The Health Service Internship is a 3-unit, semester long internship that places students in health related community organizations throughout the Bay Area, with emphasis on public health. In the past, organizations have ranged across a very broad spectrum, such as therapeutic nursery schools, shelters, AIDS clinics, environmental health publications and more. Intern duties can also differ greatly and are determined mostly by the organizations. Examples include one-on-one patient casework, writing public health radio campaigns, policy analysis, STD testing and more.

This program, as its name implies, is inherently concerned about the well being of the world around us. This program's focus is not centered on illness per se. Rather, the goal of HSI is to consider health and well-being in terms of social, political and economic factors. HSI encourages students to be creative and thoughtful in their attempts to make contributions. HSI has been a part of HMAP for 14 semesters, and it has evolved to become faithful and sincere in presenting and developing the definition of public health. HSI strives to provide an opportunity for students to gain a greater insight into program and policy development, administration, and direct service provision than they would be able to obtain through common volunteer experience. A goal equally important is to provide organizations with dedicated interns who have the energy and creativity to make significant contributions to their programs. The internship experience is supplemented and enhanced by a weekly, small group discussion. Topics discussed this past semester included the roles of mass media, community, education, public policy, culture and personal development in determining health, and how public health has addressed issues of violence, sex education, homelessness, AIDS, and mental health. Interns also round table about their experiences at their own placement, allowing them to learn from each others’ experiences and provide personal insight into the week’s topic.

There are no prerequisites for HSI and anyone may apply.

HSI is sponsored by the School of Public Health and is an ASUC Student-Initiated Service Group.

** Applications for HSI Spring 2010 are now being accepted. DUE Oct. 30 @ 5pm in 309 Eshleman