Want to go abroad? Below you can find a step by step plan to get your trip started. You might also find some of these resources useful, or maybe through our links to other national and international organizations that past UNC medical students have participated in.

Step 1. Consider what you would like to do

To plan an international experience, you first need to clarify your interests. As yourself these questions: • Do you want to go to a developed or developing country? • Are you interested in a particular region of the world/country/city? • Do you have any foreign language skills? • Do you have any special interests? (laboratory research, community health, etc.) • Do you have any special skills/experience/knowledge to use in your project? • Do you have a subject in mind? • Do you prefer a structured program (e.g. Honduran Health Alliance) or a program you design yourself? • Do you want 3rd or 4th year elective credit for the time you spend abroad?

Anna McDonald, Himalayan Health 2007

Do you need to be fluent or proficient in a foreign language?

Not necessarily. Although language ability certainly enhances an international experience, there are opportunities that do not require a foreign language. Many, but not all, programs require proficiency in the host language. There are many countries where many medical professionals and other contacts will speak English, and some African and Asian countries with numerous regional dialects use English as their official language. You should be aware that you are more likely to find English-speaking contacts in urban rather than rural settings, and you should take this into consideration when planning your project. However, doing your project in a location where English is not spoken is a great way to improve your language skills, and it is possible for projects to combine medical experience and language study.

When should you start planning to go abroad?

The best advice is START EARLY! Planning any kind of international project takes a considerable amount of time. It is not impossible to put together a good project in a few months, but you will be less frantic if you have more time. Moreover, sometimes a trip can fall through for a variety of reasons thus the earlier you plan, the more time you have if anything goes awry.

The beginning of your first year is not too early to begin thinking about what you would be interested in doing. Often overseas correspondence and project organization entail long delays-be patient and persistent. The International Fellowship Application deadline falls near midterm exams on March 1, so plan ahead.

Step 2. Decide when and where you would like to go

Step 3. Find a UNC faculty preceptor and an international sponsor

Several lists have been compiled, but the most up-to-date information can be found using the faculty search engine generated by the University Center for International Studies (UCIS). Enter key words to find the faculty involved in the international project or topic that you're interested in.

The UCIS also provides a collaborative agreements search engine giving "information on the international collaborative activities, partnerships, and research projects of the University of North Carolina-Chapel Hill," which may be helpful as well.

One of the best ways to find out who is involved in international projects is by talking with faculty members (teachers, ICM preceptors, Dr. Dent, etc.) and classmates or upperclassmen. They will all be glad to help you find what you're interested in.

Step 4. Write a project proposal and submit applications by the deadlines

This is project-specific. Your faculty preceptor, the faculty in the Office of Student Affairs, or our teachers should be able to help you with this. Here's a sample project proposal template. Remember to ask EARLY for recommendation letters/letters of reference for scholarships and/or the programs to which you're applying to as well.

Step 5. Find and apply for funding $$$

Finding funding for going abroad generally comes from one of 3 sources: yourself, loans, or scholarships or grants. When compared to those that spend the summer at UNC doing research, the funding available is more limited to students going abroad. However, that should not deter you because there are a wide variety of scholarships and grants on campus that you can apply to as well as those through national organizations such as AMSA, AMA, or AOA that can help make your trip possible. Here's a list of funding sources that we've been compiling over the years, it's not all inclusive, but it should get you started.

Step 6. Find out if you can receive credit for your international experience and submit the appropriate paperwork

Many opportunities to obtain credit while traveling abroad exist at UNC. These include a third year clerkship and fourth year electives. If you are getting credit for your project abroad you are also eligible to receive financial aid. As of 2006, first and second year students can only obtain credit for one month of 3rd or 4th year credit (6 hours). You can do more electives if you like during your first or second year, but only one month can transfer over to the third and fourth years.

In order to receive financial aid before your trip, you will need to apply for it at least 6 weeks prior to your departure. Remember, you must be receiving credit to be eligible for financial aid so your credit applications must be in when you apply for financial aid.

