Bridging Culture and Careers: CHHS International Course in Vietnam 2025

More than a dozen CHHS students spent part of their winter break in Vietnam, immersed in an l innovative international academic program.

“This program allows students to connect with Vietnam’s healthcare system, public health challenges, and vibrant culture, providing skills applicable globally and domestically,” explained SDSU’s adjunct professor Gary Rotto, School of Public Health Global Health Management and Policy Division.

Rotto relaunched the program in 2024 after it was paused during the pandemic.

Students earn three credits by participating in the 11-day program, which includes three additional classroom sessions at SDSU in San Diego.

“SDSU has long prioritized international educational experiences,” Rotto said. “With a significant Vietnamese American community in San Diego and on campus, this program deepens cultural understanding and builds valuable connections and skills.”

The international course is open to CHHS graduate students and select undergraduates. It offers learning opportunities and practical public health experiences through partnerships with Hue University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Hanoi University of Public Health, and Hospital 199 in Da Nang.

Next year, the program will begin a three-country rotation. It will be offered in Chile in 2026 and is projected to move to Wales in 2027, followed by Vietnam in 2028.