Global Health in Bolivia (La Paz)

Program overview

Sitting in a valley in the Andes Mountains 11,942 ft (3,640 m) above sea level, La Paz is truly a unique city, full of colorful markets and the rich living heritage of indigenous peoples. Bolivia is one of few countries globally to implement a universal health coverage model and recognize traditional medicine as an integral part of its National Health System. Yet access to healthcare is hindered by inequities between social classes and ethnic groups.

During the program, participants learn from local health workers who engage daily with indigenous populations in low resource settings and explore the socioeconomic and cultural barriers to access health care. Take part in rotations at pediatric clinics and hospitals in and around La Paz, including the largest children’s hospital in the country. Learn from local physicians, residents, medical students, and nurses in wards such as obstetrics, oncology, inpatient, infectious disease, nephrology, and disabilities.

Become immersed in Bolivian culture and language through conversational and medical Spanish classes while living with a local family. Explore Bolivia, and visit destinations such as Lake Titicaca, the Inca Ruins at Tiwanaku, and the Uyuni Salt Flats.

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General information

Country

Bolivia

Focus

Hospital & Inpatient Medicine Maternal & Reproductive Health Pediatrics & Child Health Primary health care Public Health

Languages

Advanced Spanish Beginner Spanish Intermediate Spanish

Fees and Duration

2 Weeks - $1985 4 Weeks - $3035 5 Weeks - $3735 6 Weeks - $4355 7 Weeks - $5035 8 Weeks - $5670 9 Weeks - $6345 10 Weeks - $6550

Start Dates

January 4th, 2025 February 1st, 2025 March 1st, 2025 April 5th, 2025 May 3rd, 2025 June 7th, 2025 July 5th, 2025 August 2nd, 2025 September 6th, 2025 October 4th, 2025 November 1st, 2025 January 3rd, 2026 February 7th, 2026 March 7th, 2026 April 4th, 2026

About this program

Bolivia is a geographically diverse country home to both the Amazon jungle and Andes mountain range. This land-locked country in the heart of South America was formerly part of the Inca Empire and borders Brazil, Peru, Chile, Paraguay, and Uruguay. It is one of the most underdeveloped countries in Latin America.

This program is based in La Paz, Bolivia’s third most populous city and a center for commerce, finance, and industry. Located at an altitude of nearly 12,000 feet, the ‘city that touches the sky’ lies between the Altiplano high mountain ranges of the west and Las Yungas, an area of tropical mid-elevation valleys. Temperatures average in the 60s year round, but can dip below freezing at night.

Program participants will find their home away from home in carefully selected homestays, screened by CFHI Local Coordinators in La Paz and following CFHI’s health and safety guidelines. Nestled within downtown La Paz and surrounding areas, these homestays offer the perfect blend of comfort and authenticity, situated in middle-class neighborhoods with excellent access to public transportation, shops, restaurants, and cafes. Most homestays are in high-rise apartments, a common feature of urban living in La Paz. In some cases, CFHI scholars share a house or a room in the same homestay with fellow program participants.

Going beyond mere lodging, these homestays provide a unique opportunity to learn about the local culture and practice Spanish skills on a daily basis in an informal setting. Accommodations include two meals per day. At the welcome orientation, participants will be instructed on culture and work etiquette to have the best experience in both homestay and the health setting.

Participants should arrive in La Paz, Bolivia on the program start date and will be picked up from the airport by a CFHI representative and taken to their homestay. A welcome orientation will take place the Sunday or Monday after arrival.

U.S. citizens must apply for a tourist visa in advance or upon arrival at the airport. More information on travel and logistics will be provided by CFHI after acceptance into the program.

What’s Included

CFHI Program fees include the majority of your on the ground costs. As a nonprofit, CFHI strives to keep fees low and offers fundraising opportunities, scholarships and discounts.

Pre-Departure Support

Program advising and support via email, phone, and web meeting from CFHI’s Central Leadership team
Detailed online Pre-Departure Training that includes modules on program logistics (flights, visas, immunizations, and more), intercultural learning, introduction to health realities at your program site, and much more

On-Site Services

Airport pick-up upon arrival and transportation with a local CFHI representative to your program lodging
Welcome orientation 1-2 days after arrival covering safety, transportation, and other logistics
Spanish Classes: 30 hours/month of Spanish classes, including medical Spanish instruction and cultural activities
CFHI Local Team that provides instruction, logistical support, and 24/7 emergency response
Meetings and lectures on local healthcare system, socio-economic determinants of health and current cultural/historical topics.
Placement and coordination of clinical and any public health activities (if relevant)
Accommodation and two meals per day
Bus and Teleferico Pass
Local cell phone or support obtaining a local SIM card
International emergency medical and evacuation insurance (unless waived by your university or institution)

Post-Return Resources

Opportunities to engage as a CFHI Alumni Ambassador, reviewing scholarship applications, speaking on CFHI panels, and more
Access to CFHI alumni-only social media group/s featuring news and career opportunities related to Global Health
CFHI alumni newsletter highlighting events, professional development opportunities, resources, and ways to stay involved

Uniquely, 60% or more of CFHI student program fees go directly to the communities they will be visiting, benefiting the local economy at large and specifically underserved health systems.

