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Key
Information |
| Dates: |
June 15th to July 2nd 2008 |
| Type: |
Observational /
Research |
| Eligibility |
Students from institutions of Higher education
Undergraduate, graduate, medical, non-degree |
|
Deadline: |
April 15th. New applications
are being received |
|
Cost: |
Program fee (~$1,100
to ~2,000)
Cost of 5 UG credits tuition (quarter credits) or Non-credit fee
$150 administrative fee.
Airline ticket cost ($450 to $750, depending on
dates and airline)
Passport, vaccinations, supplies (~$200) |
| Application: |
Download application forms |
| Contact: |
Joan
Cunningham, 060 Irvine
Hall,
cunninj1@ohio.edu
(740) 593 9482;
(740) 597 2778 (Fax) |
Detailed program information
The high prevalence of tropical
diseases in developing countries is a consequence of a large
number of issues that come together to create a propitious
environment for the spread of disease. A key element for the
improvement the health of a population is the improvement of
living conditions and information about prevention at the
community level. We will examine first hand the issues that
hinder community socio-economic development and their
consequences relative the incidence and prevalence of
disease. In addition, we will focus on water and water
management, the presence of mosquito breeding habitats, and
community education in regard to water and mosquitoes
(transmitters of several pathogenic microbes including
malaria parasites and dengue virus).
 During
the two weeks we will spend in the field in Ecuador, we will
use 4x4 vehicles to travel to both the Amazon Basin Region (Oriente)
and in the Coastal Region of the country. In these areas, we
will visit rural communities and examine in a general way
issues related to public health, health care delivery,
community socio-economic development and education. Our
group will interact directly with community leaders, health
care providers and school teachers. In addition, we will
visit regional health care facilities and interact with
public health officials at the provincial level. Round
tables with the participation of our group, public health
officials and community members will be organized to allow
for discussion of our observations and exchange of points of
view among the participants. We will also examine the role
that traditional healers play as health care providers and
their interactions with the “western” medical establishment.
 This
year's workshop will also include a strong research
component, the workshop
participants, Ecuadorian staff and faculty functioning as
co-designers and co-investigators, collecting specific data
on water and water
management, the presence of mosquito breeding habitats, and
community education in regard to water and mosquitoes
(transmitters of several pathogenic microbes including
malaria parasites and dengue virus). The research effort in
the 2006 workshop resulted in the presentation of two
posters at the annual meeting of the American Society of
Tropical Medicine & Hygiene.
The workshop language will be
English and Ecuadorian staff will be available for
translations.
The
multidisciplinary nature of the program makes it appropriate
for students interested in health and medicine, the
environment, international development, health education,
international relief work, biology, engineering, political
science, economics, sociology, anthropology, economics, and
others. Undergraduate, graduate and medical students
are encouraged to apply. Special
arrangements can also be made for faculty
interested in
program participation.
Students all higher education institutions in the United
States and abroad are eligible to apply.
Enrollment is limited to 16 participants. Admittance into
the program is at the discretion of TDI. Applications are
evaluated in the order they are received. Applicants are
notified within two weeks of the decision. Applications
received after the formal deadline which are deemed
acceptable will be placed on a waiting list. If necessary,
following the formal application deadline applications will
be accepted until all available slots are full.
Route proposed for 2008
A detailed itinerary with specific
activities will be distributed ONLY to participants and will be
announced in April 2008.
General description: After landing in Quito,
Ecuador's capital, we will travel to the heart of the rain
forest in the Upper Amazon Basin where we will visit several
areas in Napo province and conduct activities in rural
communities in the rain forest. We will then cross the Andes
mountains into the Coastal Region where we will visit
communities in Manabi Province near the Pacific Ocean. We
will visit the inter-Andean valleys, including the Otavalo
Indian market before returning to Quito.
Costs of the program
-
Program fee (~$1,100 to ~2,000) + cost of 5 UG credits
tuition or Non-credit fee (contact program director for
non-credit information) + $150 administrative fee.
-
Program fee and tuition will cover all participant's
expenses in country (food, lodging, transportation,
logistics, etc). Cost not covered include: souvenirs,
entertainment, telephone and internet access charges,
food while in route from USA to Quito to USA.
-
Airline ticket cost (participants are responsible for
arranging their own flight,
see
logistics page). Past participants have purchase tickets
from different cities in the USA to Quito from $450 to
$750, depending on dates and airline.
- Beyond
that, cash for souvenirs, etc. A backup credit card is a
good idea in the event of unforeseen expenses. You can
cash travelers checks in Quito, but are unlikely to be
able to do so at most of our other destinations.
Traveler’s checks are useless outside of the cities.
-
Participants that take place in more than one TDI
Sponsored program in Ecuador in summer 2008 will receive
a $200 discount in the program fee of one of them. For
information about other opportunities visit the
TDI Education Abroad page.
- Attend
information meetings (See announcements above) or
participate in conference calls.
- Send a
two copies of the completed
application from to
Office of International
Programs OUCOM,
221A Grosvenor Hall, Athens OH 45701.
Make the check to Tropical Disease Institute, Ohio
University.
-
Students will be notified of the decision in two weeks
after the receipt of their application materials.
- A non
refundable deposit will be required upon acceptance into
the program. The deposit will be applied to the program
costs and deducted from the participant’s bill:
OU - Participants will be given a deposit slip at the
Office of International Programs
OUCOM,
221A Grosvenor Hall, and will have
to pay a non-refundable deposit of $500 to the
Bursar's office (Chubb Hall). Cash, check or credit card
payments accepted.
Non-OU Participants will be asked to mail
non-refundable deposit of $500 to the
Office of International Programs
OUCOM,
221A Grosvenor Hall, Athens, OH 45701. Checks
are payable to Ohio University.
- Get
International Student ID (185 Lindley Hall, at education
abroad office at your home school or directly from STA)
- E-mail
a current picture showing your face as a jpg attachment
to the program director. This picture will be used for
the participants dossier.
- Get
passport (review expiration date)
- Get
vaccinations (Hudson Health Center or other health care
provider - appointments usually required)
-
Final payment will be billed by Ohio
University Prior to departure (Mid May to Early June).
Back
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Useful
information
Web
Journals from Previous years
Get a flavor of previous workshops in
Ecuador. Read the Web Journals from
Previous TDI Sponsored workshops.
Contact past participants.
Photo
Galleries
A picture is worth a thousand words. See a selection of
pictures submitted by past participants.
Funding Sources
for Students
Listing of internal and external funding sources for participation in TDI sponsored
programs.
What to
bring
A list of suggested supplies, clothing and other
items.
Travelers
Health Information
Vaccinations required, anti-malaria prophylaxis,
etc.
Logistics and
Safety
TDI programs have an excellent safety record.
See details about the logistical arrangements, email
access, etc.
Course
requirements
Course numbers, term papers, web journals, etc. |
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Other resources
Ecuador Links
Information about Ecuador: News and Media,
Tourism, Cities, Culture, etc.
Infectious Disease Links
Information about protozoan, bacterial, Viral
diseases and relevant organizations
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