Help Setting Up Overseas Electives
Overview:
Many students are interested in travel abroad for a variety of reasons. This section is designed to help step students through that process. PSU’s Education Abroad site is an excellent site and resource.
STEP 1 - Safe Travel
Students should ensure that the country-of-interest does not have a travel advisory on the US State Department’s website. Students/Faculty may also use this service by World Watch to learn about safety issues for individual countries. It requires log-in using PSU ID.
Important PSU policies related to international travel include:
STEP 2 - Electives
In general there are two periods of time during medical school during which students may travel abroad. These include during the summer between first and second years, and during fourth year for elective credit.
STEP 3 - Selecting a Site
Selecting a site can be very challenging. Many options exist. It is prudent to consider what you hope to achieve through the experience.
How much travel experience do you have with impoverished areas?| | None | Some | A lot |
| Recommendations | Seek a structured educational and cultural experience in a general practice (medicine, surgery) setting | Semi-structured experience; consider MSR | Consider MSR; consider a self-tailored experience (in a safe, well-supervised setting) |
| | Look for broad range of clinical and cultural exposures; pay attention to the needs of the poor, and look for their strengths (assets) | Pay specific attention to health care system and the logistical challenges of providing care | Same as other sections. Consider narrowing clinical focus (i.e. Public Health, Women's or Children's Health, HIV/TB); |
See "Selecting a Site" tabs for further information
STEP 4 - Funding Options (see Funding tab)
Step 5 - Preparing for an International Experience
Students who intend to travel abroad should consider whether they will require the following.
Other Travel Health and Safety Resources
- State Department travel information (including advisories)
List of items to considering bringing on your overseas trip:
- For a printable check list of "What to Bring Abroad" click here
- For additional resources/lists click here0
Flight Arrangements:
- Penn State Travel Services 814-865-1508
Click on the Map Icons to learn more about the site. For further information please contact with the faculty contact listed or the Global Health Center.
View PSU Global Health Center in a larger map
Prior Medical Student Experiences
A great place to start is by reading other students' experiences.
Click here for a listing of students' experiences with different organizations and in many countries. Estimated costs are included.
These organizations provide structured programs:
- Child Family Health International. Many available sites. Students have used this organization to assist them in developing rotations.
- FIMRC (Foundation for International Medical Relief of Children) offers several different sites. These are structured rotations that includes aspects of community health (Comparative Health Immersion Rotation Program). See the specific site for further details:
- Interhealth South America Language training included. "The principal format of the program provides structured group and individual field experiences in international health, coordinated with medical language immersiion study." A number of our students have used this program.
Other specific sites:
- Dominican Republic: PSU/GSH Family and Community Medicine Residency is sponsoring an elective in international medicine in the Dominican Republic from November 1-21, 2009. Our goals are to do patient care, initiate a health needs survey, do patient education and expand our knowledge of tropical medicine. Improved Spanish language skills and an appreciation of Latino-Caribbean culture are anticipated. Contact Evy Vanasdalan or William Lovett M.D. 717-270-1949
- Ecuador. Our Children's Heart Group travels with students and a large medical group to Guayaquil, Ecuador every year. The trip occurs in November and 4th year medical students may participate as part of a pediatric cardiology elective. If interested, please contact Dr. Gerald Johnson.
- Ecuador. Global Health Scholars Program (see link on side). Also, please contact Dr. Brandt Groh for other possible options. Dr. Groh lived with his family for six months in Ecuador.
- Honduras. A great opportunity to work in a new Pediatric Orthopedic hospital with Dr. Schwenkter. Best suited for 4th year students with an interest in surgery/orthopedics. For further information, please contact Bunny Schwentker (nschwentker@comcast.net ) and cc. Dr. Ned Schwentker (eps1@psu.edu).
- India. The Comprehensive Rural Project in Jamkhed, India provides an in-depth look at providing comprehensive care to a very impoverished area. The model is being replicated widely.
- Kenya. World Medical Mission (through Samaritan's Purse). Hospitals include Tenwick Hospital and Kapsowar Hospital. Click here for more information. The slideshow is from Dr. Graham Jeffries work with this organization.
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- Uganda. Uganda Village Project. This is a very robust program that was started by a PSU-COM alumnus!
- University of Arizona College of Medicine. Global Heatlh: Clinical and Community Care. http://www.globalhealth.arizona.edu This is a full-time (80 class hours), intensive, interactive course. Multi-disciplinary faculty with clinical experience guide participants in adapting clinical skills and WHO public health concepts in resource-poor nations. Visiting students receive 3-4 weeks' elective credit at their home institute (which must arrange the actual overseas preceptorship or rotation). For more information contact: Arleen Heimann, Program Coordinator at (520) 626-1992 or email: aheimann@email.arizona.edu
GLOBAL EXPERIENCES AND OPPORTUNITIES
Existing Databases
For an additional list of international travel opportunities click here (.pdf).
Fellowship Opportunities
For an additional list of Fellowship opportunities click here.
Even though trips often occur to underdeveloped countries where the cost of living is lower, a month-long trip may easily accrue to $2,500-3,000 per person.
Hershey Medical Center Funds.
Click here for a list of possible scholarship opportunities.
The Mark J. Young International Health Policy Scholarship is made available through an application process. This award is used to support primarily junior faculty, fellows, or residents who seek educational activities related to international health care policy. Students may apply. Criteria include: Attendance at an international conference, short course, or workshop focused on interntional health care or international health policy; OR participation in innovative, ongoing international health care or health policy projects. The award is to be used for activities outside the United States. The call for submissions is in March. Due Date: early May. Contact the Global Health Center for further information.
Below is a list of scholarship opportunities available to medical students.
