We are excited to invite you to Kurdistan for this summer and looking forward to our SCORA exchange journey with you.
The agenda we have prepared for you is full of adventures and life-long lessons, therefore, don’t miss out on making unforgettable memories.
We will make sure you have the best time in Kurdistan by living the cultural experience through the social programs. Kurdistan is famous for its mountains and for that your summer will be filled with historical site visits.
We have also made sure to have our sessions as interactive as possible from experienced speakers. Through the sessions you will go in depth of the topics and it’s an opportunity to know how other countries deal with their issues. We are looking forward to meet you !
Welcome to Kurdistan!
Baxerben bo Kurdistan!
Social Coordinators
Social Coordinators
Agenda Coordinators
Agenda Coordinators
The Kurdistan Region is an autonomous region in the northern parts of Iraq comprising the four Kurdish-majority populated governorates of Dohuk, Erbil, Halabja, and Sulaymaniyah.
There are a great number of caves and mountains to discover across the region, many of which are still unexplored. The Guardian ranked Kurdistan in its top international destinations for adventure tourism in 2015.
IFMSA-Kurdistan is an associate member of the IFMSA family. It was established in 2009 in Hawler city of Iraqi Kurdistan region of Iraq. It is a non-Governmental NonPolitical organization. It is run by medical students and only active medical students can be a member of this organization.
The goal of the organization is to serve society and medical students all over Kurdistan through its member organizations by empowering medical students in using their knowledge and capacities for the benefit of society.
The objectives are divided into four specific areas which are set based on academic knowledge and practice, cross-cultural differences, personal growth, and future opportunities. This is followed by a set of expected outcomes assigned for each objective. The outcomes are based on knowledge, comprehension, evaluation, assembly, and analysis.
1- To improve the level of knowledge of the participants in the SCORA focus areas by providing an introductory session on each focus area and by having in-depth sessions in the form of discussions, lectures, debates, and clerkship assigned for each focus area provided by experienced members, external speakers, and professors throughout the three weeks.
The participants will be able to use and apply the session materials to improve their academic performances and decision-making on daily basis in the oral presentations given.
The participants will be able to share experiences from their respective NMOs regarding the topics assigned, thus, creating an intercultural environment in the discussions at the end of the sessions.
The participants will understand the focus areas within SCORA in the introductory session.
The participants will analyze a topic to reach a conclusion given in the debate session from the agenda sessions.
The participants will be able to construct a solution to an SRHR issue based on the knowledge they gained in the sessions in the scora fair session.
The participants will be able to evaluate gaps within their NMOs on policy.
The participants will be able to illustrate the obstacles faced by different countries through the provided sessions and discussions. The participants will be able to understand different cultures and form communications with different members.
The participants will be to describe situations in the refugee camps, especially women’s health and rights in the refugee camps.
The participants will be able to understand the health system in Kurdistan through the clerkships assigned.
The participants will be able to experience direct case management by an external NGO.
The participants will understand different cultural sites preserved for decades through the social programs.
NMOs.
The participants will be able to identify the issues and stigma faced in Kurdistan related to SRHR incl. HIV & AIDS from the introductory sessions.
The participants will initiate interactions with different people, and their intercultural communication competence helps them to have proper and continuing interaction with one another.
The participants will apply the knowledge they gain from the SRHR circumstances session to formulate solutions to the given problems, hence, improving critical thinking.
The participants will able to discuss NMO circumstances with one another which further increases their level of knowledge about SRHR circumstances.
The participants will be able to partake in and understand the process of working on SRHR issues while experiencing external NGOs’ accomplishments.
4- To create opportunities for the participants to work and prosper with other participants and external stakeholders throughout the exchange and for enhancing future collaborations.
The participants will develop a relationship with the external speakers (i.e healthcare providers, NGO representatives, and other speakers) delivering the sessions.
The participants will be able to collaborate with other NMOs and enhance advocacy in an international scope.
The participants will gain a higher level of awareness and acceptance of cultural diversities for their future practices.
