases, and hepatitis. Along with developing my Spanish language skills and learning many new words and phrases in Spanish, I learned a lot through my cultural immersion experience in Bolivia through experiencing the customs, traditions, and food of the country. Staying with a host family also enlightened my rich learning experience in Tarija. I was able to ask them a lot of questions, and I learned a lot through conversing with them and with others throughout my stay in Bolivia.
I participated in the CFHI Reproductive Health program in Quito, Ecuador for 4 weeks during the month of May. Ecuador is a developing country in South America endemic to many tropical diseases rarely seen in the United States including Yellow Fever, Malaria, and Dengue Fever. The hospitals and clinics in this unique setting provided a rare glimpse into a healthcare system completely different from those of Northern America.
During my time in Quito I had the opportunity to rotate in three different hospitals/clinics. My favorite hospital was Maternidad Isidro Ayora, a public hospital for pregnant women and their babies. It was both interesting and devastating to witness the number of teenage pregnancies in this hospital, some as young as 13. I had the opportunity to shadow physicians for a wide range of obstetrics and gynecology visits including pelvic exams, ultrasounds, vaginal and cesarian section births, and well baby exams.
The most interesting rotation was in a traditional medicine clinic for the indigenous population called Jambi Huasi. I was able to follow one of the medicine women at the clinic for a diagnostico mediante el cuy in which a guinea pig or cuy is used as a diagnostic tool. The entire therapy is performed in Quichua as the healer rubs a guinea pig on the patient and then guts it to examine its anatomy. This was the most unique clinic in which I rotated in Ecuador and I enjoyed learning about traditional alternative therapies.
In addition to clinical rotations and spanish lessons I had multiple opportunities to travel and see the local culture. My experiences on these trips range from zip-lining in the rain forest to attending a La Liga soccer match to snorkeling in the Galapagos Islands. The CFHI local coordinator for my program was extremely helpful in arranging these trips.
This experience has reinforced my desire to travel and work in underserved communities in both the United States and internationally as a physician. I will never take for granted the abundant resources of North America after seeing doctors draw blood from patients without wearing gloves and labor and delivery rooms that are so overcrowded with patients that the families of the pregnant women are not allowed in to witness the birth of their children and grandchildren. This has truly been a life-altering experience for me. I would highly recommend it to anyone interested in international health care.
CFHI was organized and well-run. My medical and local coordinators were there for all of my questions/concerns. Highly recommended
I spent 2 months in Ecuador, 2 weeks in Quito and 6 weeks in Puyo, working in clinics, educating communities about dengue fever, surveying for mosquitoes who carry both dengue and malaria, traveling to schools for hearing tests and vaccinations, and interacting with the small communities within the jungle. It was very educational, I gained a greater understanding of prevalent medical conditions within these communities and how the medical system works within Ecuador, and learned about alternative, medicinal treatments using local plants.
Overall this was an incredible experience and I learned a tremendous amount. My one disappointment was that I did not work more with the Malaria Services, since tropical medicine is my passion. If I were to do it again, I would prefer to have spent much more time learning about infectious disease and its impact on these communities, than working in general medicine.
What textbooks and the Internet teach us regarding international rural and urban medicine is no replacement for real-world experience. My participation in CFHI’s Ecuador Program in April 2011 has forever changed my perception of how a healthcare system is supposed to work and how invaluable the system is to the citizens of Ecuador. I also observed the disparities of the urban-rural healthcare compared to those of my home country, USA, and immediately saw the challenges that they faced.
I feel very privileged to be able to work alongside these hardworking medical professionals and I was able to walk away feeling like I gained a lot of knowledge, wisdom and great passion to help the community whether within my area or abroad. Although my time in Ecuador was short, in the end, I was brought back to why I wanted to become a doctor. It is not about the money, nor the prestige or even the fascination I have about the living system, it is what I saw everyday with the doctors I shadowed; spending time with them and understanding their concerns, pain and suffering. I watched as spending mere minutes with them seemed to ease their pain and suffering, all this without any drugs. It would seem that the medical world forgets the humanity aspect in our profession but after completing this program it brings back the reason why I want to become a doctor.
