Georgetown University | School of Nursing and Health Studies

INTERNATIONAL PRACTICAL EXPERIENCE ABROAD

HEALTH HANDBOOK
Georgetown University

Georgetown Contact Information

Dr. Bernhard H. Liese, MD, DSc

Faculty and Course Director
GU, School of Nursing & Health Studies
Chair, Department of International Health
Email: bhl6@georgetown.edu
Phone: (202) 687-3254

Calvin Siow
Internship Coordinator
Department of International Health
GU, School of Nursing & Health Studies
Email: cys3@georgetown.edu
Phone: (202) 687-9611

Tania Hutchinson
Program Coordinator
Department of International Health
GU, School of Nursing & Health Studies
Email: tsh27@georgetown.edu
Phone: (202) 687-5154

Revised April 2010

2
 Department of International Health

Table of Contents

Georgetown Contact Information ................................................................................................................... 2

Student Timeline ................................................................................................................................................... 4
Course Overview ................................................................................................................................................... 5
Course Requirements .......................................................................................................................................... 6
Course Work ............................................................................................................................................. 6
Internship structure .................................................................................................................................. 6
General Policies & Procedures ......................................................................................................................... 7
Process ...................................................................................................................................................... 7
Passport & Student Visa............................................................................................................................ 7
Tuition & Other Expenses ......................................................................................................................... 7
Health Insurance ....................................................................................................................................... 8
Accommodations ...................................................................................................................................... 8
What to Bring ............................................................................................................................................ 8
Contact Information.................................................................................................................................. 9
While You Are Away… ............................................................................................................................... 9
Coming Back to Georgetown… ................................................................................................................. 9
Georgetown University International Traveler’s Resource (http://travel.georgetown.edu/) ................. 9
Expectations of the Preceptor ....................................................................................................................... 10
Preceptor’s Evaluation Form ......................................................................................................................... 11

3
Georgetown University

Student Timeline
November/ December

• Information session for students (Junior Yr.) to explain the course requirement,
internship sites, and answer questions

January

• Presentation by returning seniors on their internship experience and research

projects. This is a valuable opportunity for students to talk with their
colleagues who have just completed their internships abroad

Febrary -April

• Individual interviews with Department Chair and Program Coordinator to

assess academic standing, maturity, travel experiences and personal
preference for site placement
• Students submit required documents to Program Coordinator:
• Form A: Conditions of Participation
• Form B: Acknowledgement and Assumption of Risk/ Internship Abroad
• A copy of passport
• Resume containing a profile picture
• Emergency contact information

May

• Notification of placement abroad (depending on responses from preceptors)

• Application to universities (Australian sites)

June-September

• Program coordinator works with students to arrange accommodation, flights,

insurance and visas
• Arrival at internship sites

October

• Health services and provision paper due

November-December

• Final research paper due

• End of internship

4
 Department of International Health

INTH 392 - International Health Practical Experience Abroad

Course Overview
Objective:
This semester-long practical experience abroad is designed for the student to gain first hand experience
with a foreign health care system, develop an in-depth understanding of the challenges of providing
culturally sensitive services in an international health setting, and obtain a basic understanding of field
research methodologies as applied to public health programs.

Dates: Fourteen week internship abroad, September through December.

(departure dates will vary slightly by location)

Credits: 12

Pre-Requisites:
 Senior standing  INTH 177: Epidemiological
Approaches to Population Health
 Minimum GPA of 3.0
 INTH 441: International Health
 Faculty Approval
Internship: Community
 INTH 182: Research Methods in Organization
International Health

Course Description:
Over the course of the internship, the students will familiarize themselves with the theoretical and
practical organizational set up and mode of provisions and services by a foreign health care system.
Students will work in one of thirteen locations in ten countries: Australia, Brazil, Burkina Faso, Ghana,
India, Mexico, Philippines, South Africa, Tanzania, or Uganda. In exceptional cases, a student may study
the Indian Health Services domestically; students who do not meet the pre-requisites will complete an
undergraduate thesis in lieu of the internship.

