Facilitator Training

The World Needs You.

Facilitation is the art of bringing people together. Competent facilitators have both personal characteristics and acquired skills to support difficult or complex cultural, personal and group dynamics and to encourage full participation from individual members from diverse backgrounds. Designed for licensed midwives who wish to gain international work and teaching experience in a supportive and collaborative environment, the International Facilitator Training course combines facilitation training and mentoring with an on-site placement as an Experiential Learning Abroad facilitator.

“When you are working with pregnant mothers in any society you are reaching into the core of that society and improving the way mothers are treated, nurtured, heard and respected. You will deeply effect family life and the society as a whole. ”

— Jacky Bloomerad-de Boer

Learning Objectives

Facilitators will develop the knowledge, attitudes, and skills to work effectively on diverse teams and in international settings. Skills include: non-violent communication, participatory decision making, strategic questioning, active listening; coaching and feedback; race, class and gender; conflict resolution; group dynamics and group process; and techniques for leading an effective meeting.

Roles/Expectations

Facilitators are responsible for supporting delivery of Experiential Learning Abroad curriculum as outlined in the Experiential Learning Abroad course description.  Please visit the Experiential Learning Abroad page to learn more about our current programs.

Time Commitment

The International Facilitator Training course is 10 weeks in duration, including 2-week on-site orientation prior to student arrival and 8-weeks of applied learning, working with participants enrolled in the Experiential Learning Abroad course.

Facilitators should expect to spend 40 hours per week engaged in various aspects of the course, plus additional hour’s on-call, as follows:

  • Approximately 10 hours of lesson planning, schedule coordination and supervisor meetings.
  • Approximately 30 hours of  Experiential Learning Abroad oversight and support, including: regularly scheduled clinic rotations, on-call clinic rotations*, student meetings and workshops, problem-based learning and critical thinking exercises, and group field trips.
  • Facilitators will be given at 1 full day of rest time per week.

*On-call rotations for facilitators will be scheduled on a weekly basis at the discretion of the in-country midwife supervisor.

Selection/Admissions Criteria

Highly selective, participants are required to have a minimum of 3-years professional experience and 75 out of hospital births as primary care provider required. Previous international work or volunteer experience preferred.  Cultural Competency Course (online, self-paced) required 30-days prior to placement abroad.

Ready to apply?  Please visit the online application for instructions.

Cost

Facilitators are not required to pay tuition or clinical placement fees. Single occupancy room with shared bathroom and kitchen located on premises or within walking distance will be provided at no cost. Alternative housing arrangements may be coordinated at the facilitator’s expense. Food may be provided free of cost at some locations. All other expenses related to travel and participation in the program are the facilitator’s responsibility.

Financial Assistance

A $1500 stipend is available for graduates of the Facilitator Training program who choose to stay for two or more consecutive courses.