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I feel extremely grateful to have had the opportunity to spend one month in Puerto Escondido, Oaxaca with CFHI’s women’s reproductive health program. I knew I wanted to do an international rotation during my 4th year of medical school, but I didn’t have much time to plan one and wanted to make sure that whatever program I did was a well organized clinical experience with a reputable organization that is socially responsible and economically just, and I felt this program fit that description.
I had a lot of specific goals in mind when deciding to do this program in Oaxaca with CFHI. In 4 weeks, I feel I was able to meet all of my goals through this program. They included:
1) To broaden my knowledge about the Mexican public health system and the health-related strengths and challenges encountered in Oaxaca, especially pertaining to indigenous populations.
2) To gain clinical skills in women’s reproductive health, especially in rural and low-resource settings.
3) To increase my Spanish language proficiency in the clinical setting, with a particular emphasis on medical Spanish.
A typical day consisted of going to a “centro de salud”, a small community health clinic in a rural community near Puerto Escondido. Each week I would spend time in a different centro de salud with a different precepting doctpr. The clinics are very small, usually with about 2 exam rooms and a triage area with some boxes with files of medical records. Two doctors, 1 nurse and 1 clerical worker typical staff the clinics and they have a small pharmacy attached.
Everyday in clinic my precepting doctors and I saw a big variety of illnesses. The most common presentations involve pregnant women for prenatal care, reproductive health issues including STDs and especially HPV and cervical cancer; followed by the usual upper respiratory and pulmonary infections (including TB); gastroenteritis/diarrheal illnesses, chronic diseases like diabetes, hypertension and hyperlipidemia; injuries like lacerations and fractures. The precepting doctors were all very nice, and gave great feedback and supervision. It was such great practice to do so many histories and physical exams in Spanish. By my third week, I definitely felt that I could conduct a medical history in Spanish competently.
CFHI also set up wonderful supplemental private Spanish lessons that are tailored to review grammar, as well as focus on medical Spanish. In addition, a comfortable homestay was organized for me through CFHI, and worked out extremely well.
I am very grateful for the incredible learning experience I have had in Oaxaca, both in the clinical setting as well as in the daily life setting. Seeing first-hand how medicine is practiced here has given me valuable opportunities to reflect on my own clinical practice as well as my values in practicing medicine. Overall, I think the most valuable thing I am taking away from this month is a positive attitude and enthusiasm for meeting new people in a place as beautiful as Oaxaca.
I am a 4th year medical student who will soon be starting my residency in family practice. Through out medical school I always wanted to work internationally as I hope to continue to reach out to countries in need of medical care. Child Family Health International (CFHI) allowed me to have this opportunity. I traveled to Quito and Puyo Ecuador for one month in February. I participated in the Amazon Community and Indigenous Health program.
The part I liked most about this program was the variety. I worked in a private clinic in Quito, a missionary hospital in Shell, government run clinics in rural communities, participated in Dengue control and even visited a jungle community. Each experience was unique and left a lasting impression. All of the physicians and nurses were wonderful to work with. Everyone was interested in teaching about the Ecuadorian health system. They were also interested in learning about health care in the US. It was fun and interesting to explain how being a 4th year medical student works in the US and how this compares to medical education in Ecuador.
I not only learned a great deal about health care in Ecuador, but was also directly immersed in the culture. CFHI allows participants to live with host families. This is vital to any international experience. I was able to eat the local food, experience culture and tradition and practice my Spanish on a daily basis. Also, during my first week in Ecuador I attended daily Spanish classes. This was a great opportunity to practice and improve conversational skills as well as medical vocabulary. CFHI structures their programs in a way that allows for opportunities to learn and explore.
My experience with CFHI is one that I will never forget. I would highly recommended this organization and program to anyone who is interested in learning about another culture as well as experiencing medical care in a different country.
