School of Nursing faculty will lead a collaborative global health program with colleagues in Antigua and San Martin, Guatemala January 10-17, 2026. Students who participate in this program will receive 16 DNP hours aligned with the practicum course they are enrolled in Spring 2026. Students in years 1, 2, or 3 in a SoN DNP Program are eligible to participate.
January 10-17, 2026
Program description
The one-week Guatemala study abroad will include observational and interactional experiences aimed at gaining an understanding of the socio-cultural factors affecting the health and well-being of urban and rural Guatemalans. Students will work with community health workers to assess community health issues in rural Guatemalan communities and design a program to address these issues. Students are encouraged to reflect on experiences and compare and contrast health and healthcare in Guatemala with their own lived experience in the United States.
- Discussing health care delivery systems and challenges in Guatemala
- Analyzing the current political system in Guatemala and its impact on health care delivery
- Exploring the socio-cultural determinants of health in Guatemala
- Learning about issues in global health
- Collaborating with healthcare providers and community health workers in Guatemala to address health issues
- Learning about the profession of nursing in Guatemala.
The program includes two zoom sessions prior to departure, online preparatory work, 1 week in Guatemala, online discussion and daily debriefs with faculty members in country along with a post-program reflection and survey.
Estimated cost per student
$1400 plus airfare
School of Nursing faculty
Mary Benbenek, PhD, APRN FNP-BC, program coordinator
[email protected]
Cheri Friedrich, DNP, APRN, CNP, co-program coordinator
[email protected]
Student eligibility
Students must be in good academic standing, have permission documented from their program Specialty Coordinator and a desire to learn about global health.
Application process (program full for 2026)
Email the completed application form (PDF) to Mary Benbenek ([email protected]).