Strengthening Undergraduate Global Health Curricula at Penn State: Exploring Students' Interestes in Global Health Studies and Careers
Open Access
Author:
Carrier, Bridgette Alissa
Area of Honors:
Biobehavioral Health
Degree:
Bachelor of Science
Document Type:
Thesis
Thesis Supervisors:
Melina Tanya Czymoniewicz Klippel, Thesis Supervisor Dr. Lori Anne Francis, Thesis Honors Advisor
Keywords:
global health undergraduate education desire to help others international travel
Abstract:
The field of global health has grown significantly over the last decade with increased interest in the field among American undergraduate students. This thesis examines the reasons and motivations for undergraduate students at Penn State studying and pursuing careers in global health. Nine undergraduate students who had previously completed a survey about their interest in global health were recruited for semi-structured interviews. From these interviews two main reasons as to why students are interested in studying and pursuing careers in global health were identified: i) students have a desire to make a difference, and ii) students have a desire to travel internationally. These two central themes can help strength global health curriculum at Penn State especially by teaching students about global health career opportunities, continuing to provide students with opportunities to travel abroad, and fulfilling student desires’ to help others.
