Essential Questions to Ask Global Health Residency Programs: A Guide

Global health attracts applicants who are passionate about health equity, working across cultures, and understanding health systems beyond their own borders. Yet in the excitement of interview season, many candidates forget that a residency interview is a two-way conversation—you’re not just being evaluated; you are also evaluating the program.

This guide focuses on questions to ask programs in global health, with a practical, structured approach to help you compare options, uncover red flags, and find the program that truly matches your goals. You’ll find concrete examples of questions to ask residency programs, tailored specifically to global health, as well as advice on what to ask the program director, faculty, and residents.

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Understanding Global Health Tracks and Pathways

Before you can ask strong questions, you need to understand how global health is typically structured within residency. Programs may use varied terms:

• Global health residency track
• International health pathway
• International medicine curriculum
• Global health concentration or certificate
• Health equity or community/global health track

Each of these can look very different in depth and quality. Your questions should help you clarify:

• Is global health central to the program or an optional add-on?
• Is it longitudinal (embedded across 3–4 years) or mostly elective-based (a few isolated rotations)?
• Does the program support international fieldwork, local underserved care, or both?

Key Questions to Clarify the Structure

Here are targeted interview questions for them that help you understand the foundation of their global health offerings:

1. “How is your global health residency track structured over the course of training?”

   • Follow-up: “Is it a formal track with requirements and a certificate, or more of an informal interest group?”

2. “Is global health integrated into the core curriculum, or mainly through electives?”

   • Clarifies whether you’ll do global health only during ‘extra’ time, or if it’s part of your everyday training.

3. “What proportion of residents participate in the global health track or international medicine experiences?”

   • If only 1–2 residents per year participate, opportunities may be limited or competitive.

4. “Can residents in any track participate in global health activities, or is it limited to those officially in the global health pathway?”

5. “What types of global health activities are available: international rotations, domestic underserved work, research, policy, advocacy, or all of the above?”

These questions show you understand that global health is more than short-term trips; it includes systems, policy, community partnerships, and sustainable capacity-building.

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Questions to Ask About Curriculum, Supervision, and Training Quality

You are training to be an excellent physician first and a global health practitioner second. Ask questions that explore whether the program’s global health curriculum is rigorous, ethical, and well-supervised.

Curriculum and Learning Goals

1. “What are the core learning objectives of your global health residency track?”

   • Strong programs can articulate specific competencies (e.g., health systems, cultural humility, ethics, research methods).

2. “Do you have a formal curriculum (didactics, journal clubs, seminars) dedicated to international medicine or global health?”

   • Ask: “How often do these sessions occur, and who leads them?”

3. “How do you teach ethical engagement in global health, including power dynamics, sustainability, and bidirectional exchange?”

4. “Are there opportunities to learn about global health policy, implementation science, or health systems strengthening along with clinical work?”

5. “How is local health equity work integrated into the curriculum?”

   • Many leading global health programs emphasize the link between local and global disparities (“glocal” health).

Supervision and Mentorship

Strong supervision is critical, especially in unfamiliar health systems.

1. “Who supervises residents on international or global health rotations—local partners, faculty from your institution, or both?”

2. “Are supervising faculty present on-site for the entire rotation, or only part of it?”

3. “How experienced are your faculty in global health? Do they have ongoing partnerships or long-term projects?”

4. “What is the mentorship structure for residents in the global health track?”

   • Follow-up: “Is each resident matched with a primary global health mentor?”

5. “How frequently do residents meet with their global health mentors, and is mentorship protected time?”

Assessment, Feedback, and Reflection

Reflective practice is a marker of a mature global health program.

1. “How do you evaluate resident performance and growth within the global health pathway?”

2. “Are there structured debriefings or reflection sessions after international rotations or challenging global health experiences?”

3. “How do you support residents in processing moral distress, cross-cultural challenges, or emotionally difficult global health work?”

These questions help you identify programs that treat global health as a serious educational endeavor, not just a travel opportunity.

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Questions to Ask About Partnerships, Sites, and Ethics

Not all “global health” experiences are created equal. Thoughtful questions here can reveal whether a program’s work is sustainable, reciprocal, and respectful of partner communities.

Depth and Stability of Partnerships

1. “Can you describe your main global health partner sites and how long these partnerships have been in place?”

   • Long-term relationships (5–10+ years) suggest more sustainable engagement.

2. “How are these partnerships governed? Is there a formal memorandum of understanding (MOU) or institutional agreement?”

3. “How frequently do faculty and residents from your institution go to these sites?”

