Global Opportunities Pre-Health

American University of Beirut 

• At AUB, students can take courses offered through the Faculty of Health Sciences which has four departments: Epidemiology and Population Health (EPH), Environmental Health (EH), Health Promotion and Community Health (HPCH), and Health Management and Policy (HMP). 

CIEE Botswana: Community Public Health  

• This program fully engages students interested in learning about global public health. Students take courses in biology, development, medicine, and public health at CIEE Gaborone and CIEE's partner school, the University of Botswana. Outside the classroom, students gain firsthand experience observing community public health in action in government-run clinics, non-governmental organizations (NGOs), and hospitals. 

SIT India: Public Health, Gender, and Sexuality 

• The SIT India: Public Health, Gender, and Sexuality program studies the relationship between public health and the community in a field-study context. Students visit rural and tribal communities, NGO headquarters, academic and research institutes, and hospitals in urban and rural sites across northern India; lectures are held onsite.

SIT International Honors Program: Health & Community  

• This program provides a foundation for students to learn how communities around the world understand and strive for health and well-being. SIT students compare strategies of health and community across four radically different country contexts and at global and local scales, through case studies, ethnographic research, and visits with a diverse array of health practitioners and local activists.  

• Credit available for HSOC majors only. 

National University of Singapore 

• The National University of Singapore (NUS) is a multi-campus university of global standing, with distinctive strengths in education and research. Students in this program maintain a full course load of 4-5 classes in the sciences and arts with lectures, tutorials, laboratory sessions, assignments, and independent or group study.  

• Major focuses in Biology, Chemistry, and Public Health. 

University of Sydney 

• The University of Sydney’s commitment to learning is reflected through its international reputation for excellence in teaching and research and a diverse range of courses in leading-edge and traditional areas of study. With areas of study in Econometrics, Art, Chemistry, and more, students have an array of coursework to choose from.  

• Major focuses in Biomedical Science, Health Science, Immunology, Infectious Diseases, Pharmacology, Physiology, Microbiology, Molecular Biology, Biology, and Chemistry.  

University of New South Wales 

• The University of New South Wales (UNSW) has developed a formidable reputation for high quality, student-focused education through its leading research-intensive focus. With a full course-load of 4 (1+3) classes, students will enroll in one (1) intensive course at the beginning of the semester, and then will take three (+3) courses in the remainder of the semester.  

• Major focuses in Population Health and Health Sciences. 

CASA Melbourne: The University of Melbourne 

• The CASA Melbourne Program provides a unique opportunity to study abroad for a semester or year on a tailored and academically rigorous program at The University of Melbourne in Australia. Penn students have the freedom to select any course which is offered during their exchange period, and have the option to participate in research if desired.

• Major focuses in Biochemistry & Molecular Biology (requisites apply), Chemistry (requisites apply), Genetics (requisites apply), Microbiology & Immunology (requisites apply), Neuroscience (limited courses, requisites apply), Pathology (limited courses, requisites apply), and Physiology (limited courses, requisites apply).  

University of Otago 

• New Zealand’s oldest university, Otago, offers a rich cultural life, reflecting a diverse international student community and New Zealand’s own multicultural population. Students maintain a full course load of 4 “papers” (courses), with offerings in Biochemistry, Genetics, Microbiology, Neuroscience, Neuropsychology, Physiology, and Pharmacology. 

CASA Dublin: Trinity College Dublin 

• The CASA Dublin Program provides undergraduate students with the opportunity for full immersion into Irish culture; studying and living alongside Irish students at one of the oldest universities in all Western Europe, Trinity College. As a CASA Student, you have the unique chance to have 1-on-1 academic advising sessions. Major focuses in Biology and Chemistry. 

University of College Cork 

• The University of College Cork (UCC) is widely known for the work they have done in the Advancement of Sustainability in Higher Education. Students in this program have a range of courses from which to choose, many that take the form of lectures with practical, tutorial and language laboratory sessions. 

• Major focuses in Biochemistry & Cell Biology, Biology, Chemistry, Public Health, Microbiology, Pharmacology, and Physiology. 

