GLOBAL HEALTH TRACK

HEALTH SYSTEMS, COMMUNITY-BASED CARE, AND GLOBAL HEALTH PRACTICE

Learn how health systems, communities, and institutions respond to complex health challenges, inside the hospitals, clinics, and public health programs of six destinations in Africa and Southeast Asia. Study abroad for three weeks to a full semester, or intern in a clinical or non-clinical setting, with U.S. academic credit through Hamline University, GEI's school of record.

CHOOSE YOUR DESTINATION

Every destination has its own Global Health program page, with the programs, dates, and prices for that destination. You apply from there.
GHANA
KENYA
RWANDA
Among the first African countries with national health insurance, and community health compounds studied across the region.
Global Health in Ghana >
County-run services and mobile health innovation, a live case study in how a health system changes shape.
Global Health in Kenya >
A health system built on community health workers and near-universal insurance, one that other countries come to study.
Global Health in Rwanda >
SOUTH AFRICA
THAILAND
VIETNAM
World-class hospitals beside overstretched clinics, and more people on HIV treatment than in any other country.
Global Health in South Africa >
Proof that a middle-income country can insure everyone, and village health volunteers studied around the world.
Global Health in Thailand >
A commune health station in every locality, and the new health burdens of a fast-growing economy.

Global Health in Vietnam >

ENGAGE WITH HEALTH SYSTEMS AND COMMUNITY CARE

The Global Health track explores how health systems, communities, and institutions respond to complex health challenges. Students examine health systems, disease burden, prevention, and equitable access to care while learning alongside local professionals and community partners.

The programs emphasize applied, field-based learning rather than classroom instruction. Students learn through site visits, community-based activities, collaborative projects, and guided reflection, and see how health systems operate at community, institutional, and policy levels.
In the Global Field Engagement
Visit hospitals, community clinics, public health programs, and NGOs, work in small groups on field assignments, and take on a community-engaged learning project with a local host organization.
In the Global Practicum
Join one of GEI's development initiatives with local student peers and carry the health side of the project, from water quality and hygiene to health promotion for the community around it.
In an Internship
Work full time with a host organization in a clinical or non-clinical setting, from medicine, nursing, pharmacy, and allied health to public health. Clinical placements are standalone and carry no academic credit.

FOUR WAYS TO TAKE PART

Short-term program
3 or 4 weeks, January or Summer, 4 credits
  • Global Field Engagement, or
  • Global Practicum




Leads to course credit
Summer Program
8 weeks, June and July, 8 credits

  • Global Field Engagement
  • Global Practicum
  • Capstone portfolio



Leads to a Certificate in Global Health
SEMESTER Program
15 weeks, Fall or Spring, 16 credits

  • Global Field Engagement
  • Global Practicum
  • Language Intensive Course
  • Independent Study Project & Capstone Seminar

Leads to a Certificate in Global Engagement (Global Health concentration)
INTERNSHIP Program
4, 6, or 8 weeks, January or Summer, 4+ credits
  • A supervised placement with a host organization in your field, with a cohort on set dates. Placements on your own dates are also available.




Leads to course credit, or standalone

WHAT EVERY PROGRAM INCLUDES

Learning in the field
Site visits, community-engaged projects, and guided reflection rather than classroom instruction, alongside local professionals and community partners.
A full-time team in every destination
GEI's in-country coordinators, faculty, and guides host every cohort from arrival to departure, with 24/7 emergency support throughout. Housing is included.
U.S. academic credit
Credit through Hamline University, GEI's school of record, which issues the transcript. Check with your academic advisor how many credits your degree program accepts.
Who the track suits
Pre-health, medicine, nursing, pharmacy, allied health, and public health students in particular. The study abroad programs are open to any major and level; internships generally to sophomores and above.

FOR HEALTH SCIENCES SCHOOLS AND STUDY ABROAD OFFICES

Every Global Health program can be co-branded with your institution and offered as your own, under your name and brand as much or as little as you prefer. There is no minimum enrollment, U.S. credit comes through Hamline University, GEI's school of record, and a named GEI contact supports you and your students from the first conversation to the transcript.

HAVE QUESTIONS OR NEED ASSISTANCE?

If you have any questions or need help with your application, feel free to reach out via email or our contact form.