Students on exchange from Universidad del Rosario inspire mutual learning between international and local students

For the Winter Term, students from our partnership universities are able to take part in a mobility exchange opportunity in the MSc Global Health program at McMaster University.

The three-month exchange prioritizes international experience and experiential learning, and this year for the first time, students in the Master’s in Public Health at the Universidad del Rosario in Bogota, Colombia were able to take a part in this unique offering.

Two such students, Diana Quintero and Fernando Castillo, selected the Global Health program exchange as part of their studies and after several weeks of planning, they arrived in Canada to immerse themselves in their learning and a winter in Hamilton.

Despite challenges due the pandemic and this being the first time that Rosario students have participated in the mobility exchange opportunity, Diana was intent on an exchange that had an emphasis on global health. Familiar to McMaster University, Diana obtained her Bachelor of Science in Nursing degree in 2011 and knew she would return someday for another academic endeavour.

Choosing the Globalization and Equity course concentration, Diana selected courses which included “Challenges in Global Health Equity”, “Refugee Health Policies and Practices”, and  “Circumpolar Health: A Global Health Perspective”.

“I am delighted with the classes I selected, but to my surprise, the course I enjoyed the most was Circumpolar Health: A Global Health Perspective,’ says Diana, ‘with extensive knowledge about global health, the course instructor, Dr. Alexander Drossos is a fantastic teacher as he inspires students to participate and collaborate.’

As a result of this academic experience and a successful mobility exchange, Diana hopes that she will inspire her peers to pursue this option in the future.

Medical Doctor and Paediatrician, Fernando, also selected the Global Burden of Disease: Challenges and Changes course concentration and highlights that, “in terms of learning, the experience could not have been better’’.

Embracing his time first time in Canada and the winter season, Fernando explored Toronto, the Blue Mountains, and Niagara Falls.  He reflects that ‘Canada is a beautiful country and arriving in winter was a great experience as it represents an additional challenge for people that came from tropical countries, such as Colombia.’

Even with the uncertainties of the pandemic, ‘this made finally welcoming Fernando and Diana all the more historic and kudos to them for their patience, resilience and perseverance!’ remarks Sonya DeLaat, Academic Advisor and Curriculum Coordinator, Global Health.

‘As the first Rosario students to participate in the exchange and come to McMaster, they have brought to life this opportunity for formal and informal knowledge exchanges between learners and to strengthening ties between our institutions.’

Diana and Fernando have been marvellous ambassadors!  We look forward to welcoming Rosario students again next year and continuing to create a supportive and inclusive environment for international students which fosters an atmosphere of mutual learning between international and local students.