Himalayan Family Healthcare Project in Nepal

GLOBAL PUBLIC HEALTH PROGRAM
Practicum, Residency, Internship and Volunteer Programs

The Himalayan Family Healthcare Project has established the Global Public Health (GPH) Program. The GPH Program provides quality practicum, residency, health care internship, and volunteer experiences in Kathmandu Valley and the Manang District. The student will be placed in Kathmandu Valley and Manang District areas after careful assessment of the students' career goals and his or her interests.

The Himalayan Health Institute offers four practicum, internship and volunteer programs:

1) Social Work and Public Health Practicum Program
2) Healthcare Professionals Volunteer Program
3) Medical Student and Residents Program
4) Teaching English Volunteer Program

Social Work and Public Health Practicum Program

Field education or Practicum is the cornerstone of social work education, and allows social work students to put classroom learning into practice. The Council on Social Work Education sets standards for social work education. Expectations of field education in social work are outlined in the statement below from the Education Policy and Accreditation Standards of the Council on Social Work Education:

Field education is an integral component of social work education anchored in the mission, goals, and educational level of the program. It occurs in settings that reinforce students' identification with the purposes, values, and ethics of the profession; fosters the integration of empirical and practice-based knowledge; and promotes the development of professional competence. Field education is systematically designed, supervised, and evaluated on the basis of criteria by which students demonstrate the achievement of program objectives.

The Himalayan Family Healthcare Project carefully selects the potential practicum students, and conducts yearly interviews in St. Louis, Missouri, Seattle, Washington, and Los Angeles, California.

The HFHCP is affiliated with St. Xavier's College and Patan Hospital. The HFHCP coordinates through the practicum office at St. Xavier's College and the Patan Hospital, Department of Social Services to develop the students' learning agreement and field placement evaluation.

St. Xavier's College, Kathmandu, is an educational institution of higher learning established in 1988 and managed by the Jesuit Society. The Jesuit traditions of educational excellence and service to others guide all the programs at St. Xavier's College in Kathmandu, Nepal. Only St. Xavier's College offers both BSW and MSW programs in Nepal.

The practicum/internship program is designed for those students who are currently pursuing a BSW, MSW or MPH program. As a student pursuing a career in Social Work or Public Health, you are passionate about people and about gaining an understanding of the influences of culture. Your future work as a social worker or public health practitioner will demand skills to understand and relate with a diverse population of people. Spending one semester in Nepal is a great way to prepare for your demanding future career.

The minimum commitment for this program is one semester. BSW applicants must have a minimum GPA of 2.5 and completion of 40 semester credit hours to be eligible for the program. MSW/MPH applicants must have a minimum GPA of 3.0 and completion of foundation courses.

Healthcare Professionals Volunteer Program

We need healthcare professionals of all backgrounds. (e.g. general practitioners, surgeons, dentists, physician assistants and nurses) to assist with patient care. Volunteer doctors can work directly with patients in coordination with local staff and doctors at a clinic. Volunteers interested in the healthcare programs must currently be a doctor or nurse and must demonstrate an appropriate level of training and experience in the medical field. Individuals with special knowledge in the following areas are always needed.

Primary Care and General Medicine
General Dentistry / Oral Surgery
Pediatrics
Gynecology and Women's Health
Public Health
Pediatricians
General Surgeons

The minimum commitment for this program is 2 weeks. After completion of your volunteer program, you will write a short report to share your experience as a healthcare professional volunteer.

Medical Student and Residency Program

The medical student and residents program is designed for those students who are currently in medical schools, dental schools or are residents. In the medical students and residents program, students shadow doctors and other healthcare professionals at four different sites: 1) the Himalayan Community Hospital in Manang; 2) Deurali Community Health Center in Dhading, Nepal; 3) Patan Hospital; and 4) TU Institute of Medicine in Kathmandu Valley.

Dr. Gyan K. Kayastha, MD, MPH and Dr. Mandira Shahi, BN, MHPEd, MPhil, Ph.D are the people responsible for coordinating our Foreign Health Professionals students in Nepal. Dr. Kayastha is currently the Chief of Medicine at the Patan Hospital, and he received his medical training at Saint Louis University, School of Medicine in Saint Louis, Missouri. Dr. Mandira Shahi, BN, MHPEd, MPhil, Ph.D is a faculty member at the departments of TU Teaching Hospital and Maharajgunj Medical Campus of IOM.

Institute of Medicine has been committed to innovations in medical education since its inception. In 1986, it realized the need for a "Medical Education Support Unit" in order to ensure the quality of education within IOM. Soon it was developed into a full fledged department. It was guided with a mission to provide need-based quality education in the academic programs of the Institute of Medicine.

