Traveling to a foreign country can be intimidating. Because of this, some of our visitors coordinate clinical experiences so they can rotate with a friend! If medical interests align, visitors will even participate in the same clinical experience. Others, who have different medical interests, will rotate in the same city but complete their rotation at different sites. This allows them to travel and spend their free time together.

No matter which option they choose, our visitors who rotate with friends always seem to have the best time. This might be because there are so many benefits to exploring a new place alongside a familiar face. In the coming months, we will share AMO visitor stories that feature friends who visited the U.S. for a clinical experience together. To kick things off, we’ve listed the benefits of rotating with a friend.

 

Here’s why you should consider planning a clinical experience with someone you know…

 

You’ll Be Less Homesick

When traveling abroad, reminders of home can be a great comfort. Things like your favorite thing to eat, a greeting spoken in your native language, or a location with a feature similar to your home town can provide relief from homesickness.

If you decide to participate in a clinical experience with a friend, you will have someone with you that, like the examples listed above, instantly reminds you of home. It’s possible that just spending time with this individual can make you feel more comfortable in your new location. If and when you do feel homesick, this individual may be able to provide relief by empathizing with you and offering you the opportunity to celebrate your culture. With a friend from home nearby you can speak your mother language and be understood. You can discuss cultural differences with someone who has made similar observations.

Rotating with a friend can make you feel more grounded during this new and sometimes overwhelming experience.

 

You’ll Be More Courageous

As the famous saying goes, “there is strength in numbers.” While your AMO Coach is happy to offer you support during your time in the U.S., having someone to share your experiences with can make all the difference in how much you enjoy your four-week stay in the country.

This added support can help you be more outgoing during your time in the U.S. You may be more willing to explore the area around your clinical experience site and immerse yourself in the country’s unique culture. You might feel safer exploring tourist attractions, taking in the nightlife, and going for walks outdoors with someone you know right by your side.

If this person has different interests than you, you may find yourself doing things you would have never thought to try. Taking turns planning what to do with your time outside of the clinical experience can remove the pressure of a single person doing everything. And who knows, you might find yourself at a music concert, museum, or restaurant you would have never gone to but end up enjoying.

 

You Can Save Money

We know clinical experiences can be an investment. Before you come for your clinical experience, you will need to pay for your rotation, obtain a visa, purchase insurance, find housing, and secure a plane ticket to the U.S. Once you are in the country, keeping yourself well-fed and having enough money to enjoy your free time can add up. All these items can be costly, but rotating with a friend will keep things more affordable.

You’re able to split certain expenses like those attached to your housing, meals, and transportation. You and your friend may elect to share an apartment, share grocery bills, and split Uber/cab/taxi fees if you are traveling to the same place. The money you save can be spent on other items you may decide to purchase during your stay in the U.S.

 

Are you interested in completing a clinical experience with a friend?

Explore clinical experiences that are good for groups >

 

 

Do you and your friend have different medical specialty interests? That’s okay!

We can still help you coordinate an experience in the same city or town.

Simply fill out this short questionnaire to get in touch with an AMO Advisor >