What to expect overseas

The global health elective gives students an idea of what to expect when working overseas.

Students with an interest in global health no longer have to wait until their plane lands in a foreign country before getting a sense of what it’s all about. Dalhousie’s International Health Office offers a course in global health that teaches students about health systems and the determinants of health with an emphasis on the impact to under-resourced regions. 

The course, to be offered in January, prepares students for what to expect before they head overseas on their global health training. (Interested students need to register by Dec. 13.) 

The global health elective was launched in 2006 after students who had participated in programs organized by the International Health Office suggested that a prep course would have enhanced their overall experience. Since then, feedback from students has helped to guide the curriculum preparation for the upcoming year. 

“Students felt that having basic knowledge of international development and some of the health challenges in under-resourced regions would be an asset while abroad,” says Shawna O’Hearn, the International Health Office director and course instructor. “The global health course is intended to provide a foundation and background for students’ overseas experiences, with the hope that this knowledge facilitates a greater understanding of the issues faced by many people in the developing world.” 

The elective was created for students in medicine, dentistry, and health professions, though students in arts, community health and epidemiology, and business have also participated. A new course is being developed for faculty who are interested in global health. One of the key elements of the course is to consider the inter-professional dimension of health in under-resourced regions. 

“This is the first time I have truly been involved in inter-professional learning,” said one student. “This course is the best way I know to have different professions come together to work as a unit, discuss their roles, and share experiences.” 

“The global health elective covers aspects of health not covered within the formal curriculum,” says O’Hearn. “And because it’s open to students and faculty across faculties and disciplines, we’re not only preparing people for their work in developing countries, but also educating them on how to be part of effective, interprofessional teams.”   

LINK: Introduction to Global Health, International Health Office