BHSc Field and Research Opportunity
The Cumming School of Medicine has for many years worked together with our University partners from around the globe on initiatives to promote Global Health promotion and equity. The field schools and research opportunities offer University of Calgary students experiential learning about Global Health promotion, capacity building, and equity through a mix of classroom and field/research work in a Low and Middle Income Country (LMIC) setting. These international experiences usually run over the summer months. Students are required to complete a final written project relating the social determinants of health as they relate to their experience in the LMIC
Field school partners past and present include: Mbarara University of Science and Technology Uganda, Catholic University of Health and Allied Sciences Bugando Tanzania, Gondar University Ethiopia, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de Managua Nicaragua, Clínica Lecheria Dominican Republic, and Mongolian National University of Medical Sciences.
All field experiences are done in close collaboration with our partners and their communities. UCalgary students work together with our partners’ staff, students and local health authorities to engage with community members in project and program planning. Examples of activities:
1) Projects for health promotion learning with either the urban or rural health facilities to engage community and increase public awareness of health issues
2) Projects for building research educational capacity in Biotechnology and Molecular Biology and Bioinformatic.
Uganda Field School is taking place between June 14th - July 14th, 2024.
If you have any questions, please reach out to globalhealth@ucalgary.ca.
Eligibility
Currently, the field school is open to students of all streams of the Bachelor of Health Sciences, and the Bachelor of Community Rehabilitation (CRDS). Other students in the fields of Nursing, and Social Work will be considered on a case by case basis.
Course fees
Expected Trip Costs: The Global Health Office through the Undergraduate Medical trainee fund substantially subsidizes the cost of this one-month trip for all participating University of Calgary students. The remaining trip costs are paid by participants and are approximately $5,916.
Set program costs of $4,566.66 are paid in advance by students: Program fees cover airfare, accommodations, ground transport, select meals, community events and field work ($3,500), pre departure training course ($120), tuition ($696.06). The Contingency fee for emergencies and excursions ($250) will be returned if not used. Additional student expenses are $1,350: Non program meals ($475), immunizations ($500), travel clinic fee ($150), travel health insurance ($150), and Ugandan Tourist Visa ($70).
An initial non-refundable deposit of $2,500 is required upon acceptance by February 26th, 2024.
Funding opportunities
Eligible students who would not be able to participate due to substantial financial burden may apply for a Grant Gall Bursary which will offset costs and is awarded to a limited number of participants on a competitive basis.
Students are also encouraged to apply to other internal or external grant opportunities.
Application process
Applications for this trip are now open. The application deadline is February 5th midnight. Shortlisted candidates will be contacted for an interview and final participants selected by February 15th. Application survey link: https://survey.ucalgary.ca/jfe/form/SV_aeKbsIX1KeJ2atE
*All students who apply will be asked to attend a mandatory information session on
January 29th at 5:00 pm in person at the Indigenous Local Global Health office G801E or virtually
https://ucalgary.zoom.us/j/95507645164?pwd=UzlxR0loRlpWY1Bkb3RnYjBWeDhEQT09
Meeting ID: 955 0764 5164 Passcode: 530653
Or
January 30th at 12:00 pm online. https://ucalgary.zoom.us/j/92920040742?pwd=MlZqWlRzOVBYeFM2THUxaEtUM2IzUT09
Meeting ID: 929 2004 0742, Passcode: 506549