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Hawaii Pacific Neuroscience

USA 2023/2024 Freemovers

Personal data
Mobility type:
traineeship

Faculty at MU:
Faculty of Medicine

Field of study:
General Medicine

Level of study during period of placement:
Master

Language used:
English

Summer/winter school?:
no

Period of studies:
spring 2024

Period of placement (from-to):
2024-06-15 - 2024-08-17

Number of months:
2

Activities before my departure abroad
What was your approach in organising the placement?:
Google
Submit application

The Summer Research Program at Hawaii Pacific Neuroscience is one of the most sought after summer internships in the country. It provides students the opportunity to spend an intensive 9 weeks working side-by-side with leading neuroscientists and researchers in Hawaii working on groundbreaking studies in Alzheimer’s disease, epilepsy, Parkinson’s disease, multiple sclerosis, and other neurodegenerative diseases.This internship is a time-intensive commitment with mandatory lectures built into the program. Do not apply for HPN-SIP if you are unable to attend mandatory events. The calendar does not include your time in the clinic and your time with your research group. Interns will need to be on-campus, in person for their data collection sessions (4 one-hour weekly time blocks) in addition to in person orientation (June 15ᵗʰ Saturday), midterm (July 13ᵗʰ Saturday), and finals (Aug 17ᵗʰ Saturday).

The program emphasizes collaborative teamwork in a supervised setting headed by a faculty mentor and medical student leader culminating in poster presentations at the end of the program, followed by national and international scholarly activities.

What documents are required for acceptance on a placement at this organisation?:
APPLY ONLINE by April 30th

1) Headshot (Picture of face and shoulder)

2) Curriculum Vitae/Resume

3) Cover Letter

a. No more than 2 pages

b.Must address the following questions:

i. Why do you want to participate in this specific program?

ii. How do your skills and experiences make you the perfect match for the program?

iii. What are your realistic expectations for this program?

iv. What are your long-term educational goals?

v. How will your summer schedule accommodate this internship?

4) GCP and HIPAA certificates

a. GCP & HIPAA links for students (FREE)

i. CITI GCP: https://about.citiprogram.org/en/homepage/

→ Must specify your university for free access.

→ Ex) University of Hawaii, you only need to complete GCP ICH.

ii. HIPAA: https://info.proservice.com/hipaa-compliance-on-demand

→ You will be asked to provide your full name, email address, and company. Please put “Hawaii

Pacific Neuroscience” for the company. Please take the “HIPAA Compliance Online Exam” after

reviewing the webinar (link found in the Summary section).



6) Confirmation of application fee (screen shot of payment email will do), pay online

Application will not be considered without application fee confirmation.


Applicants will be notified of their selection via email no later than May 14th

How far ahead did acceptance have to be organised? (in weeks):
18 - 24 weeks with valid visa

Did you need a visa?:
yes

Documents and materials needed for a visa:
Complete the Online Visa Application
Form DS-160
Photograph - special requirements
Schedule an interview in Prague (as of now, appointment wait time = 127 days)
Your passport must be valid for at least six months beyond your intended stay in the U.S.

Proof of Ties to Your Home Country
Financial Evidence
Travel Itinerary
Purpose of Visit
Employment/Income Evidence
Previous U.S. Visas
Criminal/Court Records
Other Supporting Documents

Visa Issuance Fee
Visa Processing
Return of Passport from the US Embassy via messenger (fees apply)

Fee for the visa:
$185 application fee + approx. $120 further documentation/fees and travel

During the placement
Did you change the training agreement in the course of your placement (training agreement)?:
No

What is necessary to arrange immediately on arrival? What requirements and at which offices?:
Everything needs to be handled in advance

Describe your work/activity in the foreign organisation. Describe what specifically you did, whether the work corresponded to the agreed conditions and your field of study, and whether your work was independent and responsible, approximate working hours.:
The Brain Research, Innovation & Translation Laboratory (BRITL) Neuroscience research program is part of the University of Hawaii John Burns School of Medicine MD5 MED 599 Neuroscience Research Course.

Collaborated on clinical research at Brain Research, Innovation & Translation Laboratory
Collected data from BEAM™, and validated its potential as a tool for early detection of MCI
Abstract: Comparative Efficacy of Neural Network Biomarkers and MMSE in Screening for MCI
Created a poster, and delivered an oral presentation at Hawaii Neuroscience Symposium
Submited for national and international conferences
Learned to run data analysis in R Studio
Learned about the newest clinical trials with investigational drugs and biologics

Weekly hours: 10-60 depending on how much you are willing to invest in your project.

Did the organisation or local student organisations arrange any special events for foreign students on placements?:
- choose option -

If yes then what?:

Practical questions on your placement
Where did you live?:
Airbnb

Cost of accommodation - monthly:
1400 USD

Additional comments to the price of accommodation (as to what the price includes):

Who arranged your accommodation and how far ahead:
After acceptance (6 weeks before the orientation)

Equipment, internet connection, what to bring:
Up to you

What are the rough costs of groceries (compare with Czech prices):
Twice as expensive

Transport to location of placement:
Uber / Lyft

Approximate price:
$25

Tips for purchasing cheap tickets and other recommendations:
United Airlines: Munich - San Francisco - Honolulu (roundtrip): $960

What are the local transport options (public transport, cycling, on foot, rough prices):
The Bus - $3 / day

How did you use health insurance? What type?:
AXA - premium (yearly)

Did you have other insurance? Which?:
No

Experience with insured events:
None

Tips for recreation:
Studying
Networking
Hiking
Snorkeling
Surfing
Renting a car and driving around the island of Oahu
Visiting other islands (Big Island, Kauai)

Financial support and expenses
Monthly grant from the Centre for International Cooperation:
16000 CZK

What other sources did you make use of to finance your placement?:
Mine

 
 
What was your average monthly expenditure during the placement (i.e. without the travel there and back)?:
3600 USD

a/ of which for accommodation:
1400 USD

b/ of which for catering:
800 USD

c/ travel and recreation:
1000 USD

Any comments to the average monthly expenditure:

 
Experience with bank accounts/services. Do you recommend an account arranged abroad, use of Czech payment cards...:
Have a USD card issued
Revolut account - another USD card
Bring enough cash - ATM withdrawals are surcharged

 
Did you pay to foreign organisations any fees? (insurance, materials, etc.):
No

Did you receive a salary from the host business/organisation?:
- choose option -

If yes, what was your monthly salary?:

 
Other advantages from the host organisation?:
No charges and fees

Is it necessary to assume a larger amount at the start of the placement? If yes, what and for what purpose?:
Yes, to book housing and a flight ticket in advance ($3,000)

Recognition of the foreign placement at the home faculty
Is the traineeship part of your field of study?:
yes

If yes - is it a compulsory or optional part?:
Elective

How will your traineeship abroad be recognised at the home faculty?:
Freemovers - Placement Abroad

How many ECTS credits did you/will you get?:
10

Were there serious problems arranging recognition of the placement?:
No

Overall assessment
Assessment of personal benefit (1 = excellent):
1

Assessment of academic benefit (1 = excellent):
1

Do you agree with the statement that, thanks to the experience gained during the placement you will be able to further develop your skills for work in your field?:
Very much. The experience has been invaluable.

What did you most appreciate after completing your placement?:
Collaborative and supportive work environment
Individualism
Great networking opportunities
Working side-by-side with leading neuroscientists on clinical and translational research projects
Expanded skill set
Letters
Continuing collaboration on research projects

Any serious problems during the placement?:
No

Do you have any recommendation for those that follow you? (e.g. what to take with them):
Business casual dress code is required at all times while at the clinic
Get a nice white coat