How can I study abroad during 4th year?

[mongoose1180]

---

Members do not see this ad.

I'll be starting med school this year and I know it's a ways off, but I have heard of programs where students go do a semester (or quarter) in a foreign country. How does this work and how do you get these positions? What are they for, etc.? I'm really just looking for any information. For example say I wanted to do a semester in Europe or anywhere for that matter, what would be the steps to get there?

 

[Redpancreas]

I'll be starting med school this year and I know it's a ways off, but I have heard of programs where students go do a semester (or quarter) in a foreign country. How does this work and how do you get these positions? What are they for, etc.? I'm really just looking for any information. For example say I wanted to do a semester in Europe or anywhere for that matter, what would be the steps to get there?

Congratulations on your acceptance. I agree that the best way to do this is 4th year. There’s too much to worry about prior to that. It’s incredibly easy and nothing you have to plan for. Every medical school and residency program has a group of students who love traveling, medical mission stuff, and they usually come together and form groups you can just join. Even programs that don’t have formal programs are willing to set aside a certain amount of $$$ if enough students show interest as it reflects positively on the school. Trust me, it’s not something to gun for or sign up right away. There’ll be plenty of time to think about it later.

 

[WiseOne]

IFMSA through AMSA, you can go to almost any country through them and do either a clinical or research exchange

or most countries you can just search "[country name] visiting medical elective" and go through the hospital directly

 

[mongoose1180]

Thank you. Good to know. It sounds easy. There were some schools that I got accepted to which used the ability to travel to other countries and do aways as a strong selling point. I ended up choosing a different school that didn't even mention it, and I know it's so far off, but it's good to know going into the school I selected that I didn't flush those opportunities away.

 

[ciestar]

My school has a four-week international elective you can sign up for during fourth year. Another option is a global health elective after first year (assuming you have a summer break, not all school’s do)

 

[Crayola227]

Policies are different at every school, so this is something more appropriately addressed there.