Naturopathic doctors, acupuncurists, herbalists, medical students, and allied health care professionals that wish to volunteer are encouraged to attend one of our 10-day international global service learning trips.
OUR COURSES ARE NOW CE CERTIFIED thru the Oregon Board of Naturopathic Examiners for 60 HOURS (including 3 Pharmacy Hours!). Our 10 day CE Course Fee is $1500 for health professionals; student discounted price $1300. Participants work with naturopathic doctors, work with local farmers, collaborate on NDI community outreach projects and have a chance to immerse themselves in the island culture of
Ometepe. Courses are held 4-6 times per year. Check our
calendar for upcoming trips and an application!
What Can I Expect?
What is the “Natural Medicine in Global Health” course like? The NDI program offers participants a one-of-a-kind service learning opportunity to experience the unique combination of Nicaragua, naturopathic medicine, and teaching methods developed by Paulo Freire. The NDI course combines classes in global economics and naturopathic medicine and global health, combining popular education with medical service learning. Doctors get clinical training in tropical medicine, medical students get to preceptor and other partipants help in community projects and other clinic services.
How We Teach
Three forms of learning are utilized in our courses: experiential, observation in a medical setting, and didactic. The mixture of preceptorship and community project work allow participants to observe patients and work side-by-side with farmers. Living with locals in their homes give participants a glimpse into the reality of life in a developing country like few experiences offer. Students receive hands on training working with naturopathic and local doctors and attend classes on global health, economics, and history.
How We Process
It is very important to us that our students not only have an incredible experience, but are given tools to process the experience. NDI group processing sessions allow participants to delve more deeply into issues and feelings that arise in global health situations. These sessions allow participants to more fully integrate their experience when they return home. Daily group “check-in”, “reflection” and “insights” provide additional learning opportunities for participants. Check-ins create a space for participants to share feelings. Reflection sessions raise and disuss difficult questions. “Insights” focus on sharing sacred/creative/contemplative space where participants can share a moment of silence, prayer, thoughtful contemplation, poem or song. All three exercises create space for participants to integrate and evaluate their physical, mental, emotional and spiritual experience.
