Virtual Global & Public Health Internship - Bolivia

During my CFHI Global Health Program in Tarija, Bolivia, I had the opportunity to rotate through several different healthcare settings that gave me a well-rounded perspective. I spent one week in a city clinic, two weeks in a rural clinic, and one week on the OB/GYN floor of the main hospital. As a fourth-year medical student applying OB/GYN, I especially appreciated how the local team made sure I had plenty of women’s health exposure. I was able to attend surgeries, follow patients on the wards, and even visit the Chagas Center. The doctors and nurses were welcoming and inclusive, always making sure I was involved while keeping within the ethical guidelines set by CFHI. Beyond my clinical duties, the local team and community made my experience unforgettable. My host family was incredible; they welcomed me into their home as one of their own, and I had some of my favorite memories sharing meals and conversations with them. The Spanish classes were also excellent, completely tailored to my needs, and helped me improve both my medical Spanish and everyday communication. I always felt supported by the CFHI staff and the local team, who went out of their way to make sure I was learning, comfortable, and safe. Tarija itself was the perfect setting for this experience. It’s a beautiful, calm city surrounded by nature and filled with kind, welcoming people. From exploring the plazas to enjoying the local food and culture, I loved every moment of living there. This program not only strengthened my clinical skills and Spanish, but also gave me a much deeper appreciation for global health and the ways providers adapt to serve their communities. I’m leaving with new friendships, meaningful experiences, and an even stronger commitment to serving underserved populations in my future career.

Going into the program, I was unsure what to expect, but I'm glad I was able to experience it! I was able to learn about Bolivia's healthcare systems and improve my skills in Spanish, which was a main goal of mine. I realized that Bolivia has a healthcare structure that we in the U.S. should envy. I thought that I was pretty well educated and held little bias, but by learning more about Bolivia, I began to recognize all the ingrained biases that stemmed from the United States media. It inspired me to aspire to learn more about Global Healthcare. Truly, it was a worthwhile experience!

This is a wonderful opportunity for any student that desires a cross-cultural internship experience to add to their CV. The support from CFHI and my site preceptor really made me feel engaged, connected, and valued and I felt like I really learned a lot throughout the experience!