A Medical Student's Guide to Erasmus and Visiting Student Exchanges

by Mario Villani

Medical school is just the beginning of a lifelong learning journey. As physicians and future doctors, we are in a state of perpetual development, where accumulating both clinical experience and theoretical knowledge is an ongoing, essential pursuit.

If you are eager to expand your horizons beyond traditional classroom walls, once you have exhausted options like standard Erasmus student mobility, Erasmus Placement, or IFMSA clerkships, your next best opportunity is the "Visiting Student" status.

Applying as a visiting student requires proactive planning, as you must independently identify contacts and submit applications to foreign institutions. Furthermore, coordinating a temporary enrollment abroad while maintaining your standing at your home university involves more complex bureaucratic steps than a typical Erasmus exchange.

While this guide outlines the primary steps, remember that requirements vary significantly between institutions. Always verify with your university’s international office to ensure you have fulfilled every necessary administrative and academic prerequisite.

Before you go

Your academic Erasmus coordinator is your primary point of contact for exploring partner institutions that already hold bilateral agreements with your faculty. While these slots are typically reserved for Erasmus mobility, many universities are open to accepting additional students. If you find no matches or your initial applications are unsuccessful, it is time to pursue independent arrangements.

The next step involves active research. Utilize your laptop to identify medical schools globally, and reach out to the relevant deanery or administrative departments to inquire about visiting student opportunities.

Many institutions—particularly in the UK—maintain dedicated webpages for visiting students. If you find one, your process will be significantly simplified by following their specific application forms and guidelines.

If you are in your clinical years, leverage your professors' professional networks. A recommendation from a faculty member can be instrumental in securing a visiting student position. Once a connection is established, you must still adhere to the official application protocols of the host university.

It is critical to secure an official letter of acceptance before proceeding with any travel plans. This documentation is essential for your academic records and serves as a verified addition to your professional CV after graduation.

Warnings

Be prepared, as many institutions will request specific documentation to process your visiting status:

• A vaccination records form
• A certificate proving that you attended a medical school for X years
• A recommendation letter from your dean and some professors (ask your coordinator!)
• A transcript of your previous record
• TOEFL, IELTS, or another certificate of languages according to the language spoken in a certain country
• It is not uncommon that they ask fees and enrolling taxes which are not covered by the tour school (as it is the case for the Erasmus)

Will your school recognise your studies abroad?

To ensure your ECTS credits or clinical rotations are recognized by your home university, you must obtain formal approval and signatures from your academic coordinator—the same faculty member responsible for overseeing your international exchanges.

Your coordinator will evaluate how your clinical work abroad aligns with your home curriculum. You will need to prepare a "Learning Agreement" prior to departure, much like the process required for standard Erasmus mobility.

Once your Learning Agreement is signed, submit it alongside your other enrollment documents—such as your letter of acceptance and housing forms—to the partner university.

With these steps complete, you are officially ready to embark on your international medical training!