STARS
Summer Training on Applied Research and Service-Learning Program
Stars
About the Program
The Summer Training on Applied Research and Service-Learning program (STARS) is a joint research initiative between Ohio University (OU) and the Pontifical Catholic University of Ecuador (PUCE). STARS builds on 22 years of education abroad, emphasizing community-based training and applied research in rural communities of Latin America.
The STARS program is an international exchange where students collaborate with global researchers and peers to initiate projects of research. Students receive support from the Center for Research on Health in Latin America (CISeAL), the Infectious and Tropical Disease Institute (ITDI), and OU, including facility access, library resources, and prior research.
With over 1000 participants and 90+ research projects resulting in 100+ publications, the STARS program blends fieldwork with academic research. STARS uses a multidisciplinary and multinational approach to produce projects and solutions in health, infrastructure, and economic development.
Acting as a catalyst for innovative solutions, STARS supports the Healthy Living Initiative (HLI) in southern Ecuador, promoting sustainable development with a global perspective.
STARS is designed to enhance student's educational experience, build cultural competence, and offer research and career opportunities in global health, economic development, and international relations.
Program Objectives
STARS proposes a strong international education experience looking forward to
- Strengthening and expanding multidisciplinary international experiences and opportunities for researchers and students
- Developing research skills and competent citizens in an interconnected and culturally diverse work environment
- Providing intensive experiential educational training programs in the context of collaborative projects in health, infrastructure, and economic development
- Providing students with the experience and concepts of a bottom-up approach in development by working with local communities, and
- Promoting diversity, inclusion, equity and equality, and well-being.
Opportunities
The STARS program offers the following opportunities
-
For Medical StudentsA unique experience to strengthen your residency apllications by conducting health related research, shadow clinicians in public and private facilities, and engage with local communities in service learning activities.
-
For Graduate StudentsAn opportunity to plan, conduct research, and implement your graduate capstone project while engaging with local communities in service learning activities. Real projects that make a difference!
-
For Undergraduate StudentsAn opportunity to conduct multidisciplinary research, participate in a cross-cultural learning experience and engage with local communities in service-learning projects. Earn 5 credit hours.
Partners
As part of the multidisciplinary and multinational approach, the STARS+ program works with Partners of the Americas, the Center for Research on Health in Latin America (CISeAL), the Pontifical Catholic University of Ecuador (PUCE), the Infectious and Tropical Disease Institute (ITDI), and Ohio University.
Dates
Applications for STARS 2024: TBD