Child Family Health International (CFHI) is a United Nations–recognized nonprofit that offers immersive, community-based Global Health Education Programs for students and emerging professionals. CFHI’s unique model emphasizes reciprocal partnerships with local health professionals and organizations, encouraging participants to grow in their understanding of health, culture, and global citizenship.
The CFHI Global Health Practicum is a structured, supervised, and evaluated experience that allows graduate and professional-level students to apply their skills in real-world global health settings. Practicums (also known as applied practice experiences or capstones) are guided by local preceptors and designed around community priorities using an asset-based, sustainable, and ethical engagement model. Experiences are tailored to meet university requirements and reflect student interests, and are designed to fulfill academic or professional competencies while producing meaningful deliverables.
Practicum Modalities:
- In-Person
- Virtual
- Hybrid
Key Themes:
- Primary Health Care
- Maternal & Child Health
- Nutrition & Food Security
- HIV/AIDS & Sexual Health
- Mental Health
- WASH
- Infectious Disease
- Health Systems & Policy
- Disability & Inclusive Health
- Palliative Care & Rehabilitation
- Implementation Science
- Community Outreach
Practicum Sites:
PHILIPPINES (In-Person & Virtual) Themes: Health Policy, Global Health Priorities, Rural & Remote Island Health
MUKONO, UGANDA (In-Person Only) Themes: Primary Health Care, Village Health Teams, WASH, NCDs, Community Outreach
KABALE, UGANDA (In-Person & Virtual) Themes: Nutrition, HIV/AIDS, Mental Health, Adolescent Health, Reproductive Health, Rural Clinics, School Health, Water & Sanitation, Immunization
DELHI, INDIA (In-Person & Virtual) Partners: Palliative Care, Maternal & Child Health, Rehabilitation
ACCRA & CAPE COAST, GHANA (In-Person & Virtual) Themes: Maternal & Child Health, Reproductive Health, Disability Rights, Infectious & NCDs, Health Professions Education, Implementation Science
TARIJA, BOLIVIA (In-Person Only) Themes: Vector-Borne Diseases, Maternal & Child Health, Women’s Health | Advanced Spanish required
LA PAZ, BOLIVIA (In-Person & Virtual) Themes: Maternal & Child Health, Disability, Neurodivergent Inclusion | Intermediate Spanish required
Program Fees: The CFHI program fee supports a fair-trade model, ensuring that host communities are compensated for their time and expertise. Fees vary by location, duration, and cover practicum coordination and oversight, pre-departure training, orientation, housing, 24/7 health and safety support, and more. CFHI is a nonprofit organization, and program fees are reinvested into sustaining ethical, community-based global health experiences.
How to get started: Contact Practicum Coordinator Mariah Blevins at Mariah@cfhi.org to schedule an intake call. This initial conversation will cover your objectives, academic requirements, interests, and preferred site/modality. As practicums typically take 3–5 months to arrange, we recommend reaching out early.