I spent one month in India doing the Urban/Rural Himalayan rotation through CFHI. It was an absolutely unbelievable experience that changed my life. I am a physician assistant student from Michigan, about to graduate and start my career. The month in India counted towards one of my clinical rotations, and was probably the one that I gained the most knowledge in. Not only did I learn about medicine and health care in an under served area of the world, but I learned about life and culture as well.
I was able to spend two weeks in DehraDun, India. Here I was able to really grasp the lifestyle of people in an urban setting. I worked in several different hospitals and clinics, and CFHI really was helpful in letting me get the most out of my experience as a future medical provider. I worked with such a variety of physicians, in a wide variety of settings. The ability to see the differences and similarities between India and the US was something that I really appreciated. Getting around in the city was a little overwhelming at first, but once we got the hang of taking the vikrams and rickshaws it was alot of fun. It only takes one time of getting completely lost to learn how to pay attention to where your stop is supposed to be. We stayed with a host family in Dehradun, which was amazing. Our family was so welcoming and friendly. They really made us feel like we were part of their family. Meals were prepared for us three times a day, which were all delicious and authentic. I really enjoyed my two weeks in the city.
We also got to spend two weeks in a rural setting in villages in the foothills of the himalayas. The scenery was some of the most beautiful that I've ever seen. The village of Patti was where we worked in a small clinic that was run by a doctor who practices ayurvedic medicine. Here we helped people in the local village, but also got to hike medicine to surrounding villages as well. That was my favorite part of my whole experience in India. It was nice to be able to help these people that usually would have to walk three hours or more on their own just to be seen for something as simple as heartburn or a skin infection. The hike was beautiful, and the whole experience was something that I will never be able to forget. Mussoorie was also a beautiful rural city that we worked in. We stayed at the missionary hospital and worked with several different doctors seeing patients in the clinic and also doing surgeries in the OR. The skills and knowledge I learned while working in those underserved, rural areas is something that will stick with me throughout my entire career as a physician assistant.
I couldn't have asked for a better experience than the one I had while in India. CFHI did an amazing job of organizing and accommodating my stay in India. I am so grateful that I got the opportunity and would recommend it to anyone interested in helping people and learning what health care is like in other countries.
In December 2010 I spent 4 weeks volunteering in Puerto Escondido, Mexico. I went through Child Family Health International and participated in their women's reproductive health program. CFHI provided clinical visits, a home-stay, and medical Spanish lessons.
I spent each of the 4 weeks and a different clinical site. 3 of the 4 weeks were at public health clinics and 1 week was spent in labor and delivery at the local hospital. I was able to assist in 4 natural deliveries, observe 4 cesareans, and observe an appendectomy. In the clinics I found fetal heart rates, listened to patients hearts and lungs, removed sutures, and performed breast exams and pap smears. I was able to witness patient care in impoverished communities and understand the lack of medical resources in remote areas. To cope with poverty and sparse medical resources, preventative medicine, nutrition, and education were the main objective of community doctors. I was able to witness illnesses not commonly seen where I work in California such as leprosy, tuberculosis and dengue. The medical education I received in Puerto Escondido could not have been obtained without volunteering abroad.
The home-stay experience in Puerto Escondido was as important as my medical education. My home-stay family welcomed me into their family and helped me feel like part of the community. This provided me with compassion toward my patients in the clinic since I viewed them as members of my own community.
CFHI also provided Spanish lesson. The lesson focused on medical Spanish and I found that what I learned in class was useful in clinic. Also, my Spanish teacher discussed the healthcare system in Mexico with me and made sure I understood how the community accessed medical care. We also visited traditional mexican midwives in an effort to best understand community medical perspectives.
The 4 weeks I spent with CFHI were some of the most influential weeks of my life. I learned about global medicine, improved my Spanish, and gained a new family. I recommend this experience to anyone interested in medicine, cultures, and making great friends!
