Graduate Courses in Talloires

The Tufts European Center is offering intensive MPH two-week graduate courses at the Priory in Talloires, France. These courses combine rigorous academic study with place-based experiential learning, drawing on Talloires' proximity to Geneva, the global hub of international organizations and health diplomacy. All courses carry full Tufts graduate credit.

Applications are accepted on a rolling basis until programs are filled. The application deadline for both courses is May 15, 2026, and applications may be accepted after this date if space permits. Courses are not available to undergraduate students through the Tufts University Medical School (TUSM).

PH 233: Global Nutrition in Action: Bringing Together Food Systems, Culture, Policy, and Practice

Instructor: Kimberly Dong, DrPH
Dates: June 29 to July 12, 2026
Credits: 3 SHU (graduate credit through Tufts University School of Medicine)
Program Fee: $3,000 (plus degree-based, summer tuition)
Application Deadline: May 15, 2026

Course Description:
This intensive course examines global nutrition challenges through an applied, food systems and cultural equity lens, integrating classroom discussion with experiential learning in France and Switzerland, with a particular focus on the Talloires region and Geneva, as a hub of global nutrition initiatives. Students analyze malnutrition throughout the life course, explore culturally grounded and sustainable dietary patterns, assess the role of the food industry, and evaluate policies and programs shaping nutrition outcomes globally. The course emphasizes comparative analysis between global regions, using France and Switzerland as case studies to examine food environments, food industry, school food systems, culturally embedded dietary practices, and planetary health. Students engage with local and cross-border food systems, analyze nutrition programs and policies, and assess how equity, traditions, and cost influence access to nutritious diets. Experiential components include site visits to international organizations in Geneva, global food industry companies, and local and regional food system explorations led by communities.

Prerequisites: None

Extend your stay in Talloires and deepen your experience with the Ribbons of Impact: Food and Nutrition:
Tufts graduate students enrolled in PH 233 may have the opportunity to extend their experience through the Ribbons of Impact: Food and Nutrition, a multi-phase learning journey developed in partnership with the Office of the Vice Provost for Education. The Ribbon of Impact connects academic coursework with an immersive field experience at the Future of Food conference, led by Professor David Kaplan, followed by an integrative project under Professor Dong's supervision.

• Academic Foundation: Students will begin by building an academic foundation in nutrition science, food policy, and community health with Professor Kim Dong’s course, PH 233 Global Nutrition in Action.
• Immersive Field Experience: Next, students will participate in an immersive field experience. In this case, students will join Professor David Kaplan’s Future of Food conference, which focuses on emerging science in relation to food. Students will have the opportunity to network with experts in the field.
• Integrated Project: Finally, students will conclude the Impact Journey by working with Professor Kim Dong on an integrative project that connects classroom knowledge with real world insights.

Selected students will be awarded a scholarship to offset the full program fee, round-trip airfare and travel, and meals related to the Future of Food conference. Up to 6 Tufts master's students may be selected. Students interested in the Ribbon of Impact will find the application within the PH 233 program application.

PH 212: Public Health Across Borders: Global Health Governance and Comparative Health Systems

Instructors: Thomas J. Stopka, PhD, MHS and Saloni Dev, PhD
Dates: July 17 to July 30, 2026
Credits: 3 SHU (graduate credit through Tufts University School of Medicine)
Program Fee: $3,000 (plus degree-based, summer tuition)
Application Deadline: May 15, 2026

Course Description:
Imagine living and studying in a foreign culture where you suddenly fall ill or experience a health emergency. Where would you go? How would you access care? Who would pay for it? And how might the whole experience compare to health care seeking at home?

Global health is shaped as much by politics and power as by medicine and research, and public health, health care, and healthcare systems take on many shapes and forms across different settings. Through this immersive course at the Tufts European Center in Talloires, France, just minutes from Geneva, the world's hub of global health diplomacy and international organizations, you will examine how global health priorities are set, funded, and implemented, while also exploring, evaluating, and comparing public health and health care at the village (Talloires), local city (Annecy), department (Rhone/Lyon), and national (US, France, Switzerland) level.

Students will have the opportunity to visit and learn from major international organizations and humanitarian actors based in Geneva. You will be immersed in comparative and experiential learning opportunities to contextualize public health and health care services at various levels. You will have the opportunity to meet health care and public health professionals at the village, city, and national level, learning from experts and gaining a broader understanding of different public health and health care models, their strengths and limitations, and implications for models back home.

Prerequisites: None

Program Housing and What's Included:
Graduate course students are housed in a modern student residence in the heart of Annecy, just a short bus ride from the European Center in Talloires. Each student has their own private studio with a full private bathroom and kitchenette. The residence is steps from Annecy's shops, restaurants, a wonderful nearby grocery store, and the beautiful old town.

Your program fee covers:

• Private studio accommodation for the duration of the program
• Local bus pass for daily travel between Annecy and Talloires
• Welcome dinner with the group
• Basic kitchen supplies for your studio
• European Center staff support before and throughout the program

Not included: round-trip airfare, course textbooks, meals beyond the welcome dinner, and personal expenses.

Before You Apply:
It is very important that student applicants consult our Preparing to Go pages before applying to study in Talloires. Living in another country and navigating a new culture are wonderful experiences, but not without challenges. Understanding this ahead of time will help students make an informed decision about participating in the program. There are also many important practical aspects to consider before you apply, including finances, visa status, and more.