American Medical Student Association

GENERAL EXCHANGE CONDITIONS

1. Country and Organization
   —In the United States, the International Federation of Medical Students’ Assoctions – United States of America (IFMSA-USA) coordinates the exchange program on the international level through the NEOs. Local exchange programs receive incoming through and give outgoing information directly to the IFMSA-USA NEO.
2. National Exchange Officer (NEO)
   Every country identifies a National Exchange Officer who coordinates the exchange program for their country.
   
   Please do not contact the other countries' NEO's directly as this will create confusion and communication problems for you and for them!
3. Location
   Refers to the city, town or village hospitals/ clinics available. The number of different sites accepting international students varies from county to country.
4. Times Available
   Generally year round, but check the country’s exchange conditions for details.
5. Eligibility
   Any medical student in good standing who is fluent in English or the language of the host country. Not all countries accept preclinical students.
6. Types of Programs
   • "Clerkship" generally is used to refer to the clinical curriculum typical of 3rd and 4th year US medical education (i.e. Internal medicine and medical subspecialties, surgery and surgical subspecialties, pediatrics, etc). These are available in all countries to 3rd and 4th year students, and in most countries can be adapted to 1st and 2nd year students. Generally they are 4 weeks long, room, board, and social program are provided. Application forms are available through the Local Exchange Officer at your school or by the NEO if you are from medical school without an active local exchange committee.
   • "Preclinical Clerkship" can be used to refer to curriculum typical of the 1st and 2nd years of U.S. medical education, and is available in many countries. Preclinical can also be used more generally to refer to any program that is available to a preclinical student. Like the standard clerkships they are 1 calendar month, room and board is provided, and the same applications are used.
7. Disciplines
   Refers to the subjects offered at each hospital clinic.
8. Duration of the Clerkship
   Standard clinical and preclinical clerkships are 4 weeks in duration. Many countries accept students for a "calendar month" only, meaning the clerkship begins on or near the 1st of the month and lasts 4 weeks.
9. Working Conditions
   Refers to the weekly schedule with hours in the hospital as well as call requirements.
10. Board and Lodging
    Provided for participating students on bilateral agreement.
11. Social Program
    Many countries offer a social program for visiting students that consists of cultural orientation, touring, social activities etc. which enrich the students understanding and experience of the country they are studying in.
12. Language
    Participating students must be fluent in English or the language of the host country. Some exceptions exist. Please see individual exchange conditions of the country.
13. Insurance
    Proof of health insurance is required in addition to a traveler’s insurance such as . Malpractice Insurance is generally not required or is covered by the home university (it is smart to look into it), the Host University, or may be purchased separately.
14. Required Equipment
    White coat and stethoscope.
15. Applications
    
    • You must be a member of AMSA to participate in IFMSA-USA exchanges. http://www.amsa.org/member/mbrapp.cfm  
    • General Documents needed for exchange (varies from country to country those so please see specific country´s exchange conditions):
    • Official IFMSA Application Form (both electronic and hard copies).
    • 4 passport sized photos
    • Letter of Good Standing from the Dean
    • Proof of health insurance
    • Letter of motivation
    • Check or money order for $100 made payable to IFMSA-USAs current outgoing NEO. This is a non-refundable application fee.
      
      Check or money order for the Local Program Fee for a bilateral exchange (check with your Local Exchange Officer for the amount). This is a refundable fee if a contract can not be signed for one of the countries indicated on your application – so only indicate countries to which you would agree to travel.
      
      Also be prepared to provide health insurance information, vaccinations records and additional academic material (ie transcripts)
16. Deadline
    • Four months before desired exchange periods.
17. Card of Acceptance / Card of Confirmation (Application timeline)
    • The desired country is contacted and a contract is signed to host the student. An electronic version of the application form is then uploaded to the IFMSA official database. This form must be filled out the by student and then sent back to the hosting country.
    • A Card of Acceptance (CA) is then generated for each accepted student. The CA describes specific details regarding the each placement such as dates, city/hospital, department, living arrangements, host student contact information, etc. CAs are sent to students at least 6 weeks prior the beginning of their clerkship.
    • A Card of Confirmation (CC) is to be filled out by the student stating that they accept the assigned clerkship, that they agree to the conditions and regulations of
      the exchange, and providing details about their travel plans for the host country.
18. Cancellations / Substitutions
    In general students who cancel will not receive a refund and their school will have to honor the bilateral agreement to host an international student. If the student cancels with sufficient advance notice a substitute student of the same sex may be found to take their place, from any participating US medical school. In this situation, the student may receive a refund of the local program fee.
19. Evaluation Credit
    Students who fulfill the requirements of the clerkship are provided with a certificate of study specifying the discipline and dates. US schools may require their students to provide the supervising attending and local exchange officer with a standard evaluation form.
20. Special Remarks
    Any unusual requirements i.e. visa, vaccines, sleeping bag, work permit, special language requirement, etc. Please check the unabridged exchange conditions and the appropriate embassy. It is the student’s responsibility to obtain visas or vaccines necessary for travel to chosen country.