How to Set Up an IH Elective for 4th Year
The following steps explain how to set up a 4th-year IH elective.
| related links: . Travel Grants for BUSM IV Students….$ . Required Responsiblities for Students Undertaking IH Electives |
Step 1: Identify Country and Elective Site
You may choose:
- Inside B.U. Elective (approved/established relationship)
OR - Outside Elective
Timeline
You may start the process after the annual third-year class meeting in February (”Developing a 4th-Year Schedule). Following the publication of your fourth-year schedule of required rotations, the exact dates for your IH elective can be arranged. Allow at least 6 weeks of planning to set up the elective.
Restrictions
BUSM IH Program will not give academic credit for, pay for, supervise, direct, or otherwise support a medical student in a country where a U.S. State Department Travel Warning is in effect. See Travel Warning Policy.
Step 2: Contact the Elective Site and Confirm
Contact the elective site or BUSM mentor (for inside B.U. elective) about your elective. Discuss the following:
- Dates of your elective
- Your responsibilities as a member of the team
- Language requirements (students must be conversant with the language of the host country unless there is a provision for translators)
- Goals and learning objectives of the elective
If the above items are satisfactory to you, you may confirm the elective with the site and seek approval (step #4) from Dr. Sarfaty.
Step 3: Request Letter of Acceptance (for Outside Electives)
If you undertake an outside elective, an e-mail of acceptance from the host institution/mentor is required. This e-mail must be sent to Ana Bediako (abediako@bu.edu) and include:
- Title of elective
- Exact dates of elective
- Complete address/contact information of sponsoring institution and mentor*
- Whether or not the site regularly hosts students
* be sure to obtain full contact information for the physician who will be supervising and evaluating you.
Step 4: Meet with Dr. Sarfaty to Discuss Elective and Obtain Signature
To receive final approval for your elective, print and complete the ADD Form for IH Elective, then obtain Dr. Sarfaty’s signature. You may schedule an appointment with Dr. Sarfaty to discuss your elective and get her signature by contacting Ana Bediako (abediako@bu.edu; 617-638-4167). Once the form is signed, it will be forwarded to the registrar on your behalf, thus adding the elective to your schedule.
4th-Year Required Rotations
If you plan to undertake a 4th-year BUSM required rotation (Geriatrics, Radiology, Neurology) at an international site, you must submit a Required Rotation Substitution Approval Form to the registrar signed by the course manger of that rotation. For more details on 4th-year schedule guidelines, see the Office of the Registrar web site.
Questions regarding the above process may be directed to Ana Bediako (abediako@bu.edu; 617-638-4167).
