This Alternative Spring Break experience offers an introduction to the health system and history of Nicaragua and immerses students into the life of rural Nicaragua during a 4-day service project. Participants will spend substantial time out in the field visiting the Nicaraguan health facilities, historical and cultural sites and will participate in a 4-day service project constructing composting latrines to improve public and environmental health in the rural community of Zacataloza.
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- Nicaragua: Alternative Spring Break
Alternative Spring Break
Applications
Spring 2018
Application Opens: TBA
Program Dates
:
- Program Dates
March 11 - 19, 2017
PENDING APPROVAL | The 3-credit hour School of Public Health’s Spring Break course, Health Systems Around the World: Understanding Nicaragua’s Health System is PENDING UNIVERSITY APPROVAL and will have its own iAbroad page. Undergraduate and Graduate students interested in this credit-bearing option should check back as the for the link to the application will be posted here once the course has received approval.
- Academic Program
This program does not award credit. The program is only open to graduate-level health professions students from any IU Campus.
Participants will learn about Nicaraguan history, the Nicaraguan health care system, and participate in a 4-day service project constructing composting latrines while living with a Nicaraguan host family in the rural community of Zacataloza.
The program seeks to heighten participants’ awareness of global public health issues, hone their understanding of infrastructure development and deepen cultural competencies, thereby encouraging a lifelong commitment to social advocacy and engagement.
The available coursework is particularly suited for, but not necessarily limited to, the following academic interests: Medicine, Dentistry, Public Health/Public Health Administration, Health and Rehabilitation Sciences, Health Communication, Health Sciences, and Nursing.
- Additional Information
For additional information about the program, please contact Ellie Hansotte (ehansott@iupui.edu) or Juliet Prieto (jmprieto@iu.edu).
All information is subject to change. This site is neither a contract nor an offer to make a contract. The Office of International Affairs reserves the right to change or discontinue a program at will. Please contact our office if you have a disability and need assistance or special arrangements.
- HousingMANAGUA | During orientation in Managua, participants stay in a small hostel specializing in hosting service groups. Rooms are hostel style with 6 single beds per room. Men share a room and women share a room.
ZACATALOZA | During the 4-day service project in the rural community of Zacataloza, participants live with host families in simple block homes with dirt floors, intermittent electricity, outdoor latrines and no running water. Mosquito nets are provided. - Program Eligibility
You may apply if you:
All applicants must meet IUPUI’s minimum standard eligibility requirements. Additional requirements for this program include:
- Program is open to medical students from any of the IUSM regional campuses; dental, MPH, graduate-level nursing, graduate-level allied health and health professions students from any IU campus.
- This program requires substantial physical labor for seven hours each day in a hot/humid environment. The 4-day service project occurs in a rural mountain community with no running water and intermittent electricity. Students will be living with Nicaraguan host families in simple housing with dirt floors and pit latrines. Students participating in this course must be willing, able and looking forward to experiencing life in a developing country.
- Students must be in good academic and disciplinary standing in accordance with university policy.
- Spanish-speaking skills are helpful but not required.
Selection is based on maturity, seriousness of purpose, and appropriateness of match between program and applicant.
Complete eligibility criteria and selection criteria are outlined within the Academic Policies and Procedures of the Office of Overseas Study. Selection is based on maturity, seriousness of purpose, and appropriateness of match between program and applicant. Students on disciplinary probation during program period are ineligible.
- Costs and Financial Aid
Financial Aid and Scholarships:
- IU scholarships, grants and loans applicable to program costs with some exceptions. Please carefully check these exceptions before you commit to a program.
Please see our financial aid page for general information and links to additional scholarship opportunities.