The Perspectives of Medical Students in China to Undergo Short-Term Training Abroad

Jinan University in Guangdong province has several years experience of sending medical students abroad for short-term training, based on the schools’ agreement with international universities. Currently, we analyze the problems and experience including the medical students’ favorite countries, timing, purposes, academic marks, and expenses etc., which came forth from medical students of Jinan University who had participated in the short-term training in the past several years. Our survey suggests that the choices of Chinese medical students about the host universities vary,  although the universities in Western countries are still the most popular. The optimal timing the students prefer for short-term training abroad is during vacation especially after grade 2. Broadening the horizons, learning the different knowledge and increasing their academic experience are the major objectives for most exchange students. Furthermore, the survey shows that students hope to improve exchange students’ status management and credit acknowledgement system among interschool administrations. This study could supply useful information for the upcoming exchange students for Chinese medical universities/schools and meanwhile, for the host universities receiving Chinese medical students in the world. Hence, both universities and medical students will benefit for more efficiently implementing the exchange programs in the future.Â