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University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston

USA 2018/2019 Freemovers

Personal data
Mobility type:
traineeship

Faculty at MU:
Faculty of Medicine

Field of study:
Internal Medicine

Level of study during period of placement:
Master

Language used:
English

Summer/winter school?:
no

Period of studies:
spring 2019

Period of placement (from-to):
2019-04-01 - 2019-04-30

Number of months:
1

Activities before my departure abroad
What was your approach in organising the placement?:
I made my own research in clinical opportunities in the US and then wrote an email to around 30 institutions. Those that replied I contacted.

What documents are required for acceptance on a placement at this organisation?:
The following must be ORIGINAL documents in English. Fax copies will NOT be accepted.
1.Official medical school transcript. (Must list courses taken and notation of level of achievement in each course.)
2.Dean’s letter and two clinical faculty letters of recommendation.
3.Please provide a copy of your official USMLE Step 1 score report to include all pages.
4.Verification that you have completed all your clinical rotations which include OB/GYN, Pediatrics, Surgery, Psychiatry, Internal Medicine, and Family Medicine.
5.Verification of malpractice insurance coverage (available thru McGovern Medical School for a small fee if your school does not cover you for electives at other institutions). If purchasing through McGovern Medical School, you must submit a letter with your application stating that you will purchase coverage on your first day.
6.Verification of immunizations, including the completion of Hepatitis B vaccination series or proof of immunity.
7.You will be required to have health insurance coverage with medical evacuation and repatriation- please send a copy of this coverage with your application. If you prefer you could purchase it through The McGovern Medical School on your first day during orientation. The cost for health insurance is currently $185 (USD) per month but subject to change. This will also include medical evacuation and repatriation coverage. Please attach a letter with your application stating you will purchase McGovern Medical School’s health insurance and medical evacuation / repatriation coverage.
8.If you are attending medical school in a country whose official language is NOT English, you must provide either a notarized statement that English is your native language OR a certificate of completion of a course in the English language stating your proficiency in written and spoken English.
9.A $350 (USD) per month non-refundable application fee for each application. Application fee must be paid using a money order drawn on a U.S. bank and made payable to “UT-HSC”. Please do not send personal check or cash. There is a $100 (USD) charge for any change to your approved application, and requires a new application form to be submitted with payment.
10.Imprint of your official school seal is required on the application.
11.All above mentioned documents and application fee must be received in the Office of Student Affairs at least four months before the requested elective start date.
12.Upon approval for a medical elective and in accordance with university policies and federal regulations, all non-U.S. citizens must follow directions from the University of Texas Office of International Affairs. Upon acceptance for a medical elective an international visitor advisor from The University of Texas Office of International Affairs will contact you to provide you with vital information on how to apply for your F-1 Student Visa, which is the ONLY (student) visa accepted by this institution. If your visa is granted, your first obligation under the F-1 visa mandates a visit to the University of Texas Office of International Affairs upon your arrival in Houston.

How far ahead did acceptance have to be organised? (in weeks):
24

Did you need a visa?:
yes

Documents and materials needed for a visa:
Documents and materials needed for a visa: I-20 form from the university. Once I had this form, I could apply to another two forms online, which where needed to schedule an appointment at the US embassy.
Length of wait for visa: When I applied for the embassy appointment, I had to wait app 4 days to get an appointment at the embassy.

Fee for the visa:
Fee for the visa: 100$ for the I-20 form, 200$ for the DS-160 form (needed to schedule an appointment at the embassy), 160$ - embassy fee. All together around 600$.

During the placement
Did you change the training agreement in the course of your placement (training agreement)?:
no

What is necessary to arrange immediately on arrival? What requirements and at which offices?:
attend introduction day, get a badge w/ photo, pay malpractice insurance, get an access to medical system. Everything is carried out within Texas medical Center.

Describe your work/activity in the foreign organisation. Describe what specifically you did, whether the work corresponded to the agreed conditions and your field of study, and whether your work was independent and responsible, approximate working hours.:
Initial evaluation, treatment, and follow-up of problems commonly seen in the ambulatory setting of practicing internists. A variety of patient care problems will be encountered from the acute to the chronic, not only in the area of Internal Medicine but also in orthopaedics, gynecology, and other fields. The course will focus on rapidly determining the patient's chief complaint and developing an intervention plan consistent with the severity of the illness.

Did the organisation or local student organisations arrange any special events for foreign students on placements?:
- choose option -

If yes then what?:

Practical questions on your placement
Where did you live?:
private apartment

Cost of accommodation - monthly:
700 USD

Additional comments to the price of accommodation (as to what the price includes):

Who arranged your accommodation and how far ahead:
I did. Two months prior.

Equipment, internet connection, what to bring:
It varies on type of accommodation. I even had an iron !

What are the rough costs of groceries (compare with Czech prices):
four thicker bread rolls for one dollar
Two avocados for 2 dollars.
one huge yoghurt for 2.5 dollars.

Transport to location of placement:
airplane

Approximate price:
400 $

Tips for purchasing cheap tickets and other recommendations:
kiwi.com
skyscanner

What are the local transport options (public transport, cycling, on foot, rough prices):
shared bikes, tram, buses
One bus ride is 1.25 $

How did you use health insurance? What type?:
n/a

Did you have other insurance? Which?:
n/a

Experience with insured events:
n/a

Tips for recreation:
Herman park - free cultural performances on Fridays and Saturdays in Miller outdoor theatre

Financial support and expenses
Monthly grant from the Centre for International Cooperation:
16000 CZK

What other sources did you make use of to finance your placement?:
I had some savings and parents supported me too.

 
 
What was your average monthly expenditure during the placement (i.e. without the travel there and back)?:
1000 USD

a/ of which for accommodation:
700 USD

b/ of which for catering:
200 USD

c/ travel and recreation:
100 USD

Any comments to the average monthly expenditure:
What was your average monthly expenditure:
a/ of which for accommodation 700$
b/ of which for catering 200$
c/ travel and recreation 100$

 
Experience with bank accounts/services. Do you recommend an account arranged abroad, use of Czech payment cards...:
pay everything by card.

 
Did you pay to foreign organisations any fees? (insurance, materials, etc.):
no

Did you receive a salary from the host business/organisation?:
- choose option -

If yes, what was your monthly salary?:
0 ???

 
Other advantages from the host organisation?:
free library access after registration at the front desk

Is it necessary to assume a larger amount at the start of the placement? If yes, what and for what purpose?:
housing deposit - 200$

Recognition of the foreign placement at the home faculty
Is the traineeship part of your field of study?:
- choose option -

If yes - is it a compulsory or optional part?:

How will your traineeship abroad be recognised at the home faculty?:
as a placement abroad - our faculty has a specifically designated subject for this.

How many ECTS credits did you/will you get?:
5

Were there serious problems arranging recognition of the placement?:
no

Overall assessment
Assessment of personal benefit (1 = excellent):
5

Assessment of academic benefit (1 = excellent):
5

Do you agree with the statement that, thanks to the experience gained during the placement you will be able to further develop your skills for work in your field?:
absolutely, well said.

What did you most appreciate after completing your placement?:
evaluation from my attending

Any serious problems during the placement?:
difficulties to understand ebonics - africanamerican English slang.

Do you have any recommendation for those that follow you? (e.g. what to take with them):
white coat - they won't sponsor you one! Students at UT Houston medical faculty has to wear short white coats (length almost like a normal shirt)