Text by: Charmaine A. Lingdas
Photos by Jaira Purificacion and Office of International and Local Linkages

The Student Network Organization (SNO) Exchange Program at the University of the Philippines Manila gave two international health students a deeper appreciation of community-oriented healthcare, showing them that effective health systems are built not only through clinical practice and academic training but also through prevention, education, collaboration, and engagement with communities.

During the week-long exchange that ran from July 27, 2026, to Aug. 3, 2026, João Lucas Freitas of Brazil and Rwan Jaffer Zain-alabdeen Alshiekh of Sudan immersed themselves in the University’s community-oriented approach to health professions education through academic visits, cultural activities, and community exposure. Organized in partnership with Towards Unity for Health (TUFH), the program concluded with a tour of the Museum of a History of Ideas and a closing ceremony on Aug. 3, 2026.

Throughout the exchange, the participants visited UP Manila’s colleges and non-degree-granting units, including the National Institutes of Health and the Philippine General Hospital. They also connected virtually with the School of Health Sciences and participated in the Community Health Development Program (CHDP) community exposure that highlighted how health programs are implemented beyond the classroom.

Learning Beyond the Classroom

Alshiekh said she arrived in the Philippines expecting an educational experience that would introduce her to a different healthcare system through institutional visits and interactions with new people. By the end of the week, however, the exchange had surpassed her expectations. 

“Throughout this week, we had the opportunity to learn about community healthcare systems, explore different colleges, and also have meaningful community exposure where we saw firsthand how community health programs grow and develop beyond academics.”

Among the many lessons she gained, Alshiekh said UP Manila’s strong emphasis on community-oriented healthcare left the greatest impression.

“What inspired me the most is how community-oriented everything is. I saw a healthcare system that truly values prevention, education, collaboration, and serving people in different situations.”

Beyond the academic learning, Alshiekh said the relationships she built with faculty members, mentors, coordinators, and fellow students became the most memorable part of the exchange. The experience, she said, inspired her to become not only a better future physician but also a better person. She added that she hopes to share what she learned with her university, colleagues, and community while strengthening collaboration between UP Manila and her home institution through future student exchanges, research, and educational partnerships. She also expressed her intention to return to the Philippines, saying the week-long program had left a lasting impression on her.

Meanwhile, Freitas reflected that while the exchange provided valuable academic opportunities, its greatest impact came from the people he met and the communities he encountered. He said the experience deepened his appreciation of community engagement in public health and showed him that meaningful learning extends beyond the classroom. Despite coming from Brazil, he found unexpected similarities with the Philippines and said the friendships he formed with Filipino students helped him feel at home. The exchange, he added, broadened his perspective on healthcare, strengthened his understanding of different cultures, and reinforced the importance of building connections among future health professionals.

Upholding The Value of Service

Assistant to the Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs Gina Salazar encouraged the exchange students to carry with them UP Manila’s enduring commitment to service as they return to their home institutions. Reaffirming the University’s belief that “Health is a right. It should be accessible for all,” she urged them to continue serving their communities with compassion and purpose.

Salazar expressed hope that the participants would continue advancing equitable healthcare in their respective countries while sustaining the friendships and partnerships they had built with the UP Manila community.

Strengthening global partnerships

Office of International and Local Linkages Director Dr. Vivien Fe F. Fadrilan-Camacho thanked the visiting students, participating colleges, the University Student Council, and the Office of International and Local Linkages staff for making the Student Network Organization (SNO) Exchange Program possible. She said the University was delighted to host the participants and hoped the experience had enriched both their academic learning and cultural understanding.

Recognizing the value of international mobility, she encouraged students to pursue learning opportunities beyond their own institutions. “I really admire students who are brave enough to get out of the box and explore outside the university. I would like to encourage you to continue doing it because nowadays, it’s very important to have a perspective that is not only local. Of course, it should be national, but now it should be global as well,” she said.

Dr. Camacho emphasized that future health professionals must cultivate perspectives that extend beyond their local settings and shared that UP Manila looks forward to expanding collaborations with the institutions represented by the exchange participants. She expressed hope that the relationships established during the program would grow into future partnerships in academics, research, and public service.

As one of the activities held alongside the annual TUFH conference, the SNO Exchange Program continues to provide international students with opportunities to experience UP Manila’s community-oriented approach to health professions education while fostering intercultural understanding, collaboration, and a shared commitment to improving health through service.

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