FAQ
For Penn Med Students...
Yes, submit your form as soon as possible to make sure there is an adequate amount of time to plan your trip and that CGH funds are available.
No. For the Botswana clinical elective, be sure to register for and attend the mandatory information session that is announced by email in the fall. You must also meet the deadline for submission of the lottery form that you will receive shortly after that session.
No, it is not necessary to submit a Planning Form; simply respond to the invitation to submit an application that CGH sends via email in the summer.
When you submit registration and evaluation forms, as required, your experience will be automatically noted on your transcript. However, you will not receive credit towards graduation. The only exception is the Botswana clinical experience for which the commitment is seven weeks and you earn four weeks of away elective credit.
No exceptions are possible for this requirement. CGH requires that a student be in a location working full-time on a project for a minimum of six weeks.
You are strongly encouraged to explore opportunities in another country as 99% of such exceptions requests will be denied.
No, you are welcome to explore other opportunities that meet the requirements of CGH with respect to location, length, and relevance. Clinical experiences require CGH approval before you proceed to make arrangements.
Yes, all global health-relevant travel must be registered. In addition to being a professional obligation, CGH works in coordination with the Registrar to file your global health travel on your official record.
Please contact your insurance carrier directly to learn the limits of coverage and whether you should purchase additional insurance.
No. On a complimentary basis, the University of Pennsylvania provides emergency (medical and security) evacuation insurance via International SOS for University-related travel. For coverage, complete the Registration Form, including the entire checklist.
Yes, we cannot process your forms without official documentation from your host-country mentor or supervisor. Documentation should be sent by the mentor on official stationery or from an organizational email address and must include specific dates and responsibilities.
To request a waiver of PUBH519, please submit a transcript and syllabus documenting that the course or courses cover all the material in the PUBH519 to Megan Doherty.
This is permitted if the outside organization is not included on our funding page and if they do not restrict funds in a conflicting way. Funding from more than one SOM or Penn entity is not permitted.
Although you may receive your travel advance in only a few weeks, we require that you submit all registration materials at least six weeks in advance to allow for unforeseen delays. Once CGH has received your registration materials in full, you will receive an email with personalized instructions for completing a report via Concur.
After CGH has received your Report/Questionnaire, you will receive an email with personalized instructions for completing a report via Concur.
For International Students...
No, students may only apply with and be selected by the representative designated in the affiliated institutions above. We cannot accept independent applications given the limited availability of openings in each elective.
Unfortunately, US citizenship does not determine eligibility. Eligibility is limited to students attending affiliated institutions.
At this time the Center for Global Health is not establishing new exchange agreements.
Each elective site has its own identification requirements. When you report to your assigned elective, you will be instructed on how to obtain identification, if required. In addition, you may opt to obtain a PennCard.
No, the maximum of two is applied to the sum of clinical electives any individual student takes at Penn at any time. The clinical elective experience for students from international medical schools is intended to provide exposure to a new health care and educational system. It is not meant to substitute for the requirements of a student's home medical school. As clinical elective slots are extremely limited, strict adherence to this restriction is mandated.
The PennCard is the official University of Pennsylvania identification card for students, faculty, staff, and other members of the Penn community. The PennCard is also used for many activities including building access, recreation, and library services.
Yes, students with research assignments are required to have a PennCard.
The Center for Global Health will apply for your PennCard. You will then receive an email to schedule an appointment with the PennCard Center. You will bring a photo ID (e.g. passport, student ID card, driver's license) to this appointment. Your card will be issued while you wait. The PennCard is provided to you at no charge.
You should plan your travel and housing accommodations according to your own discretion/comfort level. Any administrative issues that may arise can be addressed during the first week of your assignment.
Students should only contact their course directors or coordinators if specifically instructed to do so in the reporting details that accompanied the elective assignment provided CGH. Otherwise, students are strongly discouraged from contacting the hosting department.
No, you must NOT contact any department's course director, physician, or administrator unless specifically authorized to do so. Failure to comply can result in a total rejection of your application.
No, you must be in active medical student status for the entire duration of your assignment at Penn and must be returning for completion of your studies at your home institution.
The research assignments arranged through CGH are generally intended for medical students who will return to their home institution to complete medical school.
We require a minimum commitment of two months for research assignments. You are more likely to be placed if you can be available for a longer period (up to 6 months).
No. The maximum research assignment is 6 months long. This cannot be extended under any circumstances.