Areas of scholarly concentration (ASCs) are longitudinal, elective opportunities that allow medical students to join a thematic learning community that spans the curriculum. ASCs include asynchronous module content, experiential learning during the intersessions, and a capstone project. Students have the option to sign up for an ASC during the fall of their first year. 

The goal of the Global Health ASC is to engage and motivate our students to make a difference in the world, while also emphasizing responsible, ethical, and collaborative ways to engage with our global partners. 

Years 1-2

In years 1 and 2, we will focus on foundational competencies in global health and highlight some of the work ongoing in the field at UC Davis and in Sacramento.

Year 3

During year 3, we will explore clinical aspects related to global health with hands-on learning, simulations, and field trips.

Year 4

In year 4, students have the opportunity to participate in a global health rotation and complete a capstone project in collaboration with our global and/or local partners. 

Check out the UC Davis Global Affairs Travel and Security Resources using the link below. Global Affairs is committed to providing critical travel security resources and tips for UC Davis travelers—from pre-trip preparation and registration to real-time updates and responses—to mitigate the impact of unexpected weather, health, and security incidents.

Travel and Security Resources

Rotation

• Location:  Mseleni Hospital and Emmaus Hospital are managed by the KwaZulu-Natal Department of Health
• Schedule: Variable
• Opportunities:
  • Oversight from UCLA faculty remotely
  • Opportunities in OB/Gyn, EM, Surgery—encouraged to participate in Quality Improvement work

Rotation

• Location:  Sacred Valley Healthy NGO and local indigenous communities, Ollantaytambo, Peru.
• Schedule: Monday-Friday (weekends free for extracurricular activities)
• Available timeframe: Flexible dates with preference given to US spring, summer, and fall to avoid rainy season (winter)
• Opportunities:
  • Experience learning about indigenous health, NGO operations, and Community Health worker training through a structured rotation with Sacred Valley Health, a local NGO
  • Rotations with Community Health Centers
  • Variable adjunct offerings: visit Andean Ways of Life, herbal medicine workshop

Rotation

• Location: PDU Medical College, Rajkot, India
• Schedule: Variable
• Available timeframe: Between December-January over 2-week period, however can be customized for longer
• Opportunities:
  • In partnership with UC Irvine
  • Can tailor clinical to your own interests (Pediatrics, Surgery, Medicine, Ob/Gyn, etc).
  • Visits to rural and urban health clinics and cultural heritage sites

Rotation

• Location: 5 Rivers Heart Association’s hospital and mobile outreach programs in Punjab, India
• Schedule: Variable
• Opportunities:
  • Introduction to Community Medicine and Global Health. Emphasis on cardiovascular care
  • Participate in mobile screening and treatment camps
  • Direct, supervised patient care in high-volume, low-resource hospital setting
  • Bedside teaching, community health education, quality-improvement initiatives
  • Additional information: https://5riversheart.org/

Rotation

• Location: FSB Clinic, Kathmandu, Nepal
• Schedule: Sunday to Friday. 9:00am–3:00pm
• Opportunities:
  • General consultations
  • X-Ray, USG and ECG
  • Immunizations for children up to 5 years
  • Family planning
  • Antenatal checkups
  • Laboratory services
  • Minor procedures like stitches and normal dressings
  • Directly Observed Treatment Short-Course (DOTS) for tuberculosis, with diagnosis
• Additional information here.
   

• Rotation: Through a partnership between the Center for Global Health at UC Davis and Nagoya University School of Medicine, UC Davis medical students are selected to participate in a week-long immersion experience at Nagoya University in Nagoya, Japan to learn about community health and collaborate with medical students from around the world.
• Timeframe: Summer between MS1 and MS2, historically in July
• Additional information: https://www.med.nagoya-u.ac.jp/medical_J/international/2025%20Report.html

Rotation

• Location: Cho Ray Hospital, Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam
• Schedule: Monday-Friday
• Opportunities:
  • Large Urban Teaching Hospital
  • Trauma and Tertiary Care Center in HCMC
  • Customizable (Neurology, Emergency Medicine, Dermatology, Toxicology, etc.)
  • Supervised by local specialized physicians and interprofessional team
  • Prior language proficiency helpful although not required

The Nueva Lengua Spanish Immersion Program takes place over four weeks between June and July at the Nueva Lengua Spanish School in Colombia. Students undergo an initial language proficiency assessment by the school and are placed in an intensive Spanish language curriculum based on their level which takes place during each morning session. In the afternoon, students will participate in focused, medical Spanish coursework and cultural immersion activities. Applications open in the winter of the first year. Coursework can be used towards eventual certification in medical Spanish.

Immersive Indigenous Health Elective: A Transformative 4-Week Experience in Peru’s Sacred Valley

Embark on a life-changing journey with Sacred Valley Health’s Indigenous Health Elective, designed exclusively for medical and health students eager to explore global health in a hands-on, community-focused setting. Running for 4 weeks from June to July this immersive four-week program combines rigorous health training with authentic cultural experiences in the heart of Peru’s Sacred Valley.

Program Overview

Experience the innovative Community Health Worker Program—a unique initiative that partners with remote Andean communities to train and employ local women, empowering them to improve healthcare access. You’ll learn practical, hands-on skills in improvised wilderness medicine, including basic emergency response, patient transport, fracture management, and bleeding control. Although the training is rich in experiential learning, please note that it does not result in official certification.

Cultural Immersion & Community Engagement

• Local Partnerships: Work alongside community health workers and local staff, engaging in activities that bridge traditional and modern healthcare practices.
• Cultural Exchange: Stay with a local family or opt for a hotel package while you explore ancient Incan streets, archaeological sites, and vibrant marketplaces in Ollantaytambo and Cusco.
• Hands-On Activities: Participate in community tours, health campaigns, and traditional activities such as herbal remedy workshops and seasonal tasks like harvesting or weaving.
• Field Experiences: Shadow local healthcare professionals in clinics, tour health facilities, and join health campaigns that directly benefit the high-Andes communities.

Included

Your program fee covers transportation from Cusco to all destinations, lodging for the entire stay, most meals (with different options available through homestay or hotel packages), pre-departure and 24/7 on-site support, as well as all scheduled educational and cultural activities. An optional add-on package is available for a guided excursion to Machu Picchu, including train and bus tickets, a tour guide, and entry fees.

This elective is more than an academic experience—it’s a journey of personal and professional growth. By integrating direct patient care observations with deep cultural immersion, you’ll gain invaluable insights into the challenges and rewards of community-centered healthcare. Moreover, your participation supports the education programs for community health workers and contributes to sustainable health improvements in underserved regions.

Secure your spot for a summer that promises to reshape your understanding of healthcare, culture, and the power of community partnerships. Registration details and payment information must be finalized in the Winter before the elective. Dates will be updated annually. 

Explore new perspectives, enhance your clinical skills, and make a lasting impact—join us in the Sacred Valley for an unforgettable experience!