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Exploring Health Care (EHC) in Silicon Valley

Overview

Program Dates: August 4-16, 2024
Open to: University students studying in a health-related field (pre-med, pharmacy, nursing, public health, etc)
Location: Silicon Valley, with visits to San Francisco & Stanford University
Application Deadline: Summer Deadlines* - Round 1: May 5 | Round 2: May 19

*Spring 2025 program applicants also welcome to apply during the summer application cycle; spring 2025 program deadlines will be announced in fall 2024.


Over the course of 12 days, the Exploring Health Care (EHC) program brings together 15-20 students from medical universities around the world to explore a wide variety of health care topics, from organ transplantation and palliative care to public health and medical education. The health care system will be used as a lens to examine social and cultural challenges more broadly. As participants reflect on their own career goals as future health care professionals, they will receive mentorship from peers and health care experts in the US from diverse backgrounds.


Program Application

Continue reading below to learn more about the program, or click the blue APPLY button if you’re ready to start your application. After clicking the APPLY button, you will be taken to the application portal to create a user account. This will allow you to save your progress and return to continue your application at any time.

Details

Since launching the EHC program in 1996 in collaboration with Tokyo Women’s Medical and Tokyo Medical Universities, VIA has brought over 750 university students from Asia studying in various health care fields to Silicon Valley to explore issues related to culture, society, diversity, and innovation in the context of health care.

VIA Health Care Programs Overview (2024) by VIA Programs


Click on the section headings or ( + ) circles below to view more content:

In-Person Summer Program Costs

$4,100 USD* participation fee includes:

  • Accommodations (12 nights)
  • Local transportation to/from the airport and around the San Francisco Bay Area for program activities
  • Most scheduled activities
  • Welcome lunch & farewell dinner
  • 24-hour on-site staff support
Additional costs not included in the program fee:

  • International airfare (approx. $1,800 USD)
  • Travel insurance (approx. $25 USD)
  • Most meals (approx. $400 USD)
  • Optional activities (approx. $200 USD)
  • Personal shopping expenses ($100+ USD)
$4,100 USD* – Program Fee (Aug 2024)
$2,525+ USD – Additional costs (estimated)
$6,625+ USD – Total Cost to Participate (estimated)


*Participants who join multiple VIA programs are eligible for a $200 discount on every subsequent program participation.

Personal Health Expenses

Participants will be responsible for any medical testing, care, or additional travel costs associated with infection and treatment, including, but not limited to, the cost of modifying, extending, or cancelling any lodging or transportation arrangements before, during, or after the program.

Program Participation Fee Payment & Cancellation Policies

Invoice & Payment Deadline

If accepted to the program, you (or your university, if your university is paying on your behalf) will receive an invoice from VIA’s finance department with instructions to complete the payment within approximately one week of confirming your participation. Full payment is due 30 days from the invoice issue date. If the invoice is issued 30 days or less before the program start date, full payment is due when you receive the invoice.

Participant Cancellation

VIA will return 50% of the program fee if your cancellation is confirmed at least 30 days before the program start date. If you cancel less than 30 days before the program, we are unable to refund your program fee. Partial refunds will be considered in extenuating circumstances.

In-Person Program Modification or Cancellation

VIA may convert an in-person program to a virtual format at any time prior to the program start dates if travel and in-person activities are not possible due to natural disasters, including pandemics. If an in-person program is converted to a virtual format, VIA will return the amount of the in-person program fee paid that exceeds the virtual program fee of $900. The exact amount returned will reflect any program fee reductions applied to the participant’s fee.

If you choose to not participate in the virtual program, the participant cancellation policy will apply to the virtual program fee amount. If the program is cancelled entirely and a virtual participation option is not offered, you will receive a full refund.

“If you want to widen your thoughts, you should participate! There are a lot of chances to widen your thoughts and [meet] great friends in this program. This program changed my thoughts 180 degree.” – EHC Spring 2022 Participant

“Youths who are interested to explore about health care and try innovative ways should join this program as this program brings up many different kinds of health topics that are very useful in the medical field. And you can discuss whatever you think related with the topic and get the advice, suggestions from professionals and experts. And the learning environment is flexible, supportive, helpful and totally stress-free. You will gain more knowledge and idea than expected after the program. 100% recommended.” – EHC Spring 2022 Participant

“If you think you are not confident enough to express your ideas in English in front of others, I promise that this program is a great opportunity for you to gain some confidence. Actually I was in this kind of situation before this program, but great fellows ice-broke my mindset in a nice way and I felt myself changed successfully! I hope you will enjoy this program!” – EHC Spring 2022 Participant

“If you want knowledge on health care system, new insight, English skills…, there is no choice [but] to join EHC. You will definitely find all of them, and more. EHC is not a forum to show off your knowledge, skills, and respectable personality. Here is a place to find allies, be honest, be curious, try to understand each other, watch reality in healthcare, and hopefully take a first step towards brighter future of your career and healthcare!” – EHC Spring 2022 Participant

“EHC introduced me to people with various backgrounds, interests, and fields, and there were many new ideas and perspectives that made my eye open! It is a great opportunity to be brave and educate yourself!” – EHC Spring 2021 Participant

Application Timeline

There are multiple application deadlines for university students and professionals from all regions. Some universities also have a separate timeline, which will be listed below. This is to accommodate differences in everyone’s schedules and allow our staff time to review applications.

Application Process
Round 1
(US Time)
Round 2
(US Time)
 

Application Deadline May 5 May 19

Interviews  May 9 – 15 May 22 – 29

Results May 17 May 30

Participation Confirmation May 24 June 7

Spring 2025 Program Applications

Applicants interested in the spring OR summer program can apply during the spring application cycle. You will have the option to select which program(s) you are interested in at the beginning of the application. Deadlines for the spring 2025 program application cycle will be announced in fall 2024.

