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Monday, June 14, 2010

What do you do in summer of your first-year medical school?

Some med students will say 'study for boards', but it's the last summer you will have. So I say enjoy summer while getting something on your resume. Most of these are activities that can take you to places, while you learn something. I will keep on updating this list.

IFMSA is an international med students exchange program. It has clinical exchange or research exchange. You pay $200 for application fees but once you get into the program, they cover food and lodging. You'd have to pay for your own airfare. In the U.S., you apply through AMSA. Find out if there are regional representatives at your school. It's a great deal. I'm going to Europe this summer, taking advantage of that program.

Medical Mission in Guatamela is where you can travel, serve, while you learn. Some people from my school organize a trip to go to Guatamela together.

Unite for Sight can take you all over the world. You can practice your eye exam skill too.

Mae Tao Clinic at Thailand-Myanmar refugee border. This clinic has been said as one great opportunity to get hands-on experience. Be aware that this clinic is sought by a lot of med students internationally, so it's very competitive. Apply early. I inquired and they are booked for a year in advance.

There are a lot of church missions too.

If you'd like to shadow a physician while doing reserach,
Emergency Medicine Foundation has fellowships.

There should be a ton of opportunities for research, family medicine shadowings, etc from your school too.

Apply for grants through AAMC
http://www.aamc.org/about/awards/start.htm