Offering a new level of engagement on global health issues, the UNMC College of Public Health launched its first study abroad course this summer with an immersive experience in Rwanda through the UNMC Center for Global Health and Development.
The three-credit hour, graduate-level course – “CPH 559: Learning Across Borders – A Global Health Experience” – gave students a unique, innovative opportunity to engage in global health issues.
The milestone course is led by Abbie Raikes, PhD, and Danielle Thies, from the UNMC Center for Global Health and Development.
This year’s cohort consisted of eight Master of Public Health students and one PhD student, hailing from four states and including two international students. Seven of the nine participants are online UNMC College of Public Health students.
Accompanying Dr. Raikes, Thies and the students were two additional public health faculty members: Ariane Rung, PhD, from the UNMC Department of Epidemiology, and Matt Nonnenmann, PhD, from the UNMC Department of Environmental, Agricultural and Occupational Health. Brandon Grimm, PhD, vice dean of the UNMC College of Public Health, and Katelyn Hepworth, PhD, Child Health Program manager from the UNMC Department of Health Promotion, joined the group for a portion of the trip.
Under the guidance of Thies, Dr. Rung and Dr. Nonnenmann, the students immersed themselves in the cultural and public health landscape of Rwanda from June 11-19. The itinerary was curated to provide a comprehensive understanding of the country’s history, health care system and the work of various non-governmental organizations in fields such as agriculture and nutrition, maternal and child health, One Health and mental health.
See these images from the study abroad course, “Learning Across Borders – A Global Health Experience.” Click images to enlarge.
Highlights of the trip included visits to the Kigali Genocide Memorial, the Nyamirambo Women’s Center, Gardens for Health, the Health Development Initiative and Zipline drone delivery systems.
The group also visited the University of Rwanda’s School of Public Health and the Rwandan Institute of Conservation Agriculture, where they engaged with local peers, attended lectures by Dr. Grimm and Dr. Nonnenmann, and collaborated on a case study.
Said Dr. Raikes, director of the Center for Global Health and Development with UNMC and a professor in the UNMC Department of Health Promotion, “This trip provided a great opportunity for our students and our emerging partnership with the University of Rwanda. We’re eager to continue to move forward with great momentum towards our goals for long-term partnerships that enrich our students and our faculty.”
Luke Santos, a Master of Public Health student in epidemiology, said the course offered an amazing cultural experience.
“It was a truly enriching and inspiring,” Santos said, “providing valuable insights and connections with not only individuals that we met in Rwanda but also those who took the course that will last a lifetime.”
To cap off the academic itinerary, the students enjoyed a one-day safari at Akagera National Park, home to Africa’s “Big 5” mammals.
“So many aspects of this Rwanda trip were impactful,” said Elizabeth Ridder, a Master of Public Health student in emergency preparedness. “While the safari at Akagera was a bucket list item, seeing the great lengths Rwanda has come (and in some ways surpassed the United States) in various public health avenues was inspiring.”
She added, “Meeting many like-minded students and faculty both from the UNMC College of Public Health and University of Rwanda gives me hope for continued growth.”
The UNMC College of Public Health looks forward to offering this experience again during the summer 2025 term.