LEARN MORE ABOUT FAIR-TRADE LEARNING MODEL

Relax over coffee at one of La Paz’ many cafes or visit one of the cities hundreds of museums and historic churches. Explore colorful markets such as the unusual Mercado de Hechicería, or witches market — selling local indigenous handcrafts as well as witchcraft-related potions, charms, and trinkets.

La Paz is also located just a few hours away from the UNESCO world heritage site of Lake Titicaca, the largest and highest navigable lake in the world. Situated on the Bolivian side of the lake visit the town of Copacabana and islands such as Isla del Sol or “Island of the Sun.” Walk among the ruins such as Sacred Rock and labyrinth-like buildings and archaeological sites dating back to 300 A.D. Organize a weekend trip to the picturesque Salar de Uyuni or Uyuni Salt Flats, the largest in the world at approximately 4,600 square miles.

A typical day in a CFHI program is a blend of immersive learning, cultural exploration, and personal reflection. Participants begin their mornings with breakfast at their homestay, followed by 4-6 hours of clinical rotations. The clinical site assignments and schedule are shared by the local team upon arrival. In the afternoon, participants attend Spanish classes at the language school, with the hours and regularity varying based on the program. Weekends are free of program-planned activities.

Charmi Shah

Charmi Shah is a current medical student at the University of Louisville School of Medicine in Kentucky! Outside of studying, you can find her traveling, hiking, and binge-watching TV shows. She’s passionate about food, all things Bachelor Nation, and new adventures. In undergrad, she studied abroad through Semester at Sea, and was excited to come across CFHI in her post graduate studies, traveling to both Argentina and Bolivia through the program in August 2023!

Clinic rotations & Public Health placements

Overview

This program has a strong focus on pediatric, adolescent, and maternal health. During the program, participants will attend lectures and visit hospitals, clinics, and other public health sites.

The following hospitals, clinics, and public health sites are a sample of possible rotations during this program. After acceptance, students can indicate any preferences on their application. The local team does their best to accommodate learners’ preferences, based on local availability and conditions.

Public Pediatric Hospital, La Paz

This tertiary hospital serves children and adolescents with all types of pathologies. A leading research center, it is a point of reference for the whole country, where the most common and most rare diseases may be observed. As a teaching hospital, it trains medical students, interns and pediatric residents.

Rotate with specialists in infectious diseases, nephrology, gastroenterology, neonatology, and more, and observe nurses and residents as they care for seriously ill children.

Public Hospital for Women, La Paz

This tertiary hospital cares for women of childbearing age, from pregnancy to delivery to the postnatal period. A team of highly trained gynecologists and obstetricians solve most pathologies related to pregnancy and delivery. It is also a teaching hospital that trains medical students, interns, and Gynecology and Obstetrics residents.

Los Andes Hospital

Los Andes Hospital is a municipal hospital located in Los Andes, in the city of El Alto. With only 20 pediatric and neonatology beds, it is a small hospital specifically for children and mothers. It is also a teaching hospital and receives medical interns doing rotations in Pediatrics and Obstetrics. The professionals are excellent and the work environment is pleasant, emphasizing solidarity and friendship. The teleferico (cable car) connects downtown La Paz and Los Andes in El Alto. It takes about one hour to get to Los Andes.

Adolescent Services Primary Healthcare Centers

Adolescent Services Primary health care centers are public and located throughout the country. They serve the entire local population but emphasize women, children, and adolescents. These health centers are the first point of contact a person has with the Bolivian Health System.

Meet the Local Team

Dr. Cecilia Uribe de Chavez

CFHI La Paz Medical Director

Dr. Cecilia Uribe de Chavez - CFHI La Paz Medical Director

The local Medical Director oversees and arranges all clinical and public health-related activities and is also responsible for coordinating healthcare and emergency services for participants as needed. They coordinate a cadre of preceptors who mentor and supervise program participants at both clinical and public/community health sites.

