AHS1901: Health in the Tropics: Humans, Animals, and Ecosystems

The future health of our world requires a generation of creative, motivated, strategic, and expansive thinkers prepared to collaborate across disciplines and sectors to proactively protect the health of human and animal populations and the environment in which they live. Through exploring the connections between culture and human, animal, and ecosystem health in Panama, this freshman seminar abroad will expose students considering health profession careers to the variety of health professions involved in the One Health approach. Students will learn about the roles of various health professions and the challenges and opportunities for the various professions to work together on complex health challenges. Panama is an ideal location to incorporate cultural contexts with an understanding of the intersection between animal health, human health, and the environment by exploring the history of the Panama Canal and the tropical rainforest and reef ecosystems of Bocas del Toro which are home to indigenous populations, host vast biodioversity, and are visited by increasing numbers of tourists. During the first half of the spring semester at UMN, students will learn about the challenges and opportunities of human, animal, and ecosystem health (One Health) in Panama while comparing and contrasting it to the US and/or Minnesota. Students will be placed in teams who will be tasked to focus on a perspective of human, animal, or ecosystem health (One Health) throughout the semester. Students will also learn very basic Spanish words and phrases in preparation for time in Panama. Through taking and learning about the Intercultural Development Inventory, interactions with UMN GPSA Culture Corps students, and cultural development and reflection activities including Observe, Describe, Interpret, and Evaluate (ODIE), students will learn more about their own cultures while preparing to openly experience cultures in Panama. During spring break week, students will have the opportunit

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