The International Federation of Medical Student Associations (IFMSA) is an established federation of medical student associations from across the world. It is recognized as an important non-governmental organization and collaborative partner by WHO, UNESCO, other UN agencies and several INGOs, such as the Global Health Forum.
IFMSA’s exchange program is well-established and offers medical students throughout the world the opportunity to participate in clerkships, research activities, exchanges, and electives across the world. There are two types of opportunities for clinical or research activities at a medical school abroad. These experiences are available through accepting students for month-long placements in the US, and sending US students for month-long placements abroad. Hence, we refer to these placements as exchanges. Eligible applicants are not only any member of AMSA, but also attend a school that has a local AMSA chapter which performs these exchanges (for list of these chapters, follow the links below).
Annually, thousands of future physicians attempt to complete a course of international study; thousands more profess in interest in learning more about the issues that shape our global health dynamic. Yet medical school curricula are full, and typically offer limited opportunities and services for students with international interests.
As the organization representing the United States to the IFMSA, AMSA offers US medical students the opportunity to explore international health through the global community of medical students that is IFMSA.
Want to make the world a better place? Let the future caretakers of world health lead the way. By providing future physicians with a world of opportunities, AMSA and IFMSA make a world of difference!