Each student must complete two research papers over the course of the semester:

1) The organization, provision, and/or services of the host country’s health care system
2) Empirical or policy research paper

Upon returning to Georgetown University, the student is required to present a formal lecture
summarizing his or her internship experience to faculty and fellow students.

5
Georgetown University

Course Requirements
Course Work

Students will be required to:

1. Keep weekly journals of their activities online (Georgetown University Blogs)
2. Complete two research papers
3. Present their internship experience upon their return to Georgetown University

All work must be completed and submitted according to the established deadline established (see
Internship Structure); however, due dates will be flexible given the varying natures of each student's
research and project activities, and can be negotiated with the faculty advisor. The objective of the
experience abroad is for the student to complete the experience with an overall understanding of the
country's health system and the health challenges in that country, and to gain knowledge and
experience in field research methodologies.

Internship structure

1. Students will be required to keep weekly journals online using the Georgetown University Blog
system. Weekly postings on the course discussion board will serve as a record of their time
abroad, and can be read by the faculty advisor/program coordinator at Georgetown University
as well as preceptors at the individual sites and fellow international health students abroad.
Students will write about their experiences adjusting to and learning about a new culture in a
foreign setting, as well as the specifics of their internships and research projects. This is an
opportunity to discuss observations, findings, difficulties encountered, possible avenues to
explore, etc., and is a great way to maintain a link back to Georgetown University while away.

2. The second requirement is a 15-20 page paper, on a topic related to health care organization,
services and/or provisions of the host country. This paper should preferably be completed by
the fourth week of the internship, and a clean and reviewable draft must be sent by that time
to the course advisor. Students will obviously be able to add additional data later during the
internship or to modify the paper in light of their findings.

3. The third and most important requirement is an empirical research paper, on a topic of the
student’s choosing, in collaboration with his or her preceptor. Students should develop a
research topic of their interests, in collaboration with their preceptor, within a few weeks of
their internship. The length of the paper should be reflective of the student’s research. The
paper is due at the latest two weeks after the conclusion of the internship.

Please note that students will also be asked to make a final summary presentation of their
research to the staff at the host institutions and again upon returning to Georgetown
University.

6
 Department of International Health

General Policies & Procedures

Process

Each student must meet all the pre-required criteria and pre-register for this course (INTH-392) through
Georgetown University in the spring of junior year. An information session will be held in December to
explain the course requirement, internship sites, and answer questions the students may have. The
Chair of the Department of International Health and the Program Coordinator will then interview each
student to assess student’s interests and strengths, academic standing, maturity, travel experiences and
personal preference for site placement. While it is by no means guaranteed that the students will be
place in the site of his or her choice, students may certainly express their preferences and reasoning.
Ideally, students will be notified of their placement by the end of spring semester. If placed in Australia,
students will need to submit an application to the host university. While this is merely a formality, as
the student will not be attending classes, it is necessary in order to obtain an Australian visa.

Passport & Student Visa

Each student is required to have a passport and, in most cases,

Students are financially
a student or tourist visa in order to travel abroad. Passport
responsible for:
applications can take up to two months to process, so it is
essential that you apply or renew your passport as soon as
Passport
possible. Once placements are finalized, the Internship and
Program Coordinators will aid students in obtaining the
Visa
necessary visas. Visas cannot be processed without a valid Georgetown tuition
GU Abroad Insurance
passport and often the consuls will want to see proof of
required vaccinations as well. Most visas take several days to a
Housing overseas
week to process. Personal Expenses

Australian Insurance (for

Travel Australia only)

Students are responsible for making their own travel

arrangements. Once students complete their internship and
return to campus, with the appropriate paperwork and travel receipts, they will be reimbursed for travel
expenses by the Department of International Health up to a maximum of two-thirds of their air travel.
Students will need to fill out the appropriate paperwork, provide travel receipts indicating the flight
costs, and submit boarding passes. Please KEEP YOUR BOARDING PASSES as these are necessary for
reimbursement.

