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Top 5 Reasons Pre-Med Students Should Attend a Clinical Experience Abroad
As a pre-med student, we understand the importance of getting real-world experience through shadowing and other opportunities, whether they鈥檙e local or virtual. However, these opportunities only scratch the surface of every route available to pre-med. Some students take it a step further by traveling abroad to participate in a clinical experience to gain valuable shadowing hours while getting a better understanding of healthcare systems in other countries.
1 鈥� Variety Ensures a Perfect Opportunity for Every Student
Clinical experiences held abroad are very rarely for shadowing and clinical hours alone. There are countless different programs and opportunities for every pre-med student鈥檚 goals, and the programs worth attending will have an itinerary prepped well in advance so you can scope out the trip before committing. Some program types include:
- Shadowing general practitioners
- Rotations
- Attending teaching hospitals
- Q&A with local doctors
- Performing basic-level general practitioner tasks
- Shadowing different medical specialists
2 鈥� Unique Perspective of the Medical Field
As a pre-med student, you want to be more than just a good student 鈥� you want to be a well-rounded one. Attending these trips gives you the added benefits of in-depth knowledge, worldliness, and a unique perspective you can take with you moving forward. Being able to compare and contrast your experience abroad with your future experiences in the United States will make you more knowledgeable, but also a better advocate for your patients. Some countries have thriving health systems, while others struggle with a lack of resources 鈥� seeing what works and what doesn鈥檛 will give you ideas to take back home on your journey to make the world a better place through medicine.
3 鈥� Complete Immersion
When you participate in a clinical experience that鈥檚 local or online, chances are, distractions will be rampant. You鈥檒l have homework to do, work to attend, friends texting you, etc. But these distractions can take away from your most critical moments of growth. When you travel abroad to gain clinical experience, you鈥檒l leave these distractions behind. You鈥檒l be fully immersed in the program, and you鈥檒l be able to give your undivided attention to the experts, teachers, patients, and fellow students you鈥檒l be spending your trip with. You may even meet lifelong friends!
4 鈥� Appreciate a Culture You鈥檝e Never Experienced Before
Outside of the clinical experience, one of the best reasons for traveling to a foreign country to study is the ability to immerse yourself in a culture you鈥檝e likely never experienced before. There鈥檚 no better way to gain an appreciation for different cultures and the people who create them than to drop yourself in the middle and get to work! It depends on your program, but many have opportunities for sightseeing, engaging in local customs and traditions, experiencing new flavors and cuisine, admiring the art and architecture, and learning the country鈥檚 language.
5 鈥� Strengthen Your Caribbean Med School Application
Real-world medical experiences can strengthen your med school admissions chances. They demonstrate your commitment to your future career, your worldliness, your depth of knowledge, your bravery and independence, and they make you a more well-rounded applicant.
However, keep in mind that traveling abroad for clinical experience won鈥檛 give you the golden ticket to acceptance, and that shouldn鈥檛 be your priority! What you get out of the experience, the impact it made on you personally, and how it helped shape your opinion of a career in medicine are what admissions committees want to hear about.