This program is part of the Global Experiential Education Program (GEEP) and is informed by ORICE values. GEEP aims to strengthen the bridge between classroom learning (theory) and application (practice) to address pressing global issues, in this community-based praxis initiative. Students who participate in GEEP can participate in experiential education projects designed and led by global community partners.
Details at a Glance
Application Deadline: July 2nd, 2025 (11:59PM)
- Program Type: Co-curricular (Not-for-credit)
- Placement Type: Community-Engaged Research Project in collaboration with Kamili Organisation
- Placement Location: 2025S In-person, Kenya + 2025W In-person, UBC-Based
- Duration: 10 months starting in July 2025
Project Description
Background
For 11 years, Kamili Organisation has been offering scholarships for qualified general nurses to come to Kamili for specialized training in mental health. Selected nurses, pursuing further education in mental health nursing with Kenya Medical Training College (KMTC) are provided a scholarship that includes a 1 week intensive training on the Kamili model – a community based approach that aims to provide mental health care at a primary level health facility, making services accessible, affordable and sustainable. The newly trained nurses return back to their place of work around the country and become part of a growing network of Kamili-trained nurses with a mental health specialization. This network now comprises 156 nurses in 44 of 47 counties across Kenya. Once trained, the network supports one another and has access to the staff at Kamili for guidance, receives site visits from Kamili leadership and participates in annual training and network development activities. During the 2024 to 2025 winter semesters, Kamili and ORICE partnered to begin the process of developing an evaluation to understand the impacts of this program on the nurses and their service provision.
Current Project
Kamili Organisation is midway through developing an evaluation to understand the impacts of this training for selected nurses once they return to their home site of work. Kamili would like to understand the facilitators, barriers and impacts the nurses experience when bringing their specialized knowledge to their practice site. The purpose of this evaluation is both to inform the current program and to develop evidence to influence policy at multiple levels/sites in Kenya.
This 10 month engagementship (July 2025-April 2026) is a unique opportunity to engage both in person with the organization (August 2025) to gain a stronger understanding of the organizational context and goals, while then continuing to work remotely with a student team of 3-4 students during the academic year (Sept 2025 – April 2026) to prepare, implement, analyze and document the findings of the evaluation. Activities associated with this project will include a full review of the research and draft evaluation materials developed to date, refining evaluation tools with the partner, project planning, implementation protocols, evaluator training materials, data cleaning, analysis, final report writing/policy brief and contributions to grant applications for related programs.
Organization Details
Kamili Organisation provides affordable mental health services via 30+ clinics across Kenya. Our model clinic in Nairobi provides: accurate diagnosis, treatment, support to patients and their families and psychosocial care in the form of education. We also regularly work with the local community to raise awareness about the symptoms and stigma associated with mental health.
Project Timeline
This is a unique opportunity that includes an in-person component in Kenya in August 2025 with Kamili Organisation AND a remote engagementship based at UBC from September 2025 to April 2026. Do not apply for this program if you are only interested in one of the two components. Remote only engagementships will open in August 2025. International placement only opportunities are not available.
(Kenya Placement): Students will meet weekly with UBC ORICE in July 2025 to review the project work completed to date and to prepare for the placement with Kamili in Nairobi, Kenya in August 2025. Students will then travel to Nairobi from August 1 -17, 2025. During this time, students will collaborate with the Kamili team on the project as described. This will also be an important opportunity to gain a deeper contextual understanding of the partner, the training and the evaluation goals.
(Remote Engagementship) Over a period from September 2025 to April 2026, the selected team of students will spend 3-5 hours weekly working collaboratively to complete the project. Students will be asked to participate in weekly scheduled in-person meetings (on the UBC Vancouver Campus) to ensure collaboration and accountability goals are defined and met. However, the remainder of the allotted time will be self-directed or in small work teams as per agreements with teammates.
More Information
Application Deadline: July 2nd, 2025 (11:59PM)
- Review project details (please contact ubc.orice@ubc.ca with any questions you may have).
- Next, fill out the ORICE program application form (Qualtrics Survey) below.
- Successful applicants will be contacted by email to continue the selection process through a 25-minute individual interview.
- After interviews, you will be notified of a decision; successful candidates will be sent an offer letter with further details on the program and detailed instructions on how to accept. Your selection into the program includes meeting eligibility requirements, as well as your initial application and your performance in the interview. The international placement program will be comprised of 2-4 students. The remote engagementship teams will ultimately be comprised of 3-4 students.
- Be an undergraduate (domestic or international) at the UBC Vancouver campus with 60 or more completed credits, or graduate student as of April 30th, 2025.
- Have access to a reliable internet connection and computer to collaborate with peers, ORICE staff and international partners to attend meetings remotely if online meetings are required.
- Demonstrate the ability to think critically and creatively and be willing to take responsibility and initiative to meet project deliverables.
- Prior experience with policy review and analysis is an asset, but not necessary.
- Flexibility with time to ensure that training and preparation meetings during 9-5pm PST can be accommodated.
Willingness to have occasional meetings that accommodate time zone considerations for guests joining from Kenya or elsewhere.
Project Dates:
July 2025 - Introduction to project and international placement preparation
August 1-17, 2025 - Placement with Kamili in Nairobi, Kenya
September 2025 - April 2026 - Remote project collaboration with Kamili at UBC.
Weekly Meetings (Sept- April): TBD - applicants will be asked to be flexible as we will be seeking a weekly standing 2-hour meeting block during M-F, 9 am - 5 pm.
Note: Team members need to be available for occasional meetings with the community partner at 8 am due to time zone differences.
| Timeline | |
|---|---|
| Applications Open | June 18, 2025 |
| Deadline | July 2, 2025 @ 11:59pm. Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis. |
| Short Interviews | June 23 -July 4, 2025 |
| Offers Made by | July 8, 2025 |
| Acceptances Due | July 11, 2025 |
In Kenya, you will live in hostel-style accommodations with modest living conditions.
The program fees are as listed below. A program deposit fee of $685.00 is payable upon acceptance of an offer to secure your spot in the program. The deposit fee will be deducted from the overall balance owing. The prices listed below are in Canadian Dollars (CAD).
| Cost | |
| Program Fee:
$1975 |
|
| ORICE Regional and International Program Award Available*:
$2000 Estimated flight cost: $1800-2200. |
|
*Eligibility for this award can be found here
Program cost includes:
- Pre-departure learning sessions at UBC
- Room and board
- Transportation from the airport to your placement site
- Orientation in the host country
- Training and Reflection materials
- Community partner management fee
- Program management fee
Note: Additional expenses not covered in program costs are the responsibility of the student. Costs not included are airfare, visas, vaccinations, local transportation while in country, transportation from the site back to the airport at the end of the placement, personal items, and daily incidentals.
Funding available for this program: ORICE Regional and International Program Award
Note: Students may only hold one award at a given time. Please visit our funding page for more information.