This year’s summer global health program for high school students was a success! From July 24th through July 28th, 2017, high school students selected from all over the country had the chance to explore global health concepts through the intensive and interdisciplinary Global Health Summer Program for High School students. The purpose of the program was to provide students with a survey of global health topics, including disease, nutrition, and healthcare access, to motivate them to think deeper about the broader implications of health as a human right.
The application process was very rigorous. Students provided a statement of interest, transcripts, and teacher recommendations to be considered for the program. Several different learning modalities were used during the camp: students engaged in discussions with University faculty, attended lectures, participated in simulations, worked on team projects, and attended field trips to solidify important concepts.
Staff described this year’s program as the best that the Center for Global Studies has had, and students provided very positive feedback as well. One student shared an appreciation for the diversity in mentorship during the program: “I loved being able to learn from people of many different professions and backgrounds…engineers, doctors, college students, people involved with policy, people who have traveled outside of the country, etc.” Another student expressed that the “professors chosen were all astounding and inspiring.”
Importantly, students found the camp to be motivating and influential for their career development. Both students and staff described hope for the future upon completion of the camp. One student “can’t wait to hopefully be making as great of an impact as they [the instructors] are;” and staff characterized the camp participants as “a collection of young people with limitless potential to make an impact on their communities and world at large.” We are looking forward to the futures of these bright young students, and wish them well in their future endeavors.