We are excited to announce that one of our Ambassador Brigade Fellows, Justin Trop, and his faculty mentor, Dr. Mellissa Withers are offering an amazing practicum opportunity that will take place in Santiago, Chile as part of the research project titled, “Migrant Visions and Voices: A Community-Based Participatory Approach to Health Needs Assessment and Intervention Design in Chile” funded by CenHealth. Below you will find information about this practicum opportunity.
SCHOOL OF PUBLIC HEALTH OF THE UNIVERSITY OF CHILE
SANTIAGO, CHILE
Interested in learning about community-based participatory research and/or migrant health?
Do you speak Spanish?
Learn about Photovoice! Spend 1-3 months in Chile in Spring 2017.
Background and Project Introduction: In the past 10-15 years, Chile has witnessed a significant influx of migrants, largely from other Latin American countries. While these migrants may be offered access to education and health care, they may face discrimination and other migration-associated challenges that can impact health. Thus, there exists a need for studies of this population, particularly given the complexity of migration as a social determinant of health. Although there have been studies examining the sociodemographics and health of this population from epidemiologic perspectives, little work has been done in applying qualitative community-based participatory research methods.
Justin Trop, a third-year USC medical student, and Dr. Mellissa Withers, Professor in the USC Institute for Global Health, are carrying out a project in Santiago, Chile, entitled “Visions and voices of international migrants in Chile: an evaluation of health needs use community-based participatory research methods.” The general objective is to explore community perspectives on the migrant experience in Santiago, Chile, as they relate to health and the community’s social situation. To achieve this objective, Justin and Dr. Withers are working in collaboration with the School of Public Health of the University of Chile and the local government to implement two major activities:
- A survey, administered door-to-door in a predominantly migrant neighborhood, assessing sociodemographics, health status, health needs, and social determinants of health
- A interactive, photography-based health needs assessment in which migrant community members receive training in Photovoice techniques, capture their community’s situation through photos, and ultimately bring to the forefront not only the community’s weakness, but also its strengths
Practicum Opportunity: We are looking for masters students who are interested in qualitative research, migration, social determinants of health, and community-based, collaborative work. Students would join the research team and work directly with Justin, Dr. Withers, and their colleagues. Justin is currently on the ground in Chile. In terms of your specific contribution to the project, there is some flexibility. Please see “Your Role” below for more details. There is no stipend available, nor are room and board covered. However, Justin can assist you in finding reasonably-priced accommodations in Santiago and getting settled.
Role of Student: Some examples of how your participation could take form include:
- Administration of oral, in-person surveys in the migrant community of study with team
- Survey data management and statistical analysis
- Completion of a relevant literature review
- Participation in community advisory board meetings and other research team gatherings
- Participation in Photovoice trainings and discussion sessions
- Collection of biographies from Photovoice participants
- Creation of narrated photo slideshows demonstrating the works of Photovoice participants
- Assistance in organizing and carrying out the exhibition of photos
Requirements: Students interested participating in the practicum opportunity should be fluent in Spanish. Additionally, we are looking for students who work well in teams and are independent, adaptable, and committed. Commitment is 4 weeks or more in-country. Project runs until June 2017.
Please contact Justin Trop (trop@usc.edu) and Dr. Mellissa Withers (mwithers@usc.edu) for more information.