International Research Locations?
November 13, 2009 11:23 AM Subscribe
I'm a medical student interested in international health and need some suggestions of where to go for a meaningful research fellowship this summer.
I'm a first year medical student with a strong interest in international health and tropical medicine. I have the opportunity to receive funds to travel abroad and I'd really like to make the most of this opportunity, both in terms of gaining research experience and learning about new cultures.
I'm looking for suggestions on where to do research. My funding needs to cover my housing and travel expenses, so places with lower cost of living would probably be preferred (though I'd be fine with supplementing the cost of the trip with my own money if necessary). Also, I'd prefer someplace relatively safe.
I'd really like to focus on issues specific to international health, but I'm not really picky about what type of project I'd be working on (i.e. basic science, epidemiological, clinical research).
Feel free to suggest regions or specific research institutions.
I'm a first year medical student with a strong interest in international health and tropical medicine. I have the opportunity to receive funds to travel abroad and I'd really like to make the most of this opportunity, both in terms of gaining research experience and learning about new cultures.
I'm looking for suggestions on where to do research. My funding needs to cover my housing and travel expenses, so places with lower cost of living would probably be preferred (though I'd be fine with supplementing the cost of the trip with my own money if necessary). Also, I'd prefer someplace relatively safe.
I'd really like to focus on issues specific to international health, but I'm not really picky about what type of project I'd be working on (i.e. basic science, epidemiological, clinical research).
Feel free to suggest regions or specific research institutions.
Bangladesh.
My girlfriend did some research on the risk perception of arsenic in Kachua (a province in Bangladesh) and found that there is tremendous need for basic medical care.
It is the most densely populated country in the world. It has half the population of the U.S. (180 million people) in an area the size of Florida that floods regularly (displacing huge numbers of people). Because it is a Muslim nation it doesn't get as much charity/attention as other places with significant need.
I don't know of any specific programs but could put you in touch with my girlfriend if you are interested.
Also, Costa Rica already has some of the best medical care programs in the world (I have met several doctors in the U.S. who received their MDs from a Costa Rican university), so you might want to look somewhere with a greater need. (I think as a country they are rated higher than the U.S.)
Feel free to memail me if you want more info on bangladesh.
posted by ghostpony at 11:59 AM on November 13, 2009
My girlfriend did some research on the risk perception of arsenic in Kachua (a province in Bangladesh) and found that there is tremendous need for basic medical care.
It is the most densely populated country in the world. It has half the population of the U.S. (180 million people) in an area the size of Florida that floods regularly (displacing huge numbers of people). Because it is a Muslim nation it doesn't get as much charity/attention as other places with significant need.
I don't know of any specific programs but could put you in touch with my girlfriend if you are interested.
Also, Costa Rica already has some of the best medical care programs in the world (I have met several doctors in the U.S. who received their MDs from a Costa Rican university), so you might want to look somewhere with a greater need. (I think as a country they are rated higher than the U.S.)
Feel free to memail me if you want more info on bangladesh.
posted by ghostpony at 11:59 AM on November 13, 2009
You may find something at James Cook University in far north Queensland, Australia. Specialises in refugee health, disaster management and tropical medicine. A friend of mine who works for Medicine Sans Frontiers guest lectures occassionally on international and refugee health management. Depending on your summer school dates, it may fit in with their mid year semester.
posted by Kerasia at 12:51 PM on November 13, 2009
posted by Kerasia at 12:51 PM on November 13, 2009
I'm assuming you want to actually work in third world tropical type of place. That need not be the case; for instance here in Seattle there are two institutions that offer research opportunites (PATH and University of Washington) where you might actually just be sitting in an office crunching numbers. Not glamorous, but everyone's gotta start at the bottom somewhere.
Really, the best place to start is with your school. You don't say where you're located but if your school has a reasonably robust research faculty, there is probably someone who already has a relationship with a clinic or hospital overseas. I would talk with your dean or an instructor who sparks your interest and tell them what you're looking for. My wife and I are both med school faculty and we respond very favorably to students who show this kind of initiative so don't be afraid.
My medical school had a regular thing that they did every year for interested first year students, taking them to Cameroon working on various health projects, maybe your school has something like this and you haven't heard about it yet?
posted by Slarty Bartfast at 1:01 PM on November 13, 2009
Really, the best place to start is with your school. You don't say where you're located but if your school has a reasonably robust research faculty, there is probably someone who already has a relationship with a clinic or hospital overseas. I would talk with your dean or an instructor who sparks your interest and tell them what you're looking for. My wife and I are both med school faculty and we respond very favorably to students who show this kind of initiative so don't be afraid.
My medical school had a regular thing that they did every year for interested first year students, taking them to Cameroon working on various health projects, maybe your school has something like this and you haven't heard about it yet?
posted by Slarty Bartfast at 1:01 PM on November 13, 2009
I heard a talk from someone from Partner's in Health recently and it seems like a great organization through which to get international health experience. They are in Rwanda and Haiti and other places too.
posted by sulaine at 4:06 PM on November 13, 2009
posted by sulaine at 4:06 PM on November 13, 2009
Well, where do you want to go? What part of the world interests you most? I can suggest you go to Ethiopia, because I love it there, but that doesn't mean it's of any interest to you.
posted by bluedaisy at 7:50 PM on November 13, 2009
posted by bluedaisy at 7:50 PM on November 13, 2009
Search out Paul Farmer. Haiti (he also works in several other countries) HIV/AIDS plus tuberculosis, plus poverty, plus genuine respect for his patients.
If you want meaningful work, run to Paul Farmer. Even if you are 'just' answering phones, it may be the most meaningful job you ever have.
posted by bilabial at 7:21 AM on November 14, 2009
If you want meaningful work, run to Paul Farmer. Even if you are 'just' answering phones, it may be the most meaningful job you ever have.
posted by bilabial at 7:21 AM on November 14, 2009
The American University of Armenia hosts a lot of scholars doing research. If you're interested, drop me an MeMail. Cheap there too!
posted by k8t at 11:21 AM on November 19, 2009
posted by k8t at 11:21 AM on November 19, 2009
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posted by ramenopres at 11:36 AM on November 13, 2009