As a medical student, what is the best international elective to take?

Question

I am really interested in doing a lot of international work as a doctor when I graduate and have a career. Right now I am in my first year of medicine, but I am trying to plan out what to do during the summer between my first and second year and that fourth year elective where I can pick an international rotation. Does anybody have any suggestions on which country to focus on?

I really want to improve my Spanish, but I also want to do a lot of cultural immersion in the Middle East (I am female and a Muslim and for personal reasons I want more exposure to that population). I guess I could always apply for those group trips to Belize in the Spring to improve on Spanish, but I was thinking Argentina/Chile would be nicer since I understand their accents very well.

I want to focus on women's health, infectious disease, under served populations, natural disaster relief or issues involving domestic violence.....doesn't have to be all or any of those.

I might be going to China this winter, so maybe I could try to get some volunteer experience there?

Yeah, way too many countries on my list, I need help narrowing it down!

Answer 1

China sounds good. If you are interested, you could study up on Chinese (herbal) medicine and techniques. Even possibly acupuncture.  

Answer 2

If you want to focus on women's health, it is important to have a strong understanding of domestic violence. If you work in Washington, D.C. or Bangladesh you will encounter women who are abused.

You can contact your local domestic violence program (or call the National DV Helpline to find one- 1-800-799-SAFE). You can attend volunteer trainings to learn more about domestic violence. There are few programs addressing domestic violence outside of Canada, Western Europe, and the US, so your knowledge may be the first someone in the countries you are looking at visiting may have heard about domestic violence.

Doctors are some of our best advocates, if they are trained.

Good luck!

Answer 3

Just like you said, the most important thing is being able to speak the language of the country where you want to work.  Argentina has an excellent medical school, so does Chile.  I don't know how friendly they would be if you were dressed as a Muslim, however.  But I think your interest in Women's Health is totally commendable.  

Answer 4

belize probably wouldn't be the best place to study spanish, being that we're an english speaking country; spanish is only a regional language.  I would prefer to go to chile instead