Dr. Boo Kwa’s five-country tour brings a world of opportunities to COPH students
The USF College of Public Health has taken a step forward in finding new connections in Asia for students to travel and execute international field experiences and research projects abroad.
During the spring semester, Dr. Boo Kwa, professor in Global Health and associate dean for International Programs, toured five Asian countries in order to form partnerships and extend overseas opportunities for COPH students. He visited Japan, China, Taiwan, Singapore and Malaysia.
Our new partner universities will host students from all concentrations starting summer 2016. All locations will offer on-campus housing, as well as research topics in various areas of public health. Most universities have already started exchange programs with other institutions and are hosting students from multiple nationalities.
All applications for these summer programs must be finalized at least three months in advanced except for the Australia program, which requires at least four months because of limited housing during our summer months.
Kwa with a group of international students at I-Shou University in Taiwan.
I-Shou University College of Medicine (Taiwan) will host students interested in infectious diseases and hepatitis B and C. Public health students will be able to work on research within these areas of study.
Kwa accompanied by faculty members from Gifu University-Osaka University Globalization Collaboration Center (Japan).
Gifu University Health Administration Center (Japan) will host students interested in mental health, homeless population health, and health disparities. Faculty are working on research within these topics and will host students seeking to gain experience and knowledge in these areas. The Gifu University-Osaka University Globalization Collaboration Center (Japan) will host students interested in anthropology and health, as well as social and behavioral aspects of health. Faculty members will serve as preceptors and guide students through their international field experiences.
Kwa touring one of the research laboratories at Osaka University.
Qingdao University Medical College (China) will host students interested in nutrition and aging populations. This university already shares partnership with USF through the Confucius Institute, located on the USF Tampa campus. This partnership has allowed USF students from different colleges to study abroad at this site, however, this will be the first time public health students will complete their IFEs at this university.
Kwa visiting the Qingdao University Hospital.
National University of Singapore School of Public Health will host students interested in health policy and epidemiology. There are possible positions in environmental occupational health areas since Norbert Wagner, former COPH faculty member, was recruited this year.
Singapore National University Hospital
Curtin University School of Public Health (Australia) will host students interested in epidemiology, biostatistics, aboriginal health and migrant health. This university requires students to apply as early as January 2016 for available summer positions because of limited housing during the months of May through July.
Curtin University Campus, Perth, Australia
Story by Silvia Alvarez, College of Public Health.