M4 International Elective Experience

Overview

Each year about 60 fourth year medical students choose to spend one of their elective months on an international elective. Generally, students set up their own electives – the variety of previous experiences is a testament to the creativity and innovation of our students. For those students in need of logistical assistance, Global REACH can help identify potential opportunities.

Suggestions

If you are interested in participating in an international clinical elective, please begin the process of setting it up at least one year in advance. Here are some other suggestions for setting up a clinical elective.

An application for funding can be filled out in the Fall.

M4 Resource Binder
Check out our electronic M4 Resource Binder! It contains information on how to apply for an international elective, funding sources, travel tips and surveys from previous students from the last two years. For access to the M4 Resource Binder please contact Heather Eardley and include "M4 Resource Binder Access" in the subject line.

M4 Elective Experience

International Activity Survey

MOU School Contact List

MOU School Contact List (pdf)

The University of Michigan has signed agreements (called Memorandums of Understandings) with over ten institutions around the world. On a space-available basis, Global REACH can place students at any one of these institutions in a variety of clinical electives.

Each MOU school on the map provides you with contact information! Zoom out to see more.


View MOU Schools in a larger map

MOU School International Elective Opportunities:

China


Croatia

Ghana

Ireland

Israel

Japan

Korea

Macedonia

Papua New Guinea

Qatar

Slovakia

Sweden

Please contact Global REACH at (734) 615-4411 for information regarding contacts at the schools listed above.

Amazon Promise (www.amazonpromise.org) is a U.S. 501(c)(3) non-profit organization formed to provide desperately needed medical care to remote, poverty-stricken populations living in the Upper Amazon Basin of Northeastern Peru. Since 1993, Amazon Promise has been providing essential medical services and education to residents of Iquitos and neighboring Belén, along with routine medical outreach and local training and education in 36 additional jungle villages located throughout Loreto, Peru's largest state. They are working to provide sustainable healthcare in Peru, and seeking to build a self-sustaining medical clinic and training center in Belèn, the most neglected and impoverished region of Iquitos. Amazon Promise organizes six to eight medical expeditions annually with medical and non-medical volunteers. Global REACH has partnered with Amazon Promise to provide M4 students with a unique opportunity to participate in this work, with rotations planned for February and September annually. The volunteers staff full-day clinics in Belèn, conduct canoe calls, and staff clinics in remote jungle areas. Dr. Robert Hyzy, M.D. of the Division of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine at the University of Michigan, is the contact person for these rotations and serves as the Medical Director of Amazon Promise.

IFMSA Rotations

The Standing Committee on Medical Education at the International Federation of Medical Students’ Associations (IFMSA) has developed an exchange program among IFMSA member schools. With more than 70 participating schools thus far, there are opportunities all over the world for students to participate in clinical rotations. There is generally a small fee associated with setting up the rotation.

UMMS Faculty Contacts

More than 400 UMMS faculty report having international contacts, many of whom have offered to assist medical students in setting up international clinical rotations. Searchable database coming soon! For now, visit the Medical School student lounge to view the faculty contact lists.