Welcome to Child Family Health International
Let the world change you with global health opportunities
CFHI is a non-profit organization offering ethical, Fair-Trade global health opportunities to trainees and academic institutions including internships, electives, rotations, practicums, programs, and more.
About CFHI
Child Family Health International offers transformative Global Health Education programs, research, and thought leadership to learners and faculty emphasizing community leadership, global citizenship, and ethical engagement.
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What we do
Our programs provide individual trainees and academic partners with unique opportunities to learn about global health from experts and practitioners while embedded in existing health systems. We are proud of our commitment to ethical best practices and Fair Trade Learning principles, always prioritizing the health, safety, and wellness of our participants and host communities. Let the world change you with an individual global health experience.
Our Virtual Global Health Opportunities
Elevate your global health competencies with CFHI's unique self-paced courses, internships, and more. Start building your global health skills today!
Featured Opportunities
Apply and Let the World Change You
Find the Global Health experience that's right for you! CFHI offers internships, practicums, electives, and programs that are online and in-person in 10 countries.
What people are saying about CFHI
Frequently asked questions
Find answers to commonly asked questions about CFHI and our Global Health Education programs below.
What makes CFHI unique?
For over 30 years, CFHI’s work and award-winning programs have centered around offering safe, ethical, and sustainable global health education opportunities to trainees and academic partners. Program participants are embedded in existing health settings under appropriate supervision to learn about determinants of health, Burden of Disease, build deep cultural learning, and form lasting relationships. CFHI’s leadership model offers an alternative to problematic models that center leadership, finances, and decision-making power within High-Income Countries. Our Central Leadership Team and Global Team are located globally and are recruited for their outstanding leadership and expertise in their fields. Our work is rooted in best practices, Fair Trade Learning Principles, Asset Based approaches, and appropriate legal and regulatory frameworks.
Who can participate in CFHI Programs?
CFHI programs are inter-professional and available for undergraduate, graduate, professional and post-graduate students. Clinical and public health education is tailored to participants based on their educational level, language skills, and professional objectives. Participants must be 19 years of age or older. Our programs are educational and interdisciplinary, meaning we encourage students from different majors, levels of education, fields, and areas of expertise to work together while learning from CFHI’s Global Team and host communities. CFHI programs are professionally enriching, ethically and legally appropriate for level of training, and developed to prioritize the safety, health, and well-being of all involved. CFHI participants include medical students, residents, public health students, nursing students, social science majors, social work students, pre-health students, dental students, allied health students, and more. Participants join CFHI programs as individuals or as part of an academic partnership with their institution.
Can I participate on a CFHI program if I don't have US Passport?
CFHI welcomes participants of all nationalities. Due to frequently changing regulations, we strongly recommend consulting with your home institution, your embassy/consulate, as well as third parties such as the American Civil Liberties Union, if you are traveling without a passport or with a green card. If you believe you may be affected by travel bans or other regulations, or have questions about how your nationality or legal status may affect your ability to participate in a CFHI program, Please contact us: students@cfhi.org. CFHI’s wide portfolio of virtual internships, practicums, electives, and self-paced courses are also a great option.
How do CFHI Programs differ from other experiences abroad?
CFHI was established 1992 and is considered the gold standard in the field of global health experiential education. Known for our approach that focuses on ethical best practices, Asset Based Community Development, and Fair Trade Learning practices, CFHI partners and collaborates with individuals and over 70 US based universities and academic institutions to offer quality programming for learners. We prioritize quality learning experiences led by global health experts in 10 countries and online, supporting the health, safety, and wellbeing of our learners, global team, and host communities. CFHI is also an official partner of AMSA (American Medical Student Association), has been recognized year over year as a Top Rated nonprofit by GreatNonprofits, and is the recipient of numerous awards and recognitions, and is proud to be part of a small number of nonprofits serving in Special Consultative Status with the ECOSOC of the United Nations. As a UN-recognized nonprofit, CFHI programs uphold the highest ethical standards with over 60% of student fees reinvested in underserved communities.
How do I participate CFHI Global Health Education Program?
To participate in a CFHI Global Health Education Program:
– Use the filters to help you select the CFHI program that interests you
– Choose from a variety of available start dates or contact CFHI at students@cfhi.org to request an alternate start date
– Fill out a quick application including short answer questions and 1 reference
– Set-up your crowdfunding page to raise funds for your program fees
– Check out our Scholarships page for support to fund your program
How do I participate CFHI Global Health Education Program?
To participate in a CFHI Global Health Education Program:
– Use the filters to help you select the CFHI program that interests you
– Choose from a variety of available start dates or contact CFHI at students@cfhi.org to request an alternate start date
– Fill out a quick application including short answer questions and 1 reference
– Set-up your crowdfunding page to raise funds for your program fees
– Check out our Scholarships page for support to fund your program
Can I get academic credit for CFHI programs?
Over 60% of CFHI participants get academic credit from their school for CFHI programs. A great way to receive academic credit for a CFHI program is to inquire with your study abroad office or academic advisor to see if your institution partners with CFHI and offers credit for our programs. If a agreement or partnership is not in place, CFHI is happy to assist with program enrollment, confirmation letters, evaluations, and other documentation you may need to seek credit through your home institution. Questions about getting academic credit? Email students@cfhi.org.
Does CFHI have programs for universities, schools and faculty?
Along with providing programs directly to students, CFHI offers academic partnerships for schools and departments to scale up global health offerings and international engagement. CFHI academic partnerships include a range of options such as custom faculty-led and non-faculty-led programs to meet speific learning objectives. Some academic partnership offer semi-custom or even non-custom programs by place CFHI on a preferred provider list to make it easier for students to select a quality program.
How can I help support CFHI’s efforts and innovative work?
CFHI is a 501(c)3 non-profit organization that prioritizing sending over 60% of every dollar directly to our global leadership to support their work and educational programs. Donating to CFHI enables us to keep program fees low, provides scholarships for students with economic need, and supports global community efforts to address health and social issues through Community Health Projects. Consider a donation today!
How does CFHI help ensure safety for program participants?
For 30+ years, we have hosted over 15,000 participants in more than 30 programs around the world. Our first priority is student safety. Visit our Health & Safety page to learn more about the various strategies CFHI uses to minimize risks on-site risks and prioritize participant safety.
How do I learn more about CFHI?
Contact students@cfhi.org for more information.