International Opportunities

Health Care Opportunities Abroad

Many organizations sponsor service trips that enable students to learn about health care delivery in other countries, or language immersion programs that include clinical healthcare shadowing opportunities. Below are links to some resources to help you research international opportunities.

It is essential to research thoroughly any international services program and to critically assess the programs arrangements for student and client safety, for housing and transporting students as well as the total costs of participation. Some programs allow students to provide hands-on patient care or to engage in other activities that they would not legally or ethically be allowed to do in their home country.  

Review the following guidelines regarding the level of involvement of students in patient care abroad: 

• Guidelines for Undergraduate Health-Related Programs Abroad prepared by the Forum on Education Abroad at the request of the U.S. Department of Justice
• Association of American Medical Colleges (AAMC) guidelines (PDF)
• American Dental Education Association (ADEA) guidelines (PDF)

Review Child Family Health International's (CFHI) collection of global health information, which includes practical information about preparing for international health experiences. Consider reading a new handbook for students by Akshaya Neil Arya, Preparing for International Health Experiences: A Practical Guide.

Schedule an appointment with Dean Glicksman to discuss additional resources: gglicksman@brynmawr.edu.