International Visiting Students
Welcome to Stanford Medicine International Visiting Students page. This is one of many programs aimed at adding value to elective clerkships by exposing students to an international perspective on medicine. This program compliments Stanford Medicine’s mission to increase global impact, diversity, and improve cross-cultural education. See Stanford Medicine’s diversity message here. A link of interest is the Center of Excellence in Diversity in Medical Education.
Approved International Visiting Students will have the opportunity to participate in a maximum of three electives for a maximum of twelve weeks.
Eligibility
Students applying to the International Visiting Students program, must be in their final year of medical school. Most international medical schools range from four to six years. By comparison, in the US, 4th year students are considered to be in their final year of medical school.
You have to be enrolled in a medical school that is part of a university. If you hold an MD degree or its equivalent, you are not eligible to apply.
Carefully read through the IVS Admission Requirements link before beginning and submitting your online application.
Transcripts & Document Fee
Upon completion of your elective/s, you can order an Official Electronic Transcript via Stanford’s web-based information system to conduct University business AXESS. See link on how to request an official transcript here.
Stanford charges a one-time Document Fee to all students admitted to new degree or non-degree programs. The fee is paid once only, regardless of the number of degrees a student may ultimately pursue. The fee is assessed as part of the students' bill after you are enrolled in a course.
The Document Fee covers the cost of a variety of university administrative services such as enrollment and degree certification, course drops and adds done in AXESS before published deadlines, diplomas, official transcripts and their production, and credential files maintained by the Career Development Center.
Tuition & Fees
A non-refundable Application Fee of $300 US Dollars is due to SlideRoom, the online application portal, when you submit your online application. This payment is processed via credit card. See additional information on the IVS Apply Here link.
A Document Fee of $125 US Dollars is due after enrollment as part of your student bill (further information noted under Transcripts above).
Tuition of $3,000 US Dollars for a two-week elective or $6,000 US Dollars for a four-week elective is due once your application is approved and you are scheduled in your elective. Note that the maximum elective time allowed for the IVS program is twelve-weeks and tuition is accessed accordingly. See section on IVS Tuition/Fees for detailed tuition information.
- Tuition does not cover your Application Fee, housing, health insurance, malpractice insurance, immunizations, mask fit test, and Criminal Background Checks
- Tuition is subject to change annually per Stanford’s academic calendar
- The Stanford International Visiting Students Program does not process tuition waivers
VISA Information
Securing a VISA into the US is the student’s responsibility. VISA status are determined by the U.S. Department of State – Bureau of Consular Affairs. Stanford Medicine will not provide advice regarding students VISA status or requirements. The IVS participant is not employed nor is an exchange student in this program. Stanford Medicine does not provide any information for the student to secure a VISA into the US.
International Visiting Students may require a VISA for entry into the United States. Additionally, several countries are eligible for the VISA Waiver Program. For information on VISA requirements and the VISA Waiver Program, please visit the U.S. Department of State - Bureau of Consular Affairs.
Please conduct your VISA status research responsibly.
Housing
Stanford Medicine does not provide housing or meals for International Visiting Students. Students must make their own living arrangements.
Below are some online resources advertising housing which you should research carefully before making a commitment. Please note that Stanford Medicine does not endorse, nor is affiliated with these online sources.
- Craig’s List (world-famous online community bulletin board)
- Fogster.com (a partner with local newspaper Palo Alto Weekly)
- SU Post (online bulletin board)
- Hotpads (map-based rental search engine)
- PadMapper (map-based rental search engine)
- SabbaticalHomes (map-based rental search engine)
- HomeSuite (resource for finding short-term furnished rentals)
- Trulia (online residential real-estate site)
Other Housing Resources
When accessing online resources, always be aware of online scams. The Better Business Bureau (BBB) provides some helpful tips to assist in avoiding scam artists. Additional information can be found on the BBB Scam Tips under "Rental Scam". Conduct your research and search the internet responsibly.
Transportation
Students are responsible for coordinating their transportation to and from their hospital elective location.
- Bicycle Commute Options
- Marguerite Shuttle is Stanford’s Free Shuttle Service. See shuttle lines map here
- Caltrain is a commuter rail service that runs along the San Francisco Peninsula. Here is a System Map and a How to Ride guide. Riders can connect to the Marguerite Shuttle at Palo Alto Transit Center, California Avenue, and Menlo Park stations
- BART is a public transportation system that serves the San Francisco Bay Area. Riders can connect to the Caltrain at the BART Millbrae station
Stanford is located centrally to three Bay Area International Airports
If you have any questions regarding the International Visiting Students program, please contact Rita Balian: balian@stanford.edu