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Orientation
IAP expects you to be an active participant in preparing yourself for your study abroad experience. As a participant on an IAP program, you will receive a pre-departure orientation, either in-person or online. The type and format of this orientation will vary by program and will be provided to you upon acceptance to the program.
Program participants are introduced to Thai language and culture during the spring semester preparatory course. There is also an orientation when students arrive in Thailand.
Visa
A visa is not required for U.S. citizens for this program. U.S. citizens must have a U.S. passport valid for at least six months beyond the end of the program. Non U.S. Passport holders may have different visa requirements. Ask your Study Abroad Advisor, if you have any questions.
Any students who plan to stay longer in Thailand than the program dates should consult the Thai Embassy for visa requirements: http://dc.thaiembdc.org/consular/visa/Tourist.aspx?Visa.
Getting to Your Program
You will make your own travel arrangements but will be given guidelines for arrival dates and times.
Insurance
You will be enrolled in the UW System required health insurance through Cultural Insurance Services International (CISI) and the cost of the insurance coverage is included in program fees.
The UW-Madison Global Health Institute 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 provides a unique community-based field experience designed to allow you to gain an appreciation of Thai culture and how it affects health and health care. You 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.
You will arrive in Bangkok and spend a week participating in lectures and site visits around the city. The program will continue in a nearby rural Province where you will hear lectures on rural health training and research from the faculty of Mahidol University. You will visit local communities, participate in homestays, and implement village health assessments. You will also be exposed to eco-health research and spend time at a research site. The program will end in Bangkok with final meetings, lectures, and discussions.
Every other year, this program offers a 3-week track for Nursing majors (next offered in Summer 2019).
Learning Objectives
We have overall
Goals and Expectations for Study Abroad Participants, covering the personal, academic and professional aspects of study abroad. Additionally on this program, you can:
• Examine the global burden of diseases, the health transition, and the triple burden of disease as it relates to Thailand.
• Describe how country-specific environmental, cultural, economic, and social factors influence health.
• Review the structure of the health system in Thailand, the role of primary health care, public health and non-governmental organizations in the health sector.
• Describe diseases commonly found in the Thailand and explain the etiology, epidemiology, clinical presentation in humans and animals, public health implications, and prevention and treatment strategies.
• Explore public health approaches for maintaining health and preventing and treating illness in community settings, including surveillance, diagnostic activities, and interventions. This should include basic health needs such as maternal and child health and nutrition, as well as transnational health challenges such as avian flu, HIV/AIDS and other acute and chronic emerging issues.
• Utilize principles and strategies for interdisciplinary team work (communication, negotiation, respect for group dynamics, and conflict resolution).
• Explore concepts related to cultural competence and cultural humility, as well participatory community approaches to health.
• Examine ethical issues related to global health.
Not sure where Bangkok is? See it on a map here.
Bangkok is the twenty-second most populous city in the world and has a recorded population of about six million, however the actual number is thought to be much higher. Bangkok is a magnet for business or vacation travelers and has long been the gateway to Asia for foreign interests seeking new markets. The city is a major economic and financial center of Southeast Asia. The city's wealth of cultural sites makes it one of the world's most popular tourist destinations. The Bangkok Province borders six other provinces: Nonthaburi, Pathum Thani, Chachoengsao, Samut Prakan, Samut Sakhon and Nakhon Pathom.
Getting to Your Program
You will make your own travel arrangements but will be given guidelines for arrival dates and times.
Visa
A visa is not required for U.S. citizens for this program. U.S. citizens must have a U.S. passport valid for at least six months beyond the end of the program. Non U.S. Passport holders may have different visa requirements. Ask your Study Abroad Advisor, if you have any questions.
Any students who plan to stay longer in Thailand than the program dates should consult the Thai Embassy for visa requirements: http://dc.thaiembdc.org/consular/visa/Tourist.aspx?Visa.
Orientation
IAP expects you to be an active participant in preparing yourself for your study abroad experience. As a participant on an IAP program, you will receive a pre-departure orientation, either in-person or online. The type and format of this orientation will vary by program and will be provided to you upon acceptance to the program.
Program participants are introduced to Thai language and culture during the spring semester preparatory course. There is also an orientation when students arrive in Thailand.
