Global Health Abroad

If your career interest is medicine or public health, you have an extraordinary way to enhance your education at Earlham. Each year the Center for Global Health sponsors an international immersion experience that will give you a new perspective on health care—and much more.

The program alternates annually between the countries of Peru and Costa Rica, led by various Earlham faculty. For three weeks in May, participants not only learn about health issues faced by these communities and cultures but work alongside medical professionals in treatment and educational settings.The International Medical Relief of Children (FIMRC) and Partners in Health, multinational healthcare organizations, have provided training and projects on site

From populations impacted by natural disasters to refugee settlements, student participants have served people in need by

• participating in public health campaigns;
• taking vital signs and glucose readings;
• providing vaccinations, diabetes tests, and fluoride treatments;
• assisting in a pharmacy;
• working in mobile clinics and after-school centers;
• designing health education programming for children.

Living and working with local people, reflecting on cultural and ethical issues raised by international health campaigns, traveling the country—all will open up a new understanding for you of what it means to serve in the health care profession.