Global Health
Global Health Scholars Pathway
Immersive Experience
The Global Health Scholars Pathway (GHSP) is an innovative approach that allows students and faculty to participate in global health. The GHSP is designed for those students who are highly interested in global health. The GHSP allows medical students to work together, both in the classroom as well as in the field. Supervised by faculty, the Global Health Scholars take part in two immersive trips. The first trip primarily entails an introduction to the community, and participation in developing a community health project. The second trip, occurring in the students' senior year, provides students with an opportunity to participate in clinical care at the same location.
Global Health Scholars Program Timeline
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 receive pre-trip safety sessions, in-country medical education specific to the site, and several sessions by College of Medicine faculty on global and community health-related issues. Through this longitudinal relationship with the host community, it is our hope and expectation that students and faculty will be greatly enriched and the health and welfare of the people will be measurably improved.
Through completion of this four-year track students will receive:
Credit for completion of GHSP specific electives (GH717, GH727, GH747)
Mentoring relationships with highly interested faculty
Under the direction of faculty, students will gain skills for community engagement, basic health data collection and analysis, and community health intervention development with implementation. Students will be integral decision-makers in the program with the goal of measurably improving the health of the residents of the host community.
Important note: Scholars are responsible for their own funding to cover the costs of the trip. While there are some scholarships available, students can expect to spend up to $2,000 out of pocket, if not more, for the month-long experience in the first year.
Australia: Melbourne and Mildura, Drs William and Eileen Hennrikus, site lead, 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 (New for 25-26): Beijing, Dr. Wen-Jan Tuan, site lead, will accept up to 2 students
Ghana: Accra and Koforidua, Ms. Tamika Washington, site lead, will accept up to 10 students
India: Dr. Nirmal Ahuja, site lead, will accept up to 4 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 4 students
The Global Health Scholars Program (GHSP) is designed for first-year medical students at Penn State College of Medicine who have a strong interest in global health. Recruitment begins each August, when we open our application process for the academic year.
Applicants are selected through a competitive process that includes a written application and individual interviews with faculty site leaders and Global Health Center administrators.
Before applying, students are strongly encouraged to attend one of our Global Health Information Sessions, which are held in August and September. These sessions provide an overview of the program and introduce the unique experiences offered at each of our global partner sites. Additional details about dates and times will be shared in advance.
For questions or more information, please contact Tamika Washington, Assistant Director of the Global Health Center, at twashington4@pennstatehealth.psu.edu.
The application process for 2025-2026 is now open. Please be sure to apply by September 21st for consideration.
Program Leadership
Director and GHSP Site Leader: India, Global Health Center
Director, Rural Health Scholars, Global Health Center
Assistant Director and GHSP Site Leader: Ghana, Global Health Center
Site Leaders
Associate Professor, Pediatrics
J. Lloyd Huck Chair in Medicine, Professor and Interim Chair, Medicine
Shane Sergent
GHSP Site Lead: Peru, Global Health Scholars Pathway
Explore More
Find more opportunities for students interested in international health.
Check out photos from international trips through the Global Health pathway.
Support the Global Health Center
We invite you to support the Global Health Center and help make these international opportunities possible for our scholars.
