HelMSIC Exchanges are run under the IFMSA (International Federation of Medical Students’ Associations) and are the world’s largest medical student mobility program. Participants in the Exchanges program have the opportunity to undertake a placement in a University Hospital department or laboratory in a foreign country for one month. In a Research Exchange the student participates in a research project in a laboratory, with a subject that falls within basic, pre-clinical or clinical research (e.g. Biology, Biochemistry, Physiology, Epidemiology, etc.). In a Clinical Exchange the student interns in a university hospital department of his/her choice, practicing his/her clinical skills and getting to know the health care system of the host country.

At the same time, the student participates in cultural activities (social program) together with the other participants of the Exchange program. Through activities and excursions, the student discovers the way of life of the medical students of the country visited and becomes familiar with intercultural understanding, thus complementing the Exchange experience.

The exchange fee is 300€ and covers accommodation and food for the whole month of the exchange in the host country, as well as 10 euros for compensation money, that is returned to you after the completion of the exchange. The board includes one meal every working day and in many cases a second meal every working day. If the meal is not provided at the club or a restaurant, the local host committee must pay you a sum of money equal to the value of the meal (pocket money). 

Tickets for the trip, as well as possible costs for insurance, translations, VISA etc. are the sole responsibility of the student and are not covered by HelMSIC, nor by the host country.

Each HelMSIC Local Committee has Local Professional and Research Exchange Officers who support and prepare students undertaking an exchange abroad throughout the process, from obtaining a contract to returning from the exchange. You can contact their emails for any questions or concerns whenever you need them.

This is not possible. Students who cancel their participation in the program after obtaining a contract in a foreign country are not entitled to claim another contract in the same exchange season. Of course, they can participate normally in the Exchange Exams the following year without any restrictions.

The required documents vary from country to country. The required documents are specified in the Exchange Conditions of each country, which you can find here for professional exchanges and here for research exchanges. It is very important to submit all the documents on the date determined by the exchange coordinators, as failure to do so may lead to issues with the host country. Examples of common documents include a passport copy, health insurance, certificate of enrollment, detailed transcript, copy of your health book with vaccinations, a recommendation letter, a motivation letter, and more.

Note 1: To travel to a country within the EU, only a valid ID card (new type with Latin characters) is required.

Note 2: To find out which non-EU countries require a VISA, you should contact the respective embassy for confirmation or visit the website of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. However, it’s essential to ask your Local Exchange Officer or your Contact Person in the host country about the type of visa required by the corresponding organization abroad before doing so.

Note 3: In EU countries, health insurance can often be covered by the European Health Insurance Card issued by insurance funds. For other countries, you may need to obtain private insurance (e.g., Swisscare).

This depends on the Local Exchange Committee, but typically, students stay in student dormitories, hostels, hotels, or apartments with other exchange students. Regarding meals, they are usually provided in the university canteen, the hospital, or a restaurant-kitchen for which coupons are offered. Additionally, the Local Exchange Committee may provide pocket money, which students can use to cover their food expenses. The number of meals per day depends on the Local Exchange Committee of the respective country, but it’s usually one or two.

Generally, you can start preparing and sending your application from the first day you receive your login credentials. However, it is crucial to pay close attention to the Exchange Conditions of the host country because in some countries, the deadline is more than 4-6 months before the exchange. The deadlines are specified in the exchange conditions of each country.

The earlier you send your application, the better it is, as it increases your chances of being accepted in your chosen city and department/lab.

Confirmation comes in the form of an electronic card (Card of Acceptance), which specifies the city, program, university of acceptance, and exact dates. This card is sent by the host country at the latest two months before the exchange.

Initially, upon receiving the Acceptance Card, you will be provided with the contact details of a medical student from the host city who will be your contact person. You can address them before your departure for any questions you may have regarding the program or the country. Upon your arrival in the city, the contact person will be there to pick you up and guide you to your place of accommodation and the department/lab where they will introduce you to the supervising Professor. During your exchange, you can communicate with them for any issues that may arise, and, of course, you can explore the city and its culture together through various activities organized.

Generally, during the summer months in almost all host cities, there are several students participating in the exchange, so you are almost never alone. As for the educational part of the exchange, most students attend from 9 in the morning until noon. In most cases, these hours are sufficient for obtaining the certificate of attendance. The program covers weekdays, and weekends are free for other activities.

The educational program is usually conducted in English. However, as you will see in the Exchange Conditions for specific countries, a basic level of knowledge of the respective language (e.g., French, Spanish) is required.

It depends on the Professor in charge and the specific characteristics of the clinical or research program, but most students attend from 9 a.m. to noon. In most cases, these hours are sufficient to obtain a certificate of attendance. The program is for weekdays and weekends are free for other activities.

Apart from having attended 80% of the working days in your clinical or laboratory program, it is also necessary to complete the evaluation form before the end of your exchange. Additionally, the Student’s Handbook/Student’s Logbook, which will be sent to you electronically by your local exchange coordinator, is essential. You should print it before your exchange and use it at the location of your practice. It contains a weekly schedule of skills you have gained and educational activities you have attended.

This is possible! Local Exchange Coordinators collect information from students who have completed an exchange abroad at the beginning of the year and wish to help students visiting the same country. They can provide you with their contact information to get in touch with them and resolve any questions you may have about the country and its program.

It is possible to cancel your exchange at any stage of the process. First, you should contact your local exchange coordinator and inform them about the cancellation as early as possible. They will send you the cancellation declaration, which you will need to sign. If you have already paid the fee, the refund depends on finding a replacement and the timing of the cancellation.

At the end of your application (AF – Application Form), there is an option to be placed together with someone of your choice. The only information you need to provide is their name and AF number.

Filling out the Application Form and sending the required documents – 4 months prior to the exchange

Receiving Card of Acceptance – 2 months prior to the exchange

Sending Card of Confirmation – 1 month prior to the exchange

Filling out the Evaluation Form – until the end of the exchange