SUMMER STUDY ABROAD PROGRAM

GLOBAL HEALTH (THAILAND)

GEI MICROCERTIFICATE IN GLOBAL ENGAGEMENT

An 8-credit microcertificate program to develop skills, knowledge, and understanding that prepare you for leadership and engagement in our global society.

AT A GLANCE

  • Microcertificate in Global Engagement Program
  • Disciplinary Track: Global Health
  • Study Abroad Destination: Thailand
  • 2026 Dates: June 1-July 24 (8 weeks)
  • Credit: 8 U.S. credit hours (~ 16 ECTS credits) for eligible university students
  • Eligibility: Any field and level of study

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PROGRAM OVERVIEW

Advance global health solutions in Thailand
This rigorous 8-week, 8-credit microcertificate immerses students in Thailand's dynamic healthcare landscape. Participants explore pressing issues such as infectious disease, community health promotion, health equity, and the intersection of modern and traditional medicine. Through two integrated courses, students connect academic concepts with sustained field engagement in Thai communities.

In collaboration with local clinics, public health centers, NGOs, and research institutions, students design and implement health interventions aligned with community priorities. Guided mentorship, weekly colloquia, and a digital portfolio consolidate their understanding and skills in ethical, global health practice.
Program Highlights
  • Comprehensive field-based microcertificate - combining theory, practice, and culture
  • Partnerships with Thai public health organizations, clinics, and universities
  • Experiential learning in a diversity of urban and rural healthcare settings
  • Professional mentorship and cohort reflection sessions
  • Digital portfolio showcasing academic, cultural, and applied impact
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ACADEMICS

Program Structure
The Global Health track of the Microcertificate in Global Engagement is an intensive, 8-credit program spanning eight weeks over a summer. Students undergo a transformative learning journey, engaging with critical global issues through an interdisciplinary approach. The program structure includes two main courses, both in Thailand, and a capstone project, 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 program's end, students will:
  • Apply global health frameworks to design and implement community-aligned interventions
  • Analyze health system dynamics and social determinants within Thai contexts
  • Navigate cultural and ethical dimensions in global health work
  • Work effectively in multidisciplinary and multicultural teams
  • Articulate learning and impact through a polished digital portfolio
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

Immersive public health fieldwork
Students engage with rural and urban Thai healthcare systems - visiting primary care centers, public health initiatives, traditional medicine practitioners, and NGO programs. Contextualized site-based learning enables deep understanding of health delivery models and community dynamics.

Collaborative intervention design
Guided by local stakeholders, students co-create group projects that address local health challenges - such as sanitation, nutrition, or health education - culminating in implementation and community feedback.
Guided reflection and cultural dialogue
Weekly colloquia and mentorship sessions support students in unpacking ethical dilemmas, cultural norms, and systemic drivers of health, strengthening reflexive practice and intercultural competence.

Daily cultural integration
Living in Thailand, students experience daily cultural learning - exploring street markets, sampling street food like pad thai and som tam, and learning at temples or community festivals. Cultural immersion reinforces their global health education and intercultural awareness.
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HOUSING & MEALS

The program includes 8 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 (8 weeks): June 1-July 24

Summer 2026: April 1

Summer 2026: US $7,950 (8 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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