The program will start On July 11th on Tuesday by giving an introduction about SCORA focus area which will be prepared by the session team members followed by a session on sexual harassment prevention and the circumstance of SRHR in the NMO, which will allow the students to get an insight of the main SRHR issues on a global level and certain issues which each NMO faces and approaches. On the 2nd day July 12th, there will be a session regarding HIV/STIs which will be in the form of an educative lecture followed by a session on advocacy and stigma surrounding HIV/AIDS and other STI’s which will be addressed. Finally, an introduction to the methods to stay safe and the importance of consent will be highlighted throughout their sessions during the exchange period. On the 3rd day, a clinical shift at the urology department is arranged to observe how patients are dealt with and get an insight into the common urological presentations and procedures used in this field, followed by a theoretical session regarding the anatomy and physiology of the reproductive system, and finally, the students get to end the day with visiting the Red Prison museum. This is followed by an optional outdoor trip on July 14th to Zoragvan valley, Shanidar cave and Dore canyon, and the horseshoe view. On July 15, another outdoor activity is arranged as a part of the social programs which is a trip to Hawraman. On the 16th of July, The main focus of the first day will be on Sexual Orientation, Gender Identity, and Expression (SOGIE). We will begin with an introductory session on SOGIE, followed by an exploration of the medical aspects of the feild. The day will end with a debate, for which participants will be given advance notice to prepare for over the weekend, on (sex reassignment, therapy, and surgery)
Week 2 will concentrate on Maternal Health and Services, starting with an introductory session on Obstetrics and Gynecology delivered by the session team. The focus will then dive deeper into its practices. This is followed by a debate on postpartum complications and depression supervised by the session team. There will be a full clinical day, during which most of the skills required in this specialty will be covered, such as IUD insertion, pelvic examination, foley catheterization, and observation of live births and C-sections. The social programs for this week range from teaching the participants Kurdish dance to hiking on Goizha mountain for the sunset and a trip to Dokan lake with a picnic. Dokan lake is one of the most tourist places in the region, available activity includes a boat tour to the groom and bride valley. Goizha mountain is the closest hill inside the city which is popular for hiking and local picnics. SCORA movie night is also arranged about an empowerment figure in Kurdish films. The social programs end with an optional trip to Lalish (the holiest site for the Yezidi minority- the oldest religion in the world), Alqosh (famous for Rabban Harmizd monastery built on the mountains in the 7th century), and Akre ( a village founded around 700 BC). Followed by social programs to the countryside for horseriding which is an optional trip.
This week starts of with a Yoga session in a park for the members to have a clear mind before addressing the sessions. This day will be focusing on honor killing and child marriage ( one of the two most common harmful traditional practices carried to this day). The day will end in Chaviland, the largest amusement park in Iraq. On July 25th, a pink tax elimination session is followed by two sessions about case management and gaps in GBV policies as a discussion which will be delivered by an external organization. The day will end with sightseeing in Kuna Masi village with a visit to the safari park. On July 26th, a visit to the Arbat refugee camp will be done for evaluating women’s health in refugee camps. This day will end with a chill gathering game night. Moreover, optional camping will be done from the 27th to the 28th of July (Mawat, Maluma, or hartal village). On the 29th of July, this day will be completely dedicated to CSE provided by the session team. This day will end with SCORA party under the theme of self-expression On the last day, a session about human trafficking and GBV will be delivered by experts/speakers from the GBV cluster group in Kurdistan. The day will end with the students showcasing and presenting a design of an activity action plan regarding one of the SRHR issues within their NMO in the SCORA Fair. The exchange will end with the farewell closing ceremony.
July 26 (Wednesday)
July 27 (Thursday) July 28 (Friday) July 29 (Saturday)
July 30 (Sunday) Forms of GBV
Dukan Lake
Kuna masi
Akre, Alqosh, & Lalish
Hawraman
Maluma,Mawat, Hartal
The accommodation is Kako hotel, a four-star ranked hotel in the middle of the city. The hotel provides quadrable/triple/double bedrooms with free WIFI and services i.e. laundry available every day til the afternoon. Moreover, the rooms have a small sitting area with a couch, fridge, and TV. Each room will have its own bathroom. The hotel will also include free unlimited open buffet breakfast and unlimited tea/water. There is also a shared gathering area/hall in which all the participants can gather around and get access to the data show. A front desk service and lounge are also available with a restaurant.
The location of the accommodation is near the center of the city. Moreover, the surrounding area is full of restaurants and is nearby different cultural sites including the venue. Another advantage is that it is nearby one of the most popular cheap supermarkets that sell supplies below the prices of other markets available.
The boarding will include one meal per day ranging from Kurdish, American, Turkish, Iraqi, and Mexican cuisines as lunch. Dinner will also be covered in the picnic day of the social program. Moreover, it will include a welcoming kit which comes with a tote bag, notebook, pen, t-shirt merch, and souvenirs such as tasbeeh or cultural ornaments.
Transportation will be available in the form of a bus between the airport and the hotel and between the venue and the hotel. Moreover, the transportation for all the social programs will be covered from the destination of the social program to the hotel and vice versa.
Week 1 Akre, Lalish, and Alqosh. (This includes three historical destinations)
Week 2 Zoragvan valley, Shanidar cave and Dore canyon, and the horseshoe view. (This includes 4 different locations)
Week 3 Camping in Mawat (Qashan), Maluma village, or hartal village. The camping will include sleeping bags, tents, cooking gear, and 2 meals (dinner and breakfast)
Kuna Masi safari day: ATVs are available which will be considered optional and extra expense.
Applying for a visa or visa waiver:
The KRG Representation in the US issues visa waivers and clearance letters for travel within the Kurdistan Region of Iraq ONLY. A Visa for travel to the rest of Iraq may be obtained through the Embassy of Iraq.
Who Needs to Apply for a Visa?
