Pediatric Health
- Accommodations
- Meals
- Excursions & Activities
- Get to Know Your Destination
- Study Abroad Advisory of Student Risk
- Student Experience
Accommodations
You will be housed in a homestay with a local family in the Sopocachi Neighborhood, a central, upper middle-class neighborhood. Homestays are usually apartments in high rise buildings. There will be two to three students per homestay (own room), depending on number of students at program site. Homestays provide a unique opportunity to learn about local culture and practice Spanish skills daily in an informal setting.
UC Davis reserves the right to change the accommodation location. Should this be necessary, we will arrange alternative lodging. Please note that elevators, air conditioners and other modern conveniences may not be available in all locations.
Meals
Two meals a day are included in the program: breakfast and a late lunch (2 PM).
Excursions & Activities
Short excursions and day trips are included during orientation week.
Orientation Week Sample Schedule:
- 15 hours of Spanish classes
- Walking tour of downtown La Paz
- Welcome dinner and cultural show
- Field trip to the hospital to meet all preceptors and staff
- Lectures about Bolivian history, culture, politics, economy, and public health
- Day tour of Lake Titicaca and Tiwanaku ruin
Get to Know Your Destination
Bolivia has the highest percentage of indigenous peoples in Latin America. The Quechua and Aymara ethnic groups alone making up approximately half of the population of this diverse country. This program is based in the capital of La Paz, a cosmopolitan city confronting inequities between social classes and ethnic groups.
Nationwide indigenous groups have less access to public health insurance and only 30% of indigenous women give birth in hospitals. In Latin America, unequal access to healthcare is still the number one killer of moms and kids (World Bank). In the last 10 years, however, political changes have meant improved access to health and educational services including a focus on social services provided by the government for children and adolescents. You will see first-hand the challenges of providing healthcare and social services for children in resource-poor settings, many from indigenous communities with distinct cultural views and languages.
La Paz is dizzying in every respect, not only for its well-publicized altitude (3660m), but for its quirky beauty. Most travelers enter this extraordinary city via the flat sparse plains of the sprawling city of El Alto, an approach that hides the sensational surprises of the valley below. The first glimpse of La Paz will, literally, take your breath away. The city’s buildings cling to the sides of the canyon and spill spectacularly downwards. On a clear day, the imposing showy, snowy Mt Illimani (6402m) looms in the background.
Study Abroad Advisory of Student Risk
Participation in this UC Davis Study Abroad program requires travel to and extended living in a foreign location(s) abroad. UC Davis Study Abroad endeavors to reduce and mitigate risk wherever possible. However, the environments and risks associated with living in these locations are substantially different than those found during a regular course of study at UC Davis. All participants must download and review the following information prior to departure. Any questions should be directed to the Program Coordinator.
Student Experience
Global Learning Hub Student Blogs & Articles
Check out student blogs, global learning, and student life across a variety of program experiences.