Immigrant and Refugee Health Internships in California
- Accommodations
- Meals
- Excursions and Day Trips
- Study Abroad Advisory of Student Risk
- About California
- Weather and Climate
This program offers unique insight into the intersections of health, health policy, civil society, and advocacy as they relate to vulnerable populations in the Bay Area and Central Valley. Students will broaden their understanding of determinants of health and develop competencies in health and public health, all while immersing in our local communities and learning from inspiring local efforts to address pressing health and socioeconomic challenges.
Students will explore health and health services for vulnerable populations through visits, discussions, and community-engagement activities that include an introduction to the social model of health and an overview of vulnerable populations in the Bay Area with emphasis on services and programs for immigrant and refugee communities. Students will also explore human rights, health policy, and social justice through engagement with organizations focused on advocacy and social change through art, and legal and research centers focused on these issues.
Students will also focus on themes of health services for migrant communities and health policy, as well as sexual and reproductive health, vulnerable youth, and trafficking. Students will learn from engagement with local community health workers and promotoras in community-based and educational settings.
Accommodations
Bay Area: students are responsible for their own housing during the 2-4 day Bay Area portion of the program. Students will be responsible for arriving at a designated meeting point each morning to begin daily activities.
Central Valley: Locations in the Central valley are subject to change depending on final site visits confirmed, including the likelihood of spending some time in and around Merced. Currently, students will stay in a local home or guesthouse in the Fresno area for about 2 weeks and will stay at a small inn in the town of Firebaugh for the concluding week of the program.
UC Davis reserves the right to change the accommodation location. Should this be necessary, we will arrange alternative lodging. Please note that elevators, air conditioners and other modern conveniences may not be available in all locations.
Meals
Bay Area: students are responsible for their own meals during the 2-4 day Bay Area portion of the program. CFHI will organize and provide one weekly reflection meal per week.
Central Valley: two meals or meal stipends per day will be provided during this portion of the program.
Excursions and Day Trips
Short excursions and day trips will be included throughout the program, integrated within the program to highlight the linkages between health, determinants of health, policy, art, advocacy, and more.
- Welcome dinner at local restaurant
- Food security activities (urban/rural comparative)
- Tour and discussion of “Precita Eyes” mural
- Dance class
- Glide Memorial celebration and service learning activity
- Site visits, lectures, discussions, and service-learning/community engagement activities at over 15 nonprofit organizations, educational institutions, clinics/hospitals, government offices, and more in the Bay Area and Central Valley
- Weekly journal club meeting and discussion
- Weekly “team” reflection meeting
About California
Bay Area: The San Francisco Bay Area encompasses a bonanza of natural vistas and wildlife. Cross the Golden Gate Bridge into Marin County and visit wizened ancient redwoods body-blocking the sun and herds of elegant tule elk prancing along the bluffs of Tomales Bay. Gray whales show some fluke off the cape of the wind-scoured Point Reyes peninsula, while hawks surf the skies in the shaggy hills of the Marin Headlands. Source: Lonely Planet.
Central Valley: The Central Valley is visible from space – a vast expanse of green between the Sierra Nevada and Pacific Ocean. The area is divided in two parts: the Sacramento Valley in the north and the San Joaquin Valley in the south. For millennia, the rivers cutting through these valleys flooded seasonally, creating extremely fertile soil. Today, those waterways are tamed by mighty public works projects that support massive agricultural endeavors. Half the produce in the US is grown in these valleys – including almost every almond, olive and bulb of garlic. Source: Lonely Planet.