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UW Global Health Community Health & Asset-Based Community Development in Sri Lanka

White and yellow buildings and dense trees covering a hillside.
Five students at an old temple, standing near steps that lead to a statue of someone seated.
Grassy farmland, surrounded by trees, with a large house near the edge.
Eleven individuals walking barefoot on a stone path, with a valley and hills in the distance behind them.
The foundation of an old stone structure, near the top of a hill, with a panoramic view of a valley and hills in the distance.
Eight individuals standing among stone ruins, listening to a tour guide.

Sri Lanka, Multiple

Sri Lanka is considered a middle-income country, yet deep disparities exist across the country. With regard to healthcare, the government and grassroots-level health care providers provide a substantial amount of health prevention and treatment, creating a population-level impact on positive health outcomes. 

This experiential learning program engages students in learning the basic elements of the holistic, grassroots development strategy of the village-based Sarvodaya Movement, with a special focus on the implications for individual, family and village health. In addition to visits and discussions at the movement’s Institute of Higher Learning (SIHL), national and district headquarters, the program will include a Shramadana (gift of labor- Community driven project) experience, discussions about the link between environment, health and human rights, and strategies for promoting intergenerational, community self-knowledge. Our partner in Sri Lanka is Sarvodaya, the biggest community-based organization in Sri Lanka with 1,500 offices at the village/community level throughout the country. 

This field experience program allows students to address issues of community health and asset-based community development by engaging with individuals and organizations in Sri Lanka. The students will have an opportunity to meet high-level health officers and public health care providers, such as doctors, nurses alongside grassroots providers, like midwives and village level providers. They will also meet with ayurdevic practitioners. Presentations by community health and social services personnel will be integrated with discussions, individual research, and reflection. Using the framework of asset-based community development, students will explore topics such as nutrition, maternal and child health, infectious diseases, prevention and treatment of violence, psychosocial rehabilitation, traditional healing and meditation in the context of ethnic and religious diversity, poverty, recovery from natural disaster and civil war. Given that Sri Lanka is an island susceptible to the adverse consequences of climate change, we also discuss climate change in our course.

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:

  • Build knowledge, understanding, and practical field skills related to Asset Based Community Development and its application to holistic health and wellness in village life
  • Assess how health and well-being are affected by social, environmental, political, spiritual, cultural and economic conditions in rural and urban Sri Lanka
  • Practice cultural humility by honoring cultural diversity and cross-cultural understanding, respect, and collaboration
  • Increase knowledge of organizations involved in improving health and well-being, including governmental, international and local NGOs, university-affiliated programs and social entrepreneurs
  • Gain exposure to promising practices in sustainable, holistic development 
  • Engage with the need for cross-disciplinary partnerships focused on addressing issues of health and well-being in a variety of settings
  • Stimulate knowledge of the power of cultural norms both in Sri Lanka and in the U.S. 
  • Observe practical elements of the Sri Lankan public health system and compare/contrast with the US public health system  
  • Assess interests and capacities for international study and work, and increase awareness to engage in those opportunities
  • Engage in service with Sri Lankan community members in ways that contribute to the community’s own vision and efforts to improve health and well-being
  • Demonstrate critical thinking and comparative perspectives with respect to experiences or cultural approaches to international challenges

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.

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Eligibility

  • Students must successfully complete a pre-departure course during the fall semester prior to the Sri Lanka program in order to be eligible to participate in the study abroad component of the program. Students will be given permission to enroll after confirming their participation on the program, and will earn 1 credit of Inter-Ag 321 for the pre-departure course. The course will take place in-person or virtually on Wednesdays from 5:30 – 7:30pm.
  • 2.0 Cumulative GPA

  • Sophomore, Junior, Senior
  • Open to UW-Madison degree-seeking students only
  • 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

Interdisciplinary health subjects

Classroom Language

English

Housing

Hostels, Hotels, Local Hosts, Residence Hall

Program Duration

Winter intersession

Early January – Mid-January

Application Deadline(s)

Winter Intersession 2025-26 - [Cancelled] 7/18/2025 Cost Details
Winter Intersession 2026-27 7/17/2026 Cost Details

Future durations will be posted at a later date.

APPLY NOW

 

Participants will earn 1 credit of Inter-Ag 321 - Study Abroad Pre-Departure Seminar for the pre-departure course and 2 credits of Nutritional Sciences 421 for the study abroad portion. This program is approved as a field experience for the Global Health Certificate. The pre-departure course and study abroad program also fulfills the College of Agricultural and Life Sciences International Studies requirement.

Readings and interviews with the leaders of Sri Lanka's largest community organization, Sarvodaya (active in 15,000 villages) will provide background for two weeks of service learning. Individual participants will be expected to produce two relection papers, a final paper on a topic selected during the pre-departure course, and active daily participation in relective discussion. Classroom presentations by community health and social services personnel will be integrated with short-term residence in rural villages.

Teaching will be conducted in English. For the field work in the villages, there will be Sri Lankan partners who will aid with translations.

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

Sumudu Atapattu (UW-Madison Law School) and Sydney Resler (Wisconsin Population Health Service)