Clinical Exchange Program

The CFMS international clinical exchange program is a great opportunity to experience medicine in another country! If you like to travel and you like medicine then this exciting service offered by the CFMS in conjunction with the International Federation of Medical Students’ Associations (IFMSA) is for you. The IFMSA is an organization representing over one million medical students in over 70 countries around the world. One of their most successful programs is the bilateral international exchange where medical students perform clinical electives in a country of their choice. This is the eleventh year that the CFMS has offered this opportunity and this year we have signed contracts with 26 countries!

The electives are one month in duration (usually in the summer months) and are open to most Canadian medical students (graduating students will not be eligible). Included in the exchange are a medical staff supervisor, free accommodation, a full social program, and a meal allowance (often full board). Please be aware that although your supervisor will speak English (French in France and Switzerland), in most countries patients will not, so this may limit your clinical experience.

What do you have to do to get involved?

For now, all you have to do is complete the CFMS International Clinical Exchange Program Application Form (available in November) and return it to your Local Exchange Officer by December 1, 2005. Applicants will then be chosen randomly by the NEOs and successful candidates will be notified by January 15 th, 2005. If selected, you will then have to do the following:

• Agree to find free accommodation for an incoming foreign medical student (not necessarily during the month you are away).
• Provide 4 photo booth photos.
• Provide $250 administrative fee to confirm your place
• Complete evaluation about your exchange upon your return.
• Give a verbal or written presentation to students at your school about the health and social conditions in the country you visited and your elective experience.

Your elective will then be arranged for you by the CFMS National Exchange Officers (NEOs). All you have to do is book your flight and you are off to a foreign destination to enhance your clinical skills, experience other cultures and to socialize with fellow medical students from around the world! For more information, ask your LEO or contact the CFMS NEOs at neo_canada@hotmail.com.

NEO Senior
Marc Stalder
neo_canada@hotmail.com

NEO Junior
TBA
neojr_canada@hotmail.com