SIFH: The Global Health Fellowship That Transforms Students Into Real-World Changemakers

Understanding global health is not something you learn from a textbook,  it’s something you live.
FIMRC’s Summer International Health Fellowship (SIFH) is designed exactly for that: to immerse students, pre-meds, public health majors, and healthcare professionals in a month-long, intensive, hands-on global health experience in our sites in Peru and Uganda.

Through clinical shadowing, community outreach, research, workshops, and project implementation, fellows gain a deep understanding of how health systems operate in underserved and vulnerable populations — while becoming active contributors to sustainable change.

Whether you are exploring a future in medicine, public health, research, or global development, SIFH equips you with the cultural competence, practical skills, and global perspective that modern healthcare demands.

What Is the SIFH Program?

The Summer International Health Fellowship is a comprehensive, academically grounded program that blends:

• Public health education
• Community-based learning
• Clinical observation
• Project development and implementation
• Research and case studies
• Cross-cultural immersion
  

Fellows work side by side with FIMRC’s local teams to understand the challenges faced by medically underserved communities and help address the social and structural determinants that impact health and wellness.

The curriculum aligns with major frameworks in global health, including:

• United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)
• National health policies of Peru and Uganda
  
• Environmental and sanitation guidelines
  
• Nutrition, hygiene, and community health priorities
  

A Four-Week Journey Into Global Health

Each week of SIFH is designed to build specialized knowledge, practical skills, and cultural awareness.

Week 1 — Nutrition & Public Health in Low-Resource Settings

Fellows explore the nutritional landscape of Peru and Uganda, diving into:

• National dietary guidelines
  
• Childhood malnutrition and anemia
  
• Food insecurity and socioeconomic barriers
  
• Community kitchens and early childhood centers
  
• Health center observations and nutritional screenings
  

You will see firsthand how nutrition influences child development and long-term wellness, and how community programs can help reduce preventable diseases.

Week 2 — WASH: Water, Sanitation & Hygiene

Access to clean water and proper sanitation remains a critical public health challenge in both Peru and Uganda. Fellows examine:

• Hygiene-related illness and prevention
  
• Local water systems and sanitation barriers
  
• Environmental health risks
  
• Community hygiene practices
  
• Household-level behavioral change strategies
  

Through field visits, workshops, and shadowing, you will understand how WASH impacts disease transmission and day-to-day health in underserved communities.

Week 3 — Oral Health & Preventive Care

Oral care is often overlooked in global health — yet it shapes overall wellness. Fellows learn about:

• Barriers to dental care access
  
• Social and cultural perceptions of oral hygiene
  
• School-based oral health promotion
  
• Preventive screenings and health campaigns
  

Your work may include leading oral hygiene workshops for children, assisting in community outreach, and participating in public health initiatives that improve access to care.

Week 4 — Environmental Impact on Health

Fellows explore the link between environmental sustainability and population health by learning about:

• Medical waste management
  
• Climate-related health risks
  
• Ecological conservation
  
• Environmental policies in Peru and Uganda
  
• Community-based environmental health initiatives
  

This week highlights how healthcare systems and environmental systems are deeply interconnected — and why sustainable practices matter for global health.

What Fellows Learn: Guiding Principles of SIFH

SIFH is rooted in five core principles:

1. Cultural Sensitivity

Fellows learn to adapt, listen, and respect the customs and learning styles of the communities they serve.

2. Engagement

Workshops are interactive and creative, transforming public health education into an empowering experience for children and families.

3. Empowerment

Fellows help communities build sustainable habits that improve health long after the month-long program ends.

4. Sustainability

The goal is long-term impact — designing interventions that communities can maintain independently.

5. Confidentiality & Ethics

Fellows uphold the highest standards of professionalism, maintaining privacy and trust in all patient interactions.

Why SIFH Changes Lives: What Past Fellows Say:

“Bududa embraced us with generosity and love.”

“My fellowship in Uganda was one giant blessing. The relationships and resilience I witnessed will stay with me forever.” 
Cindy Stanton, 2019

“From shadowing specialists to newborn triage — I learned more than I imagined.”

“Peru opened my eyes to global health. I even learned to suture and saw live operations.” 
 Khristina Cassanova, 2019

“One of the best experiences I’ve ever had.”

“The staff ensured I had the best clinical and community opportunities. I’m grateful for everything I experienced.” 
Crystal Valente, 2019

These testimonials reflect what makes SIFH exceptional: meaningful work, cultural immersion, clinical growth, and unforgettable human connections.

A Cultural Experience Beyond the Classroom

SIFH isn’t only about clinical work and public health.
Fellows also participate in:

• Cultural excursions
  
• Community activities
  
• Local gastronomy experiences
  
• Visits to historical sites
  
• Outdoor adventures (mountains, waterfalls, trekking, etc.)
  

By the end of the program, fellows leave with:

• New friendships
  
• A deep respect for local communities
  
• A strengthened passion for global health
  
• A broader worldview shaped by real-life experience

Why Join SIFH?

Because if you want to:

✔ Gain real experience in global health
✔ Learn directly from local professionals
✔ Strengthen your clinical and public health skills
✔ Immerse yourself in a new culture
✔ Contribute to sustainable, community-centered programs
✔ Grow personally, academically, and professionally

Ready to Begin Your Global Health Journey?

Whether you choose Peru or Uganda, the SIFH Fellowship will challenge you, inspire you, and prepare you to become a leader in global health.

If you’re ready to take the next step to learn, to serve, to grow, and to make a real impact.

Then SIFH is waiting for you.

For more information: HERE