Go Global Health Science

Go Global Health Science provides health sciences students with the opportunity to undertake an international clinical fieldwork placement at partner sites in Asia.

Cambodia

The Go Global Health Science program has been operating in Cambodia since 2012 and we are very proud of the contribution students have made to the local community.

Since 2012, Go Global Health Science students have been working with a number of host sites in Battambang and Siem Reap sites. Cambodia has very few allied health care professionals other than physiotherapists, hence this gives students unlimited opportunities to introduce ways to manage clients with wide range of disabilities and conditions. We are fortunate to have partnerships with five host sites in North West Cambodia, which include World Mate Emergency Hospital, Physical Rehabilitation Centre, Military Handicap Development Centre, Military Regional Station No.4 Hospital, Grace House Community Centre and the Balaing Clinic Community Health centre.

Students have the opportunity to interact with clients whose main presentations include problems like large bone fractures, amputations, brain injury and rehabilitation needs. Students may be involved in presenting education sessions and workshops to the community. This is a challenging placement, therefore students need to be equipped with sound clinical and theoretical knowledge whilst work together with their peers and the local staff for advice and assistance.

China

Go Global China Health Science has partnerships with Hua Shan Hospital and Sunshine Rehabilitation Centre in Shanghai.

China’s healthcare system has improved significantly over the past decade, and in this time has undergone significant reorganisation in an attempt to achieve universal health-care coverage by 2020 (World Health Organisation, 2005). Some gains apparent during this time of change include an improved life expectancy, a lowered child mortality rate and reduced cases of infectious diseases. However, due to the increase in lifestyle risk factors, non-communicable diseases such as obesity and diabetes have increased and have become the main causes of death in China (World Health Organisation, 2005). The public hospitals in China are classified under level one, two or three. Level three is considered the highest level and one of the requirements to achieve this level is to have a rehabilitation department.

We have partnership with Hua Shan Hospital and Sunshine Rehabilitation Centre in Shanghai, both of which are classed as level three.

Through our partnerships, our students have the opportunity to work in outpatient rehabilitation departments, international wards and public wards with local therapists and therapy students. There are ample opportunities to participate in inter-professional practice with diverse and complex caseload within the placement sites.

India

We have partnerships with the Spastics Society, Holy Cross College, Panchayat Union Middle School and Gitanjali Medical Centre and hospital in Tiruchirappalli, Southern India.

The Spastics Society of Tiruchirapalli was founded in 1982 with the objective of training, educating and rehabilitating children with cerebral palsy in Tiruchirappalli District. The centre houses an inter-disciplinary team comprising professionals in various fields and uses a holistic approach to education. The organisation’s topmost objectives are to provide for the treatment, education and rehabilitation of children affected by Cerebral Palsy. Services provided include Day Care Programme, Residential Care Programme, Clinics, Mobile and Peripheral Programmes etc., for the care and welfare of children with Cerebral Palsy.

The Holy Cross College, established in 1983, is one of the pioneering institutes in teaching and training professionals in the field of Rehabilitation of the Disabled. Aims of the centre are to provide quality education and prepare skilled professionals in the field of Rehabilitation and Special Education for the disabled

Panchayat Union Middle School is a Government integrated school that provides education for children from the surrounding villages. These children are the first generation to receive formal education, as their parents are illiterate and did not have the opportunity to learn English. There are special-need children in each class and they get to learn alongside other children in the same class. The school welcomes international volunteers and are very appreciative of any health education we are able to provide.

The Gitanjali Medical Centre and Hospital is a General Hospital located centrally in Tiruchirappalli, Tamil Nadu. The hospital provides the following services: general medical, general surgical, gynaecology and obstetrics, ICU, Neurology, gastrology and orthopaedics and Ayurvedic treatment for gynaecology. It has a pharmacy, physiotherapy and outpatients department.

Nepal

Nepal is our new placement opportunity and we sent the first group of students to Pokhara, Nepal in November – December 2019. The placement sites are Saatthi Sansar, Green Pasture hospital and Manipal hospital.

The Saathi Sansar is an NGO family Day Centre for children with cerebral palsy from the region and the children are aged from 3 – 15 years. There are three centres – one is in a rural area which has 20 children and the other two centres are in central Pokhara and with approximately 8 children in each centre. The teachers and carers are trained onsite and there are no qualified allied health professionals providing care and therapy for the children.

The Green Pastures Hospital is a 70 bed Christian NGO Hospital 15 minutes from Lakeside Pokhara. The speciality areas include: Spinal disorders and surgery, orthopaedics, stroke, cerebral palsy, amputations, leprosy/dermatology, plastic surgery, palliative care, general medicine and ear surgery.

Manipal Hospital was established in 1994, it is a teaching hospital for medical and nursing students. Manipal Hospital is a 700-bed private hospital with 7 operating theatres, a medical and surgical ICU, Neurosurgical ICU, Cardiac Care Unit, Paediatric ICU and Neonatal ICU.

