Checklist for International Health Experiences for CHM Pre

Checklist for International Health Experiences for CHM Pre-Clinical Students

6/14/06

1. Check out the CHM web site http://internationalhealth.msu.edu for information on CHM sponsored programs, scholarships, and websites of other organizations that provide international programs for medical students. This is not an endorsement of other programs but a listing of sites for programs other medical students have used.

2. If you find a program consider enrolling for independent study credit. Enrolling for credit may allow you to receive additional loan aid. Kathy Lovell, PhD, Block 1 Director, lovell@msu.edu, is willing to serve as a faculty advisor. Vince WinklerPrins, MD, Family Practice, vince.winklerprins@ht.msu.edu, has also been willing to serve as a faculty advisor. A paper is usually required.

Custom Design. You may want to design your own program with faculty assistance. Write a research or other prospectus which explains your interest in pursuing this experience, with sound justification for the “abroad” component, and dates for the experience. Attach a CV and send it to a group of faculty or individual with experience in the respective part of the world. Request that messages be sent to the group so all will be apprised of your progress.

3. Independent Study forms are available from Kathy Lovell in A 254 Life Science and from the CHM Records Officer, Shelly Nyquist in A 254 Life Science. A form is included with this checklist. The form must be filled out and signed by the faculty advisor before being submitted to Shelly Nyquist.

4. CHM students must apply for study abroad (independent study credit experience) at least one month before departure through the MSU Office of Study Abroad (OSA). You must first contact OSA Assistant Director Cindy Chalou, chalouc@msu.edu, (517) 432-4345, before you apply to OSA. Then apply to OSA online at http://studyabroad.msu.edu. Because you will receive MSU/CHM credit, click on MSU Study Abroad Program and then check College of Human Medicine International Study. Fill out the application. You need not write an essay for the program application
If you apply earlier, you could also apply and be considered for a scholarship through OSA. See http://studyabroad.msu.edu/scholarships/msuosascholarships.html.

Submitting a program application automatically generates a $100 fee. However you will not be charged the full$100, but only the $.80 cents per day fee that covers the cost of supplemental health and evacuation/repatriation insurance. The total fee covering the number of days for your program plus 3 additional days to allow you to return to the US will appear on your student account.

You can indicate on the application if you want financial aid. You will need to inform the Office of Study Abroad about the amount of loan aid (for airfare, program costs, lodging and meals, in-country transportation, fees) that you seek.

Your application will generate an acceptance letter from OSA that includes a copy of the Study Abroad Student Handbook with practical information, a liability waiver form and a health information form. You must fill out and return these forms in order to officially accept your admission. Your health form will be sent to the Travel Clinic at Olin Health Center on campus. If there is any question about your health status, you will be contacted by the Travel Clinic.

After receipt of your forms and a month before departure, you will be sent an insurance card which includes evacuation/repatriation services. Should you apply very close to departure, contact Cindy Chalou and she will send you an electronic version of your card. CHM requires all students going on official study abroad experiences for CHM/MSU credit to have evacuation/repatriation insurance.

5. You need a valid passport and you may need a visa to enter a country. You should apply for both months in advance. Check your post office for applications. See http://studyabroad.msu.edu/abcs/index.html for useful information on obtaining a passport. Kinko’s Copy Center is one site that takes official passport photos. Check the State Department website for visa information – www.state.gov/travel/ The State Department website will inform you if there is a travel warning issued for the country you are planning to visit. MSU/OSA and CHM policy is that students are not allowed to travel on authorized (for credit) programs to countries for which travel warnings have been issued. Requests for exceptions must be submitted 4 to 6 months in advance.

6. At least 2 months before you travel, we recommend that you visit the MSU Travel Clinic at Olin Health Center for advice on immunizations and preventive medications, if they are needed. MSU Office of Study Abroad policy is that if immunizations or medications are appropriate, they recommend, but do not require, that you get these before your departure. In some cases you need immunizations to get into or out of certain countries. Call (517) 353-3161 for an appointment, to get some information, or visit the website at www.travelclinic.msu.edu or at www.who.int/ith/. Be prepared to bring your immunization record with you to the clinic.

7. The Office of Study Abroad will have from your application form your emergency contact number(s) for you and for family contacts in the U.S. should an emergency arise in the country abroad. If an emergency occurs, refer to the laminated card you will receive and call COLLECT the MSU Emergency Assistance line at (517) 353-3784. This number can be accessed world wide at all times. Emergencies are defined as serious threats to safety, security or health. Your evacuation/repatriation insurance card will also provide numbers to call.

If you need assistance, please contact me.

Margo K. Smith, MA
Director
CHM International Health
121 West Fee Hall, (517) 432-5112, smithmk@msu.edu
MICHIGAN STATE UNIVERSITY
COLLEGE OF HUMAN MEDICINE
APPLICATION FOR INDEPENDENT STUDY

A Michigan State University, College of Human Medicine Independent Study is planned study, highly individualized, not addressable through any other course format, proposed in writing by the student on a standard form, accepted for supervision by a faculty member, and submitted to the College of Human Medicine Records Officer for enrollment.

NAME_______________________________Date________PID_________
e- mail________________________________Phone___________________
COURSE NUMBER______________ Section_______CREDITS_______ SEMESTER __________________20_________
1. DESCRIPTION (Subject matter, purpose, methods, program/organization, country, dates)
_____________________________________________________________

_____________________________________________________________

2. WORK TO BE COMPLETED
_____________________________________________________________

_____________________________________________________________

_____________________________________________________________
Deadline for submitting work for final evaluation______________________

STUDENT’S SIGNATURE___________________________________________
FACULTY INSTRUCTOR___________________________________DATE________
Form 8/31/05