Project Asian Health Education and Development (AHEAD) is a 9-week summer internship program designed to provide training and firsthand experience to undergraduate students interested in pursuing healthcare careers. Project AHEAD 2024 will take place from Monday, June 10, 2024 through Friday, August 09, 2024 and will be located in lower Manhattan.

Our goals are:

• To increase interns' interest in and awareness of the history and dynamics of the New York Asian American community, as well as the particular needs, challenges, and strengths of Asian American communities
• To provide exposure to community health and its various components, including primary care, social work, health education, programming, and research at a federally qualified health center
• To motivate the next generation of community health leaders to serve historically excluded communities and eliminate health disparities
• To help interns develop a better understanding of themselves as individuals and as valued contributing members to their communities

The program consists of:

• Professional development (e.g., mentoring, resume review, mock interviews, and some clinical shadowing)
• Seminars and workshops on health-related topics and research skills led by CBWCHC staff and community partners
• Implementation of a team-based community health project on a predetermined topic that supports the patients and communities served by CBWCHC. 

What is community health?
Community health focuses on the promotion, protection, and preservation of the social, emotional, mental, and physical health and wellbeing of individuals and communities. Achieving community health involves a wide range of activities, including but not limited to:

• Identifying health risks, needs, and strengths of communities through research and fieldwork;
• Developing, implementing, promoting, and/or evaluating programming, services, and other strategies to promote health and prevent diseases; and
• Advocating for communities on aspects related to health.

The community health project (CHP) may center on one of any of the above activities. At the end of Project AHEAD internship, all interns are expected to collaborate on a research report and presentations.  

Stipend:

Interns will receive a $5,000 stipend for the summer program. CBWCHC will not be responsible for housing accommodation, food, or travel expenses. If accepted applicants are not New York City residents, please contact your school for possible NYC housing opportunities available to interns.

Requirements:

• Currently an undergraduate student in their second, third, or fourth year of college at the time of application
• Interested in healthcare, health equity, and serving historically excluded communities, including Asian American communities   
• Can commit Mondays to Fridays from 9am–5pm, including some early mornings and weekends. 

Unfortunately, we cannot accommodate international students or students who are studying temporarily in the United States with the intention of returning home after completing their studies.

Application:

Applications are only accepted online and include an application form, an updated resume, short answer questions, and a letter of recommendation. Student applications must be submitted no later than Monday, January 29, 2024 at 5:00PM ET. The letter of recommendation must be submitted no later than Monday, February 5, 2024 at 5:00PM ET. Once your letter of recommendation is received, your application is considered completed. Late or incomplete applications after the deadline will not be accepted. Academic transcripts are not required and will not be accepted. Applicants may be contacted for an interview in February. 

Prepare all your information and documents needed before starting the online application because there is no "save and return" feature.

Please contact projectahead@cbwchc.org with any questions or concerns or for more information.