Please note this program is an unpaid global health education program. There is a program fee required to participate. This program fee pays for on-site services such a lodging, language classes (if relevant), 24/7 emergency support, coordination of rotations and/or placements, and on-site staff. CFHI is a nonprofit organization committed to fair-trade partnerships around the world. Please use the following code when applying for a program on the CFHI website “HandshakeCFHI” in order to have the application fee waived.
Optional Sub-Focus: Women’s Health
Join CFHI’s global health intensive program in Puerto Escondido, named one of The New York Times top 52 places to travel in 2017 (#32). Venture to the southern coast of Mexico to immerse yourself in rich Oaxacan culture and language and get acquainted with life in a small, tranquil coastal city. Focus on community-based care and access to primary care services provided to low-income populations within a tropical climate. Dig deep into the healthcare system by rotating alongside local health professionals in government run primary care clinics known as Centros de Salud, a more intimate and personable experience with preceptors and patients, and visit a secondary level hospital. It’s also an opportunity to understand access to care as related to socioeconomic status and how it differs between Puerto’s low-income and high income populations.
Get a crash course on Mexican culture by devoting 2 weeks to Spanish language immersion and living with a local family in Puerto Escondido.
Far from the hustle and bustle of Mexico’s urban areas, Puerto Escondido is a small, tranquil city with a slower pace of life, tucked between the majestic Madre del Sur mountain range and beautiful sandy beaches, known to attract both Mexican and international tourists. Take advantage of the local beaches for world famous surfing and swimming. CFHI participants may also organize weekend trips from Puerto to nearby lagoons and national parks, home to mangroves and abundant wildlife, phosphorescent waters, and turtle egg hatching. We encourage you to take advantage of local beaches for surfing and to enjoy “coastal life”.