Sample Program Schedule

Although the schedule has not been finalized, we expect to have clinical English sessions, as well as visits and/or guest speakers from many of the same organizations from past years.


Pre-Program Orientation
The orientation session will take place a few weeks before the program, to provide an overview of the course and review of pre-departure preparation tasks (this session will be recorded).

Day 1: Arrival & Orientation
  • Arrival at San Francisco International Airport (SFO)
  • Welcome lunch & hotel check-in
  • Program orientation
  • San Francisco area tour in fellow groups
  • Dinner in fellow groups

Day 2: Medical Education
  • Breakfast
  • Icebreaker
  • Program Overview
  • Participant & Fellow self-introduction presentations
  • Lunch in Fellow Groups
  • Participant & Fellow self-introduction presentations
  • Setting Intentions & Goals
  • Panel Discussion: Medical Education in the US with US Medical Students
  • Dinner with US Medical Students
  • Reflection Session

Day 3: Homelessness & Health Care Disparities, Part 1
  • Breakfast
  • Icebreaker
  • Clinical English 1
  • Workshop: Humanizing Homelessness (Part 1)
  • Lunch
  • Volunteer with San Francisco charities providing access to health care for unhoused individuals.
  • Reflection
  • Dinner
  • Game night

Day 4: Health Care Disparities, Part 2
  • Breakfast
  • Icebreaker
  • Clinical English 2
  • Workshop: Humanizing Homelessness (Part 2)
  • Lunch
  • Introduction to the U.S. Health Care System
  • Fellow Presentation
  • Reflection
  • Dinner
  • Film Screening: Milk

Day 5: LGBTQ+ & Health Care Work-Life Balance, Part 1
  • Breakfast
  • Site Visit: Strut Clinic
  • Castro District Tour
  • Lunch
  • Clinical English 3
  • Fellow Presentation
  • Reflection
  • Dinner

Day 6: Health Care Work-Life Balance, Part 2
  • Breakfast
  • Icebreaker
  • Panel Discussion: Health Care Professionals’ Perspectives on Work-Life Balance
  • Lunch
  • Site visit: Stanford Anatomy Lab
  • Clinical English 4
  • Reflection
  • Dinner
  • Film Screening: Power of Two

Day 7: San Francisco Exploration Day

Day 8: Free Day

Day 9: Organ Transplantation
  • Breakfast
  • Icebreaker
  • Clinical English 5
  • Site Visit: Stanford Life Flight
  • Lunch
  • Fellow Presentation
  • Panel Discussion: Organ Recipients & Donor Family Members
  • Dinner with Panelists
  • Reflection

Day 10: Palliative Care & Women in Health Care
  • Breakfast
  • Icebreaker
  • Panel Discussion: Gender Bias in Health Care
  • Lunch
  • Site Visit & Panel Discussion on Palliative & Hospice Care: Mission Hospice & Mission House
  • Reflection
  • Dinner

Day 11: Mental Health
  • Breakfast
  • Icebreaker
  • Clinical English 7
  • Workshop: Self-Compassion & Mental Health
  • Lunch
  • Panel Discussion: Mental Health
  • Reflection
  • Dinner

Day 12: Reflection & Synthesis
  • Icebreaker
  • Reflection & Synthesis
  • Evaluation & Reflection
  • Free Afternoon
  • Celebration Dinner
  • Graduation Ceremony

Day 13: Departures

Minimum Participation Requirements

To be eligible to participate in the in-person program, you must:

  • Be at least 18 years of age at the beginning of the program.
  • Be eligible to receive travel authorization to enter and remain in the United States for the duration of the program.
  • Be able to provide proof of vaccination and/or health status required for entry to the US or re-entry to your home country that is in effect during your dates of travel. It is your responsibility to confirm which health-related regulations may apply to you.
  • Be willing to undergo diagnostic tests if experiencing symptoms of a communicable illness considered serious by public health officials or if required for site visits by the host institution. A positive test or inability to meet requirements for a site visit may limit your ability to participate in program activities and/or may necessitate self-isolation during the program.
  • Disclose any life-threatening or significant allergies, dietary restrictions, medical conditions or illnesses, and physical limitations as they relate to the program and listed activities.
  • Obtain overseas travel medical insurance and provide proof of insurance coverage to VIA prior to arriving in the United States.
  • Be committed to attending all activities, both before and during the program, and participating fully.

Application Process

To see if this program is a good match, we want to get to know you: your passion, motivation, interests, and experiences! Please share about yourself (in English) in the following sections:

  1. Personal & Contact Information – Share some basic information about yourself and your preferred contact details
  2. Academic & Professional Information – Share about your academic and professional experience
  3. Deeper Questions – Share your story and show your personality by answering the following short essay questions (up to 250 words each):
    • Why do you want to participate in the program? What do you hope to learn or achieve? What do you hope to contribute?
    • Describe 1-2 health care topics or issues you are interested in, and why they interest you. Possible topics include, but are not limited to: organ transplantation, free clinics for underserved communities, geriatrics, the healthcare system (including insurance), the medical education system, etc.
    • Why did you choose to become a health care professional? How do you hope this program will impact your studies and career?
    • Help us get to know you better by writing 1-2 paragraphs about your hobbies, your character, and your plans after graduation.
  4. Next Steps – ​Interview: The final step will be a 20-minute interview on Zoom with the Program Director. If your application is selected, the program director will follow up with you to confirm the interview time.

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