Application

Clinical Elective at Kaohsiung Medical University (KMU) affiliated Hospitals, Kaohsiung, Taiwan, Republic of China (R.O.C.)

Objective

This elective will provide visiting students with experience in the diagnosis and management of disease entities prevalent in Taiwan, ROC.  Through an interdisciplinary approach, the objective of this elective is to provide an in-depth understanding of the pathophysiology, epidemiology, clinical manifestations and treatments of infectious diseases including dengue fever, tuberculosis, parasitic diseases, and other tropical-associated diseases; neoplastic diseases including betel nut-related oral, nasophargeal, laryngeal and esophageal cancers as well as hepatitis B- and C-associated hepatocellular cancer.  Students will observe and learn the practice of medicine in Taiwan.

Application Procedure:

Interested students should send a written request to course directors 120 days before the start of the elective.  Academic Society and International Fellows will provide final approval.

Eligibility:

Medical students who are in good academic standing at Harvard Medical School (HMS) and have successfully completed the Principal Clinical Experience may apply.

Selection of applicants

Course directors will select two students for the elective for the 2015-2016 school year.

Detail of the Elective

For the academic year of 2015-2016, this elective will be offered in and after March 2016. During the four-week elective, a student will rotate through two subspecialties for two weeks each;
1. Infectious disease and tropical medicine including dengue fever,
tuberculosis
2. Oncology including oral, nasopharyngeal, laryngeal and esophageal cancer,
hepatoma and hepatitis
Toxicology seminars covering risk factors such as betal nuts, hepatitis, cirrhosis etc will be scheduled during these four weeks.  A student will be assigned to a preceptor at KMUH.  The student will evaluate and present patients to the preceptor in both outpatient and in-hospital settings, perform physical examinations of patient if the patient agrees, and participate in conferences. The preceptor and KMU students in the same elective will assist communication with patients in Mandarin.

Location of the Elective

Kaohsiung Medical University Hospital (KMUH), Kaohsiung Municipal Hsiao-Kang Hospital (KMHKH) and Kaohsiung Municipal Ta-Tung Hospital (KMTTH)

Expense

Airfare: Harvard-KMU Alliance will provide 2 travel awards for academic year of
2015-2016. The award will be equal to the lowest economy-class fare.
Tuition: Will be waived for 2 students by KMU for academic year of 2011-2012.
Dormitory fee: A standard, double occupancy room will be provided at no cost. Home stay at KMU faculty’s residence can be arranged at no cost upon request.  Other accommodations required will be at student’s   expense.
Daily expense: HMS students are responsible for the expense.  Estimated costs are:
10 US$ /day for meals, 2-4 US$/load of laundry, 2-7 US$/day for local transportation. 
Visa fee:         Taiwan had extended Visa Waiver of US passport holder to 90 days since 2012/11/1.  Visa application at TECO (Taipei Economic and Cultural Office) is required for stay in Taiwan over 90 days. A complete application should include an application form, 2 recent photos, and a confirmation letter from both KMU and HMS, $140 cash or money order paid by the student.
Visa approval takes 3 business days.
TECO is located at 99 Summer St., Suite 801, Boston, MA 02110.
Tel: (617) 737-2050, Website: www.tecoboston.org

Requirement for Course Credit