Housing
Housing is included for the duration of the program. You will spend the first portion of the program staying at a hotel in Bangkok. The program will continue in a rural province where you will spend part of the time at the rural training site dormitory and also participate in homestays. Some meals are provided.
We typically place students in rooms with others of the same sex. In some locations, this is necessary for legal or cultural reasons. We understand that not all students may identify as female or male, and we want to create a welcoming environment for you while you are abroad. We are happy to work with students who identify as transgender, genderqueer, gender non-conforming, and/or non-binary regarding life abroad. If you have questions or concerns regarding housing as it relates to your gender identity, please contact your Study Abroad Advisor.
Excursions and Activities
You will visit clinics, research centers, and health care centers where you 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.
Insurance
You will be enrolled in the UW System required health insurance through Cultural Insurance Services International (CISI) and the cost of the insurance coverage is included in program fees.
On-Site Support
UW-Madison faculty will serve as Program Leaders in Thailand and provide on-site support for the duration of the program.
Handbooks
Use the links below to find out more information on academics, daily life and student impressions for this program.
GHI Thailand Program Handbook (Summer - 2017-18)
Diversity Abroad Country Climate Notes - Thailand (Summer - 2017-18)
Returned Student Network
Click
here to contact a returned student.
Student Profiles
Check out student profiles to learn more about their experience abroad.
Callie Hansen - Badgers Beyond AbroadBridget Ravis
Student Quotes
"The public health system in Thailand is truly impressive and they are very proud of their system. They want to discuss their perspectives and hear yours. Everyone at Mahidol is so excited about what they do and want to teach you AND learn from you. The lessons you learn will be applicable no matter what your field of work."
“I met some pretty phenomenal people and collaborators. Everyone was excellent and friendly. The academic experience was an eye opener, and overwhelmingly positive.”
“This was a wonderful experience to learn about the public health programs in Thailand along with learning the struggles and barriers to completing a public health assessment in a community you are not a part of.”
“I believe that this experience will encourage me to consider culture and other upstream factors into my decision making skills as a future physician.”
“This experience introduced me to international collaboration and global health, an interest I hope to further pursue. As a future physician, this experience will make me more culturally competent and better equipped to respond to my patients’ needs and the needs of their communities.”
“I have learned about another healthcare system and culture. I plan to incorporate more alternative/traditional medicine in my nursing practice as well as being more open-minded to religious/cultural practices of my patients.”
“This experience helped me get a better understanding of community health assessments and the importance of community collaboration in any project.”
“It was an amazing way to learn about public health and truly understand how it works. It also helps give perspective on the healthcare system here in the US.”
How to Apply
First, make sure you have reviewed the information for Prospective Students on the IAP web site.
There is also specific Academic Planning information that you should review.
Next login to the IAP Online Application.
The following supplemental application materials are also required as part of the application to this program and will become available to you through the on-line application:
Summer Program Forms
Global Health Study Abroad Essay
Passport Scan
Unofficial Transcript (Student Record)
Unofficial Transcript - OPTIONAL - Additional File
Please Note: Forms are subject to change. Complete the forms according to the checklist provided to you in the online application portal.
After the Deadline
IAP completes a review of all applications to determine if students meet minimum eligibility requirements.
| Session | Application Status |
| Summer - 2017-2018 |
Application Not Available |
During the spring semester preceding the field program, you are required to take PHS 644: Global Health and Disease (one credit). You will earn an additional two credits (of PHS 645) after successful completion of the summer component of the program. The preparatory course addresses Thai culture, public health, and infectious disease. You 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.
Nursing students that participate in all three weeks, in the years when the Nursing track is offered, will be eligible to receive three credits for the summer experience in N436. Nursing will include the required PHS course in the prior Spring as part of the N436 requirement.
UW-Madison faculty will serve as Program Leaders in Thailand. Students will also hear lectures from Mahidol faculty and from various Thai experts.
Affiliate Institution(s)
UW-Madison Global Health Institute
Mahidol University
Course Equivalents
Use the links below to see a list of courses that past students have taken on this program and the UW equivalents. Note: This list only includes pre-approved courses for your program and may not be an exhaustive list of courses, departments or equivalents. Courses may not be available the semester you are abroad. You will receive instructions on the course equivalent process after acceptance.
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