The Elon University School of Health Sciences Global Learning Opportunities (GLO) program works with physical therapy (PT) and physician assistant (PA) academic programs, hospitals, and clinics around the world to build reciprocal and respectful student learning experiences. GLOs can be clinical rotations or meet other course requirements. The program objectives are to develop global clinicians and informed leaders who will work to reduce healthcare disparities. The GLO program provides support to our global partners in meaningful and sustainable ways that they define and control. In addition to establishing experiences for students, GLO supports sharing our Elon campus, academic, and professional culture with students and scholars from global programs with whom we partner. Ultimately, participating in a GLO helps students develop and build skills necessary to become extraordinary healthcare providers who engage with difference sensitively and equitably.

GLO Vision

The vision of Global Learning Opportunities for Elon University School of Health Sciences is to be recognized as the leader in global learning within healthcare education.

GLO Mission

The mission of Global Learning Opportunities for Elon University School of Health Sciences students is to develop global clinicians and informed leaders through a clinical and/or service-learning experience that takes place off campus in a professionally relevant setting. In each experience the student will be immersed in a culture other than his/her/their own or in a culturally unique clinical setting.

40%Of SHS students GLO
20+Global Engagement Sites
100%Of students that GLO receive funding

“I am so grateful for my GLO experience. It guided me outside of my comfort zone to further develop my independence as a clinician, while also gaining a greater appreciation for the vast diversity this world has to offer. Each individual I met abroad has left a profound impact on my future encounters with my patients, primarily in the power of listening to someone who’s background is largely different from my own.”

Kailey Trieger DPT ’19, GLO in Australia

“I couldn’t have asked for a better PA training experience than the program at Elon University and a large part of that is because of the culture of equality and service. The GLO program is just one example of that culture. The GLO program provided me with a priceless opportunity to learn about healthcare in other areas of the world, serve those in need, and experience the true definition of ‘rural’ care. My desire has always been to be a PCP in a small community, which fortunately has come true. In a town of less than 1000 people and 2 hrs from the nearest hospital, I find myself using many of the skills I honed while at Hillside. I learned so much about working with people from other cultures and backgrounds as well as finding that many illnesses have no cultural boundaries. Anyone questioning whether to spend a rotation in Belize should JUST DO IT! You won’t regret it, I promise.”

-Dani Sperry ’19 PA, GLO in Belize

“Participating in a GLO experience gave me the opportunity to see how healthcare is practiced in another country, explore what it means to be a good physical therapist in both the local culture and my culture, and has encouraged me to self-reflect on what my core values are as I become a physical therapist.”

-Trishia Yada, DTP ’19, GLO in Italy