CFHI offers global health care programs in South Africa, India, South America, and Mexico. In the fall, I participated in their Health Care Challenges in Cape Town, South Africa. As a medical student, I worked for two months in secondary district hospitals: Victoria Hospital and G.F. Jooste Hospital. Pre-medical students had an additional option for a preceptorship at Eerste River Hospital. The program includes rotations with South African medical students and residents. It could either be specialty specific or exploratory.
I worked in the medicine department at Victoria and orthopedics in Jooste. My rotation in internal medicine was along side 4th and 6th-year University of Cape Town medical students. We rounded, discussed cases, worked-up patients, performed technical duties for residents, had classes, and bedside tutorials. Without MRIs, CTs, and U/S equipment for the department, doctors relied heavily on history and physical exams for diagnosis and treatment. There were a predominant number of patients with HIV/TB and young patients with terminal illnesses. At Jooste, I worked closely with residents admitting patients in clinic and assisting in theater. Most patients were involved in community violence, motor vehicle injuries, or complications associated with HIV/TB. The staff was engaging and accessible.
CFHI students boarded with a middle-class Coloured family in Vanguard Estate. They provided meals, sleeping quarters, and an initial introduction to the history of Cape Town. A driver transported students to and from the hospital. To explore the rest of South Africa, students have to rent their own vehicle or hire a taxicab. Public transportation is not advised due to security concerns. CFHI local directors have weekly meetings and can be reached at anytime for questions or concerns.
Cape Town is a tourist destination and accommodates vacationers with scenic views, historical bus rides, museums, beaches and nightlife. The CFHI directors will take paying students on a tour of the Eastern Cape and the Winelands if the group is four or more.
I highly recommend CFHI Health Care Challenges in Cape Town, South Africa for students and graduate health care providers. The program is an excellent medical education and cultural experience for students willing to study independently and engage respectfully with staff and the communities they serve. As much as I wanted to learn how medicine is practiced and have a "jol" in Cape Town, I was also an ambassador to my country and to my profession. I had a wonderful time exchanging clinical approaches and sharing American cultures with newfound colleagues and friends. I learned to be more resourceful, not only in the hospital, but also in finding avenues in building relationships with the people of South Africa that traverse national, cultural, racial, and economic boundaries. Doors opened for me. When I return, I know I will always have a place in Cape Town, South Africa.
My hope is that other parts of the world will see India as our team has seen it—a country of ancient and complex traditions, a richly diverse people embedded in art and culture, a place where creativity is rooted in hope and vision, and a nation where family and friends are the center of everything. This was made possible by CFHI.
My initial discovery of CFHI's global health programs surfaced in a conversation I had a few years back. A good friend of mine (who also happens to be an RN) had just received her nursing license. We were out for a celebratory dinner discussing the motivating factors that propelled her into the health field, the RN program specifically. Of the examples she named, CFHI's Reproductive Health program in Quito, Ecuador was one that she regarded as having a deeply important impact on her health perspective. Her month-long participation in that program helped solidify her passion to pursue and provide quality health care as an RN.
Years later I found myself with a window of time and opportunity to embark on the very same global health path she so highly and warmly regarded. In Fall 2010, I spent 2 full months (October and November) participating in CFHI's Reproductive/Women's Health Program in Quito, Ecuador. I chose this program in particular because of my long-term employment at a family planning clinic, and because of my passion for working with clients who are seeking knowledge, skills and empowerment to best protect their health. My medical career goal is to become a Diagnostic Medical Sonographer, and since there wasn't a specific global health program with this focus, I chose the area of health I felt most familiar with: Reproductive Health.
Over the two months I spent participating in CFHI's global health program, I learned a wealth of information about health that extended beyond the Reproductive realm. Each week in Quito I was assigned to a specific preceptor in a specific health center providing services not limited to Women's Reproductive health; I'd spend one week making rounds on newborns/mothers in the Pediatrics ward, learning about post-natal care expectations; the next week I'd scrub in on surgeries in the military hospital. I certainly sat in on a fair number of OBGYN preceptors conducting women's health consultations, but it was what I learned during that unexpected time served working in areas of health I was unfamiliar with that left a huge impact on me.
