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Global Health Program Migrant Farmworker Health Service-Learning

group photoVecinos mobile health vaninside the mobile health clinicmaking pizole

Migrant Farmworker Health Service-Learning (MFHSL) Group Program

  • Interdisciplinary SERVICE program (MD students, Public Health students, Medical Residents, SOM Faculty)
    • Cohort program (together for 8+ days)
    • Multiple days of volunteer work with Vecinos: a non-profit that supports agricultural workers and other uninsured/low-income adults in Western NC
    • Visit multiple farms to learn about the farms and assist with health checks or health education of the farmworkers
    • Meet with with a variety of local health professionals serving rural communities in Western NC
    • Experience cultural sites in Cherokee, NC and visit the Indian Health Service hospital
    • Spend time in the natural environment
    • Daily meals together/reflections

The MFHSL program is a service-learning focused program.  We learn, volunteer, prepare meals, eat, sweat, sleep, share bathrooms, laugh, cry, have fun, do house chores AND do debriefs/reflections together during program. The group is usually up by 8 am and we have completed with dinner/clean up at 9 pm each day.

Eligibility/Requirements

  • Applicants must be in good standing at UNC and participate fully on the program.
  • If accepted into the program, participants must be responsive to domestic program pre-departure requirements (and additional paperwork/communications), and attend any any pre-departure meetings and post-program meetings.
  • Participants must also help OGHE promote the program for the next year through info sessions and sharing their experience with others.

Program Capacity

The program has a capacity of 12 people for transportation (SUVs) and housing (Air BNB shared house)

Program Dates

Summer 2026 travel dates (subject to change):  Saturday, May 30-Sunday, June 6, 2026

Costs – $1,500 per person

Costs include:

  • Group transportation from/to Chapel Hill and throughout the program in Western NC
  • Housing for program (we live together in a group house/Air BNB)
  • At least two meals a day – breakfast and dinner and snacks (some lunches provided)
  • Costs for program related trips and sights (museum entrance fees, etc.)

Costs do not include:

  • Food not included/provided on program (some snacks)
  • Donations for charity (clothing, etc.)
  • Other supplies/personal items

For SOM MD and MD/MPH  and MD/PhD Students/Residents/Leaders – If accepted into the program, OGHE will cover the $1,500

For SPH MPH & PhD students-The School of Public Health may offer funding for the program that can be used to pay the program fees to OGHE.  Review the SPH internships and funding website or reach out to SPH contacts for more information on funding opportunities.

Information Session on the 2026 Program Details

  • Monday, October 27, 12-1 pm in Roper 4302 (with pizza)

Application Timelines

Spanish proficiency is not required, but highly useful. A willingness to try to learn and use Spanish to assist as needed is required.

Applicants should apply using the application for the MFHSL Summer Group Program.

  • 2026 Summer Application is available Oct 17-Nov 16, 2025 
  • Student Application Deadline 11:59 Sunday, Nov 16, 2025
  • LOR deadline November 23, 2025 
  • Notification by December 15, 2025

Application Link 

 

Contact/Next Steps

Contact OGHE to express interest in the program and for questions/next steps.  All participants must complete the pre-departure requirements as applicable for a US travel program. Previous participant contact information can also be provided upon request (some is listed below)

 

Some Past UNC Students on the MFHSL Program

See the Past Participants Chart for information on past students on this program.  Note prior to Summer 2025, this program travelled to the Arizona/Mexico border

Program Recommendations from Past Participants:

“GO! If you 1) want to LEARN about the migrant farmworker experience; 2) plan to work with rural/migrant/farmworker patients; or 3) want to further develop your ability to sit with patients in their experiences.”

“The biggest benefit of the program was learning about the migrant experience and its effects on the health of current and future patients and the wonderful relationships we built while learning to work well as a team.”

Other Information and Resources

 

  FM resident taking a bloodpressure