For Aishani Garg, studying Global Health at QMU's Institute for Global Health and Development through the TropEd programme gave her the opportunity to learn from a wide range of perspectives and experience Global Health education across three countries. From exploring health systems and policy in Edinburgh to studying healthcare in Indonesia and humanitarian responses in Barcelona, Aishani gained a truly international perspective on the field. Now working as a Commercial Executive for a Scottish healthcare start-up, she is applying what she learned at QMU to help develop partnerships and support healthcare infrastructure projects in different settings.
Why did you choose to study at QMU and what attracted you to the course?
I chose to study at QMU because of the small class size and the strong lecturer-to-student ratio. I found that this created a very interactive and engaging classroom environment, where I was able to get to know my professors and learn about their experiences and career paths within Global Health.
I was particularly attracted to the Institute for Global Health and Development (IGHD) because of the diverse range of Global Health research taking place there. There was a huge amount of knowledge and expertise to learn from, and I was excited by the opportunity to study within such a varied academic environment.
The TropEd recognition of the course was also a major attraction. I spent my first semester studying at QMU in Edinburgh before completing my second semester internationally, studying at Gadjah Mada University in Yogyakarta, Indonesia, and at ISGlobal, Barcelona Institute for Global Health, at the Universitat de Barcelona. This gave me the opportunity to experience Global Health education in three very different settings.
What did you enjoy most about your course?
One of the things I enjoyed most was learning from people with a wide range of professional and academic backgrounds. The course covered many different areas of Global Health and allowed me to explore topics that interested me personally.
Were there any particular course activities you found especially interesting?
At QMU, I developed an understanding of health systems and policy, while in Indonesia I visited local primary healthcare centres and teaching hospitals to learn about infection control practices. From these experiences we prepared a brief examining infection control standard report. In Barcelona, I focused on Global Health responses to emergencies and humanitarian crises. I also worked alongside La Cooperativa Humanitaria, where we took part in a simulation focused on establishing an emergency field camp. Being able to explore these different areas helped me understand how broad and interconnected Global Health really is and was an extremely invaluable experience to my degree.
How did your lecturers support your learning?
The lecturers at QMU, particularly within IGHD, were extremely supportive and always encouraged us to take ownership of our learning. One of the key differences I experienced during my Master's was the level of independence we were given in our studies.
Although we were supported throughout our assignments, we also had the freedom to explore topics that were personally meaningful to us. For example, when completing an assignment on designing a humanitarian project, we were given the required project specifications but could choose the topic and country we wanted to focus on. I found this approach particularly valuable because it encouraged independent thinking while still providing guidance whenever it was needed.
What challenges did you face with the course and/or university life? How did you overcome them?
One of the biggest challenges I experienced was planning and coordinating my second semester through the TropEd programme. As the information about course schedules and placements was not always available in one place, I had to coordinate directly with the different institutions and manage several aspects of my schedule independently.
QMU was very understanding throughout this process and provided guidance whenever I needed it. The experience taught me to become more proactive and adaptable. These skills were particularly valuable when completing my Master's thesis, which I ultimately submitted later than originally planned due to the circumstances. The support and understanding I received from QMU helped me navigate this process and achieve a result I was very happy with.
Did you take part in a placement as part of your course and if so, can you tell me a little about that experience?
As part of the TropEd programme, I had the opportunity to study abroad at two universities: Gadjah Mada University in Yogyakarta, Indonesia, and ISGlobal, Barcelona Institute for Global Health, at the Universitat de Barcelona.
This was an invaluable experience. Not only was I exposed to different teaching approaches, but I also met professionals from a range of backgrounds and students from different countries and academic disciplines. Experiencing completely different learning environments and cultures broadened my perspective on Global Health.
For me, the word global in Global Health is particularly significant. Having the opportunity to take part in my education across different countries allowed me to develop a genuinely global perspective on health and appreciate how healthcare systems, challenges and approaches can differ across settings.
Do you have any advice for students who might be interested in this course?
If you are interested in studying Global Health at QMU, I would definitely encourage you to make the most of every opportunity available to you.
QMU has a wealth of resources right on your doorstep, from your fellow students and lecturers to the wider expertise within IGHD. I would encourage future students to make use of these opportunities, ask as many questions as possible and take the time to learn from the people around you.
Most importantly, be open to exploring areas of Global Health that you may not have considered before. The course provides the opportunity to develop academically, but also to broaden your perspective and understand Global Health from different cultural, professional and geographical viewpoints.
Did you join any schemes/initiatives to enhance your learning and development?
Not during my time at QMU. I did however try to set up meetings with as many faculty members at IGHD whilst studying at QMU, to pick their brains, understand what they do and their career paths.
Did you win any awards/scholarship/internships that helped you develop skills and experience?
During my undergraduate degree, I tried to use my summers to gain as much practical experience as possible through volunteering and internships. Looking back, these experiences contributed significantly to my Master's education and helped shape my understanding of healthcare in different settings.
One summer, I spent time in Sri Lanka undertaking an internship at a teaching hospital. This gave me valuable insight into patient flow, teamwork and resource allocation, while also demonstrating the importance of adaptability in maintaining the efficiency of healthcare services, particularly within a resource-constrained setting.
Did you attend an online or in person Open Day/Offer Holder day before coming to QMU?
Before starting at QMU, I had several meetings with Georgia Pearson, which gave me the opportunity to learn more about IGHD and the TropEd programme. These conversations helped me understand what to expect from the course and further confirmed my interest in studying Global Health at QMU.
What’s your ‘top tip’ for making the most of being a student?
My top tip would be to get involved and engage as much as you can. It may sound cliché, but it really does make a difference. Everyone at IGHD is extremely supportive and brings a wealth of experience from their respective fields. Taking the opportunity to ask questions, learn from their experiences and genuinely remain curious can take you a long way. I believe curiosity and being willing to engage with others are incredibly valuable skills, both at university and beyond.
What was the most valuable lesson that you learned at university?
The most valuable lesson I learned was the importance of asking for help and guidance when you need it. I have always been quite independent, but learning when to seek support helped me become more organised and approach challenges more effectively. It also taught me how to break down complex ideas, understand different perspectives and develop a structured approach to problem-solving.
Can you tell us about your life post-graduation?
After graduating and submitting my thesis, I spent some time travelling while applying for roles within Global Health. I recently started working for a Scottish start-up, Global Hospital, which is committed to delivering scalable, adaptable and rapidly deployed healthcare infrastructure for low-resource and challenging settings.
As a Commercial Executive, I support Global Hospital’s work to expand equitable and sustainable access to healthcare by developing partnerships, identifying key stakeholders and supporting project development and timelines. The role has allowed me to apply my Global Health knowledge in a commercial setting, particularly through networking, stakeholder engagement and understanding the different organizations involvement in healthcare delivery.
A key part of my role is also researching healthcare infrastructure needs in different settings. This allows me to draw on the skills I developed at IGHD, particularly in researching health systems, understanding local contexts and identifying needs-based solutions.
It has been rewarding to apply these skills beyond an academic environment and contribute to developing practical approaches to strengthening healthcare infrastructure where it is needed most.