Patan Hospital is one of the largest hospitals in Nepal. It uses modern equipment and facilities to provide treatment for almost 320,000 outpatients and 20,000 inpatients every year. Patan Hospital staff conducts more than 10,000 operations annually. The mission of Patan Hospital is to provide quality, compassionate healthcare to everyone who comes to the hospital, regardless of their ability to pay. It serves people from every district of Nepal, from the remote villages as well as from the Kathmandu Valley.

At the hospitals you will find various departments including anesthesiology, anatomy, biochemistry, clinical pharmacology, clinical physiology, dental surgery, dermatology, ear, nose, throat (ENT), emergency medicine & general practice, forensic medicine, obstetrics and gynecology, general surgery, internal medicine, orthopedic surgery, ophthalmology, psychiatry & mental health, pathology, microbiology, radiology and community medicine.

Medical students or residents have an opportunity to complete a Master's degree in global Public Health (MPH). The MPH is designed to develop skills in recognizing and combating global public health problems, setting priorities and using scientific approaches to problem solving. Residents gain a broad understanding of public health, and develop quantitative skills. Residents can concentrate in epidemiology, health policy or global health. (Planning Stage).

The program includes a seminar on health issues. Topics include: public health and healthcare delivery system in Nepal, leading causes of health and deaths, malnourishmet, mental health issues in Nepal, TB, malaria, and polio, reproductive health and HIV/AIDS, and healthcare finance issues.

Teaching English Volunteer Program

This Teaching English Volunteer Program is designed for any major area of study, regardless of undergraduate or graduate student status. Nepal is one of the most beautiful mountainous countries in the world, and teaching English is an excellent opportunity to trek and sightsee the home of Mount Everest. Volunteers help by teaching English at the Shree Prakash Jyoti Higher Secondary School in Thonche, Manang and the Mt. Seb Boarding School in Kathmandu Valley. Many schools lack the funds to provide effective English language training. Native or fluent English speakers with or without formal teaching experience can contribute greatly to a child's educational development. Volunteers teach school courses in collaboration with local English teachers. Volunteers typically teach 2-3 hours a day for six days a week.

Applicants should possess good English communication skills. All applicants should have a desire to help the people of Nepal, flexibility, self-motivation, openness to a new culture and a willingness to learn.

The minimum commitment for this program is six months. After completion of your volunteer program, you will write an evaluation report to share your experience as a Teaching English Volunteer.

Academic Credit

Academic credit is available. However, it is the student's responsibility to contact their academic advisor prior to the internship to ensure that their home institution will grant them credit for an international internship.

Program Schedule

Participants can choose when they would like to start and the duration of their volunteer program. We encourage volunteers to apply as far in advance as possible. The application process involves submission of an official transcript for the pre-health student and teaching English programs and a written application.

Fun Activities

Many unique activities are included in the programs. The fun activities include the following:

Village Visit and Hiking

Volunteers will have an opportunity to hike through several nearby villages to experience the authentic rural life of Nepal.

Cultural Dance

One of the most effective ways to learn about a new culture is through local music and dance. Volunteers will be treated to ethnic music and dance performed by a local cultural dance group. If they wish, volunteers can join the cultural dance program and dance with the local people.

14 days of Trekking and Sightseeing

The 14 days of trekking and sightseeing are included in the programs without any extra cost to you. Volunteer have the option of 14 days of trekking and sightseeing before or after the program completion. The daily schedule includes:

Day 1 (October 17): Arrival in Kathmandu. Transfer to Hotel Marshyangdi in Thamel, Kathmandu. Welcome Party at the hotel.

Day 2 (October 18): Kathmandu. After breakfast, drive to heritage sightseeing of Kathmandu Valley to be acquainted with the culture of Nepal (including World Heritage Sites Swoyambhunath, Baudhanath and Pashupatinath). Overnight at hotel.

Kathmandu is the vibrant capitol city of Nepal, with great tourist attractions like Thamel, Patan, Swaymbhu, etc. Kathmandu has a wide range of restaurants, internet cafes, clubs, shopping centers and banks. The volunteers also have numerous opportunities to explore the cultural heritage sites during free time. Our volunteers can simply hike to nearby villages, ride bikes in Kathmandu, walk around the tourist city of Thamel. The options are unlimited.

Day 3 (October 19): Drive from Kathmandu to Shyange (1,305 m).

Day 4 (October 20): Trek from Shyange (1,305 m) to Tal (1,500 m). Takes about 6-7 hours.

Day 5 (October 21): Trek from Tal to Thonche Village (1,960 m). Takes about 3 hours. The Himalayan Family Healthcare Project is planning to build the Himalayan Community Hospital here. After lunch we will have a welcoming program and ground-breaking ceremony.

Day 6 (October 22): Health Fair I (10 am - 6:00 pm).

