Required Responsibilities for Students Undertaking IH Electives

All students who undertake a 4th-year IH elective must complete the following list of responsibilities. These are required whether or not a student seeks a travel grant.
Students who do not comply with these requirements may not be allowed to pursue their electives and/or receive travel grants after their return.

related links:

  Students participating in the Greece elective are responsible for all items below except #6, #9, and #10.

Check List of Required Responsibilities

>>> Before Departure <<<
1. Complete the Liability Form
Complete the liability form and return it to Ana Bediako in A-302.
2. Book Your Flight
Book your flight immediately to take advantage of advance fare prices. STA Travel (a student travel organization) is a good place to start.
3. Review or Set Up Emergency Travel Assistance

Medical students traveling abroad for electives are required to have emergency travel assistance. Emergency travel assistance is available to students enrolled in Aetna Student Health Plus (B.U. health plan) through On Call International (OCI).

  • If you have Aetna, you received your On Call ID card and brochure with your insurance card. No further action is necessary.
  • If you DO NOT have Aetna and your insurance provider does not offer this type of service, BUSM will purchase OCI coverage for you. To do this, complete the application and e-mail it to Ana Bediako.
4. Research Your Destination and Prepare Yourself

Visit these web sites:

  • U.S. Department of State http://travel.state.gov/travel.
    Click “Country Specific Info” (at top right)
    NOTE: Check this website periodically before departure. BUSM will not give credit or support to a medical student in a country where a Dept. of State Travel Warning is in effect.
  • CDC http://www.cdc.gov/travel/.
    Click “Destinations” (1st topic on left)

Review:

  • Travel notices for your destination country
  • Country description (gov’t, language, climate)
  • Local laws and customs
  • Safety (e.g., using public transport, using currency)
  • Food and water
5. Immunize Yourself

Make an appointment with the BMC travel clinic or a clinic of your choice. Your appointment should be at least 3 months before departure for shots to take effect.

(* For issues regarding BMC Travel Clinic insurance coverage, contact Dr. Sarfaty.)

6. Meet with Dr. Sarfaty
Meet with Dr. Sarfaty at least 4-6 weeks before departure to discuss preparation and items in step #4 above– Be prepared for your meeting! Pick up Emergency Numbers Card from Dr. Sarfaty at your meeting. To make an appointment with Dr. Sarfaty, contact Ana Bediako, abediako@bu.edu, 617-638-4167.
7. Register with US State Department
To ensure your safety abroad and allow family members to contact you in an emergency, register your travel plans online with the US Department of State: https://travelregistration.state.gov.
8. Pick Up Your Elective Evaluation Form in the Registrar’s Office
Before departure, visit the BUSM registrar’s office (A-4) and obtain the elective evaluation form for your elective. Bring the form with you to your elective site and give it to your evaluator. The evaluator may send the form directly to the registrar, but a more reliable option is to have the evaluator return the completed form to you in a sealed envelope with his/her signature across the seal; then, you may return it to the registrar.

>>> Upon Return <<<
9. Complete and Submit Post-Elective Report

One of the following two forms must be completed and submitted after completion of the IH elective. Funding is contingent upon receipt of these forms.
 
10. Complete "Travel and Business Expense Report" for Travel Grant Reimbursement

If you were awarded a travel grant, you must complete a "Travel and Business Expense Report" in order to receive your reimbursement. Go to How to Obtain Your Travel Grant (tutorial) to begin this process.

 

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