The SMHS offers formal electives abroad for fourth-year medical students. Opportunities are available in various locations in Asia, Latin America, Europe, the Middle East, and Africa. For example, under GW's agreement with the Mission Interuniversitaire de Coordination des Echanges Franco-Américan (MICEFA), a consortium of 14 Paris universities, fourth-year GW medical students and sixth-year French medical students can participate in elective rotations at one another's institutions. GW students can select any specialty elective at any participating institution, including well-known facilities such as Hôpital Necker at Université de Paris V, where Dr. René Laennec pioneered the use of the stethoscope. Students' choices have included cardiology, radiology, pediatrics, and plastic/reconstructive surgery. Elective rotations last from four to eight weeks, during which students receive an immersion experience in the host country's healthcare system and personal attention from faculty.

Students can also plan rotations on their own. Those exercising this option have taken advantage of GW's connection in Vietnam and Egypt. Faculty members and International Medicine Programs are available to assist in finding locations through our partner institutions, as well as identifying sources of funding. For more information about GWUMC's international student programs, visit the website at www.gwumc.edu/imp.

By working for the International Center for Migration and Health, an NGO in Geneva, Switzerland, I had hands-on experience with health policy reform. I saw the complexity of implementing international health prevention and reform programs: developing programs, forming collaborations with partner organizations, gaining cooperation from the focus region, and more. It will be more valuable going into the field having seen first-hand the challenges of implementing international reform programs.

GW offers abroad spectrum of opportunities to choose from—you just need to filter through them to see what suits you. I have been a student interviewer for GW medical admissions and volunteered at the student-run HEALing clinic.