I learned a lot about Ecuador's healthcare system by discussing health care access, education, socioeconomic class and ethnic background with my mentors and preceptors. These mentors include the CFHI's Quito Medical Director and local homestay coordinator with whom I spent a great deal of time interfacing with. Talking with them about what I saw and experienced in the health centers helped bring me clarity about their country's healthcare stratification; what % of the population uses insurance or private pays for services, what % needs and utilizes government assistance, SS, or free healthcare.
I learned about how religion, education and customary social/cultural schools of thought (i.e. machismo) weigh heavily on Ecuador's society, and individual minds; I saw how the cultural "way" dictated the population's attitude towards healthcare, especially in Women's Reproductive Health. Healthy sexual practices aren't discussed openly between parent-child or in schools, contraception isn't widely accepted or used for the sake of upholding religious belief systems and satisfying patriarchal demands.
Spending one week in Quito's public adolescent maternity hospital exemplified a country's level of education and a value system heavily entrenched in Catholocism. Each moment I spent with a newborn baby was a reminder of this, and I was truly fascinated by being on the other side of the coin---- my work at the family planning clinic primarily focused on prevention: pregnancy, STI, breast/cervical cancer; in Quito I spent the bulk of my time observing life circumstances that were past the prevention stage. It gave me the chance to examine culture in America, in the west (California), and within my immediate social circles (friends and family.) It also made me aware of my personal convictions re: healthcare. What aspects of health in Ecuador's culture really tested my notions of "acceptable, normal" and who was I to determine what was "right", "wrong" or an act of "miseducation." The moments that caused me to question belief systems in place within myself really stretched me beyond limits I never knew possible. and it is these reflections upon the state of health care in Quito that can broaden my understanding of client needs, beliefs and culture here in the states. It helped me better understand where the need IS and helps me narrow down where I want to focus my medical efforts once I am a practicing ultrasound care: the public sector for underserved, impoverished populations.
I left Quito, Ecuador realizing that I am in complete agreement with my friend with the RN license. My experience with CFHI left me energized, inspired and ready to complete the medical path I started; it made me aware of health conditions and beliefs surrounding healthcare that I will be sure to consider when serving future populations in my role as ultrasound technician. I want to best serve the client's needs, not my own.
Last year I decided to leave my job in finance to pursue my growing interest in global health. Because my education and work experience were in business and finance, and not in medicine or the sciences, I felt it was necessary for me to gain as much understanding of what it is like to be a global healthcare worker and to gain experience on the field. Through prior volunteer work with CFHI, I knew that its global healthcare programs would provide for the education and experience that I needed and wanted.
In September of this year, I participated in CFHI's Public Health & Community Medicine program, which is based in Delhi, India. The program provided an exceptional introduction to global health.
The program focused on the challenges of the delivery of health care to India’s underserved and marginalized communities. It involved visiting and learning about healthcare organizations that provide support services to a variety of populations located in and/or around urban and rural areas of Delhi. These organizations address key healthcare challenges facing India, including unsanitary living conditions, high HIV/AIDS infection rate, increase in the number of marginalized persons, and providing for the many visually-impaired persons. The program provided an opportunity to learn some of the most pressing healthcare issues faced by India and the initiatives in place to combat them. In addition, the program was instrumental in providing a set of tools that I can use as a future healthcare worker to address the many healthcare challenges of developing countries.
What made this program a success was how well it was coordinated. The CFHI staff responsible for the program provided great front and back-end support. The US coordinators were responsive to all of my inquiries regarding pre-departure information and what to expect, while the Delhi coordinators made sure that my curriculum included some areas of interest.
I am a Family Nurse Pracititioner student from the United States, and I spent 4 weeks in Puerto Escondido, Mexico doing a rotation in rural health and tropical diseases. I had a wonderful experience! CFHI took care of EVERYTHING! By organizing the homestay (which included meals!), language classes, health insurance, and an emergency cell phone, I honestly can't think of anything else they possibly could've done to help me out. It was so easy to go, learn, grow, and enjoy my time.
