Global Immersion Guarantee
Harness the transformative impact of Monash’s flagship international study initiative through your undergraduate health sciences degree.
We’re thrilled to offer first year Bachelor of Health Sciences students the opportunity to engage in Monash’s exciting Global Immersion Guarantee (GIG) program.
GIG is a funded fieldwork unit (12 credit points) that takes you to one of an expanding list of countries at the end of your first year. Flights, accommodation, visas and all program costs are paid for while you’re abroad – you just need to sort your passport, pack your bags, and cover some of your food and spending money!
Each two-week placement focuses on a global and/or local challenge that affects communities around the world.
Prior to departing, you’ll undertake relevant coursework and complete a series of assessments to prepare you for the journey ahead. While you are abroad, you’ll learn from local leaders about how they are working to address the human impact on the environment in different local contexts, and see first-hand how to balance environmental protection, and sustainability with economic and social development, which in turn has direct effects on physical and mental health.
Boost your job-readiness, and prepare for one of tomorrow’s biggest challenges.
Climate change, access to fresh water, pollution and the destruction of important ecosystems are key drivers of tomorrow’s health challenges. They impact mental health, sustainable access to food and water, physical health, our ability to engage in physical activity, and exposure to infectious diseases, among other complex health issues.
The intercultural competence gained from an immersive experience like this, and participation in interdisciplinary teamwork, gives you a competitive edge in tight job markets, and is vital to the future of our region more broadly.
The experience will add depth and maturity to your scholarship and practice, as you begin to understand cultural and societal barriers to health and healthcare, and how to overcome them. Participation in problem-solving tasks with your fellow Monash students from other disciplines, and with local ‘buddies’ assigned to students, will expand your ability to work in interdisciplinary teams, and help you approach problems from new and diverse perspectives.