SUMMER STUDY ABROAD PROGRAM

GLOBAL HEALTH (THAILAND)


A 4-credit Global Field Engagement Program in Thailand

AT A GLANCE

  • Global Field Engagement Program
  • Disciplinary Track: Global Health
  • Study Abroad Destination: Thailand
  • 2026 Dates: June 6-26 (3 weeks)
  • Credit: 4 U.S. credit hours (~ 8 ECTS credits) for eligible university students
  • Eligibility: Any field and level of study

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PROGRAM OVERVIEW

Explore public health leadership in Thailand
This 3-week, 4-credit Global Field Engagement course immerses students in Thailand’s dynamic health ecosystem. Through a blend of preparatory e-learning and in-country learning, participants engage directly with Thai healthcare stakeholders - visiting clinics, NGOs, community health centers, and public health agencies to explore issues like infectious disease, maternal-child health, health equity, and traditional medicine integration.

Led by expert facilitators, the course culminates in a team-based capstone project addressing a local health challenge. Weekly faculty-led colloquia reinforce critical thinking, cultural humility, and systems-based understanding. A curated digital portfolio captures reflections, field insights, and professional growth.
Program Highlights
  • Hybrid format combining pre-departure learning and immersive field engagement
  • Field visits to public health institutions, clinics, NGOs, and traditional medicine sites
  • Team-based intervention project designed with community input
  • Weekly mentorship, reflective colloquia, and professional portfolio development
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ACADEMICS

Program Structure
The Global Field Engagement Course in Global Health is an intensive, 4-credit program spanning three weeks plus pre-program eLearning. Students undergo a transformative learning journey, engaging with critical global issues through an interdisciplinary approach. The program is delivered in a sequence that builds from theoretical understanding to practical, hands-on experience. This progression ensures that students not only learn about global issues but also apply their knowledge in real-world settings.
Learning Outcomes
By the end of this course, students will be able to:
  • Assess the strengths and challenges of Thailand’s health systems and social determinants of health
  • Apply health systems thinking and global health frameworks in real-world contexts
  • Collaborate with local stakeholders to address health issues through team-based projects
  • Reflect ethically and culturally on public health practice and their own positionality
  • Present a digital portfolio showcasing applied learning, community engagement, and professional development
Further Details
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YOUR DESTINATION: THAILAND

The Land of Smiles is a dynamic blend of tradition and modernity. As one of Southeast Asia’s most influential economies, Thailand has experienced rapid urbanization and technological advancement while remaining deeply rooted in its cultural heritage. The country’s bustling cities and thriving industries contrast with its rural heartlands, where Buddhist traditions and community life still shape daily experiences. Yet, balancing economic growth with social and environmental sustainability remains a key challenge for the nation’s future.

UNIQUE EXPERIENCES

Field immersion in Thai health systems
Students visit hospitals, rural health clinics, community outreach programs, and traditional medicine sites - gaining firsthand insight into diverse healthcare delivery models and public health strategies across Thailand.

Collaborative health intervention projects
In small teams, students design and implement a short-term health intervention - such as a sanitation campaign, nutrition education session, or health communication tool - responding directly to community needs and guided by local partners.

Mentorship & reflective learning
Weekly colloquia and mentorship sessions support structured
reflection on ethical dilemmas, cultural dimensions of health, and systems thinking. These provide opportunities for peer dialogue and integration of theory with practice.

Rich cultural immersion
Beyond fieldwork, students engage firsthand with Thai culture—sampling street food like pad thai and som tam, exploring vibrant markets, learning Thai greetings, and participating in community events or temple visits.

Contextual weekend excursions
Optional weekend trips may include visits to national parks, community health projects in rural provinces, traditional craft villages, or coastal areas—offering broader context and space for rest, exploration, and cultural appreciation.
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HOUSING & MEALS

The program includes 3 weeks in Thailand. For this time, GEI Thailand offers different housing options that students can choose from, pending availability. These include:
  • Homestays: Typically single rooms, with shared bathroom, and access to a kitchen and living room
  • Serviced apartments: Single or shared double rooms, with shared bathroom, and access to a kitchen and living room
  • University residence halls at our local partner universities: Shared double rooms, with shared bathroom and no kitchen facilities
  • Simple guesthouses: Shared double rooms, with shared bathroom and no kitchen facilities


Homestay host families typically provide breakfast and dinner. Students in serviced apartments, university residence halls, or guesthouses are usually responsible for all meals outside of core course meals.

You can find additional information in the following blog post: Accommodation – What to expect.

DATES, FEES, AND SCHOLARSHIPS

Program Dates

Application Due Date

Fees

Summer 2026 (3 weeks): June 6-26

Summer 2026: April 1

Summer 2026: US $3,650 (3 weeks)

At GEI, we strongly believe in equal access to academic opportunities in study abroad. In order to help eliminate financial barriers, we offer a variety of merit scholarships, trailblazer scholarships, and opportunity scholarships and grants, ranging from $500 to full tuition awards. Each year, GEI is awarding several hundred thousand dollars in scholarships. You can find further information as well as additional resources for external funding opportunities in the following blog post: Scholarships & Grants.

INSTRUCTORS & COORDINATORS

Meet our core team

All of our instructors and coordinators are highly experienced and resourceful professionals.
Waleed Fatth, MPH
Program Director
Francoise Uzamukunda, MA
Academic Director, East Africa
Thuy Phan, MA
Academic Director, Vietnam
Chone Chaowai, MIDP
Academic Director, Thailand
Kari Cousins, MA/MSc
Academic Director, Southern Africa
Yvan Rubengebenge
Operations Manager, Rwanda
Eric Kingoina, DCS
Operations Manager, Kenya
Dang Huynh, BA
Operations, Vietnam
Denyse Iradukunda, BA
Operations, Rwanda
Sammy Davies Mochama, BSc
Operations, Kenya
Mabwe Gwamure, BSc
Operations, South Africa

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