Day 7 (October 23): Health Fair II (10 am - 5:00 pm) followed by a goodbye program with local cultural dance.

Day 8 (October 24): Trek from Thonche to Chame (2,675 m). Takes about 6.5 hours.

Day 9 (October 25): Trek from Chame to Humde (3,400 m). Humde is a small airport in the Manang Valley situated at about 3,400 m.

Day 10 (October 26): Humde Health Fair (10 am - 6:00 pm).

Day 11 (October 27): Flight from Humde to Pokhara. Pokhara is one of the main tourism centers in Nepal. Sightseeing in Pokhara and boating on Phewa Lake. Pokhara is a remarkable place of natural beauty. It is situated at an altitude of 827 m from the sea level and 200 km west of Kathmandu Valley. The city is known as a center of adventure. Pokhara has several beautiful lakes, and offers stunning panaromic views of the Himalayas.

Day 12 (October 28): Drive from Pokhara to Chitwan. Evening Tharu Cultural Dance show.

Day 13 (October 29): Chitwan. After breakfast, Chitwan Jungle activities consisting of an elephant safari, nature walk, bird watching and a visit to an elephant breeding farm.

Day 14 (October 30): Drive from Chitwan to Kathmandu. A goodbye party at the hotel!

Day 15 (October 31): Kathmandu. Free until departure for the airport.

Housing and Accommodation

Traditional Nepalese food is served three times a day. Housing varies based on the program placement location. However, housing typically consists of a home stay with a local host family or a hostel. This is a great opportunity for volunteers to learn experientially about Nepali culture and family life.

Program Dates

Fall Semester (September-November): This season is considered the best time to visit Nepal, which offers excellent weather and tantalizing mountain views. Temperatures are moderate and comfortable during the evening. The skies are generally clear with outstanding views.
Spring Semester (February-April): This is also one of the best seasons in Nepal. It offers different varieties of wild flowers. It is mildly warm at lower elevations and at higher elevation, over 4,000 m. The mountains views are excellent.

Program Deadlines

The deadline for the fall semester's application and initial deposit is June 15, and final payment is due on July 30. The deadline for the spring semester's application and initial deposit is November 15, and final payment must be received by December 30.

Program Cost and Duration

Please call us to discuss the fees and the program duration.

Tax-deductible

To maximize our supporters' donations, we expect each volunteer to pay for his or her own expenses. The expenses are fully tax-deductible to U.S. citizens.

Nepali Government Requirements

As per the immigration law of the government of Nepal, foreign volunteers can work in Nepal on a non-tourist visa (there is no special volunteer visa system). The non-tourist visa can be obtained for a period of one year at one time. The duration of any volunteer period should be for a minimum of six months. It is a long procedure, which may take more than 3 months in Kathmandu.

The Nepal government does not require doctors to have malpractice insurance before volunteering. The volunteer visa will not be provided for a short period (less than 6 months). But a person can work as a volunteer on a tourist visa after having an agreement (which can be verbal) with the concerning placement agency or NGO and with the permission of local administration.

Nepal Visa

You will purchase your visa at the Kathmandu airport when you arrive.

For more information, please contact Dr. Devi Gurung States:

Himalayan Family Healthcare Project
4145 Manchester Avenue
Saint Louis, MO 63110
USA

Tel.: (314) 531-4800

Email: summit@himalayanfamilyhealthcare.org

Kathmandu Valley

A 218 square mile area of land, situated at about 4,400 feet above sea level with three historic, artistic and cultural towns: Kathmandu, Patan and Bhaktapur, which together form what is known as the 'Kathmandu Valley'. Kathmandu is the hub of Nepal's traditional culture and arts. This is the place for rest, relaxation and easy day sightseeing of historic and artistic temples, monuments and mountain views. Being the capital city of Nepal, it offers many services including international airlines, hotels and other facilities. One also enjoys Kathmandu for night life, shopping and of course for the mountain views.

Kathmandu is not only the capital of the Federal Democratic Republic of Nepal but also the headquarters of the Central Region (Madhyamanchal), among the five development regions constituted by the 14 administrative zones of Nepal located at the central part of the country.

Manang, Nepal

The Manang District is one of the most beautiful places in Nepal. It covers an area of 2,246 sq. km. Manang Vvalley is special for the mountains rising directly from the valley floor, which averages 3,400 meters (11,000 feet) in elevation. The journey into Manang is full of adventure, both physical and spiritual. Manang is known as the "Gateway to Heaven". The Manang District is very clean, and Tibetan Buddhist philosophy is present everywhere. Manang has much to offer for adventurers, climbers and the cultural or religious tourist. It is the most popular trekking region in the world, attracting over 75% of all trekkers.