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International Elective and Non-Elective Exchange Program for Medicine

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Applying for the program

Sydney Medical School has agreements with a number of institutions around the world to offer unilateral and bilateral international placements for a limited number of medical students each year.

The exchange program provides an opportunity for closer collaboration between the participating institutions and is highly regarded.

Application procedures: University of Sydney (USyd) students should look for bulletins calling for applications in the first part of Semester 1. Written applications will be called for via a student bulletin and short-listed applicants will be asked to attend an interview. Telephone or videoconferencing may be used if students are on rural placements at the time of interview. Applicants will be required to demonstrate that the placement will:

  1. Facilitate future career development for the applicant
  2. Build on the applicant’s interests in global health
  3. Potentially benefit the exchange institutions
  4. Potentially benefit the Australian and/or other communities
  5. Potentially contribute to the body of scientific knowledge


Eligibility: All eligible applications will be considered regardless of the student’s clinical school, nationality or ethnicity.

Application form: Download the 2012 application form.

Application deadline: 9am, Monday, 12th March 2012.

Scholarships

A number of scholarships may be awarded to outstanding applicants for international placements. These are provided under the Dean’s Scholarship Fund and the Elective Term Scholarships and no separate application process is required.

FAQs

Many of you have asked for clarification on a number of issues. We have brought your questions together in this FAQs.

  1. I have put more than one preference down in my application form for different OGH placements, how do I address the selection if I am interested in more than one place?
    Answer the section criteria questions mostly about your first choice but you might like to refer to the other preferences as well.
  2. Is the Dean’s Scholarship open to everyone?
    Yes, everyone who is seeking an international experience whether ILA, elective, non-elective, specialty block or research focussed is entitled to apply for the Dean’s Scholarship.
  3. Can I apply for two 4-week OGH placements?
    Yes, you can, however because of the volume of applications it is unlikely that you will be offered two OGH placements. Many undertake a 4-week OGH placement followed by a 4-week self-arranged placement.
  4. If I apply for a placement and am successful, do I have to take it? I can only afford to go to that placement if I get a Dean’s Scholarship.
    Please apply for the placement you are most interested in ONLY if you can support it with your own resources. Do not assume that you will receive a Dean’s Scholarship to support you. We try hard to select the best student for the placement. If you apply for a placement and are successful and then pull out because you don’t receive a scholarship you will have jeopardised others opportunities to undertake that placement.
  5. Is there a separate form for the Dean’s Scholarship?
    No, there is one form and one form only. This form and the interview form part of the selection for the Dean’s Scholarship.
  6. I have prepared a personal essay in addition to the questions on the form. Can I submit that as well? Can I submit my CV and evidence of my language fluency too?
    You can, but they wont be read. We will only consider the answers you provide to the selection criteria.
  7. Can I organise a placement at one of the OGH partner institutions myself?
    No, the only way to access the OGH placements is through the OGH application process. Independent inquiries to our partner institutions is NOT acceptable.
  8. The closing date on the form says 9am 12th March. Is this the last date to apply?
    Yes.
  9. Can I go over the word limit?
    No, answering the question within the required word limit is a skill that you will increasingly be asked to demonstrate. This is good practice.
  10. I am really interested in such and such a placement. Can you tell me more about it?
    No. As we are involved in the selection process, OGH staff and others involved will not answer additional questions about individual placements. Please consult the OGH website and do some independent research to find out more.

Incoming applicants

Incoming applicants from partner institutions to the University of Sydney should liaise with the appropriate contact person at their own institution to apply.

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