The cultural experience of small rural America is amazing. You get to experience what it is like to live in Appalachia and gain good experience in a variety of public health professions.
What I wish was different
Some of the intern sites had poor communication skills with Frontier Nursing University, but FNU has stopped placing interns at those sites and replaced them with better ones.
Advice
Be prepared to be in a totally differnt culture. Living in a town of 350 people sounds easy if it is for 8 weeks, but it is difficult. I loved it because it was back where I served my mission for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, but it isn't as easy for others.
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Courier Program Intern
June - July 2019 • Hyden, KY
What I liked
It offered extremely valuable experience in public health and great shadowing Opportunities for pre-med or other healthcare students.
What I wish was different
Advice
Apply and be creative with how you make the most of it!
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Courier
June - August 2018 • Hyden, KY
What I liked
Great experience, the culture was really nothing like anything I'd ever experienced. Additionally, being in such a rural area allows you to see and do things you wouldn't be able to elsewhere, such as become a dental assistant for a day or paint a mural on a central town wall.
What I wish was different
The program coordinators were somewhat disorganized and there was an excessive emphasis place on shadowing, which isn't the most exciting thing to do for a 9-5 internship. But I think the program is growing and changing and will emphasize community projects more in future years.
