How (and Why) to Study Abroad as a Medical & Health Student

This doesn’t mean you can’t enjoy the finer things of foreign cultures, but if you’re in the medical and healthcare field, studying abroad means opportunity: the chance to develop language skills to communicate better with patients, to learn about customs that can turn a nervous patient into a comfortable one, and to create a network of students and professionals in other countries who can help you grow both personally and professionally. And with such a massive opportunity at your fingertips, you need to plan carefully.

The Value of Studying Abroad

Studying abroad diversifies a medical or health student’s experience by exposing them to professional environments in new healthcare systems. By working with medical and health professionals, patients, and other students abroad, U.S. students can gain a valuable understanding of culturally driven norms, multicultural medical environments, and build upon their existing skill set.

Training and life experience abroad can also bolster young professionals’ resumes. According to a study conducted in 2019 by the Institute for International Education of Students, 64% of employers reported that international educational experiences make students more attractive job candidates. In the table that follows, we offer a list of benefits that focus on the education, professional, personal, and cultural aspects of studying in the health and medical fields outside of the U.S.

Educational

• Experience different educational delivery styles: Medical students abroad may be able to secure new research or volunteer opportunities. Many learners take advantage of shadowing opportunities that expose them to healthcare processes in a medical system that is structured differently than the U.S.
• Grad school application booster: A student’s experience abroad lets a college or university admissions team that the applicant is interested in and capable of expanding their horizons. Graduate school often works well for independent students who are open to new ideas and generally curious about the world. A successful tenure abroad can help to highlight these characteristics for a prospective student.
• Encounter challenges: One certainty is that studying abroad presents medical and health students with new scenarios and challenges. Both academically and professionally, a study abroad program forces students to adjust to their surroundings, learn small-group and profession-wide norms for professionals in this area of the world, and more.
• Hands-on experience: While medical and health students in the U.S. enjoy hands-on training in domestic scenarios, study abroad programs place learners in new environments with different equipment, daily processes, and types of patients. Students benefit greatly from hands-on learning outside of their comfort zones.

Professional

• Resume booster: Employers look favorably upon a prospective employee’s time abroad because it shows that the applicant will go the extra mile to challenge themselves and learn something new. Studying overseas is challenging on personal, academic, social, and cultural levels and demands that students rise to the occasion to get the most out of those experiences. Employers generally value these characteristics, especially for new hires.
• Learn how to interact with professionals from different cultural backgrounds: students around the world are studying for medical and health degrees outside of the U.S. Whether a professional is trained in New York City, Milan, Madrid, or Oslo, they are all medical or health professionals and equal colleagues. With increasingly connected business- and health-related ventures, today’s young students can benefit from interactions with students and professionals from other cultural backgrounds.
• Build your network: Being able to interact and work with students and professionals from other parts of the world can often allow young students to build their professional networks exponentially. As with professionals in most lines of work, workers in the medical and health field can benefit substantially from personal and professional connections both domestically and abroad.

Personal

• Growth and independence: A recent study conducted by the Institute for International Education of Students reports that 95% of students who studied abroad felt that the experience helped them mature and positively impacted their general worldview. The same study also reveals that 98% of these students better understood their own cultural backgrounds and biases after studying abroad.
• Develop adaptation skills: Studying abroad increases students’ adaptability in professional settings as well as social scenarios. As shown by folklorists and other academics who study social interaction, being able to adapt to new situations, sometimes referred to as social or linguistic code switching, is key to successful and meaningful participation in today’s ever-growing multicultural world.
• Meet new people/friends: When studying abroad, medical and health students also develop personal relationships that enrich their daily lives. More than half of students who study abroad continued to maintain friendships they made while outside the U.S.
• Grow confident in your field: By engaging with diverse professional and social situations abroad, learners typically experience an increase in their self-confidence and general sense of comfort. Students who experience new educational and social scenarios reduce the number of unpredictable scenarios both in and outside of their work.

Cultural

• Learn/improve a foreign language: While this may be one of the more obvious advantages to studying abroad, it is also one of the most useful skills for young professionals in today’s job market. Bilingual or multilingual professionals are in high demand, and full immersion in a new cultural scenario is often the best learning scenario for language acquisition.
• Cross-cultural exposure leads to cultural competence: While a student’s time abroad take place over a short time, such as 6-12 months, it offers them unique opportunities to experience a new cultural climate. Every step toward cultural competence, no matter how limited, is beneficial in today’s increasingly connected and diverse cultural landscape.
• Medical and health students who can relate to their colleagues, clients, or patients on deeper levels often enjoy their work and have positive lasting effects on those around them.

