School of Medicine

International Study Opportunities

Year IV International Health Electives

Wayne State University medical students have the opportunity to travel and study abroad for international electives.  Many students often travel to developing nations.

Medical students are prepared to be responsible for taking care of patients with multiple needs in whatever socioeconomic group or culture they may be from, the students describe the International Health Elective as a very significant expansive experience.

International Health Electives for medical students are available in Student Organizations, Room 2276, Scott Hall.  Evaluations of prior electives and student journals are also available. 

          Volume I:       Africa and the Middle East

          Volume II:      The Americas

          Volume III:     Asia and the Western Pacific

          Volume IV:     Europe

(The above are prepared by the American Medical Student Association).

Guidelines

• Determine the field-medical specialty of the elective.
• The setting, urban or rural
• The locale, hospital or clinic
• Your level of language proficiency
• Review guidelines for personal health and travel of health professionals working in developing countries.
• The period of time you have available
• Housing needs and financial resources at your disposal
• Review "Creative Funding for International Health Electives," International Health Medical Education Consortium. (Available in Student Affairs).
• Review Student/Study/Internship Outside the U.S. Grant Program.  (Wayne State University, Office for Global Education, 4092 Faculty Administration Building, Detroit, Michigan 48202.
• Refer to:  Department of Community Medicine, Chairman: Dr. John B. Waller, Jr., Location 9B-UHC, Telephone 313-577-1033, Course # 0525905 International Health System.

The following criteria must be met for an overseas elective to be eligible for academic credit by the department at Wayne State University:

1. The coordinator is certified by the specialty board in which the elective is being offered, or its equivalent.
2. The coordinator spends the majority of his/her time in the specialty which is being offered as an elective.
3. The coordinator must have provided the University with a curriculum vitae (CV).
4. The elective course must be described in detail.
5. All overseas electives are to be done in university hospitals in professorial units.
6. A training program in that specialty or sub-specialty must be in progress at that institution.

After completing Steps 1-6, come to Student Affairs to see your counselor.  The process may take several months to complete so make sure to start early.