Overview

The goal of the International Health Elective is to offer students an opportunity to learn about health and healing from a more global perspective by living and working in another country. Students will have the opportunity to live and learn in a new and different culture, usually with little of the technical and medical facilities he or she is accustomed to using. The resources that are taken for granted in the USA may be lacking. The student has an opportunity to be of service to the community, and broaden their thinking about future medical research and practice. Tulane MD/MPH students can develop an international capstone project for joint degree requirements.

International Health Sites

International rotations have been developed by Tulane in the Caribbean, Central and South America, the Middle East, Africa, and India (see list). Sites vary from working with "barefoot doctors" to working with urban under-served through local university programs. All established rotations are coordinated by a physician in the host country who is credentialed and appointed to the Tulane Clinical Faculty. Local physician faculty may arrange for additional supervision from qualified local health care workers for certain segments of some rotations. Students should NOT contact the sites directly. Please apply through the Office of Student Affairs, SL 63, 1430 Tulane Avenue, New Orleans, LA 701112-2699.

General Requirements

1. Tulane medical students must be in their senior year and in good standing.
2. Students from other US medical schools are encouraged to apply. A letter from the visiting student's medical school documenting good academic standing, proof of adequate insurance, proof of review of orientation materials, and a signed waiver are required.
3. Travel costs and living expenses are the student's responsibility.
4. If you register to be in one of these programs during the month of March, you are expected to remain at that site during the entire month, which will mean you will miss Match Day in New Orleans unless you make travel arrangements that will bring you back to your work site the day after Match Day
5. Travel casualty insurance is required.

Requirements for MPH Candidates:

Up to three credits toward graduation can be earned with registration in a special studies course at the SPH & TM and completion of a special project which each student MUST have approved PRIOR to its undertaking.

Special Notes

Students are required to schedule two blocks at the international sites described. When you sign up, please be as certain as possible that you do want to go and will have the finances. If you are only toying with the idea, and then ultimately cancel, you may have uselessly taken a spot from someone who really wanted it and could have gone. Please be thoughtful and considerate of others.

Contact Information:

Adrienne Miester, Program Coordinator
Email Address: amiester@tulane.edu
Tulane University School of Medicine
Department of Family and Community Medicine
1430 Tulane Avenue, Box TB3
New Orleans, LA 70112

Charlotte Steger, M.A.
Assistant Director of Student Affairs
International Student Coordinator
Email Address: csteger@mailhost.tcs.tulane.edu
Phone: (504) 587-7423

Gail Landry
Administrative Secretary
Email Address: alandry2@mailhost.tcs.tulane.edu
Phone: (504) 988-6871