Learning Abroad Center

Tarissa in Thailand

Recipient of the Joshua and James Haglund Memorial Peace Scholarship

“…the opportunity to study the transmission of tuberculosis between humans and animals in Chiang Mai, Thailand was the perfect capstone to my education.” —Tarissa

Tell Us About Your Program

Global Health in Thailand: Humans, Elephants, and Disease (winter break)

During the first week in Thailand, we were able to visit many of the tourist locations and spent a majority of time learning about elephant health. During the second week…we switched over to learning about human health in Thailand and visited many different healthcare facilities.

What Did You Learn?

Through these experiences, I learned so much about the epidemiology and diagnosis of tuberculosis in animals in Thailand as well as the fascinating relationship between a mahout and elephant treatment throughout Thailand’s history.

We were able to visit the Chiang Mai Public Health Clinic where we learned about tuberculosis in humans. …we toured the Community Health Promotion Clinic and spent some time talking about universal healthcare and the Thai health systems.

What Were Other Highlights of Your Experience?

Visiting the many temples of Chiang Mai was one of my favorite parts of the program. While visiting the temples, I felt this great sense of peace and was honored to be able to experience a piece of Buddhist religion practiced by many of the Thai people. We learned the concept of “Jai Yen,” meaning “cool heart”— the motto adopted by this peaceful and quiet country.

What’s Next?

After completing a minor in public health at the University of Minnesota this past fall, the opportunity to study the transmission of tuberculosis between humans and animals in Chiang Mai, Thailand was the perfect capstone to my education. I greatly look forward to continuing my interest in public health in Thailand with a senior thesis studying the universal health care system in Thailand in comparison to health systems in the United States.