Early Fall Nursing Program in Guatemala
2009 Exploration Seminar in Guatemala
THIS PROGRAM IS ONLY OPEN TO UW NURSING STUDENTS, AND IS NOT A STANDARD EXPLORATION SEMINAR.
Program Director: Catherine Carr, CNM, DrPH - UW School of Nursing
Dates of Instruction:
August 20 - September 4, 2009
Application Deadline: First round admissions will end April 10, with rolling admissions thereafter until full.
This is for nursing students who are interested in a summer immersion experience in rural
Guatemala. I am a faculty member in the FCN department and will be taking a group of UW nursing students to a rural area of Guatemala for a summer immersion experience in
late August-early September 2009 (Aug 20-Sept 4, 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. I can take a maximum of 8 students; read on if you are 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: I 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 7 trips with students, experiences have been mostly maternity oriented, as is common in developing regions. Students have seen pregnant women in the communities, both 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.
Considerations: 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 (e.g., no shorts, tight clothes, sleeveless tops even when “off duty”).
Students who are fluent 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! Both undergraduate and graduate nursing students are encouraged to apply.
Conditions: Poverty, rural environment, different standards of health care, exposure to enteric parasites, etc. This is not a malaria or cholera zone. Rural Guatemala is subject to sporadic violence, mostly related to drug traffic. Students will be expected to adhere to local advice regarding personal safety. The altitude is over 5000 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 & credits: There will be readings, 4 additional seminar meetings (3 prior to going, one after), journal submissions and a scholarly paper. Students will receive 2 credits of either NURS499 for undergrads and NCLIN599 for graduate students.
Funding: Nursing students are eligible to apply for Citizens of the World funding for travel. Air fare is typically around $700-800. Other costs of the trip are included in the program fees expenses--food, lodging, transportation, etc. You are on your own for souvenirs. Tuition is not included in the program fee.” If you wish to apply for Citizens of the World funding, complete the application form at the following site http://www.son.washington.edu/international/cotw/.
How to apply: Use link at bottom of page to apply for the program. To apply to the Citizens of the World funding, use the application on the SON website listed above. Applications are will be reviewed by a committee.
Questions: Please contact the program director with any questions about the program:
Catherine A. Carr, CNM, DrPH, FACNM
Associate Professor, Family and Child Nursing
University of Washington, School of Nursing
Box 357262
Seattle, WA 98195-7262
206.685.7814 (office)
206.543.6656 (fax)
ccarr@u.washington.edu
Student costs:
NOTE APPLICATION DEADLINE: First round admissions end April 10, with rolling admissions thereafter until full
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