Why you should participate in a Global Education Program
Professional health education is competitive. Less than 50% of students that apply to medical schools are admitted. There are four applicants for every one seat in physician assistant (PA) programs. We know medical and professional school admissions increasingly focus on students with dedication to community service, so engaging in community activities and research abroad will help any student attempting a health career to create a diverse, accomplished portfolio.
Global Education programs provide an opportunity for you to develop a valuable skill set that can give you an advantage over the competition by:
- Exposing you to unique health environments and differences in the human condition worldwide
- Expanding your knowledge of culturally specific health approaches
- Challenging you to adapt and persevere under sometimes difficult and harsh social and cultural circumstances
- Improving your language and cross cultural skills for effective communication across populations
- Enhancing your portfolio of experience through the kinds of hands-on research and community-based opportunities you will need to compete and succeed in today’s challenging health professions admissions process
Planning your program
With advance planning, and working closely with your academic and pre-health advisors, you should be able to fit a Global Education program within your four years at ASU. The Pre-Health Advising Office has provided the following recommended timeline to consider health-related research and study abroad activities. There are a number of terms available for you to participate in a Global Education program. Check out our recommended options below:
| Year | Term | Recommended Student Action |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | Spring | Identify and apply to a pre-health summer program offering clinical or research experience |
| Summer | Complete a pre-health summer program | |
| Year 2 Optimal year to participate in a Global Education program |
Fall | Research Global Education programs focused on clinical/research experience, or that allow you to complete major/elective coursework |
| Spring | Option 1: Complete a spring semester, spring break, or post-spring Global Education program | |
| Summer | Option 2: Complete a summer Global Education program or a pre-health summer program | |
| Year 3 | Fall | Research medical school options Option 3: Complete a fall semester or winter break Global Education program Begin studying for MCAT or GRE |
| Spring | Study for MCAT or GRE Take MCAT or GRE in late spring Begin medical & professional school applications |
|
| Summer | Submit medical & professional school applications Option 4: Complete a summer Global Education program |
|
| Year 4 | Fall - Spring | Medical & professional school interview process Option 5: If you will not immediately enter medical or professional school, complete a winter break, spring semester, spring break or post-spring program |
Advice from the College of Health Solutions
The ASU College of Health Solutions has generated a list of required and recommended courses for entry into medical or professional schools. There is no certainty of earning direct credit for these courses at a foreign institution so it is generally advised that students take their professional school requirements at ASU. Typically, Global Education courses are best applied directly toward your upper division (300 or 400-level) major electives.
Advice from the Global Education Office
- Be sure to view the list of recommended steps for getting started on your study abroad journey.
- Attend a Study Abroad 101 info session to get all the basic information from a GEO Student Recruiter on program types, eligibility, housing, finances, searching for and choosing a program and the application process.
- Attend a Financing Your Global Education Program workshop to get information on program fees and deadlines, how financial aid can apply to Global Education programs, how to utilize community-based funding and tips on finding and applying for Global Education scholarships.
How to make an appointment
- Call (602) 496-3300 to schedule an appointment with your academic advisor.
- Visit an advisor during walk-in hours in Health South 4th floor.
Key questions to ask
- What are my remaining degree requirements?
- How many upper-division credits do I still need to complete for my degree?
- How many elective credits (lower vs. upper division) do I have left to complete my major?
- What remaining prerequisites must I fulfill, and how will a Global Education program impact my progress?
- Which of my remaining degree requirements could I complete abroad? Are there any that I cannot take abroad?
- Can I receive academic credit for an internship abroad?
- Are there any in-residence requirements I need to be aware of before I go abroad?
Meeting with a Peer Advisor
Peer Advisors are ASU students who have studied abroad on various types of programs and who are here to help you get started on a journey of your own! They are prepared to help you understand the different types of programs offered, narrow down your program options, guide you on the application process, discuss program costs, and speak about student life abroad.
- Schedule a Peer Advising appointment
- Stop by the Global Education Office anytime Monday through Friday from 8:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.
