FIMRC is delighted to announce its fourth annual Summer International Health Fellowship (SIHF) Program in El Salvador! SIHF is a four-week immersion and service program designed for undergraduate students, recent graduates interested in medical professions, and 1st or 2nd year medical students. The program provides an intensive daily clinical experience while integrating participants as part of an underserved community. Fellows will be based at FIMRC's clinic in Las Delicias, a small, rural community that is not far from modern conveniences in the capital city. During their stay, Fellows will learn about the Salvadoran medical system in substantial depth by exposure to a private-run clinic, Ministry of Health clinics and other health facilities in the country. In addition, Fellows will be exposed to public health efforts executed in the community including, but not limited to, the innovate Micro-Health Insurance Program. The program provides not only a valuable experience for resumes or medical school applications, but will expand participants' knowledge and perspectives on healthcare.
Fellows will spend their days helping the FIMRC physician in the clinic, filling prescriptions in the pharmacy or developing health education courses for the outreach efforts. They will also be given the opportunity to interact with other local health officials, such as a government Health Promoter or a pediatrician in the Unidad de Salud working in surrounding communities on health initiatives. For more information on the project in El Salvador, please visit http://www.fimrc.org/el-salvador-las-delicias/volunteer.html.
In contrast to FIMRC's shorter programs (many other participants travel for 1 or 2 week volunteer missions), SIHF's immersive nature gives students a chance to form lasting relationships and view an underserved population from within. Fellows will also have the opportunity to improve their Spanish ability through their interactions with local residents, though Spanish proficiency is not required to participate.
Fellows will be housed together in the Volunteer Guest House, where they will be provided a typical Salvadoran breakfast, provided by a FIMRC staff member. All clinic related transportation will be arranged and provided by FIMRC.
The program is a four-week opportunity. Please contact us directly if you would like to participate but are not able to travel during the exact session dates, as we are able to work with you to tailor your trip dates. If you would like to travel for longer than 4 weeks, we can easily accommodate that as well.
Session I: June 1 – June 29
The cost of the 2013 Summer International Health Fellowship are as follows:
Program donation: $599 per week for the first two weeks, $299 per week thereafter
Roundtrip transportation between airport and site: $80
On-site transportation: $100 per week
Housing: $25 per night
All program donations are tax-deductible, and go toward the cost of providing patient care and medicines at our clinic, as well as community health outreach efforts, while maintaining the staffing and infrastructure necessary to provide quality volunteer experiences for our program participants. SIHF rates are significantly discounted from FIMRC's standard per-week rates in order to make our program more financially accessible.
To begin the enrollment process, please fill out the Information Request Form or contact us directly at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it with your preferred trip dates or to request additional information. Act as soon as possible, as spaces are limited. The FIMRC headquarters looks forward to hearing from you!
