*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 an elective in primary care medicine 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 more information.
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Elective I (4 weeks)
PAS 650
The elective rotation is intended to provide the student with supervised experiential training in an area that he/she might have a special interest in bust was unable to experience during other clinical rotations.
About the Location
Toledo District is the southernmost district in Belize, and 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. It is home to a wide range of cultures- Mopan and Q'eqchi' Maya, Creole, Garifuna, East Indians, Mennonites, Chinese, Mestizos, and descendants of U.S. Confederate settlers. 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 little (if any) speak Spanish.
The Toledo district is the poorest of Belize's districts with 79% of the population living below the poverty line. Most of the Maya villagers live on subsistence farming and due to their diet, there is significant malnutrition leading to stunting of growth in almost 44% of the 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
Air travel to Belize; can take a bus to Punta Gorda but local airline (Tropic Air or Maya Island Air) is recommended (vs bus). The clinic provides transportation from town to clinic. Public transportation is available via bus.
Cost
Costs for study away vary program to program and will not be exactly the same as on-campus costs of attendance at Elon.
For cost information for this program, see the Elon DPAS Program Leader for 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 and share costs.
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 School of Health Sciences 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 SHS, GEC, GLO alumni, and prospective students on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter. And keep in touch with us using #SHSGLO and #ElonGlobal!
Program Leader:
Useful Links
Other Belize Travel Links
Hillside Links
Embassy, Consulate, and Visa Resources