Oxford University: Lady Margaret Hall – Biology Subjects Only 

• Lady Margaret Hall (LMH) offers a lively, friendly academic community with plenty of support at all levels to help make students feel at home. A full course load at LMH consists of 2-3 classes per semester, which is a weighted equivalent of 4-5 Penn CUs, with the basis of education taking place in small group or one-on-one meetings with faculty and submission of written papers every week.  

• Major focuses in Genetics, Cell Biology, Regenerative Biology, Genome Evolution, Genomics, Molecular Evolution, and Molecular Genetics.  

CASA Seville: University of Seville 

• CASA Seville is a Spanish immersion program that allows students to explore their interests within a Spanish community. In the Fall semester, CASA Seville offers a course on the Anthropology of Health & Healthcare in Spain, studying the history of the current health system and explore current topics in healthcare such as mental illness, surrogacy, and euthanasia in Spain. Students can take direct enrollment classes at the University of Sevilla in the biology or neuroscience departments.  

King’s College London – Health & Societies Program 

• Customized program for students in a pre-medical or pre-health degree program and intending to pursue a medical professional degree.  

• Students enroll in one course, Health & Society, composed of coursework and clinical observation, and three other modules. 

University College London 

• London offers special advantages for learners, as the city offers major libraries, museums and art galleries, the headquarters of learned societies, and research institutions in medicine, law, and the humanities. Students in this program can study Biological Sciences, Biomedical Sciences, and Neuroscience.  

Queen Mary – Biological Sciences 

• Queen Mary is one of the UK’s leading research-focused higher education institutions, providing students with the foundations of the Biological Sciences. Queen Mary has an accessible and friendly campus in historical and trendy East London, with on-campus housing options and a wide array of courses to choose from. 

University of Manchester – Biological Sciences 

• The University of Manchester provides a top-tier program for students studying science, engineering, and pre-med. Courses in this program offer a blend of small group teaching within a seminar and/or tutorial format. Visiting students at the University of Manchester are offered a wide choice of courses across the range of the University’s work and can choose between departments and levels. Major focuses in Biological Sciences. 

University of Edinburgh 

• A comprehensive institution set in the heart of the charming capital of Scotland, the University of Edinburgh is a high-ranked and attractive destination for study abroad. Teaching methods consist of a combination of lectures, tutorials, and laboratory work for science-based courses. Students in this program can explore subjects of Biology and Chemistry. 

Penn Semester in Lyon 

• Penn Semester in Lyon is a unique program that allows students to directly enroll in multiple universities in one of France’s largest cities. Students have the option to take French-taught courses at the University of Lyon 1, University of Lyon 2, and Sciences Po Lyon, as well as take courses with fellow Penn students in the program. 

• HSOC courses are available for pre-health students.  

Bologna Consortial Studies Program  

• The Bologna Consortial Studies Program provides Penn students with the opportunity to take a wide variety of Italian-taught courses at the prestigious University of Bologna alongside local-degree seekers.  

IFSA Program in Cuba 

• Taking place at the University of Havana, Penn students have the unique opportunity to study at the oldest and premier institution of higher learning in Cuba. Penn students can immerse themselves in Havana’s tradition of academic excellence and scientific and pedagogical standards. The University is organized into three divisions – Natural Sciences, Humanities, and Social Sciences and Economics.  

• Cuba developed 5 effective COVID-19 vaccines on its own, and has one of the world’s highest COVID vaccination rates!  

CASA Santiago: Chilean Universities Program 

• The CASA Santiago program provides undergraduate students with the opportunity for full immersion in Chilean culture and the Spanish language. Students have the choice to enroll in courses at one or more of the three top local universities: Universidad de Chile (UCH), Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile (PUC), and Universidad Diego Portales (UDP).  

• Penn students are expected to maintain a full course load of four to five courses, one being a mandatory credit-bearing Pro-seminar course throughout the semester. The Pro-seminar introduces students to the local context through cultural activities, local excursions, and lectures given by local and Harvard faculty traveling to the region.   

World Medical Association 

This partnership was initiated by Penn professor Dr. Harald Schmidt, Assistant Professor of Medical Ethics & Health Policy.  

The Medical Ethics Intern should have a background in medicine, health policy, public health, human rights, project management, or a related field, possess a strong interest in international affairs and in ethical and/or medical policy issues, and have basic knowledge of international organizations, such as the United Nations and their agencies. 