   • Too frequent, short-term trips without continuity may be a red flag.

4. “Do partners from those sites visit or train at your institution as well?”

   • Bidirectionality is key; ask: “Can you give an example of a bidirectional exchange?”

5. “What role do local partners play in defining the goals and scope of resident involvement?”

Ethical Frameworks and Responsibilities

1. “How do you ensure that resident involvement is aligned with local priorities and doesn’t displace local trainees or staff?”

2. “What guidelines or ethics frameworks guide your global health activities?”

   • Look for mention of established global health ethics principles, local licensing, and scope of practice.

3. “How do you handle issues such as resource disparities, prescribing practices, or differences in standard of care between settings?”

4. “Are residents ever asked to perform beyond their level of training or licensure at partner sites?”

   • The answer should be an emphatic no, with a clear description of oversight.

5. “How are projects or clinical changes sustained after short-term rotations end?”

Resident Safety and Risk Management

Responsible programs take safety seriously.

1. “How does the program prepare residents for international rotations in terms of safety, security, and cultural orientation?”

2. “Do you have a formal pre-departure training covering topics like personal safety, insurance, visas, and emergency plans?”

3. “What insurance or evacuation coverage is provided for residents on international rotations?”

4. “How did you manage global health activities during COVID-19 or other crises, and what is your plan for future disruptions?”

These questions show maturity and foresight—and they help you understand if the program views you as a partner and trainee, not just labor.

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Questions to Ask About Logistics, Funding, and Workload

Passion alone won’t get you on that plane. You need to know if your global health aspirations are logistically and financially feasible during residency.

Funding and Financial Support

1. “How are global health and international medicine rotations funded?”

   • Follow-up: “Is there guaranteed funding for at least one global health experience per resident in the track?”

2. “Do residents have to pay out of pocket for travel, housing, or fees?”

3. “Are there institutional grants, stipends, or scholarships that residents can apply for?”

4. “Does the program help residents identify external funding sources (e.g., fellowships, foundations)?”

5. “Are there limits on how many funded trips a resident can take during residency?”

Funding details tell you whether opportunities are truly accessible, or only realistic for those with personal financial resources.

Time, Scheduling, and Duty Hours

1. “How many weeks of global health–related time (domestic or international) do residents typically complete over the course of training?”

2. “Is this time counted as elective time, or is additional time carved out specifically for the global health track?”

3. “How does the program accommodate call schedules and service needs when residents are away on international rotations?”

4. “Are there restrictions on when during training (PGY1 vs PGY2/3/4) residents can participate in international experiences?”

5. “How do you ensure residents still meet ACGME requirements and case minimums while doing global health work?”

Visas, Licensing, and Administrative Support

1. “Who handles the logistics of visas, local registration, and licensing (if applicable) for international rotations?”

2. “Is there dedicated administrative staff or a global health office to support residents with logistics?”

3. “Are language requirements in place for certain sites, and is language training offered or supported?”

4. “What percentage of residents who intend to do global health activities actually complete them before graduation?”

   • A gap here may indicate logistical hurdles or lack of support.

By asking these questions, you’re not just showing sophistication; you’re protecting your ability to realistically engage in global health during residency.

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Questions to Ask Program Directors, Faculty, and Residents

Different stakeholders will give you different perspectives. Tailor what to ask program director, faculty, and residents to get a fuller picture.

What to Ask the Program Director (PD)

The PD oversees the entire residency. With them, balance global health–specific questions with broader training concerns.

1. “How do you see global health fitting into the mission and identity of this residency program?”

2. “What support does the department and institution provide to sustain the global health residency track over time?”

3. “How do you balance service needs locally with residents’ interest in global health activities?”

4. “Have you noticed any impact—positive or negative—of the global health track on resident wellness, burnout, or career choices?”

5. “What changes or expansions are you planning for your global health offerings in the next 3–5 years?”

   • Reveals the program’s trajectory and commitment.

6. “If I came here very committed to global health but my interests evolved (e.g., into health policy or academic medicine), how flexible is the training to accommodate that?”

These are high-yield interview questions for them at the leadership level, showing that you’re thinking about fit, sustainability, and long-term development.

What to Ask Global Health Faculty

Faculty directly involved in the track can answer more specific questions about content and mentoring.

1. “What distinguishes your global health track from others you’re familiar with?”

2. “How do you involve residents in your ongoing projects or partnerships?”

3. “Can you share examples of resident scholarly work (QI, research, advocacy) that have come out of the global health residency track?”

4. “How do you support residents who want to present their global health work at conferences or publish?”

