University of Wisconsin–Madison
Back to Top

UW Global Health Field School in Thailand

An ornately-decorated building, mostly gold colored, with steep spires.
Well-preserved ruins of an ancient stone temple with many towers and spires.

Thailand, Bangkok

The UW-Madison Global Health Field School in Thailand 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 program offered in partnership with Mahidol University's Faculty of Public Health 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 health assessments by participating in a rural 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 and implement village health assessments. The program will end in Bangkok with final meetings, lectures, and discussions. 

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:

  • Explain 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 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 influenza, SARS-MERS CoV, HIV/AIDS and other acute and chronic emerging issues.
  • Utilize principles and strategies for interdisciplinary teamwork (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.
  • Understand and utilize techniques to explore health issues and compare to systems you have more exposure to, such as the US programs.

Diversity & Inclusion

We are committed to providing quality study abroad and domestic study away programs for every UW-Madison student. We work strategically to identify, address, and remove barriers that may prevent participation and to provide a welcoming and inclusive environment for students. Our staff actively engages with students, faculty, and staff from diverse backgrounds and prioritizes the continuous development of our knowledge and cultural competence. We also recognize the importance of increasing access to study abroad for historically underrepresented student populations. We are committed to diversity and inclusion so that every student can engage with and understand their identity through a new lens and continue to develop and make progress on their personal, professional, and academic goals.

Sustainability

We recognize that the future of study abroad, domestic study away, and international internship programming requires a Commitment to Sustainability. We are devoted to examining, developing, and improving sustainability in all our endeavors, aligning with campus priorities and following through with UW-Madison's climate action and Resilience Commitment. Join our efforts and learn more about how to study abroad sustainably.

Request Information

Join our email list to receive program updates-including application notices, scholarship information, and more!

Eligibility

  • Open to UW-Madison degree-seeking students and all degree-seeking students at a U.S. college or university. Preference is given to UW-Madison students.

  • Graduate students/Dissertators must be in good standing. Undergraduate students require a 2.5 cumulative GPA.

  • Preference will be given to students in health sciences and to Graduate and Professional students in Pharmacy, Vet Med, Med, and Nursing. Junior and Senior Undergraduates will be admitted on a space available basis. Participants are required to take Publ Hlth 714 (2 cr) the spring semester preceding the program. Once admitted to the program, participants will get permission to register for the prep course.

  • Junior, Senior, Graduate Student, Dissertator, VMED, MEDS, PHAR
  • Good academic and disciplinary standing
  • At the time of application and the semester prior to participation, UW-Madison students must be currently enrolled. Transfer Students to UW-Madison need to be currently enrolled at their home institution

Advising Location

Program Structure

UW Signature

Subjects

Public Health, Medicine, Infectious Disease, Nursing

Classroom Language

English

Housing

Hotels, Local Hosts, Residence Hall

Program Duration

Summer: Mid-May - Late May

 

Application Deadline(s)

Summer 2026 12/5/2025 Cost Details
Summer 2027 12/4/2026 Cost Details

Future durations will be posted at a later date.

APPLY NOW

 

During the spring semester preceding the field program, you are required to take Publ Hlth 714 (2 cr). Once accepted to the program, you will receive notification that you have been granted permission to enroll in the relevant section of the prep course. The preparatory course addresses 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.

You will earn 2 UW-Madison credits upon successful completion of the in-country program.

These students will earn credit for Public Health 716, a course that uses Sat/Unsat grading:
•  Graduate/professional and capstone certificates students who are using the credit to fulfill certificate requirements
•  MEDS who are not using the credit to fulfill certificate requirements
 
All other students will earn credit for Study Abroad 545: Topics in Social and Natural Science, which uses A-F grading.

A full course syllabus and schedule will be provided by your Program Leaders.

Affiliate Institution(s)

UW-Madison Office of Global Health 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. View Course Equivalents

Program Leader

James H. Conway, MD, FAAP

Stephanie Koning, PhD