There are two different types of international clinical electives available through IMP: standard clinical rotations at academic teaching hospitals and clinics abroad, or participating in a medical or surgical mission. See below for specific information on international clinical rotations.
Eligibility
All GW medical students applying for an international clinical elective must have already completed all core clinical clerkships at GW. This includes two months in internal medicine; two months in family practice; two months in pediatrics; two months in OB/GYN; two months in surgery; and two months in psychiatry. Students must also be in good academic standing at GW SMHS.
All GW students participating in an international elective, regardless of the site or duration, must be registered in one of the international elective courses (IDIS 352 or IDIS 370) during their time abroad, ensuring the student receives academic credit for the experience.
Curriculum
Students electing to participate in a clinical rotation abroad typically spend four weeks in a clinical department at one of IMP’s affiliated university partners. GW students are typically placed in their top or second preferred clinical specialty. The available departments may vary by site. Previous GW students have rotated in anesthesiology, emergency medicine, ENT, family medicine, OBGYN, Pediatrics, Medicine and subspecialties, surgery, pathology, and radiology abroad.
Application
Application deadlines and requirements vary by site. However, the process always starts the same with the IMP office contacting the international site to “nominate” the GW student for the elective placement. This is especially important since at IMP affiliated sites, spots for GW students are aligned with international students hosted at GW by IMP.
After the nomination from IMP, you will be given specific application institutions. The university/institution has final say on acceptance. Once accepted by the international site, IMP will provide students with detailed predeparture information, including completing an online Global Ambassadors for Patient Safety training and purchasing an international insurance plan through GeoBlue, which is required for all GW students traveling abroad.
Tuition & Fees
If students are rotating with one of IMP’s affiliated sites, then there will be no program fee charged. There may be a small application or student union fee (usually no more than $50). All other expenses (flight, housing, any required visas) are the responsibility of the student. Scholarships are available through IMP and applications are accepted on a rolling basis.
Some international sites may have on-campus housing available to visiting students. If on-campus housing is not available, host universities will assist students in locating suitable housing. In all cases, students are responsible for the expense of their room and board as well as the expense of traveling to and from the host country and host institution.
Evaluation
Each student will be assigned a mentor at the international site, who will assess the student's performance and give them a written evaluation. Upon completion of the clinical elective, students must also submit 3-5 photos and a reflection paper to the IMP Office. Reflection paper guidelines will be shared with students after their elective program is confirmed by the international site.
Students’ grades for IDIS 352 and IDIS 370 will be issued by the Associate Dean for International Medicine. The grade will be a combination of the student’s elective evaluation (completed by in-country mentor) and the student’s reflection paper completed after the elective.