For those students who are required to travel within their host country as part of the practical
experience, pre-authorization must be obtained from the department in order for the expenses to be
covered. A travel request by the preceptor should be submitted to the department stating the nature of
the trip, the location, what the students will be doing, and any other specific information.

Students are also responsible for all costs relating to visas, housing and insurance, and will not be
reimbursed for these expenses.

Tuition & Other Expenses

In line with the overall University policy, all students will pay Georgetown tuition while abroad, and
Georgetown will pay host institutions directly. Students will be responsible for the costs associated with
accommodations, health insurance, visa applications, and any personal expenses incurred. However,

7
Georgetown University
students abroad will not be required to pay the NHS Technology Fee, the Yates Fee, and the Student
Activities Fee, and ideally these fees will not appear on bills. As the time for departure nears, we will
advise as to how much, and in what form, the money you bring should be.

Health Insurance

Students are required to continue to carry health insurance while abroad. Students are advised to check
with their insurance carrier to confirm whether their policy applies overseas and whether it will cover
emergency expenses such as medical evacuation.

All students will also automatically be enrolled in the GU Education Abroad Insurance Plan (the
Department of International Health will ensure this), which provides emergency coverage, including
medical evacuation, to all Georgetown students studying abroad. This cost of this plan is $140 per
semester, or any part thereof, and will be billed to the individual’s student account. See Appendix for
the description of coverage for the GU Education Abroad Insurance Plan. You are not permitted to
waive this insurance; however, if the student is covered by parental insurance you are able to waive the
normal Georgetown student insurance. Students going to Australia are required by Australian law to
enroll in additional insurance.

Accommodations

Each student's accommodations will vary according to their placement. Students’ accommodations are
normally arranged through the host institution. Some students will spend time traveling with a field
research team, during which time accommodations will be arranged. The program will work closely with
the preceptors to ensure that appropriate accommodations are arranged prior to departure. Please be
aware that these accommodations may not be quite what you are accustomed to, particularly at the
African sites.

What to Bring

It is important to remember that many students will be traveling to places with very different climates,
so please be aware of this when packing. Go online and research the weather patterns for the
placement sites. http://www.lonelyplanet.com/ and http://www.roughguides.com/ are two good
places to start. It is also important not to over-pack; many students will be traveling with research
teams while abroad and will not want to be burdened with too many things.

Below are some items we recommend:

Weather appropriate clothes Laptop (if you have one)
Waterproof raincoat Camera
Personal toiletries Alarm clock (battery run)
Medicines/prescription drugs (enough Batteries (while available, they are not
for your entire stay) so good)
Day pack (for short trips) Nalgene (or some other indestructible
Adapters (be mindful of varying material) bottle
voltages with appliances!!!) Sunscreen
Journal Hat

8
 Department of International Health

Contact Information

Please make sure that your contact information is updated with the Internship Coordinator prior to
departure. Although students will talk with the faculty advisor on the phone, email is a critical form of
communication given the major time differences and phone expenses. Students will also be required to
obtain a cell phone during their internship stay.

While You Are Away…

Students will be expected to check in regularly with the faculty advisor, either by phone or email with
updates on their experiences and projects. All locations will provide students access to email; however,
this may not apply when working in a remote setting or during fieldwork in a rural setting.

The Georgetown faculty and host university preceptor will serve as advisors over the course of the
practical experience, and will provide guidance with regard to the internship and course work.
Responsibility for the overall quality of the internship is the shared responsibility of the student,
preceptor and faculty advisor. However, the final responsibility lies within the student. If difficulties are
anticipated or occur, it is the responsibility of the student to bring them to the attention of the
preceptor and/or the faculty advisor.