Travelers presenting a valid passport (citizens) from the following countries, do not require advance visa arrangements to enter the Kurdistan Region of Iraq. A 30-day tourism or visit visa can be on arrival. Click here for the list of countries exempt from visa requirements:
https://gov.krd/english/information-and-services/visitor/
If your passport issuance country is not listed below, you must apply for a visa, including Green Card and other permanent resident documents holders (i.e. travel documents).
Visa Fee Upon Arrival:
The fee for a visa upon arrival is 100,000 IQD (approximately $70 to $80 USD, depending on the exchange rate). US dollars and/or Iraqi dinars are accepted. Other currencies may also be accepted.
Passport Validity and Length of Stay:
Your passport must be valid for a minimum of six months from the date of entry into the Kurdistan Region of Iraq. If your passport will expire within six months of entry, do not travel. Instead, renew your passport/travel document first. Upon arrival, you will obtain a 30-day visa at Sulaymaniyah International Airport. The visit visa is extendable and can be converted to a work visa. The total validity would be 45 days from the date of the entry. This extension can be applied twice, not more than 90 days in total.
Applying for a Visa:
Passport holders from countries NOT listed above must apply for a visa/visa waiver by following these instructions. Visa applications are free. For instructions on how to apply, please visit the site: https://gov.krd/english/information-and-services/visitor/
Kurdistan goes through all the seasons. The expected weather for July is another sweltering summer month in Sulaymaniyah, Iraq, with an average temperature ranging between max 38.8°C (101.8°F) and min 23.9°C (75°F). Hence, this is the perfect weather to go on the mountains.
Don’t forget your passports! And covid vaccination card.
Medication ( prescriptions ) .
Kurdistan can get extremely hot during the day, but at times can get pretty chilly at night so pack plenty of long pants and loose fitting t-shirts. Ideally, skirts should cover your ankles but covering just your knees would be fine too.
T-Shirts – Bring plenty of t-shirts! .
Shorts – Men can get away with wearing shorts, however, it is advised that women don’t wear shorts.
Jacket/Jumper – it’s always advisable to bring a versatile jacket or jumper just in case it gets cold, or you get caught in a sudden downpour.
Sturdy Flip Flops/Sandals -You’ll probably spend most of your time in these, so make sure they’re durable and comfortable.
Lab coat/Scrubs - the clerkship will need you to wear your lab coat above your casual clothing ( shirt and trouser/ skirt safe to go).
Lightweight shoes.
Insect repellent .
Cash is used mostly in Iraq. ATM machines are available but scarce. If you’re finding it difficult to get your hands on some Iraqi Dinar, bringing USD will not be a problem as it’s also widely accepted and can be exchanged relatively easily.
Camera and phone to capture the members.
Power Adapters – The most common type of plug sockets in Iraq Kurdistan are types C and G.
Sun Cream/After Sun .
Lastly, your enthusiasm and energy !
To be eligible to participate in the SXC IFMSA-Kurdistan 2023, participants must meet the following criteria:
1- Be a medical student in medical school.
2- Motivation letter about their interest, Knowledge, and experience.
3- Confirmation letter signed by NORA/President.
4- to be able to Participate and prepare sessions on the SRHR situation in their NMO and actively participate in the SCORA Fair and sessions. The participants will be scored based on 10 points.
A pre-SXC form will be sent to the participants at least 2 weeks prior to the exchange to assess their knowledge and expectations. A feedback form is given at the end of each week for the participant’s input regarding the sessions.
A post-SXC form will be sent to the participants at least 2 weeks after their exchange to assess the level of knowledge, experience, and overall experience of the exchange. Feedback on logistics, agenda, and social programs will be taken. Attendance will be taken every morning, hence, participants must at least attend 80% of the sessions to be certified.
As of April 1, 2022, fully vaccinated Iraqi and foreign travelers will no longer need to present a recent negative PCR test ahead of traveling or at arrival. Travelers above the age of 12 who have received one dose of Johnson & Johnson, or two doses of any other vaccine will no longer require evidence of a recent negative PCR test when traveling to the Kurdistan Region of Iraq. In cases where an individual cannot receive a COVID-19 vaccine, proof of a negative PCR test conducted in the previous 72 hours will be required. Travelers under the age of 12 are exempt from both, the PCR test and the COVID-19 vaccine. Iraqi Kurdistan is not covered by all travel insurance companies due to the fact that governments and foreign authorities advise against unnecessary travel to Iraq. There are only a couple of insurance companies that you can use when traveling to Iraq.
Shang Qaraman Qadir (NORA, IFMSA-Kurdistan) , Head of OC
Whatsapp: +964 7707909021
Email: nora@ifmsakurdistan.org
Renwar Rebwar Yassen (VPM, IFMSA-Kurdistan), Finance Coordinator.
Whatsapp: +964 77102972
Email: vpm@ifmsakurdistan.org
Awa Ezzadin Najmadin (LP, IFMSA-Kurdistan), Local Coordinator
Whatsapp:+964 7711542298
Email : lp-slemani@ifmsakurdistan.org
