Global Health for Social Change Internship Program

Dr Andrew Medina-Marino, the faculty advisor for the Global Health for Social Change (GHSC) Internship, wrote us yesterday:

Intern in South Africa with an NGO this summer

The Global Health for Social Change (GHSC) Internship is unlike any other summer program you may be considering. This unpaid field placement program is an opportunity for you to be embedded with a local or international NGO supporting public health in South Africa—while experiencing total cultural immersion by living with a host family.

GHSC 8-week program

ghsci.org

June 24, 2013- August 16, 2013

Tshwane & Vhembe Districts, South Africa

Why South Africa?

South Africa is the epicenter of the global HIV/AIDS and TB co-epidemics. These challenges require an integrative approach to be able to strengthen the tools and capacity to respond effectively. While the sciences and social sciences can explain and measure health in quantitative and qualitative terms, it is the arts and humanities that provide the metaphors, images and language that help us understand the effects of disease on the human condition.

Who can help?

This internship is for students from a wide range of backgrounds and academic disciplines— from science, social science or humanities to communications, nursing or public health. Learn how to apply your critical thinking skills to public health problems through practical experiences and cultural immersion—enabling a more comprehensive look at the role of public health in the community and its effect on social change.

Learn from local experts in the field.

Being embedded with the local NGOs will help you discover:

• How NGO stakeholders help to decrease the burden of disease by supporting local health systems

• What role NGOs play in development of a community by boosting health systems

• How health is a critical driver of U.S. policy toward South Africa and why health diplomacy is vital to the bi-lateral relationship between our countries

• How key historic and political events of pre- and post-apartheid South Africa impact public health and disease dynamics

Find out more.

Be part of a select group of cross-disciplinary students. Learn more about how the GHSC Internship can help you to:

• Gain real-world work experience—by supporting vital public health programs that fight TB, HIV/AIDS, childhood malnutrition, maternal-child health and more

• Expand cultural horizons—by living with a host family in or near the community where you work

• Make a difference in your life and the lives of others—by working with local or international NGOs to strengthen public health systems and human security

We are accepting applications right now for placement this summer. Financial aid is available for students with demonstrated need.  For more information and to apply, visit ghsci.org today.