FAQ

CFHI offers community-based global health education programs, which emphasize the knowledge local medical experts have to offer. In this program, you will join local healthcare professionals and learn about various health topics through observational clinical rotations, public health placements and/or lectures. The primary learning objectives to be developed during CFHI programs center around helping participants to develop a deep understanding of the country’s health realities and healthcare systems, develop and refine their own intercultural humility and communication skills when working with individuals from other cultures and backgrounds, and deepen their commitment to global health ethics and best practices. CFHI offers many different programs in Africa, Asia, and Latin America with varying health themes including but not limited to: Public Health, Primary Health Care, Hospital & Inpatient Medicine, Pediatrics & Child Health, Maternal & Reproductive Health, Urban/Rural Comparative, Traditional & Indigenous Medicine.

CFHI is unique because our Global Health Education Programs are imbedded in long-standing community engagement, asset-based development, professional development, and commitment to highlighting local healthcare workers, health systems, and complex determinants of health.  Our programs trace health and other policies to the community level, allowing participants to be in the ‘trenches’ of global health alongside community-based clinical and public health delivery.  CFHI participants individual experiences are imbedded in a collective, sustainable and empowering impact in host communities contributing economically, intellectually, and with solidarity on many levels.

CFHI programs are inter-professional and available for undergraduate, graduate, professional and post-graduate students.  Clinical and public health education is catered to participants based on their educational level, language skills, and professional pursuits. 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 expertise to work together while learning from and serving CFHI host communities.  CFHI program activities are tailored to each student, creating an experience that is professionally enriching, is ethically appropriate for your level of training and ensuring patient safety. 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.

Yes! CFHI welcomes participants of all nationalities. Due to recently changing regulations around re-entry into the United States for certain residents and citizens, we 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 with a green card, 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 also contact CFHI directly with any questions you have by emailing [email protected].

CFHI was established 1992 and is considered the gold standard in the field for their ethical approach, unique funding structure, and asset-based community development model. The majority of CFHI programs are offered year round, every month, and are run by local health professionals to provide authentic in-country experiences. CFHI is also an official partner of AMSA (American Medical Student Association), is recognized by the Better Business Bureau, 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 abroad. Learn more about our impact in Latin America, Africa, and India.

To participate in a CFHI Global Health Education Program:

• Choose a program location and focus that interests you.
• Choose from a variety of available start dates or contact CFHI at [email protected] 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 Discounts and Scholarships pages to learn more about group discounts and other funding resources.

Age Requirement: We welcome individuals who are at least 19 years of age. Age is but a number, and our programs are designed to inspire learners of all generations.

Cultural humility: We value cultural humility and a sincere desire to explore global health with an open heart and open mind.

Language Proficiency: While it’s not a prerequisite for all programs, some of our Latin American programs require beginner or intermediate Spanish proficiency. To explore specific language requirements, please visit our Programs page.

Academic Enrollment: You do not need to be currently enrolled in an academic institution to join CFHI. Our programs are open to undergraduate students, health professionals, graduate students, and individuals from various professional backgrounds.

Over 60% of CFHI participants get academic credit from their school for CFHI programs. To find out what is required at your school talk to your advisor, global health, or study abroad faculty. CFHI assists with program enrollment, confirmation letters, evaluations, and other documentation you may need. Many schools have existing agreements or partnerships with CFHI in place, which makes getting credit even easier. Questions about getting academic credit? Email [email protected].

Along providing programs directly to students, CFHI offers academic partnerships for schools and departments to scale up global offerings and international engagement. CFHI Academic Partnerships include a range of options such as customized programs created with university partners to cover specific program themes, curriculum, duration, or simply allow school’s greater access to CFHI’s existing Global Health Education Programs. CFHI has over 20 Academic Partners spanning both undergraduate and graduate/professional schools, UC Davis, Northwestern Feinberg School of Medicine, Princeton, and many more. Learn more about CFHI Academic Partnerships.

CFHI is a 501(c)3 non-profit organization recognized by the Better Business Bureau, with 92 cents of every dollar donated going directly to our programs. Donating to CFHI enables us to keep program fees low, provides scholarships for students with economic need, supports global communities’ efforts to address health and social issues through Community Health Projects, and endorses an empowering approach to North-South international engagement. Learn more about how you can make an impact through CFHI.

For over 20 years, we have hosted over 10,000 participants in more than 25 sites around the world. Our first priority is student safety.  Visit CFHI’s “Participant Safety” page, where you will find a learn about the various strategies CFHI uses to minimize risks on-site risks and prioritize participant safety.

CFHI sends participants pre-departure orientation materials with information on safety, security and cultural norms. Participants also receive an in-person orientation the day after arrival, where they receives, a pre-paid cell phone with emergency and other useful phone numbers pre-programmed and detailed safety guidelines and recommendations to follow while on the program.

In line with best practices in global health, participants are never placed in a position to diagnose, treat, or in any regard, be responsible for the care of a patient. CFHI programs are experiential learning opportunities and a wonderful way to learn about global health and immerse yourself in another culture, while delving into community partnerships and medical/public health contexts through thematic lenses.

CFHI offers many scholarships for both place-based and virtual programs. Visit cfhi.org/scholarships to find out more about requirements, deadlines, and more information on how to apply. New scholarships are posted every few months, so be sure to check the page frequently.