- Contact a Peer Advisor by email.
- Call a Peer Advisor at (480) 965-5965.
Meeting with an International Coordinator
Your International Coordinator can answer your questions about specific programs, talk you through the application process and can help you find funding resources for your particular program on the Global Education Office website. Your International Coordinator is happy to meet with you to answer your questions and they would be glad to schedule meetings in person, by phone, or via Zoom.
- Find the name of your International Coordinator listed on the Global Education Office webpage for your program of interest.
- Schedule an appointment online. Click on the International Coordinator name for your program of interest and follow the prompts to schedule your appointment.
Key questions to ask the Global Education Office
- What are the eligibility requirements for my program(s) or interest?
- What is involved in the application for my program(s) of interest? Is admission to the program competitive?
- How will I get ASU credit and grades for the courses I take abroad?
- What courses are available on my program? How can I get courses approved for my program(s) of interest?
- What is the cost of participating in my program(s) of interest? What do I need to consider in preparing an estimated budget for my program(s) of interest, and what expenses do I need to plan for upfront?
- Where can I find more information about scholarships for Global Education programs?
Pursuing a global experience is an investment in your future. Like any other type of investment, it requires careful planning and management. However, the personal, academic, and professional rewards that you will gain from this experience will last a lifetime. You should carefully consider costs, budgets, and financing when selecting and preparing for your global experience.
Review Cost Sheet
You can find a Cost Sheet for your program on the Cost Info tab of the Global Education Office webpage for your program. The Cost Sheet will highlight the costs that are billed to your student account as well as additional estimated costs that are not billed to your student account but that you might expect to spend while participating. Be sure to note what expenses are included in the fees charged by the Global Education Office, and remember to budget additional money for airfare, passport and visa fees and personal expenses as needed since these are not included in any Program Fee.
Research Funding
Once you have reviewed the Cost Sheet for your program and are aware of the costs you might expect to spend on your program, you can begin to make a plan for financing your global education program. You can receive funding for your program through financial aid, scholarships and grants, and community-based fundraising efforts. We encourage you to:
- Speak to Financial Aid and Scholarship Services (FASS) about financial aid
- Use our Scholarships and Grants page to search for general global education scholarships and scholarships that are unique to your program
- Read the Community-Based Funding Guide for creative ways that past ASU students have funded their programs
Financial Aid
We encourage you to speak to a Financial Aid Counselor, who can help you figure out how your financial aid might be applied to your global education program. Be sure to seek answers to the following questions from a Financial Aid Counselor:
- How do loans work for my global education program? What kinds of aid/loans do I currently receive, and are there any restrictions on this aid if I participate on a GEO program?
- Have I reached the maximum of (insert name of) loan allowed per academic year?
- When will funds be released for my semester of participation?
- How will additional scholarships impact my ASU financial aid?
Major-Specific Scholarships
The College of Health Solutions offers Global Education scholarships for which you may apply.
Attend Financing Workshop
Would you like help learning about your financing options? We offer Financing Your Global Education Program Workshops through Fall and Spring semesters. Join us to learn how to finance your global education program through financial aid, scholarships and grants, and community-based funding.
Helpful Links
Recommended Programs
Although Pre-Health/Pre-Med Professions majors can participate in any ASU study abroad program, the College of Health Solutions recommends the following programs. You can also find a full listing of CHS Study Abroad programs on our website:https://chs.asu.edu/students/student-life/study-abroad-programs.
Program type: Faculty-Directed
Available terms: Summer
Country: United Kingdom
View Pre-Approved Courses
Program type: Global Intensive Experience
Available terms: Post Spring
Country: Ireland
View Pre-Approved Courses
Program type: Global Intensive Experience
Available terms: Spring Break
Country: Costa Rica
View Pre-Approved Courses
Program type: Global Intensive Experience
Available terms: Spring Break
Country: Mexico
View Pre-Approved Courses
Program type: Exchange
Available terms: Academic Year, Calendar Year, Fall, Spring, Summer
Country: Mexico
View Pre-Approved Courses
