Quillen College of Medicine International Individually Arranged Experiences
College of Medicine students who desire to participate in an international experience during their M4 year may select to do so at a site that has an established relationship with ETSU or arrange an international educational experience at a different site. Only experiences affiliated with a medical school, hospital, university or approved international organization will be considered. Only non-family members may serve as preceptors. All students must comply with all Quillen College of Medicine policies in order to receive approval for academic credit for the experience. All International Individually Arranged Experiences require review and approval by the Director of Global Health Initiatives, (David Wood, MD; email: wooddl@etsu.edu) the College of Medicine Executive Associate Dean, and ETSU administration. The application process must be completed
at least 90 days prior to the start date of the rotation.
NOTE: If the International experience request is not fully approved prior to the proposed start date and the student chooses to attend the rotation, they will not receive academic credit for the elective.
Students must:
- Be in good academic standing in order to apply for an international experience.
- Assume all financial responsibility for international educational experiences.
- Understand that even if a rotation is approved it may be canceled by ETSU due to new safety issues in the destination.
- If a preliminary request for an international rotation is approved, students must complete the full application process and register with the Office of International Programs and Services via the Bucs Abroad portal.
Scholarship funds are available through an application process to the Office of International Programs and Services (application dates are March 1 for summer travel, April 15 for fall travel and October 31 for spring travel). Click on “scholarships” on the Bucs Abroad portal home page
Application Process:
1. Complete the Preliminary application form in Bucs Abroad
- Before submitting a preliminary application, the student should learn as much as possible about the experience/location.
- Only experiences affiliated with a medical school, hospital, university or approved international organization will be considered.
- Only non-family members may serve as preceptors.
2. Each student who submits a preliminary application must meet and discuss the proposed rotation with Dr. David Wood, Director of Global Health Initiatives, (wooddl@etsu.edu, cell: 904-236-8311). Including the following:
a. Description of your responsibilities will be before, during, and after the elective.
b. Identify the responsible physician or another appropriate mentor with whom you will be working during the elective. The preceptor will be responsible for completing your assessment form. Only non-family members may serve as preceptors.
c. Plan a budget with sufficient funds to meet the expenses you will incur during the rotation such as travel, required insurances, lodging, meals, etc.
3. If pre-application is approved, complete the full application form and pre-departure documents via Bucs Abroad, which includes:
a. Purchasing the requisite Upgraded Comprehensive plan insurance through Cultural Insurance Services International (https://www.culturalinsurance.com/students/) which includes the required health care insurance, evacuation insurance, security insurance, repatriation insurance. it is available through Margot Popowycz, Senior Account Executive, Cultural Insurance Services International (CISI) Office: 1-203-589-5567 (direct), Fax: 1-203-399-5229, mpopowycz@mycisi.com
CISI 24/7 Emergency Assistance Numbers:
203-550-9028 After Hours, Holidays, and Weekends
Those with Policy # "GLM" use AXA Assistance
collect call to 1-312-935-1703 or toll free 1-855-327-1411
medassist-usa@axa-assistance.us
Those with Policy # "ST"
collect call to 1 (609) 986-1234 (from outside the US) or toll free to 1 (800) 872-1414 (from within the US)
medservices@assistamerica.com
b. obtaining Vaccinations required by the country to which traveling,
c. providing a valid passport that will expire no less the 6 months beyond the planned date of departure,
d. providing a valid visa to the country of destination, if required.
4. Pay the ETSU international programs application fee,
5. Complete the designated pre-departure online training developed by Boston University. You can take it for free by auditing it or receive a certificate for $42.50. It is about 18 hours, but it can be done in a shorter amount of time. Dr. Wood realizes this is a big investment of your time, but he feels the concepts covered in the course are critically important to maximize the benefit you will receive from an international elective.
- The training is all online and can be done at the student's own pace. It is located at: https://www.edx.org/course/the-practitioners-guide-to-global-health#. It is a three-part online course designed by a team of global health experts to help students prepare for successful global health learning experiences. In each part, students have the opportunity to learn through interactive scenarios and discussion forums. Please verify the completion of the course by sending Dr. Wood an email attesting to the same.
6. Upon return students will:
- Complete the post-experience Reflections report form in Bucs Abroad
- Communicate with the Director of Global Health Initiatives. Students are encouraged but not required to do a presentation about the experiences or the outcomes of a project to other identified individuals or groups.
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