Yerevan, Armenia

Spring 2027

Description

yerevan1

Armenia is home to approximately three million people and has undergone significant healthcare reform since gaining independence. While the country has made substantial improvements in healthcare delivery and medical education, challenges remain in strengthening primary care, addressing the growing burden of chronic disease, and ensuring equitable access to healthcare services throughout urban and rural communities.

The David Geffen School of Medicine (DGSOM) at UCLA has partnered with Yerevan State Medical University (YSMU) to provide fourth-year medical students with the opportunity to participate in a three-week clinical elective in Yerevan, Armenia. Visiting DGSOM students will work daily with Armenian medical students, residents, and supervising faculty while gaining broad exposure to the Armenian healthcare system through clinical experiences in family medicine, pediatrics, orthopedic surgery, and other specialty services. Students will also learn about the social, cultural, and historical factors that influence healthcare delivery in Armenia.

Potential training sites in Yerevan include:

  • Yerevan State Medical University affiliated hospitals and clinical training sites, including:
    • Family Medicine Ambulatory and Primary Healthcare Clinics
    • Pediatric outpatient clinics
    • Orthopedic Surgery services
    • Additional specialty clinics based on faculty availability and student interest

The rotation at YSMU has been developed with formal goals and objectives. We are seeking students with an interest in global health, primary care, cross-cultural medicine, and comparative health systems. Students should demonstrate enthusiasm for learning within an international clinical environment and will be expected to exhibit the highest level of maturity, professionalism, adaptability, and cultural humility throughout the elective.

Details

Funding and Housing

Students will receive roundtrip airfare and an additional $1,000 in financial support for the Yerevan clinical rotation. The host institution will provide housing recommendations. These funds are intended to help offset expenses such as housing, local transportation, and other travel-related costs. Students should anticipate contributing personal funds, as the total cost of the rotation may exceed the financial support provided by the Global Health Program.

Application and Orientation

Applications for this elective are due Monday, September 7, 2026, at 5:00 p.m. Interviews for this elective will primarily be held on Saturday, September 19, 2026. Limited interview appointments may also be available on Friday, September 18, 2026, from 1:00 to 5:00 p.m., and Thursday, September 24, 2026, from 2:00 to 5:00 p.m. Students selected for this rotation must attend a mandatory, full-day pre-departure orientation in Los Angeles on Saturday, February 6, 2027.

Rotation Dates and Post-Rotation Requirements

Rotation dates for this elective have been confirmed. Students applying to this three-week elective must be able to commit to the rotation from April 12 through April 30, 2027. Please note that international travel will require departing Los Angeles approximately two days before the official start of the rotation to allow sufficient time for travel and arrival in Armenia.

Following the rotation, students will be expected to complete written evaluations, participate in a mandatory full-group debrief on Thursday, June 3, 2027, from 12:00 to 2:00 p.m., and attend a site-specific debrief, which will be scheduled following their return and prior to graduation.

Questions

For questions about this rotation, please contact Dr. Traci Wells at TWells@mednet.ucla.edu.