Exploring the Role of Experiential Learning in Tanzania on the Understanding of One Health

The One Health framework recognizes the unifying interconnectedness of human, animal, and environmental health, emphasizing the need for interdisciplinary collaboration to address global health challenges. Within this framework, cultural determinants of health including education, beliefs, values, and traditional practices play a critical role in shaping cultural norms, healthcare delivery, and policies. Understanding these determinants is essential for designing effective public health strategies that respect cultural contexts. This study introduces the first iteration of the experiential learning course HSCI 595, designed to build cultural competency and humility to foster health equity learning through direct community engagement. Featuring pre-departure training, reflective assessments, and a 20-day educational trip to Tanzania, this course integrates service-learning experiences at Pamoja Tunaweza Women’s Centre in Tanzania. The course equips students with the skills needed to leverage One Health principles into applications of holistic healthcare. The three primary objectives are to explore how an experiential learning opportunity influences One Health conceptual understanding; how social and health-based activities impact learning and the perceived application of One Health in human health careers; and how experiential learning activities shape understanding of the role of non-human and ecological spheres. A pre/post-survey with quantitative and qualitative metrics will be used to assess changes in students’ understanding of One Health. The study will compare results between students enrolled in HSCI 595 and a cohort of students participating in a theoretical setting to learn about the One Health framework. By integrating experiential learning, this study provides insights into the effectiveness of immersive educational approaches in global health. The findings will contribute to improving curriculum design and preparing future professionals to address complex health challenges through a One Health perspective.