Thailand

We are offering the first Thailand placement in July 2020 at Chian Dao (north of Chiang Mai) venturing into the Hill Tribe community. The Hill Tribe people are the indigenous inhabitant of Thailand/Myanmar border area.

We work with Borderless Friendship Foundation (Thailand) – a local NGO, has participated in the establishment of care facilities and access to education for those children who have lost one or both of their parents or whose parents do not have the capacity to provide for them.

The primary aim of the BFWA program in Thailand is to provide young hill tribe people and adults with information and skills that assist them in their daily life, in their relationships, protect them from trafficking, acquiring sexually transmissible infections and other urogenital infections.

Students have the opportunity to work alongside local staff at the Chiang Dao Hospital which is situated 30 minutes from the Hill Tribe Basecamp Accommodation. The Hospital offers the following services to the local people: Cardiology, Accident and Emergency, Outpatient Care, Urology, Medical and surgical services.

Vietnam

We are partnered with the Centre for Sustainable Development Studies (CSDS) who run an internship for young adults, providing training on leadership, critical thinking, personal development, volunteer management and social entrepreneurship.

The Center for Sustainable Development Studies (CSDS) has far reaching involvement in development and empowerment of poor, disabled and remote rural communities through education and engagement. We have been sending students to The Hoa Binh Centre of Social Protection since July 2016. This placement expose students to a wide range of conditions that make this a challenging but rewarding experience. As the concept of allied health has just only emerging in Vietnam, we provide innovative services and opportunities for residents to improve their access to healthcare.

Thuy An Rehabilitation Centre for people with disabilities is 13kms away from the small town of Son Tay and 70kms from down town of Hanoi. Founded in 1976, the Centre was originally opened for disabled children whose parents are the veterans infected with the Agent Orange, a toxic chemical used in the American war. Over time, the Centre has started to render its services to all disabled children. Thuy An Centre is a ‘campus’ housing up to 150 children and 50 staff. Many children from the surrounding community also receive outpatient treatment at the Centre and there is a dedicated Autism Unit that educates and provides therapy to the community.

Go Global Health Science placement

There are two opportunities for eligible Health Sciences students to apply for the Go Global Health Science placement.

Round one
Round one 2021 application is now closed.

Round two
Go Global in country placement is currently on hold due to international travel restrictions. Please visit the website again in Semester 1, 2022 for more updates.

Information sessions are currently unavailable.

Go Global in country placements

Go Global in country placement has been deferred due to international travel restrictions and will resume once the university endorsed international travelling for staff and students.

Please read the 2021 Program Guide [.pdf 741kB], which provides an overview of the placement, eligibility criteria and requirements.

Dates and indicative costs

The program is run during a number of placement blocks throughout the year as per the dates listed below. This placement is open to most undergraduate and postgraduate students enrolled in the health science discipline.

Placement dates and indicative costs

Destination	Cost	Block	Dates (subject to change)
Cambodia	$4500	July	19 June – 17 July
		December	18 November – 18 December
*China	$4500	July	19 June – 17 July
India	$4500	July	19 June – 17 July
		December	18 November – 18 December
Nepal	$4500	July	19 June – 17 July
		December	18 November – 18 December
Thailand	$4500	July	19 June – 17 July
Vietnam	$4500	December	18 November – 18 December
		January 2022	7 January 2022 – 5 February 2022

*Open only to Occupational Therapy, Physiotherapy, Radiation Therapy, Medical Imaging and Speech Pathology.

Deposit

A $250 application deposit is required upon submitting your application. This deposit has been included in the total cost and therefore $250 needs to be deducted off the final payment.

How to pay

All payments are to be made online via Curtin ePay.

Financial Assistance

There are a number of options available to eligible students to assist with the payment of the Go Global Health Science program.

Scholarships

Various scholarships might be available to students participating in the Go Global Health Science program. Visit the Curtin Scholarships website and type ‘Go Global Health Science’ in the keyword box for more information.

Go Global Health Science staff funded scholarships

Go Global Health Science staff funded scholarship are available to assist students who demonstrate high academic merit to participate in Go Global Health Science placement. The scholarship is funded by generous staff through Give to Change Curtin’s staff giving program. However, availability of this scholarship will be announced at a later stage.

New Colombo Plan

Go Global Health Science has a number of New Colombo Plan grants valued at $3,000 per student. Students applying must meet the following eligibility requirements:

Be an Australian Citizen
Students cannot receive a Student Grant to undertake a mobility project in a Host Location in which they have dual citizenship or residency rights or they have previously been a citizen of permanent resident
Be enrolled in an on-shore campus throughout the duration of the Mobility Project
Be undertaking Bachelors of Honours Degree.

