Before you Travel: Resources

School of Medicine Student Global Travel Policy

It is the policy of UNC School of Medicine that all medical students undertaking global health travel must complete pre-travel requirements and receive OGHE approval at least eight weeks prior their departure date from the US.  Students who do not complete pre-travel requirements by that deadline will not be allowed to travel or receive UNC funding or course credit.

As a medical student planning for an international pre-clinical or research experience, we encourage you to adequately prepare for your trip. Please take some time to review these useful (and FREE) resources in order to get the most out of your time abroad and know what to expect (from yourself and your hosts) when you engage in an international medical education.

• University of Minnesota – Global Ambassador for Patient Safety Workshop (required for MS4s who can not attend the SOM Pre-Departure Travel Session)
• AAMC – Guidelines for Premedical and Medical Students Providing Patient Care During Clinical Experiences Abroad

• Boston University – The Practitioner’s Guide to Global Health: Learn how to safely and effectively participate in global health rotations, projects, and volunteer work.
• Unite for Sight – Volunteer Ethics and Professionalism Online Course
  • Module 1: The Problems of Unprofessionalism
  • Module 2: Common Causes of Unprofessional Behavior
  • Module 3: Preventing Unprofessional Behavior
  • Module 4: Traits of a Successful International Volunteer
  • Module 5: Guidelines For Observing and Assisting Doctors

• Unite for Sight – Cultural Competency Online Course
  • Module 1: Culture and the Volunteer
  • Module 2: Overview of Cultural Adjustment and Culture Shock
  • Module 3: Coping With Culture Shock and Emotional Feelings
  • Module 4: Ethnocentrism
  • Module 5: Slower Pace and Elastic Time
  • Module 6: Language Barriers and Working With Translators
  • Module 7: Cultural Differences and Cultural Understanding
  • Module 8: The Importance of Social Etiquette
  • Module 9: Cultural Beliefs About Service
  • Module 10: Trust and Cultural Humility
  • Module 11: Reverse Culture Shock

• Stanford University and Johns Hopkins University – Ethical Challenges in Short-Term Global Health Training

• Peace Corps – Culture Matters

• 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.

Ethical Photography Guidelines

A recently developed extensive guide provides General Tips for Protecting Your Privacy When You Travel to complement cyber security while traveling. We hope your readers may find this guide helpful to ensure the protection of both confidential documents and valuable electronic information.

Cultural Humility Resources

These resources are courtesy of UNC Gillings™ School of Global Public Health

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