VCU’s Dean Swahn leads a transformative global learning experience in Uganda 🌍✨ Blending education, culture, and impact, the program empowers students to explore new perspectives, connect with communities, and become global change-makers. The program will seek to provide an educational, applied, and cultural opportunity for up to 15 graduate students (or qualified seniors) interested in public he
alth or social science research related to the epidemiology of alcohol use and alcohol-related harm (including violence, injuries, and HIV) in vulnerable populations in Kampala,Uganda. The aim is to prepare students to be informed about and exposed to public health issues from a global and interdisciplinary perspective. Through mentoring, a challenging overseas study abroad program, and hands on experiential activities, students will gain invaluable knowledge and skills that will augment their academic preparation at GSU. The program objectives are to develop coursework around the global epidemiology of alcohol use, particularly in vulnerable populations. The topic of alcohol use in this context is particularly relevant in Uganda which has been identified by the World Health Organization as a country with very high levels of alcohol use. The course will place special emphasis on the structural drivers of alcohol use and alcohol-related harm including injuries, violence and HIV/AIDS primarily among youth and young adults. Instructions will be provided by GSU professors, a GSU Graduate Teaching Assistant, and professors at Makerere University in Kampala, as well as by local NGO partners who work in the alcohol prevention field or health promotion more broadly. A proposed three week curriculum and experience will include field work in Kampala, where students will participate in conducting surveys and GIS scans of the structural environment and of alcohol marketing across various parts of the city. Expanded participation in the program MAY also satisfy the MPH practicum requirement. This can be approved on a case by case basis. Proposal for this option will be due in January of 2016. Practicum related requirements will begin in spring 2016.
