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International Rotations

Clerkship Elective for Fourth Year COM Students 

We are currently updating this page to include more approved sites for international rotations. For questions on available clerkship rotations, please contact Dr. Jodi Flanders (flande23@msu.edu) and Wendi Winston (winst106@msu.edu) for assistance.

OST 685: International Clerkship Rotation (6 credits) 

Dates: Vary according to students' schedules. 

International clerkship rotations are designed to provide students with an opportunity to actively engage in patient-based learning experiences in a country outside the United States, under the guidance of a clinician preceptor in collaboration, as appropriate, with interns, residents and/or fellows. 

Rotations are typically four weeks in duration, six credit hours. It is advised that you confirm with COM Clerkship that you will be eligible for a clerkship rotation at the time you are asking to go.

  • Course Goals

    The goal of international clerkship rotations is to compare and analyze health care delivery systems between the U.S. and the host country, which results in enhanced understanding and potentially transferable practices. 

    It is the discretion of the Course Director to determine which students may participate. An interview may be required. 

    If you need guidance in finding a hospital or a supervising physician abroad, please contact the Global Health Institute (GHI) by emailing GHS.edabroad@msu.edu. 

  • Course Syllabus

    View the MSUCOM Clerkship Syllabus

  • How to Apply
    If you are looking to apply for a rotation, please follow one of the below options. A visual guide is also available to assist with the application process.

    Option A: You already have a hospital/clinic and preceptor in mind (this includes OST 601 OMM)

    If you have already identified where you want to go and who you want to work with, follow these steps:
    1. Contact the preceptor directly to confirm your rotation dates. Confirm that the preceptor is available and willing to establish a rotation during your desired dates before starting your application. Keep in mind that many hospitals charge an administrative fee for international student rotations, so this would be the ideal time to clarify your financial responsibility for the rotation.  
    2. Contact Wendi Winston (winst106@msu.edu) to have your application created in the VIA system.
    3. Complete all required fields in VIA by the application deadline.
    4. Applications must be approved by several departments (Office of Education Abroad, Global Safety, Global Health Institute, COM Clerkship) before the rotation is finally accepted.
    5. Once accepted, the rotation will be added to your official schedule. Complete any remaining pre-travel documents prompted by VIA.

    Option B: You need to find a hospital/clinic and preceptor (Using the Rotation Countries and Specialties list)

    If you aren't sure where to go, you can start by looking at established rotation sites:
    1. View the Rotation Countries and Specialties list to see hospitals and clinics where students have had favorable rotations in the past.
    2. If a site interests you, contact Wendi Winston (winst106@msu.edu) for the specific contact information of that preceptor or administrator.
    3. Contact the preceptor or administrator to arrange and confirm your rotation. Keep in mind that many hospitals charge an administrative fee for international student rotations, so this would be the ideal time to clarify your financial responsibility for the rotation.  
    4. Proceed to Steps 2–5 in Option A.

    Option C: You want to create a new rotation

    If you wish to go somewhere not currently on the Rotation Countries and Specialties list:
    1. Identify the hospital/clinic and preceptor you wish to work with.
    2. Contact the preceptor yourself to secure a date and confirm they are willing to host you.
    3. Once dates are secured, proceed to Steps 2–5 in Option A to begin the application process.

    Important Note: All international rotations must be approved by the Global Health Institute, Global Safety, COM Clerkship and the Office of Education Abroad before they are considered official. It is suggested that you do not book non-refundable travel until you receive final confirmation in the VIA system.

Rotation Countries and Specialties

  • Mexico

    Location: Merida

    Specialties

    • Cardiology
    • Emergency Medicine
    • General Surgery
    • Hyperbaric Oxygen Treatment
    • ICU (may need special permission)
    • OB/Gyn (surgeries, C-section)
    • Orthopedics
    • Pediatrics
    • Urology
    • Osteopathic Manipulative Medicine*

    *International rotations for Osteopathic Manipulative Medicine will have a course designation of OMM 601 instead of OST 685.

  • Peru

    Location: Trujillo

    Specialties

    • Gastroenterology
    • Hematology
    • Internal Medicine
    • Infectious Disease
    • Oncology
    • Orthopedics & Trauma
  • Spain

    Location: Barcelona

    Specialties

    • Cardiology
    • Emergency Medicine
    • Endocrinology
    • Genetics
    • Hematology
    • Hospital Medicine
    • ICU
    • Immunology
    • Infectious Diseases
    • Neonatal Unit
    • Oncology
    • Palliative Care
    • Pediatric Dermatology
    • Pediatric Surgery
    • Rheumatology

Note: Rotation Scheduling and Application Timeline

The timeframe for each rotation must be finalized at least 60 days in advance—ideally 90 days—prior to the start of the rotation. As travel requests continue to increase, please contact GHI as soon as you decide to pursue this elective and allow additional time for application review.

Education Abroad