International Travel Experiences
2008 International Health Internship Opportunity
Kazungula, Zambia
Kazungula District Health Management Team in partnerships with Shomeka Outreach Inc. is looking for interns and medical volunteers to participate in a 2 weeks to one month medical and community health outreach to Zambia in July-August 2008. Zambia is home to the Victoria Falls and many natural wonders which the team will visit. *Research will be allowed if pre-arranged*
Duties: Interns and Volunteers will participate in community health fares, public health outreach and construction services. A community health fare is an open access medical clinic for screening or treating people with limited access to health care. On a typical health fare, the team will provide screening for various diseases (also weight, blood pressure, eye sight, etc.), and providing treatment to hundreds of patients. Public health outreach involves one-on-one or one-to-group counseling, de-worming and vaccination services. Construction services will involve helping with general construction of a clinic for the underserved population of Kazungula.
Qualifications: Ability to travel and live in a foreign country for at least 2 weeks; able to work as a team member; expertise in medicine, nursing, pharmacy, construction or enrolled in a science courses such as biology, behavioral health or public health.
Orientation: A one day pre-travel orientation will be given to selected candidates. The student will be required to raise travel costs ~ $1200-$1700.
When: Travel dates will range from July 10th to August 10th, 2008.
Application Procedure: If interested in this internship, send a letter of interest to Dr. Alan Ross at mmristatistic@yahoo.com or Owen Simwale at: tolsh2001@yahoo.com or call 717-346-2272. Letter of interest must be received by November 15th, 2007. Acceptance notices will be sent November 30th, 2007.
Ecuador
Nancy Kashlak, Instructor of Child Health Nursing and a pediatric nurse practitioner, selects two to six senior nursing students to accompany her and other volunteer health professionals on a pediatric cardiac surgery mission to Ecuador. This trip takes place each fall semester and is about 10 days long. Serving children of Ecuador who would not have access to specialized services, the volunteers provide pediatric care at the children's hospital. Financial sponsorship is available for selected students. Please contact Ms. Kashlak at nlk5@psu.edu for more information.
Honduras
The trip to Honduras is part of Shoulder to Shoulder. Candace Kugel, a family nurse practitioner and certified nurse midwife, leads this trip and selects two to four senior nursing students with input from Penn State nursing faculty. This Spring or Fall semester trip is about 2 weeks long. Students are responsible for costs of about $1300. The volunteer Health Brigade assists staff at various rural clinics in Honduras to provide primary and urgent care to surrounding residents. Students will assist in community education on prenatal care, childbirth, nutrition, and HIV/AIDS prevention. Contact Dr. Falkenstern at sxf2@psu.edu and Candace Kugel at Kugel@migrantclinician.org for more information.
South Africa
Darlene Clark and other nursing faculty select four senior nursing students to accompany her on the trip to Johannesburg, South Africa. They work in health care clinics in Johannesburg and outlying areas. The trip is two to three weeks long and occurs in the summer. Students are responsible for all costs, which ranges from $4000 to $5000. Because this is a service trip and costs are high, financial assistance may be available from the School of Nursing. Beta Sigma Chapter of Sigma Theta Tau International, the Honor Society of Nursing, may award funds to students in need as part of the chapter's Global Service Initiative for 2007-2009. Schreyer Honor students may apply for Schreyer Travel Grants. For more information, contact Dr. Sharon Falkenstern at sxf2@psu.edu.
See more images of school of nursing students in South Africa >>
Sweden
The School of Nursing participates in a student exchange program with the University of Jonkoping, in Jonkoping, Sweden. Four to six junior nursing students are selected by Sharon Falkenstern and Darlene Clark, with input from nursing faculty. The students register for three Penn State credits of Nursing 496, Independent Study, fulfilling the nursing elective requirement. Since the four week course on maternal and newborn health begins the second week of May, students must take Spring semester final exams before departure. Students are responsible for Penn State tuition of three credits, airfare, housing, and food costs, for a total of about $3000. Students who opt for weekend sightseeing trips will incur additional costs. The Penn State Employee tuition discount applies to tuition. Schreyer Honor students may apply for Schreyer Travel Grants. Contact Dr. Falkenstern at sxf2@psu.edu for more information.