Building a public health career from abroad: Earning my MPH online
By Ethan Bouche, MPH ‘24, Online MPH in Population and Health Sciences
For many prospective students, the idea of pursuing a graduate degree online—especially from another country—raises questions about connection, balance, and the possibilities that await after graduation. As someone who began my public health journey in Japan, I hope my experience sheds light on what it’s like to learn, grow, and prepare for a new career through the Michigan Public Health Online MPH program, no matter where you start your journey.
Earning an MPH from the Other Side of the Globe
When I began thinking about advancing my career into public health, I had already been living in Japan. I wasn’t sure it would be possible to start that journey while living outside the United States. Michigan Public Health’s Online MPH program in Population and Health Sciences stood out because it offered the flexibility our family needed at such a transitional point in our lives. Since we knew we'd be moving back to the U.S., this program felt like the perfect bridge to a new career, letting me prepare well before we actually packed our bags.
Getting to earn my degree from a well-known and respected U.S. institution while abroad has had a huge impact on my career. Before getting my MPH I was working as an assistant language teacher in Japan, but since graduating and moving back to the U.S. I have been able to transition into working as a data analyst working with health data. My MPH program prepared me to take on a new field and transition to a new chapter in my life when I moved back to the U.S.
The Balancing Act of A Working Parent and Student
Life as an online MPH student was definitely unique for me. I was on paternity leave at the start, which meant I had the rare chance to really be there for my family and focus on my studies. Later, as I returned to full-time work, my days got a lot busier, but the program’s flexibility really made all the difference. I’d attend live classes before work, fit in readings and assignments during breaks, and catch up on recorded lectures after hours. There was always enough wiggle room in the schedule so I could keep up with coursework without missing out on important family time.
Of course, time zones and shifting work schedules brought their own challenges. There were stretches when I simply couldn’t make the live sessions, but I found professors incredibly understanding. As long as I communicated early, they’d work with me to find creative solutions—sometimes that meant regular one-on-one meetings or just catching up with recorded lectures. Honestly, their support made a huge difference. I always felt encouraged and never like I was navigating things alone.
Learn: How the online MPH program could help you achieve your professional goals
Building Connections and Community
Despite the distance, I felt I could still be as engaged with the Michigan Public Health community as I wanted to be. Our program’s Slack community was a great way to easily connect with my classmates and faculty. The Slack channels are usually pretty active and if you had a question about the material, even in another timezone, someone would answer quickly because so many of my peers are also working on their own unique schedules too. While attending office hours was sometimes tough, faculty were always more than happy to find times to meet with me if I reached out, so I never felt left behind.
It was the same when it came to my Applied Practice Experience (APEx) project. Even though I worked with a U.S. organization from afar, my project partners went out of their way to be flexible with meeting times, and we built a collaborative, supportive working relationship. Their willingness to adjust to my situation made the project not only possible but also highly rewarding.
READ: COVID-19 mortality in the California Teacher Study, detailing Bouche’s APEx project
Advice for Applicants Outside the U.S.
If you’re considering Michigan’s Online MPH program as an international or non-U.S. citizen, my advice is: Don’t let a lack of public health background stop you from applying. Your diverse experiences and professional journey can be powerful assets in this field. Embrace what makes you unique—public health needs all kinds of perspectives.
Looking back, enrolling in Michigan’s Online MPH while living abroad turned out to be one of the best choices I’ve made—for both my family and my career. If you’re thinking about it, know that with a little flexibility, organization, and openness, you really can make this work for you too.
About the Author
Ethan Bouche is a graduate of the Master of Public Health (MPH) program in Population
and Health Sciences (‘24). While studying, Ethan served the online student community
as an Admissions Ambassador, supporting and guiding other prospective public health
students. After completing his graduate studies, Ethan was able to pursue his interests
and a new career as a health data analyst in the U.S.
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