CGH Overview

If you're a prospective or incoming MS1, welcome to Penn. If you're new to Global Health at Penn, welcome to CGH.

This page is designed to provide a quick overview of what CGH offers for medical students and how you can get involved. Details regarding the information below can be found on the Penn Med Students page of this website. 

Some of my favorite and most rewarding experiences came from being open to all opportunities that came my way and truly embracing the fact this is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. - CGH Global health year-out Awardee, Botswana, 2023-24

What CGH Offers

  • A Global Health Certificate
  • Funding support for 2 Global Health Experiences (GHE) for every medical student
  • Global Research Opportunities
  • Global Clinical Rotations (20 institutions in 12 countries)
  • Global Year-out Program
  • Peer hosting opportunities with incoming international students at Penn
  • Global Health Student Advisory Council 

Photo credit: Gabriela Grady, Research Opportunity, Guatemala

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Global Health Certificate Requirements:

 

  • Complete 2 Global Health Experiences 
  • Enroll in PUBH5190: Foundations in Global Health 
  • Complete a Global Focused Scholarly Pursuit

 

 

Photo credit: Soma Umeozulu, clinical elective MUHAS, Tanzania

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Year-Out Program in Global Health

In 2023 CGH launched a Year-Out program in Global Health. Awards are competitively based and conducted in association with projects led by CGH Scholar faculty. A living stipend and travel expenses are provided. Admission is on a rolling basis and is currently open.

 

 

Photo Credit: CGH Year-Out Awardee, Sheldon Amoo-Mitchual, Botswana

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Ways to Engage:

One of the most essential things to do in a foreign setting is to listen with the goal of learning and understanding. Listening demonstrates patient respect and builds trust.
- MS4 Research, Rwanda

 

  • Join our listserv and attend our events
  • Participate in a GHE, either research or clinical
  • Pursue our Global Health Certificate
  • Do a global focused scholarly pursuit
  • Enroll in the MD/MPH Dual Degree

 

Photo credit: Jordana Avigad, Research Opportunity, Rwanda

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Some Stats (since 2018)

 218 Students went abroad; 115 for clinical rotations; 103 for research positions; to 43 countries

(data a/o August 2025)

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Going abroad allowed me to learn how to navigate social interactions in different cultural contexts. This ultimately made me more adaptable as a person, and helped me be more sensitive to others’ behaviors and customs. - MS1 Research, Tanzania, 2024

For more information about any of the above please visit the Penn Med Students page on this website. For additional questions, please contact CGH