International Center University of Florida

This virtual exchange project will entail an interactive collaboration between health professions students at the University of Florida and the Autonomous University of the Yucatan (UADY) in Merida, Mexico. Separately, interprofessional students in both universities address health disparities through health equity course work and participation in service learning for vulnerable populations.  All UADY students and many UF students participate in student run clinics for uninsured patients. This virtual exchange discusses culture, social determinants of health and health systems to understand factors impacting patient care, the effect of COVID on health professions students in their respective locations and to highlight important cultural competencies. 

Student collaboration will be completed over 5 days utilizing synchronous class time using Zoom, daily small group collaborative sessions and individual asynchronous assignments. In the collaborative sessions, students will discuss a variety of topics including cultural differences and similarities, vulnerable populations, health systems and health professions’ roles, and the effect of COVID-19 on their education. The course fulfills part of the Experiential Learning requirement in the Global Health Leadership course for UF College of Medicine students though it will be open to students from the Colleges of Pharmacy and Public Health and Health Professions that have previously participated in Global Health Service-Learning programs with the College of Medicine.

• Compare and contrast cultural perceptions and approaches to health care in the Yucatan and Florida.
• Describe social, individual, and structural/systematic factors related to health inequalities among vulnerable populations (e.g., children, people with disabilities, racial/ethnic minorities, women, low socioeconomic status) in the United States and Mexico.
• Develop cultural self-awareness and communicate effectively across cultures through working virtually with an interdisciplinary and international team.