More photos from this internship can be found here.
Health interns to India will complete rotations in a variety of non-profit and community care facilities focused on public health and community medicine. Join NGOs working to implement social reforms and improve public health outcomes through educational campaigns and trainings with emphasis on the spread of HIV/AIDS in India, tuberculosis, and management of infectious diseases. Learn about key public health challenges such as low rates of immunization, poor sanitation and waste management, and unsafe drinking water. Understand the lingering impact of India’s caste system and challenges in implementing public health initiatives within a culturally and linguistically diverse population. This is a great opportunity for students interested in pre-med, pre-nursing, pre-pharmacy, public health, and global health. This program is run in partnership with Child Family Health International (CFHI) and is a great opportunity for students interested in pre-med, pre-nursing, pre-pharmacy, public health, and global health.
Founded in 1992 by Dr. Evaleen Jones, Child Family Health International (CFHI) offers community-based global health programs at 20+ sites in ten countries. This joint program with IE3 Global allows students to take part in 4 weeks of rotations in a particular location. Interns are provided with opportunities to learn about global health while imbedded in the existing health systems and social services sectors alongside local community members and champions. CFHI seeks to develop students’ broad-based understanding of the interplays between disease processes, social circumstances, poverty, resiliency, geopolitical realities, historical contexts, culture, and the complexities of health and wellness. CFHI's expertise is in “preserving the authenticity of the community's expertise and presenting 'real-life' global health, while nesting programs in gold-standard educational pedagogies and safety standards”.
Thousands of students and medical professionals have taken part in their unique programs, which foster reciprocal partnerships and empowerment in local communities. Internships are open to all students with an interest in health in an international context and is especially ideal for pre-med, pre-nursing, public health, and global health students.
The learning objectives for interns are:
Travel to Delhi, India and be immersed in ancient cultural traditions and complex healthcare systems. With over 1 billion people, India is a true confluence of religions, languages, and cultures. India continues to face the hurdles of poverty, illiteracy, malnutrition, and inadequate public healthcare. Funds for health in India have long focused largely on medical services, reflected in a lack of modern public health regulations and delivery of services. Delhi is the second most populous city on the planet and around 50% of the urban population lives below the poverty line.
In this program, interns will witness the challenges of health care delivery in developing economies. Students join NGOs working to implement social reforms and improve public health outcomes through educational campaigns and trainings with emphasis on the spread of HIV/AIDS in India, tuberculosis, and management of infectious diseases. Learn about key public health challenges such as low rates of immunization, poor sanitation and waste management, and unsafe drinking water. Understand the lingering impact of India’s caste system and challenges in implementing public health initiatives within a culturally and linguistically diverse population. Interns may be placed in settings with organizations such as: LGBTQ Community Center, Truck Yard HIV Counseling and Treatment Center, Juvenile Rehabilitation Center, Homeless Services NGO, HIV & Drug Rehab NGO, Street Children’s Center, Environmental and Social Service NGO, Rural Nonprofit Hospital, and government facilities.
IE3 Global interns may work with the local coordinators to identify the health care services/departments where they would like to spend more time. CFHI programs are not episodic volunteer experiences, and are not designed to provide service to those who would otherwise not have healthcare.
This internship program is an opportunity to primarily learn and observe. CFHI programs uphold strict standards and comply with all local laws regarding student involvement in health settings. Interns are the most important factor in making the CFHI experience as fulfilling as possible by being respectful, inquisitive, and open to the wide variety of learning experiences. Interns can expect up to 40 hours of rotations and activities each week, with evenings and weekends free to explore the city and nearby areas. Interns will live with other participants in apartments in a residential neighborhood in south Delhi.
Estimated One-Time Expenses
* Fees vary based on medical history and insurance coverage
Estimated Monthly Expenses
*Fee amounts are calculated with an exchange rate from LOCAL CURRENCY at the time of posting.
Additional Expense Information
The host site fee includes:
Host/Partner Housing
Program participants will find their home away from home in comfortable apartments, screened by Local Coordinators in Delhi and following health and safety guidelines. Nestled within a residential area of Delhi and close to the Site Director’s home, these 2-3 bedroom apartments offer the perfect blend of comfort and authenticity, with excellent access to public transportation, banks and ATMs, a department store, a movie theatre, and internet cafes. At the apartment, there will be a local caretaker on site who will cook and provide cleaning. Interns share the apartment and/or a room with fellow program participants.
Interns are responsible for their own transportation in the city. Advice and tips on travelling locally will be provided at the welcome orientation.
Independent Housing
Interns may arrange their own housing if they do not choose host/partner housing.
“I came to India to learn about the health issues here, as well as their relevance to the rest of the world. I feel that in the short time I have been here I have had the chance to see so many different aspects of public health from so many different angles. I have read about drug addictions and target populations for HIV, but never really understood these people's lives. It was not until I talked with a transgender woman about their hardships that I could understand that protecting themselves against HIV and other infections is not always the first priority for them when there is so much that they have to overcome each day. By studying public health here in Delhi, I have learned to look at health care from every angle, and every different perspective.”
– Emalia, University of Alaska Fairbanks
Summer: January 25
- Open to all students with an interest in healthcare
- Pre-med or public health courses and prior experience in a healthcare setting is recommended, but not required