India Summer 2025
India: Population Health in a Cultural Context
This study abroad course provides students with an experiential learning opportunity in a developing country. India has made great strides toward improvement in health outcomes for its 1.4 billion people. India’s traditions and unique mixture of cultures and religions influence its social, economic, and health care practices of today. In turn, these structural conditions influence the health of individuals, families and communities, as they are linked to physical, social and personal resources to cope with health challenges. This course will expose students to India’s health system, health issues, and health care delivery to understand how population health is influenced by local and global determinants. In addition, it will provide an opportunity to observe and participate in care at the clinical placement site of the Christian Medical College (CMC) in Vellore, India.
The course is designed in a hybrid format. The first seven weeks of the summer quarter will include classroom and online learning activities at UW Bothell. The last two weeks of the quarter, August 8 – 23, will involve community-based work in India.
Quick Facts
- Dates: June 23 – August 23, 2025, including August 8-23 in India
- Locations: UW Bothell and Vellore, India
- Faculty Directors: Dr. Linda Eaton (lineaton@), Associate Professor, and Dr. Jamie Shirley (jamiegs@), Teaching Professor, School of Nursing and Health Studies
- Academic Credits: 12 Summer Quarter credits that fulfill degree requirements for MN, BSN and Health Studies students (details below)
- Cost:
- $5,000 program fee*, which covers: 10-12 Summer Quarter credits; housing, most meals, local transportation, and educational field trips in India;
- $350 study abroad fee;
- ~$1,500 airfare;
- $25 UW Student Abroad Insurance (required);
- ~$200 (depending on health insurance) vaccinations;
- Passport and an e-tourist visa ($25);
- Personal expenses at UW Bothell and while abroad.
*Note: Regular UW Bothell tuition will not be charged for these credits. The program fee is in lieu of regular tuition charges.
Course Structure
Following classroom and online activities prior to travel, the remaining course activities will follow a seminar format. There will be open discussions, reflective analysis of the course content, and minimal lecturing. A significant amount of time will be devoted to fieldwork and student-led open discussions — synthesizing field experiences, course readings, and individual/group generated ideas. Learning through field observations, active participation in community health promotion activities, and team-based problem-solving will be emphasized. Specific course numbers will be assigned in accordance with each student’s academic program.
Learning Goals
- Demonstrate cultural humility and respect in communication skills to collaborate effectively with interprofessional teams.
- Discuss the essentials of population health and health promotion.
- Analyze local and global determinants of the communities in a developing country.
- Assess, develop, coordinate, implement, and evaluate interventions for health concerns within specific communities.
- Articulate the role of the governmental, non-governmental, and charitable organizations in population health efforts.
- Reflect on and appraise learning related to population health and community practice.
Academic Credits
Specific course numbers will be assigned that meet the needs of program participants. After completion, BFSTDY placeholder credits will be replaced by BHS, BHLTH, and BNURS credits as below:
- BSN: BNURS 424 (5 credits) and BHLTH 492 (7 credits)
- Health Studies Pre-majors: Total of 12 credits using BHLTH 400, BHLTH 498, and/or BHLTH 492
- Health Studies Majors: BHS 496 (5 credits) and BHLTH 492 (7 credits)
- MN: BNURS 590 (4 credits), BNURS 591 (3 credits), and BHLTH 597 (5 credits)
- MS: BHLTH 597 (10 credits) and BHLTH 598 (2 credits)
Physical Demands
Students should be prepared for a physically and emotionally intensive, two-week experience while in India, including high heat and humidity, physical activity, and very basic amenities. Each day is filled with activities from early morning through evening in order to make the most of the short time abroad.
Info Sessions
- All info sessions will be held on Zoom:
- Saturday, December 7, 12:30 – 1:30 pm Register for Dec 7
- Wednesday, December 11, 6:00 – 7:00 pm Register for Dec 11
- Tuesday, January 7, 5:00 – 6:00 pm Register for Jan 7
- Monday, January 25, from 4:00 – 5:00 pm Register for Jan 25
Information for Applicants
The program is open to all students in good academic standing, from all majors, particularly those interested in public health, health care in community settings, community development, cultural studies, global studies, global health policies, environmental studies, and health information technology. Healthcare practice experience or interest, and/or a registered nurse license are highly desired. While the program is open to all majors, priority will be given to students pursuing nursing degrees in the UW Bothell School of Nursing and Health Studies.
For priority consideration, apply by January 31, 2025. After this, applications will continue to be accepted on a space-available basis.
The online application requires an unofficial transcript, summary of professional experience/ resume, name of a reference (but no letter of recommendation), and a one-page personal statement that explains why you are a strong candidate for the program by articulating your interests, qualifications and projected benefits to future goals.
Qualified applicants will be invited to participate in a group interview shortly after the deadline. Applicants will be notified of decisions within 3-4 weeks of the application deadline.
Program Support
Study Abroad Advising
Natalia Dyba, Director of Global Initiatives
425.352.3261
nataliak@uw.edu
Peer Study Abroad Advisors
uwbworld@uw.edu