The program follows the ‘McMaster Model’, the student-centred, small-group learning approach adopted by universities around the world. What makes it unique is its transcontinental blended learning approach. The program combines online collaboration in virtual teams with traditional face-to-face classroom experiences, and exchanges with our partner universities in the winter term for eligible students.

Throughout the symposium, students:

• Experience an international work environment that mirrors complex, real-world work situations.
• Network and gather feedback with more than 300 students and faculty members from partner institutions during a two-week course in Manipal, India. (adapted due to COVID-19)
• Present research by sharing abstracts and gathering feedback from experts, as well as the peers who will become your future professional colleagues.
• Observe primary health care facilities, government agencies, or other stakeholder settings as part of the larger research projects at Manipal University. The output of your observations will be a systems map, used to inform future research at MAHE.
• Observe and adapt to different cultural contexts – and draw on this insight to operate effectively in a diverse group setting.

Following the symposium, course-based students concentrate on completing their global health practicums while thesis students continue their thesis research and begin preparing for their defense.

In response to COVID-19, the Symposium has been adapted to a digital offering and when public health measures permit, the symposium will be held in India.

Internship allows for real-life experiential learning in global health and fosters the development of innovative ideas, which you can expand upon in your scholarly paper. Students gain valuable experience with organizations that practice the theory, concepts, and methods taught in the Global Health program.

Note: Students participating in a field placement outside of Canada will complete a Risk Management Form (available on our internal platform). Students participating in an unpaid field placement within Canada will complete a letter of declaration to let the unpaid placement know they have coverage via WSIB or Chubb Insurance.