Students in the Global Health Pathway receive pre-trip safety training, site-specific medical education, and faculty-led instruction on global and community health topics. The pathway is built around longitudinal relationships with host communities. Through these experiences, students and faculty deepen their understanding of global health and contribute to efforts intended to support the health and well-being of community residents. Students who complete the four-year pathway will: Credit for completion of GHSP specific electives (GH717, GH727, GH747) Develop mentoring relationships with faculty who have an interest in global and community health Explore approaches to community engagement and community health initiatives Depending on the site, community priorities, and available projects, students may also have opportunities to: Participate in basic health data collection and analysis Contribute to the development or implementation of community health interventions Participate in program or project-related decision-making Cost and Financial Support Scholars are responsible for costs associated with the month-long experience during the first year. Scholarship support is available and generally covers about half of the total cost. Students should budget approximately $2,000 in out-of-pocket expenses, although actual costs vary by site and may be higher.

Global Health

Global Health Scholars Pathway

Immersive Experience

The Global Health Pathway is a four-year educational experience for medical students with a strong interest in global health. Through classroom learning, faculty mentorship, and site-based experiences, scholars explore global and community health in both academic and applied settings.

Under faculty supervision, scholars participate in two four-week immersive experiences at the same site. During the first year, students are introduced to the host community and may contribute to a community health project based on the site’s priorities and available opportunities. Students return to the site during their fourth year for additional learning, which may include supervised clinical experiences when appropriate and available.

Global Health Scholars Program Timeline

A 4-Year Longitudinal Experience in Global Health and Advocacy

Year 1: Noticing

Understanding the Foundations of Global Health

Bi-monthly class sessions on global health, social determinants, and advocacy
Monthly meetings with site leaders to prepare for travel
4-week immersive summer experience at your international site

Year 2: Reframing

Analyzing Health Systems and Inequities

Bi-monthly class sessions focused on contributors to health disparities
Exploration and comparison of global and local health care systems

Year 3: Practicing

Applying Skills in Clinical and Reflective Settings

Participation in Humanities sessions
Integration of global health perspectives during clinical clerkships

Year 4: Performing

Returning with Purpose

4-week return trip to your global health site
Continued focus on solutions and advocacy for socially vulnerable populations

Students in the Global Health Pathway receive pre-trip safety training, site-specific medical education, and faculty-led instruction on global and community health topics.

The pathway is built around longitudinal relationships with host communities. Through these experiences, students and faculty deepen their understanding of global health and contribute to efforts intended to support the health and well-being of community residents.

Students who complete the four-year pathway will:

Credit for completion of GHSP specific electives (GH717, GH727, GH747)
Develop mentoring relationships with faculty who have an interest in global and community health
Explore approaches to community engagement and community health initiatives

Depending on the site, community priorities, and available projects, students may also have opportunities to:

Participate in basic health data collection and analysis
Contribute to the development or implementation of community health interventions
Participate in program or project-related decision-making

Cost and Financial Support

Scholars are responsible for costs associated with the month-long experience during the first year. Scholarship support is available and generally covers about half of the total cost. Students should budget approximately $2,000 in out-of-pocket expenses, although actual costs vary by site and may be higher.

Australia: Melbourne and Mildura, Drs. William and Eileen Hennrikus, site leads, will accept up to 2 students

Balkans: Croatia, Dr. Nasr Ghahramani and Dr. Gisoo Ghaffari, site leads, will accept up to 2 students

Brazil: Sao Paulo, Dr. Wen-Jan Tuan, site lead, will accept up to 2 students

China : Beijing, Dr. Wen-Jan Tuan, site lead, will accept up to 3 students

Ghana: Accra and Koforidua, Ms. Tamika Washington, site lead, will accept up to 10 students

India: Dharampur, Dr. Nirmal Ahuja, site lead, will accept up to 4 students

Ireland ^{(New for 26-27)}:Galway, Dr. Kimberly Myers, site lead, will accept up to 3 students

Nepal: Kathmandu and Bharatpur, Dr. Sanjay Yadav, site lead, will accept up to 4 students

Peru: Trujillo, Dr. Shane Sergent, site lead, will accept up to 6 students

Philippines: Iloilo City, Dr. Jasmin Lagman, site lead, will accept up to 4 students

Vietnam: Dalat, Dr. Tim Craig, site lead, will accept up to 6 students

Zambia: Macha, Dr. Andrew Freiberg, site lead, will accept up to 6 students

Rural Health Scholars: Pennsylvania, Dr. Leesha Helm, Dr. Amanda Vaglia and Dr. Michael McShane will accept up to 6 students

The Global Health Scholars Pathway is open to first-year medical students at Penn State College of Medicine who have a strong interest in global health.

The application will be available by August 30 and must be submitted by September 20. Applicants are selected through a competitive process that includes a written application and individual interviews with faculty site leaders and Global Health Center staff.

Before completing and submitting an application, students are strongly encouraged to attend the Global Health Scholars Pathway Overview and/or Meet and Greet. These sessions provide an opportunity to learn more about the pathway, explore the experiences offered at each site, and determine which site may be the best fit.

For questions or more information, please contact Tamika Washington, Assistant Director of the Global Health Center, at twashington4@pennstatehealth.psu.edu.