Internships in Manila, Philippines

Participating in the CFHI Global Health in the Philippines program was one of the most grounding and intellectually honest learning experiences I have had in my public health training. Rather than positioning global health as something to “do” to communities, this program teaches you how to observe, listen, and understand systems in context—and that distinction matters. The program began in Manila, where our learning was intentionally framed around history, politics, and structure before any clinical exposure. This was critical. Through site visits, discussions, and guided reflections, I gained a deeper understanding of how the Philippine health system functions within a decentralized governance model, how colonial legacies continue to shape health delivery, and why disparities between public and private care persist. These conversations were not superficial; they asked us to confront uncomfortable realities about financing, access, and trust in health institutions. For someone pursuing public health at the graduate level, this systems-level grounding was invaluable. What stood out immediately was CFHI’s ethical clarity. The program is explicit about scope, responsibility, and humility. Observation is not framed as passivity, but as a discipline—one that requires restraint, respect, and accountability. CFHI’s principle of “If you wouldn’t be allowed to do it at home, don’t do it here” may sound simple, but it profoundly shaped how I approached every interaction. It created space to learn without centering myself, and to value the expertise of local health workers rather than treating communities as training grounds. The remote island placement further deepened this learning. Being based in a Rural Health Unit made it clear that healthcare delivery in resource-limited settings is not just about scarcity—it is about coordination, relationships, and community trust. I observed how Barangay Health Workers, nurses, midwives, and physicians function as an integrated system, often carrying multiple roles out of necessity. Care here is not siloed. It is relational, adaptive, and deeply human. What I found most powerful was witnessing how much of the health system’s strength rests on people who are often invisible in traditional medical narratives. Barangay Health Workers are not auxiliary; they are foundational. They bridge households and clinics, policy and practice, prevention and care. Watching them work reshaped how I think about primary health care and community-based systems—not as “alternatives,” but as essential. CFHI also creates space for reflection, not just observation. Structured debriefs encouraged us to interrogate what we were seeing: Why are services organized this way? What constraints are structural versus political? What solutions are realistic, and who should lead them? These conversations reinforced that global health is not about quick fixes or heroic interventions. It is about patience, systems thinking, and long-term commitment. Beyond the formal learning, the warmth and generosity of the communities we lived among left a lasting impression. Hospitality was not performative; it was genuine. Daily life—shared meals, conversations, quiet moments after clinic hours—became part of the learning. These experiences reminded me that health does not exist in isolation from culture, family, and place. This program did not give me answers—it sharpened my questions. It reaffirmed that meaningful global health work begins with humility, ethical boundaries, and respect for local expertise. CFHI does an exceptional job of modeling what responsible global health education should look like. I would highly recommend this program to students and professionals who are serious about understanding health systems, equity, and ethical engagement. If you are looking for an experience that will challenge your assumptions, deepen your perspective, and stay with you long after you return home, this program will do exactly that.

THE PROGRAM The Global Health in the Philippines program has been a one-of-a-kind experience for me! I was assigned to Carabao Island, San Jose, Romblon, Philippines, for a 4-week program that started last June 21, 2025, and ended yesterday, July 19, 2025. From the first week of the program in Manila, the local coordinator and the medical director gave us a quick overview of the historical context of health systems of the Philippines through visits to museums, hospitals, and public health discussions with primary care physicians. That gave us a context before our assignment on an island to have a grasp of the public health systems of the Philippines. From our 2nd to 4th week of the program, I shadowed our local preceptor doing general check-ups for the residents, and observed maternal and child health check-ups. It was truly eye-opening as it gave me a first-hand experience in seeing how the patients and the healthcare workers work hand-in-hand to deliver healthcare in the island. EXPERIENCES IN THE ISLAND I really hope more people will be assigned to Carabao Island! The locals are very kind, friendly, and warm, and will really check up on you from time to time to see how your experiences on the island have been so far. The healthcare workers, particularly the Barangay Health Workers (BHWs), midwives, and nurses, are very hands-on as they always teach us new information about the locals’ perspective in healthcare. Moreover, the Municipal Health Officer, Doc Ian, is also very kind and hands-on. He is very friendly and tries to involve us through shadowing him in consultations with patients and check-ups with pregnant women to see how it works on the island. This became our weekly routine, and we truly enjoyed it. I miss everyone on the island! The location of the island is also very pretty; we always watch the sunset and walk by the beach after our duty to appreciate the beauty of the island. In the afternoon, we eat local snacks and delicacies to have a legit taste of Filipino food. One of the best things in the island is the halo-halo and barbeque, which I never tried before anywhere else in the Philippines. I wish I had more of those before leaving. FEEDBACK I would highly recommend the program to anyone who is looking for a Global Health experience! If you are looking for a sign that this is the program fit for you, this is the sign! It gave me a new perspective and exposure in viewing primary healthcare, local health delivery, and local ethnomedicinal practices engraved into the island's culture in the Philippines. As a Health Sciences graduate, this public health experience is one of the best I have had that I will never trade for anything else. I hope more students, both local and international, get this experience at least once in their lives! I truly loved every single day and the people behind the success of the program. Thank you so much, CFHI, the local team, Doc Lopao, Doc Joel, Doc Kat, Doc Ian, and the generous sponsor of the Friends of the Philippines Scholarship for making this experience possible! I’m forever grateful!