In the sections above, we covered some of the intangible benefits medical and health students can gain from education abroad. Below, we consider some career paths commonly taken by medical and health students and the ways in which a study abroad experience positively impacts a student’s trajectory.

Gaining a Professional Edge

For some medical and health fields, such as global health, experience abroad is essential to training. In other career paths, medical and health students may learn skills that can set them apart from others, making them a unique applicant and a multifaceted, adaptable professional for hire. Language skills, cultural sensitivity, constantly facing new situations, and working with diverse populations all can be experienced overseas and applied to healthcare situations back home. Here’s a more detailed look at some of the tools that medical and health students can develop while studying outside the U.S.

Language Development for the Workplace

Medical and health professionals need top-notch communication skills to provide the best care and service to patients and clients. Additionally, professionals at all levels, from administration and management positions to support staff and assistants, depend on clear communication between colleagues to carry out daily processes and business operations. Students who study abroad have a great opportunity to acquire and develop these skills, especially when treating or working with non-native English speakers, or those who speak no English at all.

Today’s top employers understand the value of communication in healthcare and often seek prospective employees that have bi- or multi-lingual abilities. A study abroad program can offer students some of the best environments to learn second languages in conversational contexts.

Cultural Sensitivity for the Workplace

Patients in the U.S. come from a variety of races, ethnicities, religions, and sexual orientations. While you may think all patients should be treated the same in a medical and health environment, certain accommodations for some can lead to improved patient experiences and outcomes. For example, a Muslim patient may feel more comfortable in a room that faces Mecca, and a Jewish patient may need access to various kosher food options. Of course, students can learn these things while studying and working in the United States, but immersion in cultures abroad can make students more skilled in recognizing and applying patient needs to care experiences.

Increased Career Opportunities

By working directly with medical or health colleagues and professionals in face-to-face contexts, students can increase the number of employment options available to them when they enter the job market. Young professionals today can gain an enormous edge by developing an international network, especially with individuals with whom they have worked in-person.

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Some of today’s health-related careers and how each benefits from studying and working abroad.

Global Health

Study Abroad Benefits

Global health students often focus on health challenges and solutions on a more macro scale. This can include biostatistics, epidemiology, and health systems in developing countries. In a global or international public health degree program, studying abroad gives students an opportunity for real-world, in-person experience that can inform research and learn how local challenges can shape larger-scale healthcare issues.

Doctor

Study Abroad Benefits

Pre-med students who study abroad can gain valuable experience in healthcare internships or service-learning opportunities. Some medical students study abroad to gain multicultural experience, bolster their resume, and avoid burning out during their tenure in medical school. When applying for jobs, doctors with study abroad experience are more likely to be eligible for positions with non-traditional roles or tasks, challenging patients or community dynamics, or that require a culturally sensitive healthcare professional.

Nurse

Study Abroad Benefits

Nursing students who study abroad can improve their cultural competence, language skills, and understanding of global health issues. They can also learn how to better navigate new or foreign healthcare systems. Upon entering the job market, nursing professionals with these skills in hand may be able to take on more complex roles in the healthcare system in the U.S. or abroad.

Healthcare Administration

Study Abroad Benefits

For learners studying healthcare administration, international internships at non-governmental organizations, governmental organizations such as the United Nations, and international development organizations can round out a young professional’s resume and open numerous doors to full-time employment. This may be most evident in developing countries where healthcare systems may still be structurally young.

Medical Research

Study Abroad Benefits

Medical researchers benefit from study abroad programs because of the diverse environments and skilled individuals to which they gain access. While studying abroad, aspiring medical researchers can work in a variety of laboratory settings, work one-on-one with professors and medical doctors who are experts in their field, and develop valuable contacts for potential employment.

Veterinary

Study Abroad Benefits

Study abroad students in veterinary or vet tech programs can take advantage of opportunities to help endangered or uncommon animals that are traditionally unavailable to learners in the U.S. Students can obtain positions in laboratories clinics, farms, and ranches and receive excellent hands-on work experience. These situations can serve as distinguishing markers when newly graduated veterinarians apply for positions.

