Global Health Pathway Application

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Thank you for your interest in the Global Health Pathway at Penn State College of Medicine. This four-year longitudinal program is open to first-year medical students. The Pathway includes an ongoing curriculum, regular meetings, collaborative preparation with faculty and peers, and two immersive month-long service-learning experiences with partner communities.

Students selected for international placements are designated Global Health Scholars, while students selected for domestic placements are designated Rural Health Scholars. Although the educational goals are closely aligned, some requirements and site experiences may differ.

Important: Admission is a commitment to the full four-year Pathway, not only to the first-year travel experience. Site availability, capacity, travel dates, and program activities may change because of partner needs, safety considerations, or other circumstances.

Applicant Information

Full Name

Penn State Health Email Address

Penn State User ID (ex: abc123)

Getting to Know You

The questions below are designed to help the Pathway selection committee learn more about your motivations, experiences, perspectives, and readiness to participate in a four-year longitudinal program. We are interested in thoughtful and authentic responses rather than a particular type of prior experience.

Why do you want to become a Global or Rural Health Scholar? Beyond the travel experiences, which aspects of the four-year Pathway are most meaningful to you? What do you hope to learn, and how do you think the Pathway will shape the physician you are becoming?

Maximum 300 words

Describe an experience working with or learning alongside people or communities whose backgrounds or lived experiences differed from your own. What did you learn, and how has the experience affected the way you approach service, communication, or cultural humility?

Maximum 300 words

Describe a time when plans changed unexpectedly or you had to function in an unfamiliar setting. How did you adapt, and what did you learn about yourself?

Maximum 250 words

Tell us about an interest, activity, responsibility, or experience outside your medical education that is important to you. What has it taught you about how you contribute to a team or community?

Maximum 200 words

Experience and Preparation

Previous international travel and additional language proficiency are not required for Pathway selection. Although language skills are not required at every site, they may be helpful for certain placements and may be considered during site placement and preparation.

Please briefly describe any previous international travel, including the location, approximate duration, and purpose of the travel. If you have not previously traveled internationally, enter "N/A."

Maximum 150 words

Please list any languages other than English that you speak and your level of proficiency. Use the following format: Spanish - Conversational; French - Basic. Enter "N/A" if none.

Suggested levels: Basic, Conversational, Advanced/Professional, or Fluent/Native

Site Preferences

Below are our confirmed international and domestic host sites for 2026–2027. Because site capacity is limited, applicants may not receive their first-choice placement. Please review the sites below, then select and rank four different sites in order of preference, with your first choice representing your highest preference. Each site may be selected only once.

Anticipated International Sites:

Australia - Drs. Bill and Eileen Hennrikus, site leads; up to 2 students
Brazil - Dr. Wen-Jan Tuan, site lead; up to 2 students
China - Dr. Wen-Jan Tuan, site lead; up to 3 students
Croatia - Dr. Nasr Ghahramani and Dr. Gisoo Ghaffari, site leads; up to 2 students
Ghana - Mrs. Tamika Washington, site lead; up to 10 students
India - Dr. Sanjay Yadav, site lead; up to 4 students
Ireland - Dr. Kimberly Myers, site lead; up to 4 students
Nepal - Dr. Sanjay Yadav, site lead; up to 4 students
Peru - Dr. Shane Sergent, site lead; up to 4 students
Philippines - Dr. Jasmin Lagman, site lead; up to 4 students
Vietnam - Dr. Tim Craig, site lead; up to 6 students
Zambia - Dr. Andrew Freiberg, site lead; up to 6 students

Anticipated Domestic Sites:

Rural Scholars - Indiana, Pennsylvania - Dr. Leesha Helm and Amanda Vaglia, site leads; up to 4 students
Rural Scholars - Lion Mobile - Dr. Leesha Helm and Dr. Michael McShane, site lead; up to 2 students

First Choice

Second Choice

Third Choice

Fourth Choice

Why are your first- and second-choice sites the strongest fit for your interests, goals, or previous experiences?

Maximum 200 words

Are there any sites where you would be unwilling to accept placement?

YesNo

If yes, please identify the site or sites. You may briefly explain any considerations you would like the Pathway selection committee to understand.

Maximum 150 words

Program Commitment

Students selected for the Pathway are expected to meet the following requirements throughout medical school:

Attend at least 90% of required Pathway classes.
Participate fully in the longitudinal Pathway curriculum and collaborative preparation activities.
Participate in two month-long service-learning experiences with the assigned host community.
Satisfactorily complete the required Pathway electives, including GH 717, GH 727, and GH 747.
Maintain good academic standing and comply with College of Medicine professional conduct standards.
Commit approximately two hours per week during active trip-planning periods while classes are in session.
For the first-year trip, be prepared to cover at least 50% of the total trip expenses. GHSP scholarship funding will not cover the full cost, and the amount students are responsible for will vary by site and total trip expenses.

Failure to meet these requirements may result in withdrawal from the Pathway. Trip cancellations or program changes may also occur because of safety concerns, partner needs, public-health events, or other circumstances outside the Global Health Center's control.

Based on the program expectations described above, do you anticipate any circumstances that may affect your ability to participate fully in the Pathway?

YesNoUnsureA Yes or Unsure response does not automatically disqualify an applicant.

If yes or unsure, please describe any considerations you would like the Pathway team to understand and identify information or support that may be helpful.

Maximum 150 words

Is there anything else you would like the Pathway selection committee to consider when reviewing your application?

Maximum 150 words

Program Evaluation

The following question is collecting information on the program and will not be considered in the Pathway selection process.

Thinking back to when you accepted the offer to matriculate, how much did the availability of the Global Health Pathway influence your decision to attend Penn State College of Medicine?

It was a primary reason I chose the medical school.It was a significant factor in my decision.It was one of several factors I considered.It had a minor influence on my decision.It did not influence my decision.I was not aware of the Pathway when I accepted the offer.

Acknowledgment and Signature

I have reviewed the Maintenance of Good Academic Standing in Global Health Scholars Pathway policy.

YesNo

By submitting this application, I confirm that I have read and understand the Pathway requirements. If selected, I agree to participate for the duration of my medical education, abide by program requirements, maintain good academic and professional standing, and permit the Global Health Center to verify that my academic record is and remains in good standing.

Agreement

I agree

Your full name

Type your full name. Typing your name here and submitting the form serve in place of a physical signature.

Questions: please contact Tamika Washington at twashington4@pennstatehealth.psu.edu.

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