MDHS International Pen Pal Program
The International Pen Pal Program is an opportunity for MDHS students to build international connections and explore healthcare from diverse perspectives.
About the program
The International Pen Pal Program is a structured, short-term international engagement experience that connects students with a peer studying the same or a similar discipline overseas (via email).
Over a three-to-four-month period, students will be guided through a series of carefully designed conversation prompts exploring:
- Their experiences as students and their everyday lives
- The organisation and delivery of healthcare in their respective countries
- Communication practices, including language and cultural considerations
- The role of technology in contemporary healthcare, including its opportunities and challenges
- Reflections on how cross-cultural experiences can contribute to their development as future healthcare professionals
Benefits
Participation in the program is expected to provide students with the opportunity to:
- Develop a one-to-one connection with a student studying a similar course overseas
- Gain greater insight into international healthcare systems, practices and perspectives
- Identify similarities and differences between their own healthcare experiences and those of their international peers
- Develop communication skills in an informal, low-pressure environment
- Build meaningful and potentially enduring cross-cultural connections
- Gain an international learning experience without the need to participate in an overseas exchange
- Receive official recognition for their participation through Global Citizenship via Melbourne Plus
How does it work?
Two groups of students studying the same or a similar discipline at universities in different countries will participate.
Following student selection, participants will be randomly matched with a student from the partner university.
A Qualtrics pre-program survey will be distributed to participants before the program commences. Students will then receive a series of conversation prompts approximately every three weeks, distributed via mail merge. A post-program survey will be used to evaluate the student experience and inform future iterations of the program.
How do I get involved?
Contact Kelley Graydon or Deb Virtue.