I am a second-year physician assistant student at the University of Iowa and participated in the Rural/Urban Himalayan rotation in India this past October. This experience allowed me to be immersed in a culture and healthcare system very different from my own back home. Between the colorful clothing, smells, food, transportation and language present in Northern India I really felt like I was in a different world. Despite these differences, I found myself drawing some similarities between culture and religious practices in India to that of western culture and religion. For example, many Christian religions use specific robes, colors, ashes, candles, and water to represent certain aspects of their religious beliefs. In India I found myself watching a Hindu ceremony with many of the same basic objects but only in different forms, colors, and languages.
There are also multiple kinds of medical practice that we don’t usually encounter here in the United States. For example, many Indian doctors practice ayurvedic medicine, which includes a specific set of beliefs and herbal medicines. Other Indian doctors practice more traditional allopathic western medicine, while still some practice both. Encountering this alternate set of beliefs about medicine has really made me aware of some beliefs Indian patients in the U.S. may come to clinic with.
In Indian healthcare, many disparities exist between the wealthy and the poor. Though there are some government run hospitals in the urban cities, many citizens still live with life-altering congenital defects that people in the U.S. usually get treated for simply because they don’t have the money to pay for the surgery or expensive therapy. In addition, many citizens that live in rural communities don’t get healthcare at all. I was fortunate to have the opportunity to work in a rural community while I was in India. Trekking through the Himalayans to serve this underserved population has definitely strengthened my desire to continue to serve the underserved in my community and around the world. Overall, this was a very positive life altering experience that allowed me to see the world from another perspective and is something I will definitely take with me in my practice.
I participated in the Women's Reproductive Health program with Child Family Health International for six weeks in July and August in Puerto Escondido, Mexico. The on-site staff was very supportive and available, and I learned so much about how the health care system functions in providing services and treatment. The impact that is program had on me is huge in influencing me to enter a dual degree program to get a Masters degree of Public Health along with and M.D. title. The program was unique by allowing me to interview eight midwives during my stay. This opportunity was insightful in seeing how birth takes place in the home with a traditional midwife with customs surrounding the experience.
My name is Carl Leonhardt and I am a pre-med student at Washington State, currently interviewing for Medical School. I attended the Rural / Urban Himalayan Rotation in India the summer after my senior year of undergrad. My medical rotation in India with Child Family Health International was a life changing experience . The first week of this program was spent in a rural village called Patti, nestled in foothills of the Himalayas. My group lived and worked in a small clinic which serves as the only form of health care for almost 10,000 rural farmers and mountain people in the surrounding hills, mountains, and villages. Everyday during that week, we saw many patients ranging from a newborn boy with a severe mango acid burn, a 16 year old girl suffering from Typhoid, to an 86 year-old woman with a cancerous tumor on her neck. These patients, along with the many more that we saw and treated free of charge, would have no way of receiving medical help if it was not for the clinic and a physician named Dr. Paul. Another week of rotation was spent in a capital city in Northern India called Dehradun. During that week I shadowed a cardiologist working at the Doon Government Hospital, which provides nearly free services. We conducted rounds with the cardiologist, Dr. Yoshi, in the morning and saw around 50 patients in the afternoon. Despite the fact that 15 to 20 people were constantly waiting to take a seat and see the doctor, he would always make sure each patient understood was he or she had prescribed and why. Most of these patients were either homeless, living in huts on small farms, or sleeping in tinny road-side shack that double as a store during the day.
The doctors you shadow in this program are dedicated, knowledgeable, empathetic individuals who love teaching medicine. I am glad I chose the Urban/Rural health program because you have the opportunity to explore and learn about two very different regions of Ecuador in terms of demographics, food, and culture. Chone (where the rural component took place) is unlike any other city you will ever visit, and the host family there is absolutely welcomes you with open arms. This program is excellent for those wondering how medicine differs in developing countries and for those interested in indigenous medicine.
