| As a student, you might fall into one of several categories. Either you are ready to explore international opportunities, you have a tentative plan in mind, or you have already arranged your international experience.
Regardless of where you stand, our office is here to help you along the way. Your first step after reading through this page is to fill out a Global Health Interest Information Sheet and submit it to Maria Sferruzza, Global Health Programs Coordinator. On this sheet, you will list goals, language fluency, country and specialty interests. Appointments can then be scheduled to discuss individual options. Students will be put in touch with appropriate contacts and resources so that their desired international experience can be pursued.
If you are in search of an international experience/rotation, the following is suggested: - Read the Trip Reports and Travel Diaries submitted by Feinberg students. As a member of the FSM community, you may log in to the Trip Report forum to access a library of information (use your Northwestern email account to sign-up). M1 and M4 students comment freely about their international/rotation experience, social and cultural aspects, quality and cost of the experience. There is lots of "know before you go" information that has been passed down. On the forum, you can also search by specialty and country.
- Take a look at our Partner Institutions and Faculty-affiliated opportunities. We have formal educational agreements with other medical schools around the globe, and some of our outstanding faculty have contacts at sites/clinics where medical students are allowed to participate.
- Meet some of our partner students here as visiting students on away rotations. As an M4, you may run into them on the wards. They are students in their final year of medical school from many countries and would be happy to meet FSM students. As a member of the FSM community, you may log in to the Trip Report forum where visiting partner student contact information is listed. (use your Northwestern email account to sign-up).
- Browse the global health links for other programs and opportunities with NGO's. This list shows other programs and organizations offering international educational opportunities.
- The Northwestern University Office of International Program Development (NUIPD) hosts information sessions throughout the year on the Chicago campus to assist students in learning more about their programs to Mexico, South Africa, China and Uganda. Opportunities are available for both M1 and M4 students. Contact international@northwestern.edu for more information.
- If you are an M1 or M4 and thinking of a research project, look into the Feinberg International Health Fellowship. Contact Maria Sferruzza for more information.
- If you are an M4 and wish to receive elective credit for your international rotation, reference the Pre-departure page for requirements through the Registrar's office.
- Take advantage of our Community Health opportunities through the Office of Minority and Cultural Affairs and the Department of Family Medicine.
- Browse the Global Health Education Consortium (GHEC) website. Since Feinberg School of Medicine is an institutional member, students can access GHEC resources and apply for a global health scholarship. There are ongoing projects, such as teaching modules, and information about their annual conference.
- View student resource called The Lancet: an online resource that connects students from across the globe in a discussion of global health issues, seeks student contributions for the Articles section on topics including: Conflict, Health and Human Rights, and HIV/AIDS.
- Read AMSA's international health Journal: Global Pulse
- Subscribe to the free, electronic newletter, called Medical Spanish Monthly. Each issue will contain language pearls, international medicine articles, front-line experiences, and cultural tips.
Fill out an information sheet, and contact Maria Sferruzza in the Office of Medical Education to discuss options and be guided along the way. | |
