Population & Family Health

The Mailman School of Public Health announces the 2012 Summer Practicum Program in the Dominican Republic. This program offers three distinct opportunities for health science and social work students to complete a summer practicum or internship in the Dominican Republic. Brief descriptions of each site are included below.

Sites

Site 1: Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic

In collaboration with Universidad Autónoma de Santo Domingo

Columbia students work in a Dominican non-governmental  organization (NGO), community-based organization (CBO) or health facility in Santo Domingo for nine  weeks, for an average of 25-30 hours a week. Students attend a weekly seminar  taught by a USAD faculty member, designed to provide an in-depth exploration of  the key public health factors affecting the Dominican population, as well as  monitor project progress. Attendance at the weekly seminar is required for all  students and fulfills the seminar requirement for Population and Family Health  students (MSPH). Students live in an apartment with fellow USAD practicum  participants or with a Dominican family. Open to all health sciences and social  work students.

Site 2: Santiago, Dominican Republic

In collaboration with the NYU Silver School of Social Work

The participants of the Santiago practicum work on a clinical, health  research, education, or social work practice or research project at a clinic, non-governmental organization, community based organization  or  hospital in Santiago for nine weeks, for an average of 25-30 hours a week.  Students will enhance language and culture through living with a Dominican  family, and will have the option to sign up for Spanish tutoring through  Santiago based language institutes. A weekly seminar discussing important public health issues affecting populations in the Dominican Republic as well as supervision regarding the research projects is required.  Attendance at the weekly seminar is required for all  students and fulfills the seminar requirement for Population and Family Health  students (MSPH).  Open to all Columbia graduate and NYU Social Work graduate students.

Site 3: La Romana, Dominican Republic

In collaboration with International Family AIDS Program (IFAP)

IFAP supports clinical services, research, and education and training rotations  for medical students, residents, fellows, public health and nursing students that  focus on improving direct care and treatment for HIV-infected children, mothers  and fathers. Possible practicum site locations include a regional referral  family AIDS clinic (Clinica de Familia MIR), a major urban public hospital  (Hospital Provincial Francisco Gonzalvo) and a health promotion outreach  project with migrant Haitian sugar cane workers (Buen Samaritano Hospital and  various Bateyes), among others. Students are required to keep journals and  participate in a weekly lectures series. They are encouraged to stay at Casa  Internacional, a dormitory-style student housing facility affiliated with Columbia University which is located approximately  one mile north of La Romana’s city center. Students usually spend 1-2 months in  La Romana and weekly hours vary. Open to medical and public health students.  Limited number of spots available.

Orientation

Prior to departure, all students will participate in a 1-2 day NY based orientation . Once in the Dominican Republic, the first several days of the program will be devoted to an orientation program consisting of lectures, discussions and site visits.

Selection Criteria

Students must have completed at least one year of study at Columbia University.  Intermediate Spanish language skills are preferred and previous international experience, although required for some projects, is not necessary.

Costs for participating students

To Apply:

Population and Family Health students: apply through Courseworks.

All others: Complete the online application.