Global Health Program in Bolivia

Reproductive and Sexual Health/Spanish Program in Bolivia 

(Specific information on the Reproductive and Sexual Health/Spanish GROUP Summer Program can be found at the bottom of this page)

• Four-week clinical observation & health education elective with CIES
  • CIES is a Bolivian non-profit
  • 30+ years of experience providing reproductive and sexual healthcare services (and other clinical services)
  • Provide access to comprehensive health services
  • Network of clinics throughout Bolivia  (UNC students are usually placed in Sucre, Potosi and Tarija)
  • For more information on CIES –
    • • Review the CIES brochure (with introduction to Bolivia’s progress and challenges)
      • See examples of teenage outreach (Tú decides) (in Spanish);
      • View information on education initiatives.
      • Read a recent publication on the challenges youth have faced during the pandemic regarding their exercise of sexual and reproductive rights. (in Spanish)
• The four-week clinical program can be combined with two (or more) weeks of pre-program in intensive Spanish (recommended for those with intermediate or lower Spanish skills)
• Additionally Spanish classes are available during the four-week clinical portion (half day clinic/half day language classes). Language classes are provided  by Latino Schools. Classes are in-person in Sucre and virtually in other locations.
• Live in homestays, which provide two meals a day in Sucre or live in Air B&Bs if in other locations in Bolivia.
• Weekly reflections with the other UNC medical students (if applicable)

Eligibility/Requirements

• Applicants must be in good standing at UNC and participate fully on the program.
• If accepted into the program, participants must be responsive to pre-departure requirements (and additional paperwork/communications) and participate in any pre-departure meetings and post-program meetings.
• Participants must also help OGHE promote the program for the next year through info sessions and sharing their experience with others.

Program Capacity/Dates

Each CIES clinic has a maximum capacity for medical students.  Students with a lower level of Spanish are usually placed in Sucre where the language school is located.  Students with higher Spanish level can be placed in other cities with CIES clinics, with the option of virtual Spanish classes (if needed)

Sample Daily Schedule for Clinical Program:

• Clinic 8:30 am -12:30 pm
• Home/Break for lunch 12:30-2:30
• Health Education/Clinic and/or Spanish classes on certain days between 2:30-5:30 pm
• Other Health Education Activities may be in the evenings or on weekends

Costs

In the past if you obtain the OGHE travel award OGHE usually covers the $1,750 program fee + 500 clinical fee + health insurance*. (This is subject to budgetary constraints)

• Four weeks with Latino Schools (40 hours of Spanish total = 2 hours per day/5 days a week) + homestay with two meals a day + airport transfers = $1,750 per student.
• CIES clinic placement/oversight – $500 per student
• $50 for health insurance (Four weeks) *OGHE always covers this for students on GH electives whether you receive other funding or not.
• Immunizations/Medications – TBD
• Flight – approx.  $800-1,500 (cost is very dependent on when you book and when you are going)
• Visa fee (at airport) – $160
• Personal Expenses – TBD

Note: Two additional weeks of intensive Spanish classes (40 hours or 20 hours a week) and host family+ two meals a day $1,080 [Note: This is not usually covered by OGHE funding.] This is recommended and/possibly required for any students at intermediate or lower level to be able to get the most out of the clinical experience.

Elective Credit

Third and fourth-year medical students are approved by OGHE to enroll in GLBE 410: Reproductive and Sexual Health in Bolivia

For the clinical rotation, most fourth year students have found it is a more observational role due to language and cultural difference and unfamiliarity with the Bolivian medical system.  However fourth year students have reported the experience as an extremely valuable one.

Timelines

First year students can participate in this program the summer after their first year for the Summer GROUP program in Bolivia (see section below)

Fourth year students can participate in any individualization phase block available (per approval from advisors and SOM).  Students should apply for the separate application for the Bolivia Summer program (the application deadline is usually in November ~ approximately 6 months prior to the program dates).

Other medical students or Fourth year students who are available during the dates for the Summer GROUP program in Bolivia (see section below)

Contact/Next Steps

Contact OGHE to express interest in the program and for questions/next steps.  All participants must complete the pre-departure requirements. Previous participant contact information can also be provided upon request (some is listed below)

Past UNC Students in Bolivia

Summer Group Program in Bolivia (2025)

Open to all Medical and Public Health students, and Resident Physicians with availability during the summer group program dates.

The Summer Group Program of Reproductive and Sexual Health/Spanish in Bolivia has specific dates and an application deadline.

Information Session on the 2025 Program Details

• Monday, September 30, 12:15-1:15 pm in Roper 5302 (with pizza)
• Recording of the Info Session

Tentative Dates for 2025 (all subject to change)

• Intensive Spanish June 2-June 11, 2025
• Full group orientation/excursion: June 12-June 15, 2025
• 4 week clinical/Spanish: June 16-July 11, 2025

Application Timeline:   Applications Available for Summer 2025 Group Program in Bolivia – October 18-November 17, 2024

• The student application deadline is Sunday, November 17, 2024 at 11:59 pm
• The Letter of Reference (LOR) deadline is Sunday, November 24, 2024.
• Application Decisions will be sent out on December 15, 2024.

Application Link (coming soon)

Intermediate Spanish proficiency recommended. We highly recommend the intensive additional 2 weeks for those that could use it to improve or brush up on your language skills.

If accepted into the program, OGHE will cover $1,750 four-week program fee/Air B&Bs + 500 clinical fee + transport to the clinical placement city (where applicable) + health insurance.*
Funding for additional weeks of intensive Spanish, housing, and health insurance is subject to budget constraints.

Contact/Next Steps

Contact OGHE to express interest in the program and for questions/next steps.  Participants must complete the pre-departure requirements. Previous participant contact information can also be provided upon request (some is listed below)

Some Past UNC Students in Bolivia

Other Information and Resources

• August 2024 article on Bolivia and Peru cohort programs
• October 2023 article on Expanding Global Health Experiences: MHSL & Bolivia
• Program details/info, recording of past participants from October 2023 here.
• 2022 Info session recording & slides