Program Dates: Monday, June 14th – Friday, August 6th, 2010

The Health & Spanish Immersion (HSI) Program, formerly known as Spanish & Service Learning, (SSL) in Chile, is a Spanish language immersion experience with an incredible array of opportunities to learn first-hand about medicine and public health in Chile.

This program is especially designed for Harvard pre-med students, as well as students interested in sciences and in global health. It is suitable for College students finishing their first year of Spanish A at Harvard or students who have an intermediate command of Spanish, but not fluency.

To enhance the cultural and linguistic experience, students live with local families. During the week, students leave home each morning to pursue a full agenda of activities: a Harvard-credit intermediate Spanish course focused on themes of health and culture in Chile; an opportunity to shadow doctors in Santiago’s public hospitals; and a health-related volunteer experience in one of five different social organizations. 

To get a more comprehensive view of the country, its people, and its health system, students in the program attend presentations tailored to suit their interests in the health field. The 2009 program featured a variety of topics based on participants’ interests: from urban development and human rights to AIDS in the gay community and the public-private insurance system. Participants have also designed and carried out independent research projects with the support of the DRCLAS Regional Office. Outside of more formal activities, students have the opportunity to interact with Chilean medical students and develop lasting friendships and also to give back to Chilean society through health-oriented projects led by medical students such as University of Chile’s “Magia por una Sonrisa” and “Street Medicine.”

Apart from regular weekly activities and presentations, participants visit a wide range of medical institutions in order to experience the very different realities of the Chilean health system: from urban public clinics, rural health posts, and the traditional medicine of the Mapuche to the most advanced private hospital in Chile – the HSI program presents a complete panorama of the Chilean health system and invites participants to take an active role in their learning and life in Chile.

2010 Application Deadline: Friday, February 12th

Harvard Funding Sources for college students for international experiences.

If you are looking for financial support for your international activities, the David Rockefeller International Experience Grants (DRIEG) is an excellent opportunity, particularly if you have not recieved Harvard funding support for an international activity. DRIEG funds are managed by Harvard´s OIP and is a completely separate application process from the David Rockefeller Center for Latin American Stuides (DRCLAS) application.

For students with high financial need, DRCLAS may be able to subsidize the costs of the DRCLAS program.  All students requesting financial aid from the DRCLAS need to submit the completed Student Consent to the Release of Information form which can be found at the end of each program´s application form.

For additional information, please contact contact us.