Program Description

The UW-Madison Thailand Field Course introduces an interdisciplinary group of students to Thai culture and offers them the opportunity to learn from experts about infectious disease and public health in Thailand. This two credit program is offered in the summer from late May to early June and provides students a unique community-based field experience. The program is especially designed to allow students to gain an appreciation of Thai culture and how it affects health and health care. Students will study public health and tropical disease with Thai experts, as well as learn how to design and implement village health assessments by participating in a community-based project.

Students will arrive in Bangkok and spend about a week participating in lectures and site visits in and around the city. The program will continue in the Koret Providence where students will hear lectures on Rural Health Training and Research from the faculty of Mahidol University. Program participants will visit local communities, participate in home stays, and implement village health assessments. Students will also be exposed to eco-health research and visit a research site. The program will end in Bangkok with final meetings, lectures, and discussions.

Academics

During the prior spring semester participants are required to take Population Health 650: Health and Disease in Thailand (two credits). Students will earn an additional two credits (PHS 650, Section 41) after successful completion of the summer field program. The course addresses Thai culture, public health, and infectious disease. Students will explore such topics as: the health care system in Thailand, public health management in Thailand, rural health training and research, rural health development, and health system management issues.

A faculty member from UW-Madison will serve as Resident Director in Thailand. Students will also hear lectures from other UW-Madison faculty and from Thai experts.

Housing

Housing is included for the duration of the program. Students will spend the first portion of the program staying at a hotel in Bangkok. The program will continue in the Koret Providence where they will spend part of the time at the rural training site dormitory and also participate in homestays. Some meals are provided.

Excursions and Activities

Students will visit clinics, research centers, and health care centers where they will have the opportunity to interact with faculty and staff. Field trips may include cultural events and visits to scenic natural areas. Past site visits have included: Ayutthaya, the Grand Palace in Bangkok, AFRIMS (a tropical medicine research center), a veterinary clinic, and various health care centers.