Massage Therapy

Study Abroad Benefits

Massage therapy students can explore a variety of therapy styles, theories, and approaches employed by massage experts around the globe. Depending on the program, those who study abroad may be able to earn a massage certificate in a specialized area while enrolled. By studying different approaches to massage therapy, students improve their overall understanding of the power of touch and show potential employers they are willing to go the extra mile and think outside the box to ultimately improve the level of care they can provide for clients.

Medical Translator

Study Abroad Benefits

In most cases, aspiring certified medical interpreters must possess linguistic proficiency in English and complete at least 40 hours of medical interpreting training. Understanding English is an important skill, but medical translators today can benefit from full immersion programs and internships abroad. A recent study by the Association of International Educators shows that nearly 40% of U.S. companies would benefit greatly employing more internationally competent personnel. The medical field also benefits from bilingual and multilingual translators.

Public Health

Study Abroad Benefits

With the increasing demand of public health professionals, many students choose to study abroad to further develop their skill set and studying areas around the globe. Many public health majors can engage in shadowing opportunities and internships at International hospitals. Studies abroad for public health students allow them to gain different perspectives on epidemiology, infectious diseases, healthcare systems, public health and sociology, and cultural influences on public works. As a result of this diverse education and hands-on experience, public health students position themselves for a variety of careers upon entering the job market.

Aid Worker

Study Abroad Benefits

Aid workers come from a variety of backgrounds, including medicine, health studies, engineering, environmental studies, linguistics, and more. Jobs for these individuals often exist in conflict zones, poor countries, and locations with gravely at-risk populations. Study abroad programs for aspiring aid workers often provide cross-cultural experiences and international networking opportunities that can lead to fulfilling careers.

Dental Hygienists

Study Abroad Benefits

Dental students can take part in a variety of study abroad volunteer and for-credit programs to learn more about oral healthcare and healthcare systems in countries around the world. Many opportunities for dental students exist in rural and at-risk communities where access to oral health care is minimal. These experiences help students gain valuable hands-on experience, learn more about healthcare outside of the U.S., and better prepare them for careers with diverse populations.

Nutritionist

Study Abroad Benefits

Nutrition students often enjoy studying abroad to learn the nutrition, exercise, and physical health beliefs and practices of people in other countries. Many study abroad students in this area explore global food nutrition and security, food sovereignty, obesity, human crisis, sustainability, and the relationship between communities and their food supply. A more well-rounded, global understanding of nutrition, health, and cultural foodways better prepares learners for a variety of careers in the field.

How to Choose a Study Abroad Program

While the number of study abroad programs grows each year, this doesn’t mean it’s easier for students to find the best one for them. They need to do extensive research, create a list of potential candidates, identify the pros and cons of each, and see how everything meshes with their educational and career goals. Easier said than done. If this sounds like you, here’s what you need to know if you have study abroad on your to-do list.

Paying for Your Program

Unless you secure a position in a fully funded program, studying abroad can be costly. In addition to typical school expenses you might encounter on a daily basis, studying abroad includes plane tickets, rent, food, daily travel expenses, entertainment, and more. To prepare, medical and health students need to give themselves ample time to prepare, save money, and create a budget.

One of the best ways to finance a trip abroad is to begin saving money well in advance of one’s departure. Students can take advantage of computer programs and smartphone apps that help them create budgets and spending restrictions. Additionally, some students may choose to use an online crowdsourcing sites, such as FundMyTravel, to help generate funds.

Since many study abroad students will be traveling light, it can also be advantageous to sell any old textbooks, school supplies, or other personal items that aren’t needed in the foreseeable future. Additionally, in preparation for a study abroad program, students can save money by unsubscribing to video streaming services, avoiding costly social events and nightlife, or moving in with a friend or family member to save on rent. Last but not least, aspiring study abroad students should spend a significant amount of time trying to locate scholarships to help offset the cost of their trip.

Boost Your Bank Account:

• FundMyTravel
• Remote, part-time employment with Upwork, Fiverr, or Flexjobs
• Sell unneeded items on eBay, Amazon, or PoshMark
• SkyScanner, flight price tracking app

20 Study Abroad Healthcare Scholarships

Medical and health students who wish to study abroad can look for funding both inside and outside of their university. Some scholarships are merit- or need-based, while others are reserved for students who study in a particular field. In the section that follows, we provide 20 applicable scholarships for learners trying to offset the cost of a study abroad program.