Some projects that students have worked on include:

• Revision of the Declaration of Helsinki
• Conscience and science
• The (non-)involvement of physicians in acts of torture and degrading treatment 
• End of life questions: patient will, termination of treatment, palliative sedation 
• Vulnerable groups in medical research 

Power Up Gambia 

Founded in 2009 by a Penn student who was interning at a Gambian hospital and wished to respond to care issues because of lack of electricity. Students assist at Bwiam General Hospital. 

Students can join as a Hospital Intern, Biomedical Engineer Intern, or Dental Assistant Intern in non-clinical settings. (Dental Assistant interns must be currently enrolled as Penn Dental students.)  Students have worked on projects such as teaching community health classes, assisting with hospital strategy and fundraising, and creating backpacks of medical supplies for EMTs.  

Nursing Research in Dublin

The Nursing Research in Dublin program provides students the opportunity to conduct research with the School of Nursing & Midwifery at Trinity College Dublin in Ireland. Students in this program have the opportunity to explore research in:

• Healthcare Innovation and Integration
• Healthy Ageing and Intellectual Disability
• Mental Health and Recovery
• Maternal, Child, and Family

Penn students who have participated in the Nursing Research in Dublin program in the past have recommended the placement for students who are curious, independent self-starters, able to ask for help when needed, excited about spending time in a new environment, and looking to develop their research skills.

Community Health and Environment in Monteverde

Community Health and Environment in Monteverde, Costa Rica offers students the opportunity to contribute to the local community and gain the tools to advance sustainability in their own lifestyles, home communities, and academic studies. 

The mission of the Monteverde Institute Internship program is to provide unique opportunities that allow in-depth participation in community initiatives. Each intern holds a specific role in a selected project that results in a positive contribution to the Monteverde community. This is done while providing solid support in academics, theory, methods, and communication.

Students will be exposed to the following benefits:

• Practical experience in sustainable food production and farm-to-table operations.
• Insight into the food system and sustainability aspects of a diverse and dynamic kitchen.
• Opportunity to connect with and educate program participants and the local community on sustainable food systems.
• Exposure to the beautiful Monteverde region and its unique culture.

*Students in this program must be in their second year at the time of application, and have an intermediate level of Spanish. 

Exploring Traditional Chinese Medicine (NURS 3430-002)
Dr. Jianghong Liu, School of Nursing

The course, which is supported by Penn's China Education Initiative, introduces students to Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) as a form of complementary alternative medicine (CAM). Students will gain an understanding of the basic principles of TCM theory (i.e. yin yang, five elements), as well as the etiology, diagnosis, and treatment of disease. Students will become familiar with the different types of therapies and treatments used within TCM, which include Acupuncture and Acupressure, Moxibustion, Chinese herbal medicine, Tui Na (deep tissue massage), Cupping and Scraping, Qi Gong (exercise and breathing), Dietary therapy, and herbal medicine. Demonstrations will be presented by licensed practitioners. The regulations, safety, and efficacy of this practice will also be explored and discussed. This course includes a visit to a clinic in Philadelphia as well as a week-long experience in Shanghai, China. Travel to China will occur during school break and will provide students the opportunity to engage in clinical observation at Longhua Hospital affiliated to Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, and also participate in other immersive experiences (e.g. Acupressure, Tui Na). This course emphasizes interdisciplinary learning, so students from all disciplines are invited to register. Grades will be based on participation, blog posts, seminar leadership, and a final term paper and presentation.

Health and the Healthcare System in Chile  (NURS 3430-001)
Dr. Eileen Lake, Biobehavioral Health Sciences, Nursing

This seminar provides interdisciplinary perspectives on health and illness in Chile, health system organization and financing, the health workforce, national health priorities, strategies, and recent reforms. Penn faculty in nursing, sociology, demography, economics, and Wharton share their expertise. The winter break field experience, which is summertime in Chile, focuses on health services delivery in metropolitan Santiago, including visits to a public and a private hospital, a primary care center, and a geriatric institute. Chile's unique political and economic history provides the context for its current healthcare system and challenges.  Therefore, we also visit cultural sites, notably the homes of the Nobel poet Pablo Neruda, the Museum of Memory and Human Rights, the bustling port city and bay of Valparaiso, and historic and government sites in the city of Santiago.