As a country of the former USSR, Armenia provides a unique experience for students to become familiar with health inequalities of Eastern European countries and give an opportunity to participate in activities of assessment, diagnosis and implementation of health improvement programs. Armenia is a landlocked, mountainous country located in the southern part of the Caucasus region, with a population of nearly 3 million. Armenia prides itself on being the first nation to formally adopt Christianity (early 4th century). The social and economic upheavals that followed the earthquake of 1988 combined with the political collapse of the Soviet Union to create a catastrophic public health situation in Armenia.
Professional students, faculty and staff from the University of Utah will work in conjunction with Yerevan State Medical University, the Armenian Health Ministry, the Armenian American Wellness Center and number of local NGOs and clinics to address pressing health issues. Students will be involved in activities that promote community health development in Armenia by producing positive, measurable improvements among populations experiencing health inequalities. The program will use community-based participatory research as a foundation of projects, and will engage in community partnerships that focus on collaboration and sustainable outcomes.
Through participation in the global health prerequisite class and on-site fieldwork, students will learn about cultural, social, political, and health issues currently facing Armenia. They will learn about current public health problems and methods to health development and improving general health and quality of life. This program will greatly benefit the Armenian people, as well as provide unparalleled learning opportunities for our students.
Course Credit:
Students will receive 4 semester hours of upper division Health Sciences credit for their participation in this program. This course has been approved as a Service Learning class.
Accommodation:
Students and faculty will be housed in apartments in Yerevan, Armenia. Transportation to and from airport as well as to rural areas and guided tours are provided.
Excursions:
There will be number of guided tours to historic and cultural sites. These will likely include the National Gallery, Erebuni Museum and Matenadaran in Yeravan; day trips to Garni and Geghard and Khor Virap, weekend excursions to Sevan Lake and Tsaghkadzor and Eychmiadzin, Hripsime, Gayane Monasteries.
Cost:
The estimated cost is $2996.Includes: Tuition, lodging, ground transportation, excursions, and international health insurance.Does Not Include: Airfare, airport taxes, passport, visa, personal expenses, meals.Although not anticipated, the program price may change due to fluctuation of currency exchange rates and contracted agencies, or number of participants.
Financial Aid and Scholarships:
Scholarships are available for U of U students. The Student Fee Scholarship application will be due February 18 2013 and the application for all other scholarships will be due 9 March 2014. Visit the Study Abroad office for more information on the scholarship application process. Other forms of financial aid (student loans, grants, etc.) can be applied to the program cost. Visit your financial Aid Counselor for more information in SSB 105 or call 581-6211.
Withdrawal and Refund Policy:
$200 plus any unrecoverable to the Study Abroad Office at the time of withdrawal are non-refundable. To withdraw, the applicant must formally file a Withdrawal Form with the Study Abroad Office. If an applicant is determined ineligible for program participation the $500 payment will be refunded in full.
Program Requirements:
Minimum 3.0 GPA
Minimum age of 18. This program is open to all qualified students. Applicants should check with their individual academic programs for questions regarding the application of credit received from this program towards degree requirements. This course qualifies as a field experience for the Global Health Certificate program. Both University of Utah and non-University of Utah students are encouraged to apply.
Application Deadline:
10 February 2015. Late applications will be accepted with an additional non-refundable $50 fee for 30 days after the initial deadline or until the program is full.
Application Instructions:
Click the Apply button found at the top or bottom of this program description. The application will include a personal statement, one letter of reference, a photocopy of the identification page of your passport (or proof of passport application), and a $500 initial program payment. It is your responsibility to ensure that all the components of the application are completed by the application deadline.University of Utah students should download the payment form from the online application and make the $500 initial program payment to the Cashier’s Window, 165 SSB and bring the stamped payment form to the Study Abroad Office. Non-U of U students should download the payment form from the online application and submit their initial program payment directly to the Study Abroad Office. All applications will be reviewed by the Program Director and Study Abroad Advisor to determine eligibility. Applicants will be notified through their Umail address regarding their acceptance into the program.U of U students, students at other colleges or universities, alumni and qualified members of our community are welcome to apply to participate in U of U study abroad programs.
Pre-Departure Orientation:
Academic and trip orientations will be conducted 3 weeks before departure. Academic orientation will include review of Armenian health system, pressing cultural, social, political, and health issues, as well as overview of Community Based Participatory Research Methodology.
Team members will again meet one week following the expedition to debrief, discuss experiences (which will aid in writing the Reflection paper) and complete the Expedition Final Report.
Travel to Host Country:
Participants are responsible for making their own international travel arrangements. Travel with other participants may be arranged at the pre-departure orientation.
Program Director:
Hripsime Z. Wright, M.D MPH, is an adjunct faculty member in the department of the University of Utah Family and Preventative Medicine. She was born in Armenia and has a vast clinical and public health experience in the target country. She is working on starting a public health research program in Armenia with the ultimate goal of advancing health there.
Global Health Armenia 