Find out more

Fundraising

Go Global provides students with a set of Fundraising Guidelines upon booking. In the past many students have managed to gather a large part of their placement fees through fundraising and most have said that the time and effort was definitely worthwhile. Please do not hesitate to contact the Go Global Office to gain some useful tips on how to raise the money to fund your incredible journey ahead and raise funds for your Go Global project.

Go Global Health Science Alumni

The Go Global Health Science Alumni chapter was established to develop a network of post-graduate professionals, who have previously participated in Go Global Health Science, and provide significant opportunities for continuing involvement in the program.

The aim of the chapter is to meet the overarching theme of “Changing Worlds, Changing Lives” and it is with this in mind, that the committee aims to raise the profile of Go Global Health Science within Curtin University and across the wider community, with the ultimate goal of enhancing the outcomes and possibilities of the placements undertaken at international partner host sites.

The Go Global Health Science Alumni chapter encourages all graduates, students and staff interested in Go Global Health Science to support this exciting initiative.

Make a donation

ACICIS Virtual Public Health Study Tour Indonesia

The Virtual Public Health Study Tour is a two-week intensive study tour that offers students a change to gain insight into the public health sector in Indonesia. The Study Tour can only grant credit towards PUBH3003 Health Research Project unit. Students need to enrol in this unit to be awarded credit in this program. The relevant program details and links are included below.

The Public Health Study Tour (PHST) to be delivered as a virtual program in July 2022.

How to Apply

For the July 2022 tour, submit an online application to ACICIS by: 24 April 2022.

Promotional Material & Course Outlines
2022 Virtual Public Health Study Tour: Course Outline [.pdf 105KB]

Chiangmai University Public Health Study Tour in Thailand

The School of Public Health has partnered with the Faculty of Health Sciences Go Global office to offer students enrolled in the BSc Health Science and BSc Health Promotion single degree course the opportunity to immerse themselves in a different cultural context in a supported learning environment. This is an excellent opportunity for students to gain an insight into Thailand’s public health management and policy.

Dates and itinerary TBC.

ZHAW School of Health Professions International Winter School: Winterthur, Switzerland

The ZHAW International Winter School offers a unique opportunity for Swiss and other international students to learn about interprofessional cooperation within the health and social sectors! Students will learn during role plays, study visits and interactive lectures about working together in interprofessional teams, about different health and social systems and about how to sensibly act with clients from different cultures. All of this with the magnificence of the Swiss Winter Mountains as your backdrop!

Learn more

University Scholars Leadership Symposium: Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia

The Government of Malaysia and Humanitarian Affairs Asia is looking for Outstanding Student Leaders from Curtin University to attend the University Scholars Leadership Symposium in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. Join 1,500 like-minded Young Leaders from more than 100 countries. The electrifying atmosphere at the USLS will ignite your passion for humanity, drive you to step out of your comfort zone, and set your heart on greater causes. It will challenge you to live a life as a servant leader with passion, persistence, patience and purpose. More importantly, it will kindle the flame of humanity deep within you.

International Nursing Student Summer Camp: Chengdu, Sichuan, China

The International Nursing Student Summer Camp runs for two weeks in July. The camp aims at strengthening international exchanges in nursing education, bridging connections of Nursing students from different countries, providing an enriching summer experience, and broadening international perspectives of Nursing students. Sichuan University will cover economy airfare of China domestic flights, two week accommodation and other fees related to the camp.

CISaustralia

CISaustralia is dedicated to providing university students with innovative, high quality, short-term overseas study, intern and volunteer experiences, while promoting global awareness, inspiring personal growth, and developing engaged world citizens. Experience different healthcare systems while learning from experts in your field of study that gives you a competitive edge!

Find out more

Challenges Abroad

Challenges Abroad Australia provides volunteer experiences and opportunities in worthy communities throughout the world. Sending people to seven countries on projects as varied as our participants, there should be something for everybody with them. Although quite new to Australia, we have been working in the UK for a number of years, meaning they have sent thousands of students and professionals all over the world on exciting volunteering opportunities. What makes Challenges Abroad special is that their trips are designed to bring meaning to travelling and give an experience beyond a traditional tourist excursion to make a real difference in the communities abroad who need it.

Find out more

Contact us

Go Global Health Science Team

Curtin University

For further inquiries or to secure an appointment please email us goglobalhealth@curtin.edu.au.

Scholarships and funding

There are a range of scholarships and Government funding available for Health Science students applying for Go Global Health Science placements.

See what scholarships are available

Destinations and placements

Go Global Cambodia student

How to apply

Go Global Health Science placement

Go Global in country placements

Deposit

How to pay

Scholarships

Go Global Health Science staff funded scholarships

New Colombo Plan

Fundraising

Hear from our students

Study Tours

Short Term Programs

Approved Third Party Provider Programs

Contact us

Scholarships and funding