Medical students

The Office of Community Engagement is pleased to announce the following opportunity at Medical University Graz in Graz, Austria. All Med 1 and Med 2 students are eligible to apply to be nominated for this activity. Only one student will be selected for this opportunity.

The Multidisciplinary Educational Course in Paediatric Medicine will take place from July 6 to July 31, 2026. The 4-week program consists of clinical rotations at the Department of Paediatrics and Adolescent Medicine and related departments, lectures and interactive case presentations or research talks (in English). The aim is to give an insight into paediatric care and provide a clinical experience.

If you wish to be considered for this opportunity, please contact ghep@dal.ca to receive the expression of interest form no later than December 23, 2025. You must submit the completed form and your CV no later than January 2, 2026 to be considered for this opportunity. Late applications will not be considered.

We are pleased to announce that Erasmus+ funding is available for this opportunity. Please note that students will be required to complete a virtual component with their elective to be eligible for the Erasmus+ funding.

All applications will be reviewed by a selection committee. Students who submit an application will be informed of the results by January 15.

The selection criteria includes:

• You must be in good academic standing
• Demonstrated extracurricular medical activities (e.g., volunteering) and mentoring activities
• Clear fit between the proposed elective opportunity and the applicant’s stated learning and career goals
• Expected impact of the mobility on the student as articulated in the expression of interest
• Compliance with any language or other skill requirements from the receiving institution
• Applicants who have not yet completed an Erasmus+ funded mobility abroad are preferred

The funding available is 1188 EUR Travel Support + 79 EUR Individual Support/day for day 1-14 and 56 EUR Individual Support/day for day 15-30. Additional top-ups or financial inclusion support is available for participants with fewer opportunities (e.g.  physical or mental needs, disability, students accompanied by children etc.)

Graz, Austria

The Medical University of Graz (often called Med Uni Graz) is a center of innovative university medicine in the south of Austria. The Medical University of Graz strives to maintain, restore and improve the health and well-being of its patients on the basis of scientific expertise and research. Each core task of Med Uni Graz—clinical, translational and basic research; student education; postgraduate training and patient care—follows this guiding principle. Dalhousie Faculty of Medicine students are eligible for clinical rotations in a number of Graz departments at University Hospital Graz. Graz also offers some short courses that include lectures, interactive case discussions, and clinical rotations. Some departments require German language skills.

https://www.medunigraz.at/en/international-student-mobility/clinical-rotation-traineeship-at-med-uni-graz

Students may also apply to participate in the IFMSA-CFMS International Exchange Program. The program includes options for research and clinical observerships for four-week periods in the summer and includes opportunities in many countries around the globe. Applications typically open in September for placements the following summer.

Students accepted to the IFMSA-CFMS International Exchange Program are required to complete the Dalhousie Global Health office predeparture requirements.  

You are encouraged to advise the Global Health Manager if you are applying to the program.

Medical students may also complete an independently organized international elective. Independent electives must be reviewed and approved by the Office of Community Partnerships and Global Health and by UGME.

You are strongly encouraged to meet with the Global Health Manager prior to submitting any applications to discuss your potential elective and the approval process.

You must complete and submit the Dalhousie Global Health International Travel Risk Assessment and Safety Plan [PDF] in order for your elective to be approved in principle.

Once you have approval, you can submit your application or finalize your placement with your host institution.  

1. Finalize any application requirements for your host institution.
2. Review visa requirements and licensing requirements and ensure you have submitted all appropriate paperwork and obtained the necessary approvals and documents.
3. Complete required Dalhousie predeparture training through the International Centre.
4. For some electives, additional predeparture training may be required or recommended. Discuss with the Global Health Manager.
5. If applicable, review the Guideline for HIV and Related Illness Prevention.
6. Discuss Travel Health Needs and Vaccinations with your Family Doctor and/or a Travel Health Centre
7. Purchase Backpack International Health & Travel Insurance 
8. Register with International SOS and download the app. More information about this process is available here: https://www.dal.ca/campus_life/ile/before-you-go/international-travel.html
9. Register on the Government of Canada Registration of Canadians Abroad (for students who are citizens of another country, the equivalent in their country of citizenship)
10. Complete the Global Health Education Registration Form (note that you will be required to provide proof of completing many of the above steps as part of that process)
11. Email the Global Health Manager to advise that you have completed the predeparture steps.
12. After your elective, you will be required to complete a debrief meeting and you may be required to submit a brief post-elective report.