For the application for 3rd or 4th year credit, you must include the dates of your elective (these have a substantial impact on financial aid!!) and a description of what you will be doing, a letter from a UNC faculty sponsor indicating that they are willing to sponsor you on this elective, as well as the amount of time that you will be spending on the elective. The basic requirement in order to receive fourth-year credit is 160 hours (4 weeks x 40 hours/ week). However, since you are doing the elective in another country, some advisors or departments may require more than this amount of time. You must also have a preceptor in your host country and provide his or her contact information.

The application must be signed by Leanne Shook, Dr. Georgette Dent, your class advisor, and the head of the department from which you are obtaining credit. On your return, you must provide some form of evaluation from your preceptor abroad so that you can receive a grade for your elective (the standard evaluation form for fourth-year electives can be obtained from Leanne Shook). Some departments may require a paper or presentation upon your return.

If you have questions about or are planning on getting credit for your international project, you need to contact Leanne Shook (leanne_shook@med.unc.edu). She can help coordinate the timing of the registration to meet both course requirements and financial aid guidelines. She is located in 1001 Bondurant Hall.

Step 7: Now that you have everything planned, get started on your travel preparations

1. Evacuation/Medical Insurance (REQUIRED):
HTH (Highway to Health: http://www.hthstudents.com) is the provider of the UNC-sanctioned insurance. At least two to three weeks prior to leaving, you need to schedule a 5-10 minute appointment with the appropriate person in the Office of Student Affairs to buy the insurance. The daily premium is $1/day. If you want coverage before or after the dates of your project, the premium is $2.22/day. (When you come, you will need to sign a waiver appropriate to your travel. You will also be given a copy of the most recent US Dept. of State Consular Sheet on the country to which you're traveling.)

2. Check the CDC website for recommended immunizations and travel tips for your country.

You should take care of any dental care you need prior to leaving, as well as make sure you have an adequate supply of any prescription and over the counter medicines for the duration of your trip.

4. Passports and Visas - Information is available on the US Dept. of State's site: http://travel.state.gov.

5. Medical supplies - Stethoscope, tape, gauze, gloves, masks, etc. Make sure you are well stocked for your trip and if you need more, you can contact MedWorld (a supplier of health supplies and equipment abroad based at UNC) for anything else you may need. Below are some more resources to help you get organized and prepared:

• Powerpoint presentation of "Getting Prepared to go on an International Experience," by Dr. Wayne Hale, Greensboro AHEC

• The GHEC Guidebook: Advising Medical Students and Residents for International Health Experiences:

• "Professionalism 101," by Jacqui Shaw, Child Family Health International Team Alumna. An article on professional conduct during an international project:

• These are informative sites to help you learn about your destination, as well as health considerations while living there.

• The CIA World Fact Book
• Travel Health Online
• WHO International Travel and Health
• National and Religious Holidays
• UNC Student Health's Traveler's Diarrhea handout

• If you plan to take your laptop with you, be sure to find out about accessibility and adaptability. Research the legal issues regarding taking a laptop into the country. It may be more hassle than it's worth. Information on customs and immigration can be found in travel guide books.

Other sources of information:

Reports of School of Medicine-funded fellowship recipients' health projects/service since 2000. Reports include contact information for organizations as well as travel and project "tips."

Books, Handbooks:

Directory of International Grants and Fellowships in the Health Sciences, NIH.

Directory of International Reproductive Health Opportunities for Medical Students, ARHP, 2005.

How to Find and Select an International Medical Elective, S. Huffman, 2002.

The IHMEC Guidebook: Advising Medical Students and Residents for International Health Experiences, IHMEC, 2000.

International Health: A Manual for Advisers and Students, Society of Teachers of Family Medicine, (on-line version), 2000.

Preparing for your Medical Elective Overseas, Christian Medical Fellowship, London, 2004

Provider's Handbooks on Culturally Competent Care (Kaiser Permanente)

A Student's Guide to International Health & Funding Guide, AMSA, 1993.

Where There is No Doctor, D. Werner, C. Thuman, J. Maxwell, 1992.