As with any internship experience, professional demeanor is expected of all students. The practical
experience abroad is a unique opportunity to become immersed in a different culture and to learn about
the health challenges and opportunities that exist outside the U.S. Students are strongly encouraged to
take full advantage of their time abroad, and to seek opportunities that will enhance their experiences.

Coming Back to Georgetown…

Housing. Before leaving, students should ensure that they have housing arrangements in place for the
spring semester. Please contact the Office of Housing Services with any questions. The office is located
in Harbin 103, and the phone number is (202) 687-4560.

Pre-Registration & Graduation. Although students will most likely not encounter any difficulties, it is
recommended that you alert the Program Coordinator if there are any difficulties with pre-registration
for the spring semester. The Program Coordinator will also send information by email regarding
graduation, including the application and the degree audit, which are due in the fall semester.

Final Presentation. Students will give a final presentation to their peers and faculty upon return to
Georgetown in the spring semester. This is an excellent opportunity for students to share their projects
and to reflect on their experiences abroad.

Georgetown University International Traveler’s Resource (http://travel.georgetown.edu/)

The International Traveler's Resource was created to serve members of the Georgetown community
who travel internationally. This site compiles information on University resources and policies for
international travelers, including funding sources and international insurance coverage, as well as
health, safety and logistical tips.

9
Georgetown University

Expectations of the Preceptor

The preceptor is the executive of the host organization who provides primary mentorship and
supervision of the intern.

Specific responsibilities of the preceptor are:

1. To arrange the orientation to the organization, and provide the student with key
background documents.

2. To collaborate with the faculty advisor to assure that the student has an optimal
learning experience.

3. To be accessible to the student and to seek opportunities for the student to “feel the
pulse” of the organization and the culture of the host country.

4. To observe the student’s strengths and weaknesses and offer guidance on professional
growth and career development.

5. To develop a research project in conjunction with the student and faculty advisor, and
review the student's papers before they are submitted to the Georgetown faculty.

6. To participate in a mid-course evaluation with the faculty advisor, conduct a final oral
evaluation with the student, and submit a written final evaluation to the Georgetown
faculty.

10
 Department of International Health

GEORGETOWN UNIVERSITY
SCHOOL OF NURSING AND HEALTH STUDIES

INTERNATIONAL HEALTH PRACTICAL EXPERIENCE ABROAD

Preceptor’s Evaluation Form

________________________________ ___________________________
STUDENT DATE

________________________________ ___________________________
NAME OF PRECEPTOR ORGANIZATION

Please include additional comments of the back of this page.

LOW HIGH N/A COMMENTS

1 2 3 4 5
PROFESSIONALISM
Ability to organize and
complete tasks in a timely
manner
Demonstrated
resourcefulness
Ability to listen
Ability to interact
professionally and
effectively with colleagues
Relates effectively with
clients
Appropriate assertiveness
with preceptor and fellow
workers
Cultural understanding and
sensitivity
Appropriate behavior and
dress
Overall enthusiasm

Functions independently

11
 Georgetown University

LOW 2 3 4 HIGH N/A COMMENTS

1 5
SKILLS
Effective and appropriate oral
communications
Writes clearly and without
errors
Organizes written
communications well
Ability to perform necessary
tasks to complete project(s)
Ability to draw on knowledge
from courses and relevant
experiences
Ability to make mature, well-
thought decisions in relation to
project(s) and professional
activities
Develops own ideas and
initiatives as appropriate
Ability to manage multiple tasks
ANALYSIS
Able to see relationship of parts
to the whole in the
organization's operations and
mission
Ability to foresee the future
implications of present
decisions
Ability to be objective in
analysis and decision-making
Ability to identify alternative
solutions and ways of thinking
about organizational functions,
problems, and projects or
programs.
TIME MANAGEMENT

On time to meetings
Ability to efficiently plan the
use of time
Adherence to deadlines
Respect for the time of
colleagues

12