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Outside a few rare cases, we
believe its safe to assume that you're broke!
How are you going to go abroad when you find it
hard to maintain yourself at home? Fortunately
there are many private and public agencies will
to fund eager medical students to do just that.
Medical students increasingly view international
electives as desirable if not necessary experiences
as the establishment of global communications
and linkages becomes a necessity to much of the
world and the population of the United States
becomes increasingly diverse.
While a number of such options are offered by
various colleges of medicine and osteopathy, the
cost of participating in them is prohibitive for
many. The American Medical Students Association
(AMSA) estimates that medical students spend an
average of $2500 for a six-week elective. More
students would be able to partake in international
opportunities would increase if students were
more aware of the potential sources of financial
assistance.
This article identifies possible sources of assistance
- from grants to original fundraising efforts
- that may help defray all or part of a student's
expenses for an international health elective.
ESTABLISHED FUNDING SOURCES
Despite what you might think there are a large
number of established funding sources readily
available to students to further their medical
studies overseas. The funding will be offered
as a fellowship or bursary to help the awarded
fund their course and pay for his/her living costs
whilst they are abroad.
The following list is just a sample of the Fellowships
available to medical students:
Benjamin H Kean Travelling
Fellowship in Tropical Medicine
University of Maryland School
of Medicine
Contact: Christopher Plowe 706-3082
The Medical Assistance
Program International (MAP)
MAP-Reader's Digest International
Fellowship Program
Contact: Ms Carol Peters 1-800-225-8550
Paul Alexander Memorial
Fellowship
Management Sciences for Health
Contact: Ms Marcia Herrera 617-524-7799
Graduate Fellowships for
Study in Belgium
Belgian American Educational
Foundation
Contact: 203-777-5765
James S. Westra Memorial
Endowment
Christian Medical and Dental
Society
Contact: Tracie Coppedge 423-844-1000
Travel Grants
Global Health Ministries (GHM)
Contact: Mr Lowell Hesterman 612-586-9590
These are just a few examples of the established
funding sources available. To often students fall
at the first hurdle when they realise the cost
of potential study abroad. The key thing is to
research your funding options in great detail.
You will be surprised at the many funding option
available to you.
In contacting these agencies it is advisable
to call first and then follow up with a letter
stating a) your interest in this agency as a funding
source b) your medical training interests and
c) a request for an application form or for more
information about the fellowships or grants available.
NON-TRADITIONAL FUNDING
SOURCES
Listed below are suggestions of general types
of organization that may be a receptive to carefully
prepared request from an individual or institution
to provide full or partial support from an international
elective opportunity. A proposal should include
an anticipated budget and identify what gains
are for the organization, the host country and
the student. It is critical to follow up with
the donor group via a presentation, slide show
etc after the completion of the elective. This
not only allows the donor organization to see
the results of its financial support but lays
the groundwork for future solicitation.
Religious Organizations
Many religious organizations are becoming more
active in their support of service-related projects
with an international focus. Although the organization
as a whole may be approached, it may be more appropriate
to request aid from a particular committee or
arm within the organization that may be set up
to act more directly on such a request e.g. a
social ministry committee or "missionary"
group. A student who belongs to such an organization
may have an enhanced chance of receiving a favourable
response.
Sister City Organizations
Dynamic Sister City relationships can be the source
of reciprocal programs, homestays etc. which,
when tied to an international elective, can significantly
reduce its cost. To locate a contact for a program
in your city or to initiate a Sister City relationship,
request information from Sister Cities International
Contact: Sister Cities
International,
120 South Payne Street,
Alexandria, VA 22314
Tel: (703) 836 -3535
Local and Regional Corporations
National Corporations often receive many request
for funding while local corporations are more
accessible and can become more personally involved
A local corporation may consider awarding a grant
or a scholarship as part of its public relation
effort
Local and Regional Foundations
A locally or regionally based foundation may offer
assistance to a student whose international elective
is related to the foundations mission.
Local and Regional Chapters
of Civic Organizations
Area Chapters of the Lions Club, Jaycees, Rotary,
Junior League (for women only) etc. give generously
to fund education including international medical
electives, especially those chapters located near
the medical school of the students hometown/.
Look for contacts in the phone book where you
study and in your home town.
Local Newspapers and Magazine
Though not in the same category as the other non-traditional
sources identified in this section, local publications
in the city where the medical school is located
and in the students home town may consider paying
a student to write one or more articles regarding
healthcare issues in the country of the elective.
A student who wrote a series of articles for a
Philadelphia daily on healthcare in China recovered
all of his trip costs and expenses.
LOW COST ELECTIVES
While a fully-funded opportunity may be most desirable
a number of low cost electives exist that are
substantially subsidized by other sources. Room
and /onboard for example may be provided for the
student and or offered at a minimal cost. A low
cost elective combined with a small scholarship
from a local organization can reduce a students
expenses dramatically. For a listing of low cost
opportunities available consult the directory
for International Health electives for Medical
students through the American Medical Student
Association Resource Centre - amsarc@www.arsna.org
(703) 620-6600 ext 217
For more information on funding
opportunities available to medical student who
wish to study abroad Contact:
International Federation
of Medical Students Associations
www.ifsma.org
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