Six pre-medical students from Weill Cornell Medicine-Qatar (WCM-Q) visited Bali, Indonesia, as part of the annual Global Health Service Learning Programme (GHSLP), a statement said.

Supported by the Institute for Population Health (IPH), the two-week GHSLP enables WCM-Q students to recognise the meaning of cultural humility and competence, develop contextual inquisitiveness, identify challenges associated with working in a new environment, foster communication, collaboration, and teaching, and enhance their health education and reflective practice skills.

As part of the programme, pre-medical students volunteered at a local high school in Ubud, Bali, where they delivered basic health education to young students.

The students Ahamed Zayyan, Aiza Tanveer Hassan, Hassan Ijaz, Maryam Sohail, Moomena Gulzar, and Nidhi Roy were accompanied by Dr Amit Abraham, assistant director of the IPH, and Dr Karima Chaabna, manager of population health research, IPH.

Dr Sohaila Cheema, assistant dean for the IPH and programme director, said: “The programme offers a unique and valuable opportunity to not only promote community health education but also develop a deeper understanding of a completely different culture, working environment, and educational system.

Dr Ravinder Mamtani, WCM-Q professor of population health sciences and vice dean for population health and lifestyle medicine, and professor of medicine at the Center for Global Health, said: The students were able to immerse themselves in the unique Balinese culture and enhance their communication, cultural humility and adaptability skills."

Reflecting on her experience, pre-medical student Sohail said: “The service-learning trip to Bali was unlike any other travel experience. It stimulated immeasurable growth: both personally and professionally."

For student Ijaz, the experience was transformative and inspiring. He said: “Bali was more than a trip; it was a journey of connection, discovery, and growth. From exploring its beauty through rice fields to teaching in a classroom, every moment left a mark on me.”