Students participating in GHIP pursue a structured academic program that involves a series of required readings and written assignments. During the summer, students will have a UW faculty mentor who will evaluate and provide feedback on electronically submitted work. Key assignments:

  • Write a briefing paper summarizing key facts about the host country and its health situation.
  • Perform a community health assessment and write a report outlining your findings.
  • Select a health issue representing a key concern of the community and perform background research on the topic.
  • Submit a formal project proposal outlining a plan to address the health issue.
  • Write a thoughtful evaluation of the project and lessons learned.
  • Create a presentation, poster, and written abstract summarizing your project.
  • Submit five reflective journal entries.

Students in the program are also required to participate in a two-day orientation session in March which covers health, safety, global health ethics, cross-cultural and cultural competence skills, and background information on global health. While on site students will also meet with GHIP Program Leadership for mentorship. After the GHIP experience concludes, students gather for discussion sessions near the end of August or early September. During the discussion sessions, students present their work, discuss key readings, and debate core issues in global health. All are required. View the 2019 GHIP Syllabus for more information.

GHIP is officially designated as three UW classes: MEDSCI 501, Independent Investigative Inquiry - Part 1 (6 credits, Sum); G H 572, Global Health Fieldwork: Preparation, Integration, and Re-entry (2 credits, Fall); MEDSCI 503, Independent Investigative Inquiry - Part 2 (1 credit, Fall).