Program location
Mayaguez is the largest city on Puerto Rico's west coast with a total population of approximately 100,000 inhabitants. The city is located 98 miles from San Juan, the island's capital city. The harbor at Mayaguez is the second largest on the island.
Climate/weather
Puerto Rico has a tropical climate at lower elevations and a subtropical at higher elevations. Both temperature and rainfall are affected by the NE trade winds. Humidity is relatively high in summer and most rainfall occurs between May and December. Average annual precipitation varies from 1,550 mm (161 inches) in the north to 910 mm (36 inches) in the south. Average temperature ranges from 81degrees Fahrenheit in July to 75 degrees Fahrenheit in January.
Mailing address
Bella Vista Hospital, Apartado 1750, Mayaguez 00681, Puerto Rico
Street address: Carr. 349, Km 2.7, Cerro Las Mesas, Mayaguez, PR 00680
Rotations will be arranged by Mrs. Hernandez and facilitated by hospital physicians. Students are required to provide a copy the insurance policy that will cover them on external rotations.
Site size
The Bella Vista Hospital is a comprehensive 127,055 square-foot facility with 199 licensed beds and is recognized as one of the health-care leaders in Puerto Rico and the Caribbean. The hospital has more than 200 physicians representing over 30 specialties. The hospital has served as the flagship facility of the Bella Vista Health System and serves a market of over 500,000 people in the west and southwest region of the island.
Services offered at the site
Program details
Languages
The official languages are Spanish, which is spoken by the majority of the population, and English, which is also widely understood.
Accommodations
The Bella Vista Hospital can accommodate two students of the same sex in a hospital room. The cost for the room is $150 per month. The hospital will not be responsible for providing meals for participants. However, the hospital will offer discounts on meals purchased in the hospital cafeteria. Participants may have the possibility of cooking their own meals.
Transportation to site
Participants are responsible for arranging their own air travel to Mayaguez, Puerto Rico. Once students arrive in the Mayaguez airport, they should plan to take a taxi to the Bella Vista Hospital. The fee for the taxi will average $10.00. When students arrive at the hospital, they should go directly to Administration Office, where the SIMS contact person will be awaiting their arrival. This person will help students become oriented to the site.
Eligibility
This site recruits students and professionals in the following health professions: international public health, health promotion, nutrition/dietetics, medical records, and other health-related fields.
Program fee
Program fees include food, lodging, and transport from the arrival airport to the site. Program fees do not include air travel or personal travel while in the country. The following costs are based on a four-week stay and subject to change in conjunction with the site.
| Housing cost: | $5.00/night |
| Food cost: | $10.00/day |
| Transport to site fee: | $10.00 each way |
| Estimated total cost: | $470.00 |
Country information
http://welcome.topuertorico.org/
Entry requirements
http://travel.state.gov/travel/tips/brochures/brochures_1229.html#p
Last Revised: Fri, Feb 16, 2007
