Duke - Engineering World Health Summer Institute

  Costa Rica

• San Jose: 
San Jose

  Tanzania

Arusha

Term: Summer 
Duration of Program: 9-12 weeks
Typical Duration of Program: 5-8 weeks

Description: The Duke-EWH Summer Institute is a unique program that gives undergraduates/volunteers the opportunity to answer the medical equipment needs of undeserved communities by learning to refurbish donated medical equipment and installing refurbished equipment in hospitals in the developing world.

Highlights: The Duke - Engineering World Health summer program is like no other. As a participant you'll gain real-world experience, while improving your foreign language skills. You will experience personal growth and have a major impact on a developing world the hospital.

The program starts with an intense one month training program in either Costa Rica or Tanzania. Students take Spanish or Swahili classes and live with native speaking families. Every afternoon you'll receive technical training in the operation and repair of medical equipment. Following one month of training, you'll head to your target hospital. You'll go straight to work at the hospital. Each day is spent, repairing instruments, conducting inventory and other biomedical engineering tasks.

Qualifications: The program is open to any physics, chemistry or engineering major, undergraduate or graduate students.

Cost in US$: varies, about $4900

- Pre-departure preparation and information
- Transportation within country (and transportation from host airport to homestay and back)
- Global Health Insurance
- Housing and meals (see individual programs, typically 2 meals per day)
- 1 month of intensive second language training (Spanish or Swahili)
- 1 month of intensive medical instrumentation training
- Textbooks and lab supplies
- Social Activities (rafting, safari, etc)
- Field support from EWH while in host country
- Ongoing support from EWH US office

Credit Available: yes

Experience Required: no

Typical Volunteer: As a participant/volunteer, your summer begins with an intensive, four-week training session. You will be immersed in local culture and live with a local family. Every morning, you will take language classes and every afternoon courses in medical instrument repair and maintenance. Finally, your training is put to use during a four-week internship in a developing world hospital. You will install and repair equipment, train the staff, take inventory, solve problems and perform many other engineering duties at the hospital.

This Program is open to World Wide Participants.

Participants Travel Independently Or in Groups

Typically Participants Work Independently Or in Groups of at least 2

Application Process Involves:

• Letters of Reference
• Other
• Phone Interview
• Physical Exam/Health Records
• Transcript
• Written Application

Post Services Include:

• Alumni Network
• Re-Entry Debriefing at Home

Duke - Engineering World Health Summer Institute's Mission Statement: To provide and maintain appropriate medical technology for underserved communities in the developing world.

Year Founded: 2001