Global Health Experience in Guatemala

People shopping for produce in a street market

School of Nursing faculty will lead a collaborative global health program with colleagues in Antigua and San Martin, Guatemala January 7-14, 2023. Students who participate in this program will receive 32 DNP hours aligned with the practicum course they are enrolled in Spring 2021. These courses are as follows: FNP N7505 & N7507, ANP/GNP N7505 & N7406, PNP N6921 & N7925, WHNP N6926 & N7310, PMHNP N7613.

January 7-14, 2023

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.

  • Learning about cervical cancer rates and screening in Guatemala based on WHO recommendations
  • 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.

Estimated cost per student

$1150 plus airfare

School of Nursing faculty

Mary Benbenek, PhD, APRN FNP-BC, program coordinator
benbe001@umn.edu

Cheri Friedrich, DNP, APRN, CNP, co-program coordinator
fried020@umn.edu

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 2023)

Email the completed application form (PDF) to Mary Benbenek (benbe001@umn.edu).