International Electives

This 1-8 week elective at a clinical site outside of the U.S. is open to Phase 3 medical students in good academic standing. Students will engage in the provision of primary or specialty patient care in ambulatory and/or hospital settings. The elective may also include community public health, prevention, and health education learning activities.

Placements will be approved by the course director based on student interest and language capability, and according to availability of appropriately supervised sites. In addition to the field experience, students will complete pre-departure orientation and preparation requirements and submit a “learning portfolio” and evaluation at the conclusion of the elective. Course materials and additional preparatory materials are available to enrolled students on Canvas.

Per UW policy on International Safety and Security, students are precluded from traveling to locations under Level 3 or 4 advisories. If your site is in a country that is designated as a level 3 or 4 risk on the State Department Travel Advisory or a level 3 CDC Travel Health Notice, please contact the SMPH Office of Global Health as soon as possible. This requires a special waiver request for permission (Travel Warning Waiver Request Form), and the required documents must be submitted to the SMPH Office of Global Health at least twelve weeks prior to your anticipated departure. Possible reasons for granting an exemption include: student will be pursuing a unique educational experience that cannot be gained elsewhere and that is directly related to their graduate studies or career plans; student is a citizen of the country in question; student has considerable experience in the country in question.

For all international travel, an Electronic Travel Information and Approval Packet and all supporting documentation specified in the Pre-Trip Checklist must be completed electronically. For any questions, please contact the Office of Global Health Programs Coordinator, 1191F HSLC, or via email. 

Course Listing and Registration: Medical students completing a Phase 3 international elective typically enroll in one of the courses listed below.

Global Sites to Consider for Phase 3 Medical Students:

Global Opportunity Data Bases Open to Phase 3 Medical Students: