Global Health Scholars: Resettlement Initiative

Isabella Alder, Harjit Kaur, Kajsa Vlasic, Amy Dursteler, Maryana Boulos

Honors College University of Utah

"The Global Health Scholar’s Resettlement Initiative allows undergraduate students at the University of Utah to engage in and implement Global Health practices locally. Built on a collaboration between the Global Health Scholars, the Utah Refugee Services Office, and the Salt Lake Valley resettling refugee community, this initiative works to foster a healthier resettlement process for families of refugee status. The Resettlement Initiative is built upon the principles of sustainability, long-term impact, capacity for growth, potential for replication, and scholarly-based ideas. The Pilot Program of the initiative, occurring in the 2012-2013 academic year, was established as a trial of the model approach. During the summer of 2012 a small group of students worked with four families. In the fall participation was extended to five families. Main goals included creating trust and respectful relationships between students and partner families, applying scholarly knowledge, and fostering healthy community relations. In anticipation of the upcoming 2013-2014 academic year, the Resettlement Initiative continues to develop in a way that allows for increased participation and continual fulfillment of the Initiative’s mission statement."