CFHI’s motto is “let the world change you.” And it did. I was in South Africa for four weeks, doing a rotation on HIV/AIDS. It’s hard to describe just how much of an impact this experience had on me. I had the chance to learn about healthcare policy and participate in the care of patients in a very different part of the world. I saw endless cases of AIDS, TB, and Marasmus; preventative medicine was virtually nonexistent. I lived with a South African family, where I got a glimpse into their daily life. I met individuals who would become my role models. I learned about real medicine and what it means to be a doctor; it involves so much more than the physical manifestations of diseases. It involves an understanding of our patients’ communities, their traditions and cultures, the battles they encounter every day. It means doing everything we can for them: treating them, fighting for them, and believing in them. I know that I will be a better doctor because of CFHI and my month in SA.
I thoroughly enjoyed the both the Public Health program and the Communicable Diseases program and it was especially interesting to make comparisons between Delhi and Mumbai. In terms of daily routine, we would generally be out from about 9 – 4, but this varied from day to day – sometimes we would leave earlier and get back earlier. Each morning we would meet Sanjay, our local coordinator, and then get transport to the site, usually a rickshaw. Sometimes we would stay at one site for the whole day and have lunch there. Other days we would go to a different site in the afternoon and either have lunch out somewhere or come back to the apartment for lunch. After finishing the program each day we would either go back and relax at the apartment or do some sightseeing. In the evenings we would have dinner at the apartment and might go to the internet cafe, to a historical sight, to a market etc. We went to an extremely wide variety of sites, which was excellent. We spent time with a lot of different organisations working on many different issues and had placements at a variety of hospitals and clinics. Also on the program in Delhi we went on quite a few outreach visits with the organisations. These trips were very enjoyable as we were able to experience life in some villages and towns surrounding Delhi. In addition to the program, there was plenty of time for sightseeing in the evenings and weekend. The structure of the programs gave an excellent balance between spending time at sites and having time to do touristy things and visit other areas of India. Overall, I had a fantastic time and learnt a great deal about Indian life and culture, especially in relation to healthcare.
I spent a month in Capetown South Africa with the CFHI program. It was a great experience and I learned alot about the health care system in their country. It was really eye opening to see how the people there made the best of their limited resources ....in Capetown I learned the true meaning of triage. The best part of the experience was staying with the host family which also made me feel comfortable in my new culture. The people there are very caring and very hospitalable. It was sincerely the best month of my medical school experience. Capetown is amazing and during the month there I had the opportunity to visit some fabulous places.
I have been a participant of CFHI and am now one of their program guide´s in Oaxaca, Mexico. I am very impressed with all aspects of the organization as they are significantly improving the care of underserved communities in various manners, economically and healthcare to name a few. In addition to serving these communities, students are getting a great deal of clinical experience, learning the host language, broading their horizons by being in a foreign environment, and learning about different healthcare systems. All in all, CFHI provides a very enriching experience for its students and focusses on improving the quality of health care for communities that need it.
CFHI offers its participants a unique experience. In its intent it seeks to educate med students, pre-meds, PAs, nursing students, etc. on aspects of global health, as well as provide a firsthand opportunity to be immersed in the medical world in a variety of countries. It is extremely informative and allows the participant the chance to see the medical field from the most basic of levels and in the ruralest of areas to the largest of cities and most modern and professional of hospitals. Participants have access to some of the world's best doctors. Moreover, participants have the autonomy and freedom to immerse themselves in the culture and atmosphere of their respective program countries, which allows for the most thorough exposure and enlightenment of another country's customs, culture, people, food, travel, etc. Furthermore, accomodations are top-notch, and the participants' individual comfort, health, and safety are well-looked after. Finally, the people who choose to participate come from a very diverse range of backgrounds and life experiences, which only further enriches the particpant's individual experience in country. If a genuine learing and enlightenment opportunity is what is sought, CFHI is a natural choice.