SCHEDULING INTERNATIONAL ELECTIVES
12-weeks notice for request recommended; 8-week minimum notice required

Drexel University College of Medicine medical students may arrange international elective clinical experiences. They are included in the twelve (12) weeks of “away” time permitted to each student. Arrangements may be time consuming, and there are many bases to cover both in setting up the international experience and getting institutional approval from Drexel University College of Medicine. Students should begin planning international medical experiences approximately one (1) year before the estimated date of starting the rotation.

The best time for international electives is after Match Day and before graduation. Keep the following in mind. There are times of the final year when it is really unwise to be out of the country. Avoid scheduling an international rotation during peak interview season: November through January. Avoid being out of the country on Match Day. If, for any reason, a student who is away does not match for a program, that student would not be able to deal effectively with finding a program during the “Scramble,” if out of the country. Students are not permitted to do an away/international rotation Block 11 (Commencement Block). Your transcript will not be complete (and your diploma will not be released) until your evaluation has been received.

Sources of Information about International Clinical Elective Experiences

The Internet: http://www.amsa.org/pdf/studguide2ih.pdf
The Division of Clinical Education: There may be names of individuals, internal student-developed resources and phone numbers or e-mail addresses for resources available through the Division of Clinical Education.
Link to where DUCoM students have gone.

PRIOR TO SETTING UP AN INTERNATIONAL ELECTIVE, STUDENTS SHOULD DISCUSS THE ELECTIVE WITH ROBIN SMITH IN THE DIVISION OF CLINICAL EDUCATION. THIS CAN BE DONE VIA TELECONFERENCE OR A MEETING. 215-991-8360

Applying for an International Elective

Students should…

Find out if the program can offer them a position and what they need to do to get it.

1. Contact the site or sites in which they are interested

2. Obtain the name of the contact person for the school or programs to which they are applying.

3. Find out when there are available clinical opportunities at that site.

4. Learn the prerequisites for the rotation.

5. Find out the time line for the application process, deadlines, etc.

Once the information has been obtained, the following steps must be followed: Students must…
Step 1: Identify the country(ies) in which they wish to travel. This should be made known to Marcine Townes (mtownes@drexelmed.edu). If the country is on trade embargo list, students will not be permitted to proceed with their application. If the country is not on the trade embargo list, they may proceed to the next step.
Step 2: Meet with Robin Smith (rsmith@drexelmed.edu) in the Division of Clinical Edition to discuss the elective prior to the application process proceeding.
Step 3 (do A and B simultaneously)
1. Obtain school approval for a Special Elective.
  1.       Obtain a Special Electives Request packet from the Division of Clinical Education. (Or print information from the DUCOM web site: follow link)
  2.       Complete the Special Electives Request, following ALL instructions in the packet. In describing the international elective for the Special Elective Request application, students will need to define their specific educational objectives for the elective in a cover letter. The educational objective(s) should be clear and well defined. “For the interesting and stimulating experience,” is NOT an educational objective.
  3.       Consult with their Pathway Directors or Advisors. The Special Elective Request will need that person’s signature.
  4.       Include with the packet copies of the informational materials sent from the international program, which describe that international institution and its educational programs.
  5.       Include with the packet a copy of their planned and approved senior year schedules.
2. Apply to the sponsoring international program: Fill out the materials and gather any needed letters of recommendation for the international institution itself. It is advised that you do not pay any deposit prior to written approval of the Special Elective Committee.

In summary, the approval process is three-pronged: Students need the approval of the host international institution, of their Pathway Directors or Advisors and of the Special Electives Committee.

While this process is occurring, students planning international electives need to gather information about obtaining a visa, if necessary, update and/or obtain recommended immunizations, and see if they would best be served by having supplemental health insurance coverage. Call the host country’s embassy or the program itself to obtain information and guidance on getting a visa, if needed.

Once all approvals have been granted, students must provide the Division of Clinical Education with the following:

An ADD FORM signed by the Pathway Director or Advisor.

· Contact information of the host international program, including a telephone number, fax number, e-mail address (if available) and the full mailing address (Update prior to departure if necessary)

· Signed DUCOM Waiver (foreign study release form)

The Division of Clinical Education will provide each student with a blank evaluation form to take to the host international program. The form can be faxed to the Division of Clinical Education and the original form then mailed.

04/08/08