International Student Guide to BUMC
This guide is for international medical students who have been accepted to the International Student Elective Program (ISEP) at Boston University Chobanian & Avedisian School of Medicine.
REQUIRED INFORMATION for visiting international students
Needle Stick and Exposure Procedure
In the event of a needle stick or any unprotected exposure to body fluids, see Needle Sticks and Exposure procedures.
Policies and Procedures
Visiting students are required to follow the same procedures, rules, and regulations as BUSM students. Violation of any school policy by a visiting medical student will result in immediate withdrawal from an elective. See BUCASM policies.
Safety on the Medical Campus
Medical Campus Emergency Contact Number
(to report serious injury, crime, etc.):
Call 617-358-4444
Boston is a great place to visit! It is an historical city with many cultural and academic distinctions. However, like any city, there is crime. The largest percentage of crime is crime against property such as cell phones, wallets, bicycles, etc. The BUMC Department of Public Safety works to provide a safe environment for students, visitors, staff, and faculty on the medical campus. See BUMC Public Safety Department.
The following are public safety tips for your time on campus:
- Pay attention. Always be aware of your surroundings, whether on or off campus.
- Do not use cell phones, iPods or any mobile device when going to and from an outside location. Not only do these items appear valuable to a thief, but they also distract you from paying attention to your surroundings. When wearing earphones, your hearing is diminished and you become a target for crime.
- Be aware of people distracting you so they can have an opportunity to take your belongings, e.g. asking you what time it is, requesting a match, or asking for directions are the usual methods.
- Make yourself familiar with the location of the blue emergency call boxes on campus.
- Remain in well-lit, well-traveled areas. Avoid shortcuts and remain alert.
- Travel with a friend or in a group when possible, especially at night.
- Wear your Boston Medical Center identification badge at all times.
- When entering “CARD ACCESS ONLY” areas, do not to allow non-ID employees or visitors in behind you.
- If you are using a laptop computer, do not leave it unattended at any time.
- Carry a minimal amount of cash and credit/ATM cards while at school or in the hospital.
- Do not carry passports, visas, or social security cards unless absolutely necessary.
- Use the public safety escort service (617-358-4444) to medical campus buildings and parking facilities.
- Immediately report suspicious persons and activity on or near the campus to the Department of Public Safety (617-358-4444) or Boston Police (911).
Location of Your Elective: Boston Medical Center
ISEP students undertake electives at Boston Medical Center (BMC), a 514-bed academic medical center located in Boston’s historic South End, that serves a diverse patient population including disadvantaged, underserved, and indigent populations. BMC is the primary teaching affiliate of BUCASM. In addition to BUCASM, the Boston University Medical Campus (BUMC) includes Boston University School of Public Health, Henry M. Goldman School of Dental Medicine, and the Division of Graduate Medical Sciences.
Where is BMC?
Address: One Boston Medical Center Place, Boston, MA 02118
Where is BU Chobanian & Avedisian School of Medicine?
Address: 72 E. Concord St., Boston, MA 02118
Where is a specific building on the medical campus?
Dress Code for Your Time on the Wards
Third- and fourth-year medical students at BUMC are required to wear appropriate professional dress during their rotations. Acceptable dress for men is dress shirts, ties, and pants; For women, it is skirts, slacks, blouses. You must also wear a waist-length, long-sleeve white coat. Sneakers and jeans are not allowed. On the first day of your rotation, you will see what other medical students are wearing and then will be able to make a better determination of what is acceptable dress.
Boston (transportation, attractions, etc.)