5. “How do you navigate power dynamics and decision-making with partner institutions?”

6. “What qualities do you think help residents succeed in your global health pathway?”

Their answers demonstrate their philosophy and how committed they are to teaching and mentorship.

What to Ask Current Residents

Residents will give you the clearest insight into real-world implementation—what actually happens versus what sounds good on paper.

1. “How easy or difficult is it to get a spot in the global health residency track or on international rotations?”

2. “Do residents actually get the number of global health opportunities that are advertised?”

   • Ask for specific examples: “How many weeks did you personally do?”

3. “How supportive is the program when unexpected issues arise (delayed flights, illness abroad, political changes)?”

4. “How does global health involvement affect your schedule and workload when you’re back—do you feel penalized or supported?”

5. “Do you feel the program’s work with partner sites is respectful and sustainable, or does it sometimes feel like ‘medical tourism’?”

6. “How has your global health experience here shaped your career plans?”

7. “If you had to decide again, would you choose this program for its global health opportunities?”

Residents’ tone and specifics often reveal more than any brochure.

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Aligning Questions With Your Own Goals and Values

The best questions to ask residency programs in global health are those that help you answer:
“Does this program match who I am, what I value, and where I’m headed?”

Clarify Your Personal Priorities

Before interviews, reflect on your own goals. For example:

• Do you want to live and work abroad long-term after residency?
• Are you more interested in clinical service, research, policy, or education in international medicine?
• Do you see yourself working primarily in low- and middle-income countries, or focused on migrant, refugee, or underserved populations locally?
• How much travel and time abroad is realistic for you (family, finances, health, etc.)?

Then tailor your questions:

• If you’re research-minded:

  • “What global health research infrastructure exists here—IRB support, data management, biostatistics, mentorship?”
  • “How have residents balanced research with clinical demands?”

• If you are service-oriented:

  • “What does a typical day look like on an international clinical rotation for a resident at your program?”
  • “How do you ensure that service is aligned with local needs and training goals?”

• If you’re committed to advocacy or policy:

  • “Are there opportunities to engage in global health policy, diplomacy, or advocacy at local, national, or international levels?”

Spotting Green Flags and Red Flags

As you ask these interview questions for them, watch not only what they say but how they say it.

Green flags:

• Clear, specific examples rather than vague generalities
• Emphasis on local leadership, bidirectionality, and long-term partnerships
• Structured pre-departure training and debriefing
• Institutional support (funding, admin staff, protected time)
• Honest discussion of limitations and ongoing improvement

Red flags:

• Overemphasis on “going abroad” without mention of sustainability or local partners
• Residents performing outside their scope with minimal supervision
• No clear funding plan; “most residents pay their own way”
• Partnerships that appear new or unstable, or change frequently
• Defensive or dismissive responses when you ask about ethics, equity, or power dynamics

Your questions are a powerful tool to differentiate programs with a serious, ethical commitment to global health from those where it’s primarily a marketing point.

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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

1. How many global health–focused questions should I ask during an interview?

Aim for 2–4 global health–focused questions per interview, balanced with general training and culture questions. You don’t need to ask every question in this guide; prioritize those that help you compare programs and clarify your personal priorities. You can also direct some questions to the PD, some to global health faculty, and some to residents.

2. Is it okay to ask detailed funding and money questions?

Yes—asking about funding is not only appropriate but important. Phrase it professionally:

• “How are global health rotations typically funded?”
• “Is there guaranteed institutional support, or do residents usually apply for external grants?”
  Programs expect these questions, and transparent answers are a positive sign.

3. What if a program doesn’t have a formal global health residency track?

Some excellent programs do impactful global health work without a formal “track.” In that case, ask:

• “What opportunities exist for residents with strong interests in global health or international medicine?”
• “How have prior residents with global health interests structured their training here?”
  Look for individualized mentoring, flexible electives, and faculty with active global health roles, even if there is no formal pathway.

4. How can I follow up after interviews about global health questions?

If you have lingering questions or need clarification, it’s appropriate to email the program coordinator or a global health faculty contact. You might write:

• “I appreciated learning about your global health residency track. Could you share a sample of the curriculum or a list of partner sites?”
  Keep follow-up concise and focused, and use the information to refine your rank list based on fit and alignment with your goals.

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Thoughtful, well-targeted questions signal that you understand global health as more than travel and that you’re looking for rigorous, ethical, and sustainable training. Use this guide to plan your questions, listen closely to the answers, and ultimately choose a residency where your passion for global health can grow into a meaningful and responsible career.