*Please note: Applicants must have a confirmed clinical slot prior to submitting a GLO application. Please confirm your clinical education slot with the clinical education team prior to applying for a GLO.
Program Description
This program provides physical therapy in a unique interdisciplinary setting that includes home health, outpatient, mobile clinics, and community education while students are exposed to a new culture. See Hillside Healthcare international website for
Rehabilitation Education.
DPT 7981 Clinical Practicum II (4 credits)Second 8-week, full-time clinical education requirement integrated into the 3-year DPT curriculum designed to provide the student opportunity to apply knowledge and skills acquired during Year I and II. Clinical settings for DPT 7981 (Clinical Practicum II) and DPT 8980 (Clinical Practicum III) will be selected so the student meets the Acute Care, Rehabilitation settings, and/or neuromuscular patient diagnoses requirements as defined in the APTA Guide to Physical Therapist Practice.
DPT 8980 Clinical Practicum III (4 credits)Third 8-week, full-time clinical education requirement integrated into the 3-year DPT curriculum designed to provide the student opportunity to apply knowledge and skills acquired during Year I and II. Clinical settings for DPT 704 (Clinical Practicum II) and DPT 711 (Clinical Practicum III) will be selected so the student meets the Acute Care, Rehabilitation settings, and/or neuromuscular patient diagnoses requirements as defined in the American Physical Therapy Association’s Guide to Physical Therapist Practice.
DPT 8200 Advanced Clinical Practice Selective Track: GLO (6 credits)Continued study in selected topic areas including the broad spectrum of primary clinical practice settings. Generally, students focus on 1 of 3 areas: musculoskeletal, neuromuscular rehabilitation or research or students may request an independent study in physical therapy (including a Global Learning Opportunity). Emphasis will be on continued development of clinical and research skills to prepare students for today’s demanding health care environment. Requires advanced approval (by the beginning of Year III of the DPT curriculum) of the GLO Coordinator.
About the Location
Toledo District is the southernmost district in Belize and is the center of the Mayan population of Belize. Punta Gorda is the district capital. Toledo is the most sparsely populated and the least developed region in the country. It covers an area of almost 1,700 square miles and has a population of more than 30,000 people. It is home to a wide range of cultures - Mopan and Q'eqchi' Maya, Creole, Garifuna, East Indians, Mennonites, Chinese, Mestizos, and Europeans.1 It is often referred to by locals as "the forgotten land." The official language of Belize is English. However, many people speak Mopan and Q'eqchi' Maya, Creole. Very few people speak Spanish unless you get closer to the Guatemalan border.
According to the last national assessment of poverty in 2009, the Toledo district is the poorest of Belize's districts with 60.4% of the population living at or below the poverty line.1 Most of the Maya villagers live in rural areas and live on subsistence farming and due to their diet, there is significant malnutrition leading to stunting of growth in children. Although Punta Gorda and the larger villages on the main road have amenities, many of the villages do not have electricity or running water.
Transportation Needs
The major airlines travel into Belize city, Belize. To get to Punta Gorda, a bus from Belize City airport will take 7 hours on a scenic route for a very economical rate ($13 in 2020). Local airlines (Tropic Air or Maya Island Air) fly small commuter planes of 12 – 15 passengers and make multiple stops for an hour trip. ($120-$300 in 2020) Public transportation via bus is available in Punta Gorda to and from the clinic. The public bus is regular during the weekdays and economical. The clinic provides transportation from town to clinic for groceries and work.
View the
Hillside website for more information.
Information from:
2009 Country Poverty Assessment. Belize Poverty Assessment, 2010. http://www.ncabz.org/wp-content/uploads/2015/05/Country-Povert-Assessment.pdf accessed 10/13/2020
Dates and Deadlines
Applications open: -
Applications close: -
Cost
Costs for study away vary program to program and will not be the same as on-campus costs of attendance at Elon.
For cost information for this program, see the Hillside application for course fees.
Food, open time to explore, tours, extra activities are not included in the program fees.
Insurance
Liability Coverage
Under the current University liability insurance policy, students will be covered by University liability insurance when participating in an approved GLO program.
Housing
Students stay on site at Hillside in Abby’s House. This is a dormitory: two-person rooms, shared kitchen, and shared common area. Shared by PT, Pharmacy, Medical and PA students. Students tend to prepare meals together.
Very limited internet/Wi-Fi access.
Requirements
- Students must complete the online application and pre-departure and post-departure learning modules by the published deadline.
- Students must apply to Hillside in addition to the GLO application, completing the online applications by the published deadlines.
- Students must remain in good academic and professional standing to qualify for participation.
- Students on academic or professional probation are not permitted to participate.
- All GLO students are required to present their experiences at the SHS Annual Global Engagement and Research Forum.
Orientation
Prior to applying, all candidates are expected to meet with the program leader.
Additional Information and Links
Connect with the GEC, GLO alumni, and prospective students on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter. And keep in touch with us using #ElonGlobal and #ElonDPTGLO!
Program Leader: Dr. Melissa Scales
Assistant Professor of Physical Therapy Education
Gerald L. Francis Center 100O
2085 Campus Box Elon, NC 27244
336-278-6358
mscales3@elon.edu
Useful Links
Other Belize Travel Links
Hillside Links
Embassy, Consulate, and Visa Resources