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The Peru Learning Abroad Program faculty-led program is a three-week summer program based in Trujillo, Peru, a country in Latin America, a country in Latin America, which is composed of desert, mountain and rainforest regions. While it enjoys vigorous economic growth, its poverty rate is estimated at 40%. These factors combine to make Peru an ideal place for students with or with a background or interest in health to learn about the cultural, social and health issues currently facing Latin America. Students will be able to observe, interact and work directly with academicians from both the U of U and Peru, as well as community members and graduate students to understand and improve the overall health conditions locally and participate in field work programs that focus on community health development. Since we are working with the local population Spanish speaking skills are a great help, but is not required.

QUICK INFO:

Location: Trujillo, Peru

Program Length:
      3 weeks

Number of Credits:
      4 credits

Eligibility:
      The Program is open to all UofU students and
      Non-UofU students

DATES:

TBD for Summer 2025

Application Deadline: February 15, 2025

PROGRAM COST (estimate):

TBD

    • Lima, Peru
       
    • Trujillo, Peru
      Trujillo, Peru is a coastal city in northern Peru on the seaward edge of the vast desert plain at the mouth of the Moche Valley. It is the 3rd largest city in Peru, yet the town, founded in 1534 by Diego Almagro on the orders of Francisco Pizarro, retains the Spanish colonial feel of a much smaller town. Peru as a country is currently dealing with the double burden of disease, the transition from mortality from mostly infectious diseases to mortality caused by mostly chronic diseases. Trujillo is a true Peruvian city with little tourism making it an ideal location to learn and embrace local culture and to build cross cultural understanding.
       
    • Cusco, Peru
    Scott Benson
    L. Scott Benson, MD, MPH, PhD
    Main Director
    Division of Public Health
    Family and Preventive Medicine
    Lisa Gren
    Lisa H. Gren, PhD, MSPH
    Co-Director
    Division of Public Health
    Family & Preventive Medicine

    Pending approval

      • The Division of Public Health is currently building relations with Universidad Cesar Vallejo University, local universities, community leaders and various health facilities to enhance collaborative efforts and support joint public health education and research.

        Trujillo, Peru is a coastal city in northern Peru on the seaward edge of the vast desert plain at the mouth of the Moche Valley. It is the 3rd largest city in Peru. Peru as a country is currently dealing with the double burden of disease, the transition from mortality from mostly infectious diseases to mortality caused by mostly chronic diseases. Trujillo is a true Peruvian city with little tourism making it an ideal location to learn and embrace local culture and to build cross cultural understanding. While it enjoys vigorous economic growth, its poverty rate is estimated at 40%. These factors combine to make Peru an ideal place for learning and service. It has the geography to provide varied medical experience and it has the economy to support lasting improvement. Like other regions of Latin America, Peru suffers from disease, poverty, and other pressing social issues.

      • Typically, projects are broadly related to research or service. Where possible, students will have the opportunity to review various projects in order to match their interests or skills to a particular activity. See below for examples of new, ongoing and past research and activities:

        • COVID-19 antibody testing and s survey assessing their knowledge, beliefs, attitudes, and practices surrounding COVID-19.
        • WASH (water, sanitation, and hygiene)
        • As we re-energize past relationships with the University of Cesar Vallejo and build new relationships with community stakeholders, the documentation of the process itself it worth planning, implementing and evaluating.
        • Antimicrobial Resistance among Potential Human Pathogens in Water and Sanitation Systems.
        • Antimicrobial Resistance in stool
        • Mental Health screening of adolescents and survey of available resources
        • Maternal/Child Health Surveillance and Education with District Health
        • Adolescence Health
        • Heart Health

    Scott Benson, MD, PhD, MPH

    Faculty Director

    Kyra Solis

    Abby Holdaway

    Recruiting Coordinator

    abby.garlock@utah.edu
    801-581-8858