Bi-National Medical and Nursing Student Immersion Program in Cuernavaca, Mexico
Program Summary
Application Process, Eligibility and Deadline
Selection Criteria
Contact Information
For the past several years, Health Initiative of the Americas (HIA) has offered a cultural and Spanish language immersion experience geared toward future health care providers who have an inclination to practice in California’s underserved Latino communities. To date, nearly 100 students have participated in the program. A past participant describes his experience:
"Ten students from the five UC medical schools went to Mexico for a four-week program. While living with a Mexican family, I spent mornings in small clinics or local hospitals and afternoons in Spanish language and cultural classes. It was an incredible opportunity to get great hands-on experience, learn a language and another culture, and have fun doing it."
- Four-week summer immersion program in Cuernavaca, Mexico
- Orientation in May with Health Initiative of the Americas
- Program dates in Summer 2008 TBA
- Morning rounds at primary care facilities
- Afternoon Spanish classes at Universidad Internacional (UNINTER);
- Weekend excursions and cultural visits;
- Home stay accommodations with a Mexican family
- Coordinator in Cuernavaca available at all times as liaison between students, teachers, physicians, and hosting families
- Program administered by Health Initiative of the Americas in association with UC Office of the President and includes only students from UC medical and nursing schools
The $3,500 program fee covers tuition, preceptor fees, and room and board. Generously, the California Program on Access to Care (CPAC) and the Office of International Programs (OIP) have offered to contribute two partial scholarships for this year's program. Through a competitive process, two UCSF medical students will be awarded grants of $2,500 each to partially offset the cost of the program. One alternate will be chosen in the event a selected student is unable to participate. Recipients of the grants are responsible for paying for their own airfare and the balance of the program fee, and are not eligible for additional funding from OIP.
Students who are not awarded the grant may still participate in the program if they pay their own way and meet all other requirements. These students may apply for funding from the Office of International Programs to partially offset program costs.
- Successfully complete their first year of med school
- Be available during program dates.
- Possess an intermediate level of Spanish language skills. Note: Students with beginning or no Spanish, and those with advanced or native speaking abilities, should not apply.
- Participate in an interview in Spanish to assess language competency.
- Pay the balance of program fee to HIA
- Submit a trip report to OIP within one month of return to UCSF.
- Consider accepting a second-year FPC preceptorship with a provider who has a large Spanish-speaking patient population.
- Write a one-page essay addressing the following:
- why you wish to be selected for the program
- why you feel you are qualified
- your Spanish language background and current skills
- what you hope to gain from participation in the program
- how you will use acquired Spanish-speaking skills when you come back to the second year of medical school.
- E-mail their essay and resume to the Program Assistant at the Office of International Programs by . Students will be notified of the committee’s decision within three weeks.
A committee will review applications and rate them according to the following criteria:
- prior efforts of the student at learning Spanish
- interest in and experience working with the underserved
- realistic plan for and commitment to continuing Spanish language learning during the remainder of medical school
Contact the Office
of International Programs or Rosario Alberro, Program Coordinator,
HIA at (510) 643-1290 or rosario.alberro@ucop.edu
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