India: Global Health, Globalization & Leadership
Our India: Global Health, Globalization & Leadership Course emphasizes the significance of social determinants of health in a globalized world, with a focus on health systems, economic growth, and development, and their effects on wellbeing.
Join a dynamic, interdisciplinary group of learners during the University of Minnesota's winter break course in Mysore, India, to explore health, health care delivery, and social determinants in the context of globalization in India.
This course is taught through a combination of classroom-based activities and site visits to health care facilities, cultural sites, and community locations.
Location
Mysore, India
Housing
Hostel
Meals
Breakfast, lunch, and dinner included
Eligibility
Graduate Students
UMN Faculty
UMN Staff
Alumni
General Public
Term
Winter Break
December 29, 2025 – January 14, 2026
Topics
Global health, Indian health systems, community engagement, women's health, water and sanitation, leadership
Global Health in India Program Spotlight
"Especially for Americans, and in the West, I think having the opportunity to go across the world and learn from experts in the field in a different place is an invaluable experience."
Tayla Moore took part in CGHSR's course in India in 2024. The experience allowed Moore to explore southern India, a region she hadn’t been to before. Her trips during undergrad and as a Fulbright scholar took place in the northern part of the country. The course also enabled her to see how Indian health care systems deal with the management of chronic illnesses and how these approaches differ from those in the United States.
India: Global Health, Globalization & Leadership Course
This course is taught through a combination of classroom-based activities and site visits to health care facilities, cultural sites, and community locations.
Site Visits
- Mysore Medical College and Research Institute
- Hebbal Primary Health Centre
- SVYM's Palliative Care Centre
- Shakthidhama Women Rehabilitation Center
- Viveka Tribal Centre for Learning
- Viveka Rural Livelihood Centre
Cultural Sites
- Mysore Palace and New Year's Eve Illumination
- Devaraja Market, Mysore
- Shravanabelagola Jain Temple
- St. Philomena Church
- Ranganathittu Bird Sanctuary
- Bylakuppe Buddhist Monastery
- Daily yoga practice (optional)
This course seeks to foster team-based education and transdisciplinary collaboration in global health through classroom-based activities and experiential learning in the field. Preview a past course syllabus to learn more:
Discover How to Apply
This course is open to graduate and professional students with academic credit offered at the University of Minnesota. UMN alumni, faculty and staff, and community learners are also eligible to participate for non-credit enrollment. Past cohorts have included participants from public health, medicine, public policy, education, social work, and more. This year's course will take place Monday, Dec. 29, 2025 – Wednesday, Jan. 14, 2026.
Eligibility
Eligibility
- Open to all UMN graduate and professional students (post-baccalaureate).
- The course is also open to community learners for non-credit enrollment, including:
- UMN faculty, staff, and alumni
- Non-UMN community learners with interest and experience in health-related careers
- All participants must apply and have instructor approval before they will be able to register.
Public Health: This course (GHSR 6715) counts toward the Global Health Minor and most MPH program electives. Contact your advisor for confirmation.
Medical School: 3rd and 4th year students are eligible to take the course for academic credit under INMD 7565 International Health Abroad (GMER program). 1st and 2nd year students are welcome as non-credit students. Please discuss the implications of fitting this extracurricular program and requirements into your schedule with your faculty advisors.
Credit & Requirements
Credit & Requirements
Academic credit is available to UMN graduate students (3 credits) for the course GHSR 6715.
It is up to the student to confer with their academic unit to determine if it meets their specific program requirements. Students may be allowed to apply this program to other academic requirements per approval by their unit.
UMN employees, alumni and the general public may participate for non-credit enrollment.
Requirements
All students are expected to arrive in India on Dec. 29, 2025, and remain through Jan. 14, 2026. This means departing from the U.S. on Dec. 27 and arriving back on Jan. 15.
There will be two pre-departure orientation sessions in November and December and a post-course debrief in February (dates TBD per student availability).
All participants (credit and non-credit participants) are expected to complete the following assignments:
- Personal Reflection and Group Debrief Activities
- Reflection Paper
- Professional Poster Creation
Program Fee
Program Fee
The program fee for this course differs depending if the student is taking the course for credit or non-credit.
- Credit: 2025–2026 program fee: $5,950
- Includes 3 credits of tuition (GHSR 6715), educational costs, international health insurance, housing and meals, local transportation in Mysore
- Non-Credit: 2025–2026 program fee: $3,950
- Includes educational costs, international health insurance, housing and meals, local transportation in Mysore
- Students will register as non-credit and forgo the 3-credits with GHSR 6715, and not be charged for tuition
CGHSR offers scholarships ranging from $1,000 — $2,000 for this course. To apply for a CGHSR Student Scholarship, complete the "Statement of need" section in your course application. Additional scholarships may also be available from students' department or college.
Additional costs:
- Airfare: between $1,500–$2,500, depending on airline and flight
- Passport/photos
- Indian tourist visa
- Immunizations
- Some meals (i.e. if students elect to eat meals out)
- Essential daily living expenses
Dates and Location
Dates and Location
The class is held each year during the University of Minnesota winter break between Christmas and Martin Luther King Jr. Day.
2025-2026 Dates
- Course dates: Dec. 29, 2025 – Jan. 14, 2026
- Expected travel dates are departing the U.S. on Dec. 27, 2025, and arriving back in the U.S. on Jan. 15, 2026.
- There are two pre-departure orientation sessions in November and December and a post-course debrief in February upon return.
The daily schedule and meeting times vary by day while in Mysore. Most days include 2 morning lectures, an afternoon site visit, and free time in the evening. There will be one free day. The full schedule will be shared in the course syllabus prior to departure.
Application
Application
Applications for the 2025-26 course are now closed. Applications for the 2026-27 course will open in August 2026.
- Applications open: Aug. 1, 2025
- Application deadline: October 15, 2025
- Confirmation deadline: October 20, 2025
Course enrollment is limited to 16 participants. All interested participants must fill out the application with the Learning Abroad Center. Applications require a $50 application fee, which goes toward your program fees when confirmed.
Application Process
Students will complete and submit their application through the UMN Learning Abroad Center.
Cancellation Policy
Please review CGHSR's India Course Cancellation Policy here.
Scholarships
Scholarships
CGHSR offers scholarships ranging from $1,000 — $2,000 for this course. To apply for a CGHSR Student Scholarship, complete the "Statement of need" section in your course application. Additional scholarships may also be available from students' department or college. Learn more about our scholarships here.
Host Organizations
This program is offered in partnership with the Swami Vivekananda Youth Movement (SVYM) and Vivekananda Institute of Indian Studies (VIIS), a unit of SVYM. They have worked in the fields of health, public health, advocacy, and education in southern India for three decades, and have educational collaborations with institutes of higher education around the world.
Program health and safety information is available at GO SAFE.