For a better experience, click the Compatibility Mode icon above to turn off Compatibility Mode, which is only for viewing older websites.

Global Health Education How to Apply

A Drexel University College of Medicine student during a global health experience.

To apply for a global health education experience, you must follow the approval process outlined below and complete the necessary application and required forms.

Please review this website to guide your decision making before you apply. Review past students’ experiences for ideas, consider an elective site and time of travel (be sure it is well past the interviews — mid-winter or early spring is always best), and contact the director of the Office of Global Health Education to discuss your global health elective application process. The elective committee must approve your application. Please start this process at least six months before your desired travel date.

  1. Review this website.
  2. When ready, complete as many answers as possible on Form 1: Application and Form 2: International Site Assessment Considerations. Bring them with you to the meeting with Dr. Varjavand. She will review the process with you in more detail at that time.
  3. Obtain approval, in writing, from the host institution.
  4. We recommend that you obtain malpractice insurance coverage.*
  5. Submit your two completed forms to Dr. Varjavand, who will forward to the Special Elective Committee.
  6. Once you receive a response from the Special Elective Committee, register with the Drexel Office of Global Engagement. They will ask you to fulfill the requirements on Form 3: Pre-departure Requirements.
  7. Upon completion of the last step, your final approval will be released.

*Ask the host elective if their malpractice will extend to you. If yes, obtain documentation in the form of a letter and certificate of insurance. These should confirm that the coverage applies to medical incidents that take place in the course and scope of professional services at the global site, and provide coverage for claims and suits filed in that country. In addition, the documentation should indicate that the coverage is the amount that is standard and appropriate for medical malpractice coverage in that country.
If no, we recommend that you purchase medical malpractice coverage that applies to medical incidents that take place in the course and scope of professional services at the global site and provides coverage for claims and suits filed in that country. This coverage should be in the amount that is standard and appropriate for medical malpractice coverage in that country.

You will not be registered and approved for travel until all of these steps have been completed.

Please understand that, since your health and safety are a top priority, this approval is subject to a further review in the case of any kind of deteriorating situation in a country you'll be traveling to, including the issuance of a Travel Warning by the U.S. Department of State. Should a Travel Warning be issued prior to your departure, this travel would need to be reviewed and approved at the recommendation of the Travel Warning Review Committee.

You can contact Dr. Varjavand by email at nv25@drexel.edu at any time with questions.

Application and Forms

Form 1: International Site Application

Please complete the application to the best of your ability before your initial meeting with Dr. Varjavand at the Office of Global Health Education. She will help you with any questions you have about the application and approval process.

Ultimately, you will need to complete all answers to the application for the International Special Elective Committee. This application will need to be signed by you, your host institution and your pathway advisor. Dr. Varjavand will present this application to the Special Electives Committee, Ms. Marcine Townes, before the first Friday of every month for consideration.

Download International Site Application [DOC]

Form 2: International Site Assessment Considerations

We created these guidelines for your health and safety to facilitate the best global learning experience for you. Thus, in addition to the above requirements for the application, this form lists items to consider prior to your travel. Please review, investigate and answer all items. Please bring as many answers as you can to your initial meeting with Dr. Varjavand. You will ultimately need to complete all answers on this form for the final approval.

After you have completed and reviewed answers on Forms 1 and 2 with Dr. Varjavand, AND have obtained approval from your host institution, Dr. Varjavand will forward your application to the Special Elective Committee.

Download International Site Assessment Considerations Form [DOC]

Form 3: Pre-departure Requirements

After you receive a response from the Special Electives Committee, pre-departure, we ask that you register with study abroad. They will ask you to fulfill these requirements, which we have created to promote your health and safety while maximizing your learning. Please investigate, complete and answer all items. You will need to provide a signed copy of the answered items on the form for final approval.

In choosing to participate in an international experience abroad, as College of Medicine students you must be mindful of your legal and ethical responsibility to only engage in activities for which you have the appropriate training and supervision. Drexel University medical students are covered under the University's professional liability policy as long as they are on an approved rotation and their clinical activities fall within their scope of duties for educational purposes within the College of Medicine and they have appropriate supervision.

Download Pre-departure Requirements Form [DOC]

 
Back to Top