Dr. Uribe is a Pediatrician and works in a public hospital in the city of El Alto. She is also president of the Adolescence Committee of the Bolivian Society of Pediatrics. She is an expert in socioeconomic determinants of health in the region and health care delivery strategies in low-resource settings.

Mr. Gonzalo Claure

CFHI La Paz Local Coordinator

Mr. Gonzalo Claure - CFHI La Paz Local Coordinator

The CFHI Local Coordinators manage the logistics of housing, transportation, and cultural immersion throughout the program. They are a valuable resource for any questions related to navigating the program locale, cultural norms, and tips on planning weekend travel.

Gonzalo is Supervisor of the Executive Branch at the language school where your Spanish classes and weekly meetings are held. The school was started by the U.S. government and has been existence for over 50 years, still retaining close ties to the U.S. Embassy. Gonzalo manages local recruitment programs and study abroad for universities and agencies in the US. He also creates and maintains academic networks for Bolivian and American universities and higher education institutions.

Eligibility

This CFHI program is ideal for participants who are 19 years of age or older with a Beginner 1 Spanish level or above, who have an interest in fields related to pediatric & child health, maternal & reproductive health, hospital & inpatient medicine, primary health care, and/or public health. You do not need to be a student to be eligible for this program; mid-career professionals, GAP year learners, and others are also welcome. This program will provide an in-depth overview of pediatric & child health, maternal & reproductive health, hospital & inpatient medicine, primary health care, and/or public health in Latin America through visits and experiences within hospitals and clinics in the city of La Paz. To confirm your eligibility, please read CFHI’s general eligibility requirements.

The Sustainable Development Goals are a global roadmap set forth by the United Nations General Assembly to end poverty, protect the planet, and ensure the well-being of all individuals by the year 2030. This program highlights the following SDGs:

Scholarships

FAQ

What alumni say about this program

Kavita J. Masters in Global Health student, Northwestern University

Rather than working in a clinical setting, I worked with an NGO that had developed a micro health insurance (MHI) product for very low income persons living in La Paz. The NGO was experiencing challenges in meeting their sales goals, and the focus of my practicum was identifying barriers in selling/purchasing MHI and providing recommendations to overcome these barriers.

This practicum was a particularly important experience for me because I did not have any previous experience in public health. In addition to learning about what it is like to work in the field, I also learned several invaluable lessons about developing, implementing, and promoting public health programs.

I found both the NGO and CFHI staff friendly, supportive, willing to teach me, and willing to learn from me. The local CFHI staff was particularly helpful – they were always available to answer questions or help resolve any issues. My homestay accommodations were very high quality, and in a location convenient to the office.

The also program offered flexibility to travel on weekends, so that you can explore and learn more about Bolivian culture.

All in all, this was a wonderful experience and I am glad I participated in the program!

Helen Y. Medical Student, Rutgers Robert Wood Johnson Medical School

I liked that I was able to see healthcare in La Paz in different settings: I had two weeks of rotations at two different local community clinics and two weeks at the city’s largest children’s hospital (one week in surgery and one week in the pulmonary unit). The physicians I worked with were patient, kind, and very willing to work with me.

Not only was the clinical experience great, but the cultural experience was even better. My group and I were able to visit a new tourist site every weekend and our language facility made it so easy to plan the weekends. I also loved my homestay mother. The homestay experience was key in helping me practice and improve my conversational Spanish.

I would definitely recommend this program to anyone looking to combine their interests in healthcare and experiencing new cultures

Chrissa K. Pre-Health Student, University of California, Santa Cruz

This trip really emphasized the importance of knowing a person’s culture and their beliefs so you can meet them where they are in their life. I learned so much about the Bolivian culture and their beautiful, kind people, and personally saw how cultural beliefs intertwine with medicine on a daily basis.” Read more on Erica’s blog.

Rachael J. 4th year Medical Student

“The past four weeks have been an invaluable experience to my medical education. Every international experience brings the opportunity to broaden horizons and see things from another point of view. My primary goals going into this rotation were to see how a healthcare system in another country works, to see diseases that I may not have the opportunity to see as often in the United States, and to improve my Spanish. I feel that I have accomplished all three goals. I learned about the healthcare system in Bolivia both through lectures and through rotations in the local hospitals and clinics. I saw cases of Leishmaniasis and…” Read More on Rachael’s blog.

How to Apply

Create profile

Submit application

Hear back from CFHI team

Complete pre-departure training and requirements

Global Health in Bolivia (La Paz)

Program overview

About this program

Charmi Shah