Luisa Fernanda Montano, a MPH student at the USF College of Public Health, recently completed an international applied experience at the Health Administration Center of Gifu University in Japan, where she worked with faculty, staff and peers on projects that connected research with public health practice.
During her time abroad, Montano partnered with fellow MPH student Aleeza Masood and collaborated with Japanese professionals representing multiple medical fields, including infectious disease, allergy, psychology and internal medicine. Together, the group developed two manuscripts that addressed pressing health challenges faced by university populations.
Luisa Fernanda Montano and Aleeza Masood at Gifu University in Japan. (Photo courtesy of Montano)
One study analyzed the decline in antibody prevalence for vaccine-preventable diseases among Japanese university students, looking closely at how shifts in national vaccination policy between 2011 and 2024 influenced levels of immunity. The second study examined allergic conditions and their connection to psychological symptoms among students, using a Japanese version of the Counseling Center Assessment of Psychological Symptoms (CCAPS) tool.
Montano said the experience gave her a stronger foundation in real-world evidence and its application to both vaccine policy and mental health interventions. Using SPSS, a widely used program for statistical analysis in social science, she and Masood worked on cleaning, analyzing and interpreting complex datasets while also learning how to navigate cultural and linguistic differences in research settings.
“Japan does an incredible job of bridging scientific insights with public health impact,” Montano said. “This experience taught me how much adaptability, curiosity and communication matter when doing global health work in new environments.”
Beyond research, Montano was struck by the way public health values are embedded in daily life, particularly within Japanese schools. She visited Gujo Elementary School and observed how children are introduced early to practices that promote long-term health and community responsibility.
Luisa Fernanda Montano at Gujo Elementary School. (Photo courtesy of Montano)
At lunchtime, students serve meals to their classmates, encouraging food literacy and awareness of nutrition. After class, they clean their own classrooms, an activity that fosters responsibility while reinforcing hygiene habits that contribute to infection prevention. At the end of the day, children walk home independently, with older students accompanying younger ones—an approach that promotes physical activity, safety and social responsibility.
Montano said these daily routines highlight how a country’s strongest public health systems do not begin at hospitals or clinics, but in environments that shape behavior from a young age.
“These practices show how schools can serve as the foundation for healthier lives,” she said. “Public health isn’t only about access to care. It’s also about cultivating behaviors that prevent illness and strengthen communities.”
Interested in studying abroad in Japan? Learn more about USF College of Public Health study abroad programs here.