International Summer Program for Medical & Healthcare Students: an Introduction to Global Health - 2018

The 2018 International Summer Program is an interactive two-week immersion program that will look at global health from a multidisciplinary and multiprofessional perspective. Students will receive a high-level overview of global-health-related topics with the overarching goal to develop a broader understanding of major public health issues and priorities around the globe. Our aim will be to develop a new generation of clinicians and public health leaders, who will be able to tackle the complex and multidimensional issues that challenge population health globally.

Highlights of the Program include:

• Lectures delivered by subject-specific specialists.
• Group discussions focused on closer examination of the subject-matter discussed in the lectures.
• English Language & Cross-Cultural Development workshops designed to enhance linguistic and cultural competency and explore the role of global awareness for future medical professionals.
• Observership placements within a variety of clinical departments of the University Hospital.
• Social Activities on campus and within the city of London that will connect you with Canadian and other international students from around the world. Opportunities to visit popular Canadian attractions like Toronto and Niagara Falls are also available (additional costs apply).

Access our e-brochure for more details about the Program.

Students selected for the program will attend the 2-week program from July 16-27, 2018. Students should arrive in London by Sunday, July 15. Departure can be scheduled late day July 27 or July 28.

Requirements: Highly qualified and motivated international undergraduate or graduate medical and healthcare students who have completed at least two years of undergraduate study in a relevant degree program. At minimum, an intermediate level of English language comprehension. All international students worldwide are encouraged to apply.

Due to limited spaces, students are encouraged to express their interest in participating in the Summer Program as soon as possible. An application form and additional information will be sent to students who express their interest in the Summer Program. Expressions of Interest close March 31, 2018. Please visit the Request for Information tab below to express your interest.

Mahmoud Azzeh

Mahmoud Azzeh is a first year medical student studying at the Mohammed Bin Rashid University of Medicine and Health Sciences in Dubai. Azzeh was motivated to join the International Summer Program to learn more about research, the scientific methods involved and gain a broader view of global health issues.

Why are you interested in global health issues?

I have always been interested in global health issues, and I believe it’s important to learn about these topics from a diverse point of view and gain a big-picture understanding.

What were you looking forward to learning about in the International Summer Program?

I was excited about the research project I will be working on with my group. The topic we are researching is air pollution in China and its relation to lung diseases. I have never done research or studied anything related to this area, so I am excited to find articles and disseminating the information.

What do you hope to gain from the research project?

I am particularly interested in evaluating how China has tried to approach this problem of air pollution and lung diseases, because it is an issue that is also relevant to Dubai. In the United Arab Emirates, a lot of people use private cars and carbon dioxide emissions are quite high as a result. I think this project will allow me to critically evaluate what other countries are doing to solve their issues with pollution, and perhaps, in the future provide me with ideas as to how I can possibly contribute to solving that problem in my own country.

Mary Bamimore

Mary Bamimore is a PhD Candidate in the Department of Epidemiology at Schulich Medicine & Dentistry. Bamimore has a biochemistry background and sees the International Summer Program as an opportunity to learn more about epidemiology-based research methods and discover new collaboration possibilities for the future.

What did you hope to gain from the International Summer Program?

I was hoping the program would provide me with new ideas and framework that could be applied to my research and studies at Schulich Medicine & Dentistry and that I would have a greater understanding of public health centred issues.

I had only been in the program for a week and already I began to change my way of thinking. I learned more extensively that a lot of things, ones I wouldn’t have previously thought about, contribute to the global burden of mortality and morbidity.  From a biochemistry point-of-view, I used to think the main contributor to the global burden of mortality and morbidity was cardiovascular disease and cancer, but there are a lot of other things like suicide and road accidents.

How do your academic interests intertwine with this summer program?

Though the work I am doing for my PhD thesis is quite different from the work we are doing in the Program, I think the Program is complimentary to my academic work because it provides a new way of thinking and perspective. Currently, I’m in the stage of writing my thesis proposal, and I think the new problem solving methods that I have learned will help me to frame my topic more clearly and evaluate it in a different way potentially.

Karima Hazzouti

Karima Hazzouti is a new graduate who just completed her bachelor of sciences from the Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam in the Netherlands. Hazzouti came to the program with a background in biomedical sciences with research lab experience. She joined the International Summer Program to gain a greater understanding of global health and health care organization.

Why did you want to participate in this International Summer Program?

I am interested in learning more about global health and the issues other countries are facing. For instance, in the Netherlands, where I am from, I am aware of the challenges we face with regards to health. Aging populations are an issue in the Netherlands, so I was really curious to learn about the other unique or different issues other countries face.

I also like the diversity this Program offers, and everyone here is unique. I think it is important to learn from each other.

What did you hope to take away from the Program?

I hoped to gain a greater understanding of culture and how health intertwines with it. Evaluating and learning about how other countries regulate, introduce policy and analyze the health issues they are facing in their regions is also important to me.

Dr. Zahraa Jamal

Dr. Zahraa Jamal is an Internationally-trained medical graduate from the Al-Anbar University in Iraq. She is committed to life-long learning and was hoping to gain a greater understanding of the health issues that are present around the world.

What experiences did you hope to gain from the Program?

I have made great friendships here and the information that we have been learning has enabled me to think differently about ideas and issues. I think the Program will also be helpful in allowing me to decide where to continue my future academic studies.

What are some new ideas you have learned?

Before starting this program I didn’t have a greater understanding of the health issues faced in countries like the Netherlands, Africa or China, but through the professors and the international students in the class, I have learned a lot. It has also been interesting to learn about the social determinants of health.

International Summer Program Photos 2017

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International Summer Program Photos 2016

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Introduction to Global Health - 2018

Program Fee: $500 CAD (includes tuition, on-campus activities, bus pass). The fee does not cover airfare, accommodation, medical travel insurance and international student visa processing fees (if required). Students from a university that has an exchange agreement with the Schulich School of Medicine & Dentistry will be charged a discounted program fee of $150 CAD.

Accommodation: Students are required to live on campus. Additional information will be provided with registration details. Estimated cost of residence is approximately $600 CAD. Single or double-rooms are available. For general information about the Western University residence system, please refer to https://www.residenceatwestern.ca

Thank you for your interest in the 2018 International Summer Program. Due to limited spaces, students are encouraged to express their interest in participating in the Summer Program as soon as possible by clicking here and filling out the form. Students should expect an application form and additional information to be sent to them following completion of the form.

Expressions of Interest close March 31, 2018.