Catherine Carr, CNM, DrPH, a faculty member of the FCN department, will take a group
of UW nursing students to a rural area of Guatemala for a summer immersion experience
in late August to early September 2008 (August 22nd - September 6th; this may change by
a day or so in each direction). This will be a 2-credit class offered to both graduate
and undergraduate students. She can take a maximum of 8 students; please read on if you're
interested in considering this opportunity.
Where: San Lucas Toliman is a town on Lago Atitlan, a large lake in west-central
Guatemala. The population is mainly Mayan, extremely poor, and still recovering from
the 35-year civil war that ended in 1996.
Organization: Catherine Carr will be coordinating with the local Catholic parish,
which is extremely active in community development and has been working with volunteers
for many years.
Clinical Experience: In the past six trips with students, experiences have been mostly
maternity oriented, as is common in developing regions. Students have seen pregnant
women in the communities, both in homes and impromptu clinics in community buildings. A
faculty member and a local health outreach worker are always on site with students. Often
the community midwife, the comadrona, attends. Students have also had experiences
in the local clinic run by the parish. Past classes have been involved in teaching
classes, helping with the diabetes clinic, school physicals, etc., as various opportunities
arise. Intrapartal experience is possible, but should not be expected.
Consideration: This is an immersion experience in a developing country, so flexibility
and a willingness to "see how it unfolds" are paramount. The area is also very conservative
and students will be expected to act and dress in a way that does not offend the culture
(i.e. no shorts, tight clothes, sleeveless tops even when "off duty"). Students who are
fluent or conversational in Spanish will be given priority. It will be possible to take
some non-Spanish speakers, but it is more difficult since there is virtually no English
spoken outside the parish staff. The local Mayan dialect is the common language, so
often translation goes from that to Spanish and then to English. Whatever your level
of Spanish fluency, it will improve on this trip!
Conditions: Poverty, rural environment, different standards of health care, exposure
to enteric parasites, etc. This is not a malaria or cholera zone. The altitude is over
5,000 feet and there is a lot of walking on poor road and path conditions, necessitating
a moderate fitness level. There are no disability adjustments.
Class Requirements: There will be readings, 4 seminars (3 prior to going, one after),
journal submissions and a scholarly paper.
To apply for this program, please use the Citizens of the World application process, described on
Citizens of the World web page. Applications are due
March 3rd, 2008 and will be reviewed by a committee.
Decisions will be made by March 21st, 2008.
In addition to tuition costs, the cost of the trip is about $800 for airfare and approximately
$400 for all land expenses: food, lodging, transportation, etc. When you complete the Citizens
of the World form, it will serve the dual function of your Guatemala application and the application
for a Citizens of the World Scholar Travel Award, which would provide airfare support.
You are on your own for souvenirs!
Questions: After you have reviewed the Citizens of the World application,
if you still have questions please e-mail Catherine Carr at
ccarr at u dot washington dot edu.
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