UNC:
Are you planning to apply to the Gillings School of Global Public Health? It’s not an automatic admit - there is a competitive application process (not suggesting you would not get in, just saying they do not accept everybody). My D was there….until she decided to return to her original major which was not in Gillings (regular science major).
There are plenty of research opportunities on campus- you don’t have to leave the campus to do research. My D continued with her public health research (in addition to other research) even after she left Gillings. It is definitely a global program- she was offered opportunities to travel- not sure how common that is during undergrad, but she definitely had the opportunity.
Are your parents saying anything about cost?