Apply your learning to current global health challenges through experiential activities that take place in classrooms, community organizations, workplaces, or abroad. These experiences help you build skills employers value, including teamwork, communication, problem solving, reflection, and critical thinking.
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Study Abroad Program Offerings
The School of Global Health offers intensive summer field courses through the Study Abroad Program. Offerings include:
Experiential Learning Opportunities



Collaborative Projects on Real-World Scenarios
In Global Health courses, you will apply your learning through hands-on projects and experiences connected to real-world scenarios and global health organizations. In past projects, students conducted air quality assessments in GH 3300, evaluated real health programs in GH 4100, and created health promotion resources for public audiences in GH 3545.
Practicum (Specialized Honours)
Gain work experience with a health organization in Canada or internationally across diverse settings.
Research
Work with faculty through independent study or as a research assistant. Explore the RAY program and GH research opportunities.
WHA Simulation
The World Health Assembly Simulation is an immersive course that models the World Health Organization’s decision making process.
Optional Co-op
Explore career paths through paid, full-time Co-op work-terms that alternate with academic study.
International Engagement

Globally Networked Learning
Collaborate with students, faculty, and non-academic researchers at partner universities around the world on a group project. Explore cross-cultural perspectives and develop a deeper understanding of complex health issues.

Student Exchanges
Spend one or two semesters abroad at one of York’s international partner institutions such as King’s College in England and Fulda University in Germany to gain new global perspectives while earning credits towards your degree.

Study Abroad Programs
Spend a few weeks abroad in the summer with York faculty, earn degree credits, and explore health from a global perspective. Courses are offered in locations such as York University’s Las Nubes campus in Costa Rica.
Other Opportunities in Costa Rica
The Grounded Project combines ethnographic research with documentary film making to bring awareness to issues concerning environmental sustainability, biodiversity conservation, health, and human well-being in Costa Rica. Senior level students in global health can engage in the process of participatory of documentary filmmaking, amplifying community voice and creating and mobilize knowledge about complex issues revealed through Grounded Theory approach. Global health practicum and research projects are open to interested students during the winter term.
"Sharing the Grounded films with communities has given me the opportunity to feel like I am really doing something to address these challenging issues in a positive and impactful way."
— Lauren Doud, Global Health Student, 2023

York University’s Las Nubes eco-campus in Costa Rica provides opportunities for experiential learning focused on protecting the biological, ecological, and social values of the Las Nubes Biological Reserve and adjacent area in southern Costa Rica.
