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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 clerkships and 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, 6 credit hours in duration. 

  • 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

    An application is required for every selective/elective rotation. Prospective independent rotation students are required to provide 30-day advance application approval.

    Students must apply through MSU's Office for Education Abroad. To begin the process, follow these steps:

    If the student wishes to rotate at one of our approved sites:

    1. Select your dates of rotation, location (city), specialty of focus, and hospital. Send the information via email to GHI. 
    2. Once GHI has pre-assessed your elective request, you will receive a link to apply through the OEA website. 
    3. Once the online application is complete, it will be reviewed by GHI, MSU's Office of Education Abroad, the Clerkship Team at COM, and Global Health and Safety. These offices will confirm enrollment in the course or reach out if additional information is needed.

    If the student has a location/preceptor in mind that is not on the list of our approved sites:

    1. Contact your desired preceptor and confirm they are available and willing to take your clerkship, along with confirming your specialty and rotation dates.
    2. Select your dates of rotation, location (city), specialty of focus, and hospital. Send the information via email to GHI. 
    3. Once GHI has pre-assessed your elective request, you will receive a link to apply through the OEA website. 
    4. Once the online application is complete, it will be reviewed by GHI, MSU's Office of Education Abroad, the Clerkship Team at COM, and Global Health and Safety. These offices will confirm enrollment in the course or reach out if additional information is needed.

    Note: If you receive an "Approved" message from the Office of Education Abroad, there are still more steps that need to be completed before your rotation is confirmed. Your rotation will be confirmed once you receive an "Accepted" message from the Global Health Institute. 

Approved Rotations

  • 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.

  • 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