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Study Abroad

Global Health Studies students have the option of using health-related courses taken abroad to count for elective credit for their major or minor degree requirements.  GHS students also have the option of taking health-related experiential learning opportunities such as Chicago Field Studies (CFS) and the Global Engagement Studies Institute (GESI) and having these count for up to two elective credits for GHS.

You may also participate in a non-Northwestern public health program (either affiliated with the university or unaffiliated). Note that for students wanting to study abroad with a non-affiliated program, they will need to petition to have their proposed courses pre-approved by a DUS before undertaking the study abroad as outlined in this link.

Notably, not all experiential learning situations are approved for elective credit. Beyond GESI and CFS, internship and volunteering activities generally do not count for elective credit unless the student’s program has a considerable classroom-based component (generally, 30 contact hours).

If you have questions about study abroad options, please contact the Global Learning Office for advising. 

Study abroad

For more than 10 years, Northwestern University and the Program in Global Health Studies has worked with the Global Learning Office and other international partners to develop academically rigorous study abroad programs. These programs have been vetted and are high-caliber experiences that complement our major and minor curricula, provide regional context, are regularly evaluated, and qualify for financial aid. Because of this, we strongly encourage GHS students to participate in Northwestern-run or Northwestern-affiliated public health programs.

Northwestern's International Public Health Programs

Program
Country
Language
Term
Program Type
Comparative Public Health: Serbia and Bosnia-Herzegovina Serbia & Bosnia-Herzegovina English Summer Northwestern
DIS Scandinavia: Copenhagen Denmark Danish, English Fall, Full Year, Winter-Spring Affiliated
DIS Scandinavia: Stockholm Sweden English, Swedish Fall, Full Year, Winter-Spring Affiliated
Geneva Internship Switzerland English Fall, Winter-Spring Affiliated
Global Healthcare Technologies South Africa English Winter Northwestern
King's College London, Health & Society Program England English Fall, Winter-Spring Affiliated
Public Health & Development in South Africa South Africa English Spring Northwestern
Public Health in Europe France English, French Fall Northwestern

 Read more about direct enrollment programs and unaffiliated programs here.

Choosing a program

Feedback from current and past Global Health students may help you select the right program. Click on the program links above and view the Student Voices section for blogs, videos, and more.

Applying to a program

Review the public health programs on the GLO website, meet with one of the GLO study abroad advisers listed on the individual program pages, and start your online application. You will meet with the Director of Undergraduate Studies to get approval for your program.

Funding opportunities

Northwestern students who participate in GLO public health programs may be able to take advantage of various fellowship opportunities through GLO. Both need-based and merit-based fellowships are available.