First-year students in the Medical School for International Health depart for Israel during the last week in July. The first trimester, which begins at the end of August, is preceded by a mandatory four-week orientation period. The summer orientation course provides an introduction to the students’ new environment and an intensive course in spoken Hebrew.

The orientation also includes an overview of Israeli cultures and geography with emphasis on the populations and medical services of the Negev. An Introduction to International Health Concepts and Practices and courses in emergency medicine and medical ethics are also offered during the orientation.

Intensive Hebrew instruction in Israel before the required Orientation is highly recommended. Students who are interested in such programs should inform the Columbia University office for information when confirming their acceptance.

The first and second academic years begin in late August/early September and end in late June. The academic year consists of three trimesters, separated by vacation in late December and early spring. A two-month vacation separates the first and second academic years. The first-year curriculum includes introductory courses to the basic medical sciences, including biochemistry, cellular and molecular biology, genetics, and general physiology, microbiology, immunology, pathology, histology, pharmacology and epidemiology. Aspects of preventive and international medicine are emphasized in each of the individual courses.

The scope of the epidemiology course taught in this program is broader than those usually provided in traditional M.D. programs, reflecting its major importance for preventive medicine and international health. These basic medical courses focus on practical applications and are often taught in small groups, in addition to lectures, group discussions and tutorials

A full-year course titled Clinical and Global Medicine offers students early patient exposure. This course introduces the student to various sub-cultures and communities within Israel and emphasizes the importance of awareness of cultural differences and cross-cultural communication as related to health care. Students learn specific techniques for the medical interview and develop their communication skills, including interviewing with an interpreter. The course follows a life cycle approach, with clinical settings ranging from well-baby clinics, pediatric facilities, diverse community centers to geriatric facilities. An introduction to relevant psycho-social issues and behavior sciences complement these clinical experiences.

Clinical and Global Medicine is also comprised of a formal Introduction to IHM course, including sub-units on Demography and Health Indicators, Health Problems in LDC, Cross Cultural Health Beliefs, Maternal and Child Health, Primary Health Care, Global Health and Environment, Infectious and Tropical Diseases, International Programs and Projects, and Health Care Organizations. In addition, eight IHM modules, taught by international experts, are offered in a two-year cycle to first and second-year students. They cover such topics as disaster medicine, environmental health, research methods and grant writing, medical anthropology, world health systems, primary care, alternative medicine and women’s health.

Spoken Hebrew is taught in formal classes throughout the first year.

As an option during the summer between the first and second years, students may conduct externships with organizations in international health and relief services. Externships have been arranged in Austria, Brazil, Ecuador, Ethiopia, South Africa, Japan, Israel and the United States. Ben-Gurion University and Columbia University faculty have contacts with organizations worldwide. Students who have arranged summer externships with faculty contacts or independently have found that they can provide invaluable field experience in many aspects of international health.

* Download Year I Course Details

Year II | Year III | Year IV