Top 5 Reasons Pre-Med Students Should Attend a Clinical Experience Abroad

(And Your International Travel Questions Answered!)

By MedSchoolCoach

As a pre-med student, you understand the importance of getting real-world experience through shadowing and other opportunities, whether they’re local or virtual. However, these opportunities only scratch the surface of every route available to pre-meds. Some students take it a step further by traveling abroad to participate in a clinical experience to gain valuable shadowing hours while getting a better understanding of healthcare systems in other countries.

Why Should I Attend a Clinical Experience Abroad?

#1 – Variety Ensures a Perfect Opportunity for Every Student

Clinical experiences held abroad are very rarely for shadowing and clinical hours alone. There are countless different programs and opportunities for every pre-med student’s goals, and the programs worth attending will have an itinerary prepped well in advance so you can scope out the trip before committing. Some program types include:

Shadowing general practitioners
Rotations
Attending teaching hospitals
Q&A with local doctors
Performing basic-level general practitioner tasks
Shadowing different medical specialists

Not only do these trips vary in type and activity, but you’ll also be able to find a length that suits your schedule, whether you have two weeks off for a school break or want to spend your gap year ‘walking the walk.’ Further, whether you’re a small-town student or someone who craves the excitement of practicing medicine in the big city, you can find global opportunities to fit your preference.

#2 – Unique Perspective of the Medical Field

As a pre-med student, you want to be more than just a good student – you want to be a well-rounded one. Attending these trips gives you the added benefits of in-depth knowledge, worldliness, and a unique perspective you can take with you moving forward. Being able to compare and contrast your experience abroad with your future experiences in the United States will make you more knowledgeable, but also a better advocate for your patients. Some countries have thriving health systems, while others struggle with a lack of resources – seeing what works and what doesn’t will give you ideas to take back home on your journey to make the world a better place through medicine.

#3 – Complete Immersion

When you participate in a clinical experience that’s local or online, chances are, distractions will be rampant. You’ll have homework to do, work to attend, friends texting you, etc. But these distractions can take away from your most critical moments of growth. When you travel abroad to gain clinical experience, you’ll leave these distractions behind. You’ll be fully immersed in the program, and you’ll be able to give your undivided attention to the experts, teachers, patients, and fellow students you’ll be spending your trip with. You may even meet lifelong friends!

#4 – Appreciate a Culture You’ve Never Experienced Before

Outside of the clinical experience, one of the best reasons for traveling to a foreign country to study is the ability to immerse yourself in a culture you’ve likely never experienced before. There’s no better way to gain an appreciation for different cultures and the people who create them than to drop yourself in the middle and get to work! It depends on your program, but many have opportunities for sightseeing, engaging in local customs and traditions, experiencing new flavors and cuisine, admiring the art and architecture, and learning the country’s language.

#5 – Strengthen Your Med School Application

Real-world medical experiences can strengthen your med school admissions chances. They demonstrate your commitment to your future career, your worldliness, your depth of knowledge, your bravery and independence, and they make you a more well-rounded applicant.

However, keep in mind that traveling abroad for clinical experience won’t give you the golden ticket to acceptance, and that shouldn’t be your priority! What you get out of the experience, the impact it made on you personally, and how it helped shape your opinion of a career in medicine are what admissions committees want to hear about.

Tips for Traveling Abroad: Q&A

For many pre-med students, this is probably one of your first times traveling abroad. Naturally, different countries have different rules and regulations, as does international travel.

Here are some key questions to consider, and tips for having a successful trip.

Do I need a passport?

Yes!

Anyone traveling internationally from the United States needs a valid passport. With fees, expect the cost to be $145.

If you already have a passport, ensure that the expiration date is at least 6 months past the day you enter the country you’re traveling to. If not, renew it as soon as you can! Especially with COVID-19, processing times are slower for everything, and passports are no exception. Expect to wait for at least 8 weeks before receiving your updated passport; however, it’s more likely that you may have to wait anywhere from 4 to 6 months.

Do I need a visa?

It depends!

It depends on what country you’re traveling to, and how long your trip is. Some countries offer ‘no visa required’ visits for either 30, 60, or 90 days. Meanwhile, some countries require pre-entry visa applications (and approval) or request that you obtain a visa as soon as you enter the country.

The best way to figure out for sure is to ask your program director, who will know what the requirements are for your specific trip. And again, be sure to give yourself lots of time to get a pre approved visa if you need one.

Do I need any new vaccinations?

It depends!

The country you’re visiting will likely require proof of complete COVID-19 vaccination, and it’s highly recommended that you’re up to date on your regular vaccines as well. However, requirements for non-pandemic vaccines vary. If you’re traveling to a country with unique health conditions, expect to get vaccinated for region-specific maladies (for example, a yellow fever vaccine for high-transmission locations in South America and Africa).

Want to know for sure? Your program director will be your new best friend! And don’t worry about asking – it’s their job to make sure you have an easy trip so you can spend time learning, not getting sick. Depending on the location and your relative health, you may want to consider talking to your regular doctor or even a travel doctor that specializes in vaccinations for international travel.

Do I need travel insurance?

Yes!

Bottom line: traveling abroad? Protect yourself and get insured. Though it may not be required, it is highly recommended, and you may be able to coordinate your insurance through the program for a streamlined process.

Further, you may want to consider getting tuition insurance in the event that you get sick or there’s an emergency that renders you unable to attend the experience.

What should I pack?

The organization running your trip will give you a complete list for what to pack. However, if you’re planning ahead, just know that you’ll need all of the basics as well as some region-specific items. Whenever you travel abroad, don’t forget to bring an A/C adapter and power converter!

Money, communication, travel, and accommodations

Before you even begin packing, make sure you study the local currency, exchange rate, and the items and/or paperwork required to exchange your U.S. dollars into local currency (if dollars aren’t accepted in your location). It’s also imperative to consider cell phone coverage, how to get around locally, accommodations, and room requirements. You’ll most likely have a roommate on your trip, but it may be possible to have your own room for an extra cost.

Register for the MedSchoolCoach Ultimate Med Immersion!!!

MedSchoolCoach offers a few annual Ultimate Med Immersion experiences, and each opportunity is an adventure you’ll take with you for the rest of your life! Attending students earn 40 hours of shadowing experience, learn from leading physicians, observe and scrub into surgeries, and explore the unique cultures and healthcare systems of other countries. Use code ‘LOAM’ when you reserve your spot, and get a $100 AMEX Gift Card to help prepare for your trip!

Contact MedSchoolCoach to learn more about the latest Ultimate Med Immersion trip to Ghana and discover the benefits of traveling abroad to gain priceless pre-med clinical experience.

This is sponsored post by MedSchoolCoach. Learn even more about what they can do for you below!

MedSchoolCoach:

MedSchoolCoach was founded in 2007 with a simple premise: physicians should help future physicians. Since that time, we’ve helped more than 12,000 students get into and through medical school.

Our advisors are actual physicians with admissions committee experience. Our tutors go through the most rigorous selection process in the industry. MedschoolCoach focuses on just one thing: building future physicians!