Peer Advisor Program for International Medical Students
The Peer Advisor Program for International Medical Students (PAPIMS) at BUSM pairs B.U. medical students with international medical students who undertake 4-week clinical electives at BUSM.
The goal of PAPIMS is to ease the transition of international medical students to the US hospital environment through a peer connection. There are about 60 international medical students who come to BUSM each year for electives; the following countries of origin are represented: Pakistan, Greece, Israel, Egypt, and Taiwan. International students are placed in electives by Ana Gregory in the Enrichment Office at BUSM.
B.U. medical students interested in serving as a peer advisor may use the sign up form.
Peer Advisor Responsibilities:
The Peer Advisor will:
- Make contact via e-mail with his/her advisee one week prior to the start date of the student’s elective.
- Be available remotely and in person the Friday before the start date of the elective until the following Friday (the elective’s first week).
- Schedule an in-person meeting on the medical campus with his/her advisee anytime from Friday before the start date of the elective until the following Friday (the elective’s first week).
- Give his/her advisee a tour of BUMC including cafeterias, etc. See BUMC maps.
- Answer any questions the advisee may have about BUMC, medical school, the hospital environment, living in the US, etc.
- Plan additional independent activities with advisee (not required).
- Be a positive role model and upstanding representative of BUSM.
