In 40 C heat, Reginald Akrong stood on a construction site in Manipal, India teaching 50
workers about the dangers of malaria and how to prevent it.

The construction workers, who live in towns of self-made huts constructed
of scrap blocks, were never told how they acquired malaria, its treatment or the value of
insecticidal bed nets.

Akrong, who holds degrees in nursing and life sciences from McMaster University,
is a student in McMaster's new Master of Science Global Health program. He was in India
at Manipal University for a two-week symposium, Bridging Different Worlds, with
students from Maastricht University, a partner with McMaster in the global health
program.

His hands-on health teaching at the construction site was part of an eight-day field
project that students undertook with non-governmental organizations and institutions.
It was their first opportunity to link what they had learned academically with real-life
experiences. It finished by teaching local families how to properly use bed nets.

“Throughout the year, I've been learning a lot but being able to improve someone's
life, and make changes, meant a lot to me,” Akrong said.

Field work projects varied widely – from the study of substance abuse among
fishermen to work in orphanages. During a one-day conference, students shared ideas
and experiences from the field in poster and verbal presentations.

In the first two terms, students undertook projects through learning pods, getting
to know each other and working in virtual teams over the internet using online
collaboration technology. The chance to meet classmates face-to-face in India was a
bonus for students.

“In India, you had the chance to interact with people who had, until then, only been
voices in your ear,” said Jeff Dickert, an occupational therapist who has done previous
volunteer work in developing countries.

After India, some students took placements in other countries while writing their
thesis or scholarly paper for the global health program.

Catherine Paquin, who holds a social science honours degree in international
development and globalization, is spending some time in Nairobi working with the
Kenyan Red Cross. She calls India “one of the great experiences in my life.”

“It made me realize that your way is not always the right way and that cultural
sensitivity and compromise are essential in working globally,” she said. “And I loved
being able to present my scholarly proposal and hear and receive feedback.”

“Trying to work with colleagues from very, very different universities and very, very
different countries was a nice, hands-on experience,” said Marly Isen, who holds a
degree in international development studies and biology from the University of Toronto.
Students said the trip to India opened their eyes to the reality health care is not a single
issue but incorporates politics, funding, history and culture.

“It was really rewarding to see how the students evolved during their time at
Manipal. There were tough moments for some students but looking back they are happy
to have had the opportunity,” said Sue Barclay who organized the symposium with
colleagues from Maastricht and Manipal.

Andrea Baumann, associate vice-president, Global Health, said “Global health is a
small but growing field so there is no doubt students will benefit now and in the future
from this collaboration.”