Look at your academic program and timeline to assess what kind of experiences apply to your pathway, and when it’s best to pursue them. 

Depending on your level of education (UGME, PGME), different experiences will be available to you. You can review the list of established Faculty partnerships and which ones you could apply for.

Once you have selected an experience, follow the application process detailed in the elective section below. If you have not found a suitable international elective, please refer to the "Find Your Own International Elective " section to follow the steps associated with this process.

Request for Elective Approval Form - UGME (PDF, 329.5 KB)
Request for Elective Approval Form - PGME (PDF, 246.7 KB)

Following the completion of the application form and submission, the UGME or PGME office will assess your eligibility to pursue an international elective or global health experience. It is essential to be in good academic standing to qualify for participation. Once the eligibility review is complete, you will receive an acceptance letter outlining further instructions to follow. 

Once you are approved for the elective, there are many important aspects to consider as you prepare. This includes completing pre-departure trainings, obtaining travel insurance, visas, and other travel documents, visiting a travel medical clinic (for required vaccinations and other medical preparations), coordinating travel plans like flights and accommodations, and more. 

While abroad, there are also many key factors to keep in mind.  As representatives of the Faculty of Medicine and the University of Ottawa, be mindful of your footprint and ensure to work within your level of competency and experience. Stay in touch with the IGHO and contact us with any questions at [email protected]. 

Debriefing when you return from your international or global health experience is a crucial element to a successful and well-rounded experience. It gives you the opportunity to reflect and process, especially in the event of a negative experience. Give yourself time to reacclimatize.

Undergraduate medical learners can undertake electives at Université Claude Bernard Lyon I, Université Paris-Cité, and Université Paris-Saclay in France, choosing from various specialties at affiliated health establishments. This offers a chance to learn about the French medical system and collaborate with international peers. Available to 2^nd to 4^th  year students with at least intermediate French proficiency. It’s not only a great learning opportunity from a medical perspective, but for some, could also be an opportunity to enhance French skills. 

For over two decades, the uOttawa Faculty of Medicine has offered an international elective in Benin for medical students and residents. This program provides learners with opportunities to diversify their medical education and gain valuable experience to enhance care in Canada and globally. The elective reflects the core principles of community engagement and social accountability in Global Health. Participants will work in various locations—Cotonou, Porto-Novo, Zinvié, and Kolli—collaborating with local healthcare professionals and gaining insights into local medical practices and healthcare systems.

1^st and 2^nd year UGME learners can travel to Tanzania for a global health experience at Kilimanjaro Christian Medical University College (KCMUCo) where they will participate in a community health elective. In 2023 and 2024, uOttawa medical students participated in the Community Health Elective, collaborating with local health organizations to understand primary health care in resource-limited settings and to exchange with medical students at KCMUCo.

UGME learners can travel to Tanzania for a global health experience at Kilimanjaro Christian Medical University College (KCMUCo). They can pursue clinical electives (UGME and PGME), public health placements (MPH), and research practicums (Graduate students). Their experience could be of varying lengths and could take place at different times during their academic year. 

Medicine in the Humanities International Program

UGME learners have the opportunity to participate in a Medicine in the Humanities summer school at partner institutions in France (University of Lyon) or China (Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine and Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine). Each year, the program is hosted by a different partner, including uOttawa. The summer school explores the history of medicine through art, literature, philosophy, and human sciences, promoting critical thinking, professionalism, and empathy. The 2024 edition, themed "Progress in Medicine", was hosted in Ottawa.

Look at your academic program (and timeline) and assess what kind of experiences apply to your pathway, and when it’s best to pursue them. 

Feel free to share your ideas and questions with the IGHO regarding establishing your own international elective placement. If you have already initiated this process, reach out to the IGHO promptly with your proposal to determine its feasibility. 

After you established and selected your desired international elective placement, you must complete the application form found in the link below. Follow the provided instructions for submission. You must apply at least two months in advance of the start of the placement.

Request for Elective Approval Form - UGME (PDF, 329.5 KB)
Request for Elective Approval Form - PGME (PDF, 246.7 KB)

Following the completion of the application form and submission, the UGME or PGME office will assess your eligibility to pursue an international elective placement or global health experience. It is essential to be in good academic standing to qualify for participation. Additionally, the IGHO will also evaluate the ethical and safety considerations of your chosen international elective placement. When it is assessed that you are eligible, you will receive an acceptance letter outlining further instructions to follow. 

Once your international elective placement is approved, there are many important aspects to consider as you prepare. This includes completing pre-departure trainings, obtaining travel insurance, visas, and other travel documents, visiting a travel medical clinic (for required vaccinations and other medical preparations), coordinating travel plans like flights and accommodations, and more. All those aspects are your responsibility, the IGHO can only provide limited information about those elements.

While abroad, there are also many key factors to keep in mind. Remember you are an ambassador for your school and faculty. Be mindful of your footprint and ensure to work within the level of your competency. Stay in touch with the IGHO and contact us with any questions at [email protected]. 

Debriefing when you return from your international or global health placement is an essential element. It gives you the opportunity to reflect and process, especially in the event of a negative experience. Give yourself time to reacclimatize.