Health in Cuba

Health in Cuba

This program is a collaboration between the Office of Global Engagement and the Pre-Professional Advising Office.

The Health in Cuba program offers a once-in-a lifetime opportunity to travel to a country rarely visited by Americans. This program is intended for UGA students who plan to pursue careers in healthcare and who are working actively toward this goal. Participants will learn about Cuban's world renowned healthcare system through guest lectures, round table discussions, healthcare facilities visits, and other related activities. In addition to these experiences, participants will enroll in BIOL 4910 (Advanced Topics in Biology) for 3-credit hours.

BIOL 4910 - Topics in Biology

This program meets UGA's experiential learning requirement.

 

Due to the ongoing pandemic, some aspects of this program may be modified to ensure the health and safety of the participants while in Cuba.

The program provides an in-depth look at the ideological foundations of healthcare in the island nation, its successes, and its challenges while simultaneously examining the successes and challenges of our system in the US. Through carefully curated activities, this program offers a unique academic and travel experience for undergraduate students who seek to grow in cultural awareness while learning about another healthcare system.

Program participants will live together in student residences and tour historical and cultural sites in Havana. Check the itinerary tab for more detail.

This program is perfect for students who seek a short but intensive experience in one of the world's most intriguing countries.

Important notes:

Spanish language knowledge is not necessary to participate in this program. Professional interpreters will be present at all guest lectures and academic visits.

Program participants will be required to attend pre-departure orientations and academic meetings in the spring semester. 

General Information

Program Dates: June 10 -June 18, 2023
Estimated Program Fee: $2,115 (includes lodging, breakfast, several lunches and dinners, program-related transportation, and entrance fees for program-related academic and cultural activities). It does not include plane fare, UGA tuition or UGA fees. Prices will vary depending on enrollment, but should not exceed the current estimated program fee. Click here for more details.
Application Opens: Currently Open
Application Deadline: This program has two application cycles. Cycle 1: Friday, October 14, 2022. Cycle 2: Friday, November 11, 2022. Important: We encourage all applicants to apply in Cycle 1 as spaces could fill quickly.
Program Contacts: Ms. Amanda Spohn (aspohn@uga.edu) and Dr. Hilda Mata (hmmata@uga.edu)

Applicant Eligibility

• Open to all students at the University of Georgia.
• Required
  • BIOL 1108/L must be completed by the end of Fall 2022 to be eligible for the 2023 Maymester.  BIOL 1108/L is a prereq for the courses taught in the program.
  • Have university credit for at least two science courses (in biological sciences, chemistry, ecology, physics/astronomy) prior to application.
  • 3.0 or higher GPA.
  • Satisfactory academic and disciplinary records.
• Preferred
  • students enrolled with a pre-health intention. 
  • successfully completed at least two sciences courses (in biological sciences, chemistry, ecology, physics/astronomy) for a grade (A-F) at UGA.
  • successfully completed at least 30 credit hours at UGA prior to application. 

Admission Process

• Begin an application on the studyaway.uga.edu portal.
• This program has two application cycles.
  • Complete all pre-decision requirements by Friday, October 14, 2022 to be considered for Cycle 1, and by Friday, November 11, 2022 to be considered for Cycle.
  • IMPORTANT: We encourage all applicants to apply in Cycle 1 as spaces could fill quickly.
• Qualified applicants will be invited (via UGA email) for a brief interview with the program faculty. Please note that an interview does not guarantee admittance into the program due to the limited number of spaces. Interviews, however, are a mandatory part of the selection process.
• Once all interviews are completed, applicants will be notified via their studyaway.uga.edu application portal whether they have been admitted or waitlisted.
• Admitted students will have 10 days from the date of acceptance to commit (or withdraw/decline) and pay a non-refundable $300 deposit. Waitlisted students will be admitted as spaces become available.

Faculty

Dr. Jonathan A. Dees
Plant Biology  
Division of Biological Sciences
University of Georgia

 

Ashley Roseberry
Pre-Professional Adviosr
Pre-Professional Advising Office
Office of the Vice-President for Instruction
University of Georgia

 

Program Administration

Hilda M. Mata, Ph.D. | Office of Global Engagement | Director, Africa/Latin America Programming Initiatives

Amanda Spohn, M.Ed. | Pre-Professional Advising Office | Coordinator

Location

Havana, located in western Cuba, is the island's capital and most populous city with 2.1 million residents. The Spanish name of the city is La Habana.

Itinerary

(This itinerary is subject to change)

Breakfast and dinner in student residence unless otherwise specified. Lunch is included in program cost, but locations will vary.

June 10:  Program will depart from Atlanta to Havana via Miami international airport. In-country health and safety orientation by program provider. Transfer to student residence for dinner and rest. If time permits, tour of the Vedado Neighborhood

June 11: Walking tour of La Habana Vieja (Old Havana), a UNESCO World Heritage Site. City Tour via Classic Cars. Salsa class.

June 12: First guest lecture: Overview of Cuba Healthcare System. Afternoon visit to a polyclinic and a family doctor's office. Afternoon class.

June 13: Medical Visits: (1) Cuban University of Medical Sciences and (2) Dental Clinic. Afternoon class.

June 14: Medical Visits: (1) Hospital and (2) Green Pharmacy "La Botica de la Abuela". Afternoon class.

June 15: Medical Visit: Mother-Infant Clinic and Group Lunch and round table with Cuban Medical Students. Afternoon class.

June 16: Mental Health in Cuba - Visit or round table with Mental Health. Medical Visit: Cuban Medical Research Center. Class time.

June 17: Visit the Almacenes San Jose for souvenir shopping / time to explore Old Havana. Catered lunch and API farewell event at beach.

June  18: Bid farewell to beautiful Havana and fly home!