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Program Overview
Unite for Sight, a nonprofit organization founded by Yale alumna, Jennifer Staple-Clark '03, supports eye clinics worldwide by investing human and financial resources in their social ventures to eliminate patient barriers to eye care. All volunteers participating in Unite For Sight's international programs are Global Impact Fellows. They participate daily with local ophthalmologists, local optometrists, and local ophthalmic nurses to eliminate patient barriers to care and to facilitate comprehensive year-round eye care for patients living in extreme poverty. Through hands-on, structured training, volunteers gain a comprehensive understanding about best practice principles in volunteerism, global health, and international development. Global Impact Fellows gain skills and are nurtured to become new leaders in global health, and they receive a Certificate in Global Health & Program Delivery. They may also participate in the Global Impact Lab, an optional program for volunteers interested in pursuing global health research. Please visit Unite for Sight for additional information about the organization, including many videos about the programs.
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Requirements
- Period of Internship
A minimum participation of eight weeks is required in order to be eligible for Yale funding.
- Eligibility
Positions are open to current Yale College students not in their final year of study, and regardless of nationality. Unite for Sight accepts volunteers in their senior year, but those volunteers will not be funded by Yale.
- Fundraising
All volunteers raise at least $1,375 for Unite for Sight's international eye care programs. Unite For Sight volunteers have been very successful raising funds by asking family and friends, holding bakesales, running marathons, creating fundraising websites, and even bungee jumping! To help with fundraising efforts, Unite for Sight creates a personal donation fundraising page for all of its volunteers. (Please see Example 1 and Example 2)
- Training
All volunteers complete a series of training and other requirements after being accepted to the program, and prior to participating abroad. Complete details can be seen at http://www.uniteforsight.org/volunteer-abroad/program-requirements
- Pre-departure Requirements
Please visit the Unite for Sight Requirements page for a complete listing of requirements.
- Health and Safety Pre-departure Requirements
Participants will complete Yale's Travel Health & Safety requirements prior to the start of the internship. Depending on the internship location, pre-departure health requirements may include Yale Travel Clinic visits for vaccinations and medication. All program participants are required to have health insurance coverage that extends abroad.
Funding
Students receiving financial assistance from the University will be eligible to apply for the ISA grant to help defer costs. If requirements are met, a grant will also be provided to satisfy the expected student income contribution (SIC). Information about the ISA and additional funding resources are available in the Resources section of this site.
Costs & Finances
Participants are responsible for all costs incurred associated with the program (housing, meals, local transportation, incidentals, transportation to/from host country, medical insurance, work permit/visa). Information about the ISA and additional funding resources are available in the Resources section of this site. Costs for the expenses listed below are provided in the 2010 Program Expenses Budget (available in December).
- Housing, Transportation, and Meals
Housing arrangements are made by the Unite for Sight organization and may vary depending on the country/location. Detailed information is indicated within the specific locale websites posted in the Internship Locations section below.
- Health and Safety
Participants will complete Yale's Travel Health & Safety requirements prior to the start of the internship. Depending on the internship location, pre-departure health requirements may include Yale Travel Clinic visits for vaccinations and medication. All program participants are required to have health insurance coverage that extends abroad.
Internship Locations
Interns will work alongside local eye doctors to provide eye care and eliminate patient barriers to care. The Unite For Sight program is an immersive global health experience that provides a high-impact service opportunity while receiving training in global health. Please visit the program sites below for specific program details.
Select the following program site links to learn more about these locations.
Be sure to note the program choice (s) on your application. If you have more than one selection, please rank your choices.
Africa
- Accra and Kumasi Region, Ghana
A minimum participation of 8 weeks is required. In Ghana students may select the seven-week program; volunteers must select more than one session.
- May 1-10
- May 1-15
- May 10-20
- May 20-30
- May 1-30
- June 1-10
- June 10-20
- June 20-30
- June 1-30
- July 1-10
- July 10-20
- July 20-30
- July 1-31
- August 1-10
- August 10-20
- August 20-30
- August 1-30
- Varying Rural Villages, Ghana
A minimum participation of 8 weeks is required; volunteers must select more than one session.
- May 10-30
- June 1-30
- July 1-31
- August 1-20
- August 20- Septeber 10
Asia
- Chennai, India
A minimum participation of 8 weeks is required; volunteers must select more than one session. For this location, pursuing a research study is necessary in order to stay for more than 4 weeks. Research study topics include patient barriers to care, patient perceptions about medication, and other important global health topics.
- May 1-10
- May 10-20
- May 20-30
- May 1-30
- June 1-10
- June 10-20
- June 20-30
- June 1-30
- July 1-10
- July 10-20
- July 20-30
- July 1-30
- August 1-10
- August 10-20
- August 20-30
- August 1-30
- Orissa, India
A minimum participation of 8 weeks is required; volunteers must select more than one session. For this location, pursuing a research study is necessary in order to stay for more than 4 weeks. Research study topics include patient barriers to care, patient perceptions about medication, and other important global health topics.
- May 1-15
- May 15-30
- June 1-15
- June 15-30
- July 1-15
- July 15-30
- August 1-15
- August 15-30
Application Information
Please visit the program sites for specific program details. Be sure to note the program choice (s) on your application. If you have more than one selection, please rank your choices.
The instructions are involved; do not wait until the last minute to begin your preparation. Need your resume and cover letter reviewed? Stop by UCS during open hours.
- Application Instructions
Applicants will complete a form on-line to apply directly to Unite for Sight. In addition, two letters of reference are required which should be submitted directly on Unite For Sight's Online Recommendation Form (see Unite For Sight application for details).
- Selection Process
Selections are made within 3 days of receipt of the completed application including letters of recommendation. To confirm participation in the program the applicant must submit a reimbursable deposit and Volunteer Agreement to Unite for Sight within 5 days of internship selection.
Program Expectations
Participants should plan to work full time, or as required by the local Unite for Sight partner eye clinic for the entire length of the internship.
Applicants should be resourceful, flexible, motivated, and responsible persons. You must be comfortable in an unfamiliar setting, open and accepting of new experiences and culture other than your own. Participants need to take their commitment seriously and be comfortable with the responsibilities attendant with your role as a "Yale ambassador."
Upon returning to campus, interns may be asked to assist in publicizing the program at panels, workshops that UCS hosts or participates in. Though this is on a voluntary basis, our expectation is that you will be involved.
Questions?
Send your inquiries to abroad.ucs@yale.edu. Program specific questions may be sent to jstaple@uniteforsight.org. Be sure to note in the Subject line of your e-mail "Yale UCS/Unite for Sight ".
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