When you think of medical school, an image of white lab coats and stethoscopes probably comes to mind. But do you think of adventures? At MSIH, students truly take full advantage of attending an international medical school and travel the world.

Travel in medical school is a great way to refresh and experience different cultures. And since life as a resident and a physician will surely be very busy, there is no better time to see the world. Throughout Israel, the Middle East, Eurasia or across the globe, many MSIH students utilize their breaks from studies to experience the world.

Whether travelling as part of a school organized trip or independently, MSIH students like to explore all Israel has to offer. Israel is a country with an incredible history, cultural vibrancy, and deep religious and spiritual significance. While living in Israel, students are exposed to a mosaic of people with a wide range of cultural, political, and religious beliefs. From the wave-lapped beaches of Tel Aviv to the mirror-like expanse of the salty Dead Sea, Israel packs a lot of impressive scenery into its compact landscape. The Negev offers many opportunities to hike and bike, while Jerusalem provides unparalleled historic and religious significance.

With Israel’s prime location, many students travel throughout the Middle East and Eurasia, to places like Egypt, Jordan, France and Ireland. MSIH rising second-year student Jack Horton and his wife Caroline travelled to Dahab, Sinai in Egypt for the week of Passover. They had an amazing trip and as Jack says, it was “perhaps the best thing we’ve done together! Very relaxing, and absolutely stunning. We got SCUBA certified, traveled to the Blue Hole and the Blue Lagoon (near Ras Abu Galum) via a combination of truck taxi, hiking, and boating. The people were amazing and it was an easy and relatively cheap way to rejuvenate after year one of medical school.”

Other MSIH students have travelled across the globe, including rising third-
year students Allie Lenselink and Rachel Steckbeck who ventured all the way to Svalbard!  As Allie explains, “After our last exam and before starting to study for Step 1, we decided to get as far away from the Negev as possible and head to the North Pole!  We ate reindeer, rode a dog sled, hung out in the outdoor hot tub, and got to romp in the snow for probably the last time until 4th year.”

Attending an international medical school has many benefits, and if you ask MSIH students, one of those benefits is location. Living in another part of the world while attending medical school not only allows you to explore a different culture, but makes travel to other unique destinations convenient as well.  So why not have an adventure you will never forget while in medical school!