From time to time we like to shine a light on members of the extended “API family” – including partners at U.S. and international universities. In this edition of the API partner profile series we speak with Dr. Jorge Nowalski, President and Academic Director at the International Center for Development Studies (ICDS) in San José, Costa Rica. API began its partnership with ICDS in 2008, and offers summer, quarter, and semester study abroad programs.
In this interview, we discuss updates to API / ICDS programming around new Health in Latin America programs offered during the winter quarter and summer terms.
Clinical Rotations a feature of ICDS Health Programs from ICDS on Vimeo.
(API) Following increased interest in international public health programs, ICDS has implemented programs during the winter and summer terms focusing on health in Latin America. Describe the ideal student for these programs – who would benefit most from participating in these options?
(JN) The obvious students will be the ones looking to become professionals in the health care system but also those who are interested in the field of sustainable human development, since health is one of its fundamental parts.
(API) ICDS offers some fascinating health-related coursework such as “Health and Vulnerable Populations” and “Economics of Health Care Systems.” What prompted the creation of such in-depth topics? How have these courses been received by students to date?
(JN) Both courses, as well as the course “Health Care in Latin America” were chosen to highlight the importance of health in terms of the well-being of individuals and to enable students to have a good understanding of the strengths and weaknesses of the health systems in Latin America. Those courses address the main challenges that different health systems in Latin America face, in particular in terms of financial sustainability and social justice and how they are being dealt with. Students have expressed how much they have learnt and how useful the course work, the cultural immersion, and the Spanish for health has been and will be, especially for their future professional work in the health field with Spanish-speaking patients.
Hospital Clínica Bíblica
(API) Describe the types of clinical observation/visits students can expect to participate in while on the program. In what ways will these visits be of value to students interested in pursuing a career in the medical profession?
(JN) Students have the chance to observe doctors while performing check-ups and different medical follow up with patients and, in some cases, the staff of the hospital will determine if students can observe other medical procedures. For those students aiming to become health practitioners, the clinical rotations will give them an insight on how to deal with patients, communicate, and develop interpersonal skills. Students who are not looking to become physicians, will learn how the medical field works on a practical level and will obtain a perspective that they may not get anywhere else during their studies or career.
Clinical rotations at Hospital Clínica Bíblica
(API) This program also provides opportunities for students to volunteer in the local community. What kinds of projects can students look forward to, and how might they compliment the student’s coursework?
(JN) Projects related to the improvement of the well-being of individuals, especially through programs aimed to create conditions for social and economic inclusion of vulnerable populations developed by different NGOs affiliated to ICDS. Some of these projects range from rural gardening and sustainability (where students learn about the medical uses of plants and the importance of building sustainable projects and networks that help different communities) to English lessons that allow them to better understand the social, economic, and educational needs of a particular community. Overall, the community work allows students to have a closer look at the problems challenges faced by vulnerable populations, while immersing themselves in a new culture and language. The fact that students may be out of their comfort zone motivates the development of new social and interpersonal skills that can be translated to the medical field in terms of how they relate to populations at risk.
For more information on API’s programs at ICDS, please visit our San José program page and apply today!
The post Get to know the API family – Interview with Dr. Jorge Nowalski (ICDS), part 1 appeared first on The API Abroad Blog.