Get Ready! A Study Abroad Checklist

Preparing to study abroad requires careful planning and a number of important steps. With so many topics to cover before departing, it’s always good to create a checklist to keep things organized and make sure you have everything they need. Here’s a detailed list to get you going:

Apply for a passport

Students need to make sure they have a valid passport in order to travel internationally. In most cases, it takes six to eight weeks to renew an expired passport.

Register for a student visa

Depending on the location, students may need to obtain a student visa to be allowed into the country and remain for the duration of their program. Learners may be able to receive assistance with the student visa process from their host organization or institution.

Register with U.S embassy

Students should take advantage of the U.S. government’s free travel registration. This creates a record of the student’s travel plans and allows the embassy to help students more easily in the case of an emergency.

Get necessary vaccinations & fill prescriptions

Along with the necessary vaccinations, students traveling abroad should refill medical prescriptions. Students can contact the International Association for Medical Assistance to Travelers for assistance with refilling prescriptions. It is best, however, for learners to take with them all of the medication they need for the duration of their enrollment abroad.

Read consular information report

The U.S. State Department’s Office of American Citizens Services and Crisis Management offers an online consular information program. This includes travel warnings, safety and security concerns, and public conditions of areas abroad.

Familiarize yourself with cultural norms

It can be helpful for students traveling abroad to gain a general understanding of cultural norms in their destination. Students should locate credible sources for more information, including ethnographic articles or books written by cultural anthropologists or folklorists who have conducted research in the area.

Practice the language

International students can benefit greatly from being able to communicate in the local language. At the very least, it is good to know how to ask for directions, food, medical attention, and police officers. Smartphone apps such as Duolingo can help students develop a foundation understanding of the local language.

Travel locks and security

Students traveling abroad should acquire the necessary locks or related safety equipment to secure their belongings.

Create a budget

Students should learn about the local currency and applicable exchange rates. It is best to create a budget for the duration of the program and follow it diligently.

Research and pay for your flights

While looking for flights, students can use a flight tracking app to find the best prices. Learners also need to check with the institution or organization with whom they are studying to find the best travel routes and airports. Skyscanner is a popular flight tracking app.

Look into student ID/discount cards

If a student’s institution or organization offers student discounts, this can be an excellent way to save money and offset the cost of daily expenses such as local transportation and food.

Consider traveler’s insurance

Many insurance providers that offer student travel insurance feature 24/7 hotlines for emergency situations. Travel insurance also typically covers expenses incurred as a result lost baggage, missed flights, theft of belongings, and some illnesses.

Figure out cell phone plan

If students plan on having a cell phone while studying abroad, it is important to find a plan with coverage in the necessary locations before traveling. Some locations offer phone rental opportunities. In some cases, students use the international services provided by their current service provider.

Plan your wardrobe

Learners need to pack light and efficiently. Students with particular clothing needs, especially clothes related to schoolwork, fieldwork, or research, should prioritize those garments.

Test pack your baggage

Students should travel with bags they know well and trust. It is important that bags lock and have sturdy latches. Adding vinyl straps or belts around suitcases can add extra protection and keep one’s belongings from falling out in transit.

Make copies of important documents

While abroad, students may not have easy access to copy machines or a postal service. Travelers should make at least two copies of their important documents: one to leave at home in the U.S. and an extra copy as backups to the original copies they take with them.

Keep physical copies of emergency contacts

Many of us rely on our phone for important phone numbers and contact information. Students should make a physical list of all necessary phone numbers and contact information before traveling.

Look into travel safety apps

Today’s smartphone technology can offer many valuable tools for travelers. Various travel websites offer good tips and tricks for traveling smartphone users.

Uncommon comforts

If students are accustomed to using a particular product, such as a certain type of sunscreen, contact lens solution, or hygiene product, they should be sure to take an ample supply with them. These products may not be available at their destination.

Bring a tool to stay in touch

Whether it is an iPad or laptop, or even a pen and paper with envelopes and the necessary postage, it is important to bring a tool to stay in touch with loved ones in the U.S.

Power supply and adaptors

Depending on the location, students may need a converter to plug in everyday items that need a charge. It is best to research this ahead of time to obtain the necessary adapters before traveling. Additionally, it can be helpful for learners to have back-up battery packs for their phones, computers, etc.

Google Voice

Google offers a free calling and texting service through its standard Gmail account. This service is not available on all devices but will work with at least laptops, iPads, smartphones. Students should set up a Gmail account before traveling.