Global Field Practice Experiences
What Is a Field Experience?
A global health field experience at Drexel University's Dornsife School of Public Health is an international experience that allows students to synthesize and integrate knowledge acquired in global health coursework, global health education, and other learning experiences.
Students apply theory and principles in situations that approximate professional practice in global health and international development.
Benefits of Global Health Field Experiences
Students who study global health through an international experience learn to:
- Understand the meaning and importance of global health practice
-
Understand the purpose of needs assessment and observe how to conduct
a community-based needs assessment in a global health setting
- Identify sources of evidence-based strategies for the design of
health promotion, risk reduction, and disease prevention programs in global
health
- Understand and observe common elements among planning models and be
able to develop a plan for a global health program
- Understand major implementation issues, common barriers to
implementation, and strategies for minimizing barriers to implementation
- Identify and observe strategies for scaling up and sustaining global
health programs
- Apply planning and evaluation skills to real-world problem solving
- Enhance practice skills of leadership, effective teamwork, and the
mastery of competencies in global health.
Global Public Health Training and Research Opportunities at Drexel Dornsife
Global Public Health Training and Research Opportunities offered through the Drexel University Dornsife School of Public Health and the Drexel Urban Health Collaborative include the following programs:
Global Health Field Experience Details
Some of the countries outside of the United States that Drexel Dornsife undergraduate and graduate students travelled to recently include:
- Cuba
- Eswatini
- Fiji Islands
- Guyana
- Peru
- Tanzania
- Uganda
- Scotland
Frequently Asked Questions About Global Field Experiences
What is global health practice?
At Drexel Dornsife, global health practice is a hands-on opportunity for students to put coursework into action alongside one of Dornsife's partner organizations.
Global health practice is broad in scope, and can involve participation from individuals, communities, organizations, and governments in problem solving and health promotion interventions.
What are examples of global health experiences?
Examples of students’ global health experiences at Drexel Dornsife include travelling to Cuba with other students, working with community members in Ghana, networking at a climate conference in Scotland, and collecting data for dissertation research in Columbia.
Specific opportunities include, but are not limited to:
How do you get global health experience?
Current students who are interested in gaining global health experience while at Drexel Dornsife are encouraged to:
- Research the opportunities offered at our school and university, especially Drexel Global
- Connect with Idris Robinson, MPH, our school's Executive Director of Global Health and Strategic Partnerships
- Discuss your goals with your advisor and faculty mentor
Students at Drexel Dornsife don’t even need to travel to gain a global perspective. Many classes and experiential learning opportunities dig into issues that transcend borders, such as infectious disease and climate change, and are seen through the lens of Drexel Dornsife's founding principle of health as a human right.
Can you create your own global field experience?
Yes, if a student identifies a potential field experience through their network, then the next step is to discuss with their advisor and faculty mentor. A student's advisor and mentor will help ensure that the opportunity aligns with the their degree requirements and specific interests.
Does the global field experience have to be credit-bearing?
If a student plans to use the field experience to fulfill a degree requirement, then yes, it will have to be credit-bearing.
But even non-credit bearing public health experiences like volunteering can be assets on a resume when seeking graduate school admission or a job in a related field.
Is there any funding for global field experiences?
Drexel Dornsife opportunities for funding include, but are not limited to:
If you are interested in learning more about a global public health career that aligns with one of Drexel Dornsife’s public health degree programs, request more information to speak with a member of our admissions team.
Request more information
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