1077-Romania-School Health Services and Public Health Practices in Cluj-Napoca, Romania: An Applied Research Placement in School Medicine

Educational objectives. Upon completion of the program, students will be able to:
•        Analyze and interpret health data collected from school populations, identifying key health indicators and trends.
•        Understand the role of public health professionals in the school setting, with a focus on health promotion and disease prevention.
•        Collaborate with multidisciplinary teams, including medical professionals and local government representatives, to improve health outcomes for children and youth.
•        Contribute to the design and implementation of health promotion campaigns targeting school-aged children and their communities.
•        Gain practical experience in the integration of health services within the educational system, enhancing their understanding of public health practices in diverse settings.
•        Reflect on the ethical considerations and challenges involved in working with vulnerable populations, particularly children, in a public health context.

The program is structured on eight weeks of office and field-work activities and feedback sessions with Dr. Ungureanu, the Department of Public Health coordinator. The program will be tailored to best-fit the interest of the participants and the needs of the social work environment.
The selected student will also work with Dr. Daniela Rajka, President of the Society of Physicians in Child and Youth Communities in Romania, and her team, as well as with representatives from the Social and Medical Services Directorate (DASM) and Cluj-Napoca City Hall. This role will involve hands-on experience in data collection and analysis of health indicators tracked within schools, along with opportunities to contribute to health promotion campaigns. Under the guidance of experienced physicians, the student will gain valuable insights through shadowing and active involvement in public health initiatives.

The program runs in Cluj-Napoca, Romania, a multicultural environment with a long-standing tradition as a leading academic center. Being located in the heart of Transylvania, the city of Cluj-Napoca has good travel connections with the rest of the country, but also internationally, being connected by direct low-cost flights with more than 20 European cities.
The Department of Public Health is a lively environment, with members having diverse professional and educational backgrounds – public health, medicine, political sciences, communication sciences, psychology. The department runs research in Romania and Central and Eastern Europe, as well as Central Asia, in which it is partnering with academic and non-academic institutions in Europe, North America and Africa.

Candidates who are interested in obtaining hands-on practice experience at the nexus between research and public health practice, supporting organizations that serve vulnerable and marginalized populations.  The candidate should be mature, curious, flexible, culturally competent, and be able to work independently as well as in collaboration.

Candidates should have a background in health systems (course work is acceptable but field experience and/or experience living abroad in low-resource settings are preferred) and possess analytical and evaluative skills, interpersonal and communication skills, organizational skills, efficiency and flexibility, and computer skills, including familiarity with Microsoft products (MS Word, Excel, PowerPoint), email software, internet searching engines, and other programs.

Name: Ligia Paina, lpaina@jhu.edu

I would describe my communication and mentorship styles as... 

dedicated and engaged mentor, committed to students gaining the skills and experience they need to be competent public health professionals; passionate about providing students with the support that they need while acclimating to new cultures and working environments, but also expect students to be critical thinkers and to take initiative in problem-solving. I enjoy working with students who are sensitive to cultural differences and who are dedicated to making a difference within the organizations in which they work and to the local communities served.

A complementary student would have a working style and mentorship expectations that are..

independent thinkers, have a growth mindset, take initiative, and can adapt to new environments. I believe in creating constructive, transparent, and respectful work environments. I value open and proactive communication styles and joint learning.

Estimated Costs:

The Global Health Program at Cluj (GHP) by design has a one-time facilitation/program fee of $2,500 USD for the 8-week placement, which has been exceptionally negotiated for the purpose of the GHEFP. This fee includes housing in one of the international students’ dorms, access to office spaces for the duration of the program (including office supplies, printing space and recording devices), mentoring form Dr. Ungureanu, his team and staff at the organizations collaborating with the Department of Public Health, on-site orientation and assistance. The fee does not include international travel, meals costs, personal effects, or incidentals. For an additional fee of $250, the GHP team can arrange a two-day excursion through some of Transylvania’s most picturesque urban and rural settings. Highlights include visits to Bran Castle (known as Dracula’s Castle), Peleș Castle, Cantacuzino Castle, as well as the charming medieval towns of Sighișoara, Brașov, and Biertan.

Meals: a meal at the students’ cafeteria would cost around 5 USD. In a restaurant, around 15-25 USD. Cooking at home is about $50 per week for groceries.
Local transportation: the easiest way to get around the city is by tram or bus; the price of a ticket is 0.75 USD per trip.
As such, in addition to the program fee, the estimated out of pocket cost of living is about $100/week or $400/month.

Additional support for PI:

Selected students will receive a stipend to offset some of the living costs associated with this site.