“Outside” Electives

The School of Medicine has a few established affiliations  (“inside electives”), but medical students may receive elective credit for GH rotations at institutions and clinics worldwide (“outside electives”) with approval from Joseph Leanza, MD, Director of Global Health Programs. Students must be conversant with the language spoken in the host country unless there is a provision for interpreters or the elective is dedicated to language acquisition. See How to Set Up a Fourth-Year GH Elective to add your elective to your fourth-year schedule once you have decided upon the location.

Any elective that is listed in the GH Health Post-Experience Summaries (database of elective summaries by B.U. medical students who have undertaken GH electives in the past) is automatically approved. If you do not find your elective in the directory (i.e., it is new to us), you must meet with Dr. Leanza for approval.

The following resources will aid your search:

• Global Health Post-Experience Summaries. This database consists of elective summaries by B.U. medical students who have undertaken global health electives in the past. Any elective listed in the directory is automatically approved.
• VSLO. BUSM is part of VSLO Application Service (sometimes referred to as VSAS), which enables students to browse and apply to electives offered by host institutions. It is a collaborative network of US and international institutions. B.U. medical students are eligible to undertake electives at any of the host institutions. Contact Ana Gregory for assistance with the site or choosing electives.
• International Healthcare Opportunities Clearinghouse (UMass Medical School)