Required Responsibilities for Students Undertaking GH Electives

All students who undertake a 4th-year global health elective must complete the following list of responsibilities. These are required whether or not a student seeks a travel grant. Students who do not comply with these requirements may not be allowed to pursue their electives and/or receive travel grants after their return.

Related links: [How to Set Up an GH Elective | Travel Grants for M4 Students]

I. List of Required Responsibilities: Before Departure

1. Book Your Flight

Book your flight immediately to take advantage of advance fare prices.

2. Review or Set Up Emergency Travel Assistance

Emergency travel assistance is available to students enrolled in Aetna Student Health (B.U. health plan) through On Call International (OC). See On Call for a full description of services and to print an ID card.

  • If you have Aetna, you are already enrolled in OC.
  • If you DO NOT have Aetna, you are required to complete the following application, and BU will purchase OC coverage for you: On Call application. Completed applications should be e-mailed to Ana Gregory at least 4 weeks before the start of your elective.

3. Set Up an Appointment with Travel Clinic & Immunize Yourself

Make an appointment with the BMC Travel Clinic or a clinic of your choice. Your appointment should be at least 3 months before departure for vaccinations to take effect. Contact your insurance carrier before making an appointment to see what is covered. For students with Aetna Student Health (B.U. health plan): Do not make an appointment for this purpose with BU Student Health Services; they do not handle these types of appointments. If you plan to use the BMC Travel Clinic, your physical exam may not be covered by Aetna if you have already had an exam by your primary care physician during the same calendar year.

4. Complete Parts 1 and 2 from The Practitioner’s Guide to Global Health

Complete the following parts of the Practitioner’s Guide to Global Health, a three-part open-access course to prepare you to safely participate in global health learning experiences.

  • Part 1: “The Big Picture“. It is recommended that you complete this 6-12 months in advance of your elective. Most students will have completed this part by the time they schedule a global health fourth-year elective.
  • “Part 2: Preparation & On the Ground“. Complete this between one to three months before your elective.

Submit the completion certificates to Ana Gregory via e-mail OR if you seek travel grant reimbursement, you may submit the certificates with your Student Reimbursement Form for Travel Grant. See step #12 below.

5. Research Your Destination

Visit these web sites for country-specific information:

  • U.S. Department of State Check this site periodically before departure. Boston University Chobanian & Avedisian School of Medicine will not give credit or support to a medical student in a country where a Dept. of State Travel Warning is in effect.
  • Students Abroad (U.S. Department of State)
  • CDC Review travel notices for your destination country; country description (gov’t, language, climate); local laws and customs; safety (e.g., using public transport, using currency); food and water, etc.

6. Attend a Predeparture Meeting with Joseph Leanza, MD

Meet with Dr. Leanza, Director of Global Health Programs, at least 4-8 weeks before departure to discuss preparation and items in steps #4 and #5 above. When you submit your travel grant reimbursement (#12 below) you will be asked to indicate the date of this meeting.

7. Request Emergency Card from Ana Gregory

Once you have attended a predeparture meeting, e-mail Ana Gregory and request that she send you the ‘Emergency Card for International Travel‘ that lists BU and state department contact info in the event of an emergency.

8. Register Your Travel Plans with BU and the State Department

  • Register with the BU International Travel Registry. In accordance with the BU International Travel Risk Policy, medical students are required to register their travel before undertaking any university-sponsored international travel. The Registry enables emergency communication between you and BU while you are abroad.
  • Register with U.S. State Department Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP), a free service that allows U.S. citizens and nationals traveling abroad to enroll their trips with the nearest U.S. Embassy or Consulate. This allows the US Embassy to contact travelers in an emergency, whether natural disaster, civil unrest, or family emergency. It will also help family and friends contact the traveler in an emergency.

    9. Download the International SOS App to Your Phone

    As a BU student you have free access to International SOS’s premier travel assistance services. Visit BU Global Programs site for more info. Download the app to your phone before you travel. The app provides “access to vital information on your current location or travel destination, including country guides and information about ongoing and developing medical and security situations.”

    II. List of Required Responsibilities: Upon Return

    10. Complete the GH Post-Experience Report

    Complete the GH Post-Experience Report at Global Health Post-Experience Summaries. Once you log into Global Health Post-Experience Summaries, click “Click here to submit an experience” to submit your summary report. This must be submitted within 30 days of student’s return and no later than the Friday before graduation.

    11. Complete Course 3: “Reflection”

    Complete “Part 3: Reflection” of the Practitioner’s Guide to Global Health within 30 days of your return and no later than the Friday before graduation. Submit the completion certificate to Ana Gregory via e-mail. If you seek travel grant reimbursement, you may submit it with your Student Reimbursement Form for Travel Grant.

    12. Submit Online Form for Travel Grant Reimbursement

    If you were awarded a travel grant, you must complete the Student Reimbursement Form for Travel Grant to receive payment.