International Students

About Our Program 

Rutgers Robert Wood Johnson Medical School

International Global Health Observer-ship

Dates: We will update dates yearly

Mid-February to May

Late August to Mid-November

RWJMS observer-ship is a cultural exchange program that provides insight into the day-to-day responsibilities of our doctors in their respective specialties. Each participant in the observer-ship (no hands-on) will be matched with a faculty member who will serve as their mentor. It is the goal of the observer-ship to give an insight into the US medical system by observing our medical teams. Depending on the departments, the observer-ship will allow observers to:

• Experience new techniques and treatments
• Have discussions with responsible physicians and medical teams
• Observe surgeries and other invasive interventions
• Familiarize themselves with best-practice methods at a high medical level
• Learn how cultural practices affect health

Observer-ship is for a minimum of 2 weeks to a maximum of 4 weeks. Apply at least 6 months ahead of desired time frame. Maximum 2 Students per 4 wks. Maximum of 2 Students per institution yearly.

Placement Availability:

Placement is based on the availability of our Global Health Faculty. Students should first consult their international office to receive approval to apply for our Observer-ship. The international office should then send us an email on behalf of the student including the student's email and CV. See our Global Health Faculty list.

Eligibility Requirements

1. Full-time non-US citizen medical students in their final year of study outside the United States, in good academic standing from a Partnering Institution.
2. Partnering Institution has nominated you to participate in an International Medical Student Observer-ship Program at Robert Wood Johnson Medical School
3. Completion of core clerkships prior to starting date of approved observer-ship: Internal Medicine, Obstetrics/Gynecology, Pediatrics, Psychiatry, Surgery, and Family Medicine.
4. Dean’s Letter supporting good academic standing and expected Date of Graduation must explicitly state "expected date of graduation"
5. Must be fully vaccinated at least 2 weeks prior to observer-ship start, this includes COVID-19 Vaccinations and Boosters, and Flu vaccine.
6. English Language Proficiency
7. CV

Requirements

All students will be required to comply with requirements following requirements

1. Complete forms
   1. We will send the documents to the approved/ nominated students.
   2. Supply supporting documents
2. Confirm dates of placement and duration of stay
3. HIPPA to be completed after acceptance and placement
4. Proof of malpractice coverage from your institution. If not covered by your institution you will need coverage.

Resources on Campus

1. Housing
   1. Rutgers On Housing
   2. These apartments are in demand and availability can't be assured. Please note that there will be a security deposit you have to pay which will be refunded.
   3. Contact
      1. Donna Bishop- fshousing@rutgers.edu
      2. See PDF for Rutgers Short-term Housing Application
   4. Other Options
      1. Several short-term guests used rooms available through Airbnb and they said the cost was reasonable.
      2. There are some Facebook-supported sites worth looking into. These are generally houses and apartments rented out by students.
         1. https://www.facebook.com/groups/rigsa/
         2. Rutgers (RU) Housing, Sublets & Roommates
            1. https://www.facebook.com/groups/445872582229249/ 

6. Transportation:
   1. Public transport
      1. NJ Transit option- If on the Northeast Corridor
      2. See-Transit Train Map and Bus Map.
   2. Rutgers Bus
      1. New Brunswick Campus Routes
   3. Uber or Lyft

Passport and Visas:

A valid passport is required. Visas are needed to enter the US. See your Institution for the best option. International Students in the past have used the Visitors Visa. We need proof of Visa in the required documents. We do not sponsor students for any visors. Please start your visa application early.

Dress Code and Clinical Etiquette"

In general Business Casual attire. Your White coat. If your Institution does not have one, we have one for you. ID should be always displayed. Refer to yourself as a Medical Student if you are a student or resident physician if you are a resident.

End of Observer-ship:

Students are required to do a short presentation on their time at RWJMS to the office of Global Health. An end-of-observer-ship evaluation is also required.

The office of Global Health will collect feedback from Faculty Mentor(s) at the end of their observer ship which will be sent to the student and their institution in a letter.

Budget:

The estimated monthly cost: Please note that this may change depending on the time you travel

While In New Brunswick

Entertainment:

• There are plenty of cafés, restaurants, and performance venues in New Brunswick. We are close to New York City, 40 mins via train, and other Historical towns in central New Jersey such as Princeton
  • Explore Downtown New Brunswick
  • Things to Do In New Brunswick
  • Restaurants and Day Trips
• Rutgers University also has several offers
  • Rutgers Cinema
  • Rutgers Events
    • Rutgers Global Events

What is a Global Health International Observership Rotation

The Observership Rotation provides insight into the day-to-day responsibilities of our RWJMS doctors in their respective specialties. Each participant in the observership (no hands-on) will be matched with a faculty member who will serve as their mentor. It is the goal of the observership to give an insight into the US medical system by observing our medical teams. Depending on the departments, the observership will allow observers to:

• experience new techniques and treatments
• have discussions with responsible physicians and medical teams
• monitor surgeries and other invasive interventions
• familiarize themselves with best-practice methods at a high medical level
• learn how cultural practices affect health

Who are the Global Health Faculty

Our Global Health faculty are dedicated physicians who on top of their main clinical duties are dedicated to doing Global Health Work around the world as well as Community based Global Health (GLocal).

How long are the Global Health International Observership Rotation

These rotations are only 2-4 weeks long.

How are the Rotations Structured

Depending on the faculty you are assigned to you will typically have a combination of outpatient and inpatient services as well as didactics within the department.

Will I get to do procedures, physical exams etc.?

No these are observer-ships, Robert Wood Johnson Hospital has a Hands off policy for international medical students.

For surgical specialties, you will be in the Operating Room observing but not scrubbed in for any procedures.

How long are the days?

Expect an 8–10-hour day on any given service. Surgical Specialties may have longer days.

Will I be expected to be on-call?

It depends on the service and the specialty. For some surgical specialties, you will be required to do a 24hr call.

Can I come to this rotation if I want a US Residency position?

No as this is an observership and the goal of the program is cultural exchange. Our faculty's preference for these rotations are students from other countries who want to come to the US to experience the local culture, the medical system, and the language.