Tygerberg International
Outward Mobility
Student and staff mobility refers to an activity where students/ staff enrol at an academic institution outside of South Africa for a part/ all their education and training and are part of an international experience that is intrinsically valued by Stellenbosch University.
To qualify for a student mobility programme, you must:
- Be registered for a full degree at SU and your registration must continue after your return.
- Your SU fees must be paid.
- Overall aggregate of 60%
- Written approval from academic departments and supervisors
- Exchange students must conclude a learning agreement with their academic department and supervisor.
- Include a curriculum vitae.
- Submit a letter of Motivation
- Submit your academic record
- Include your academic reference letter
Visiting Scholars (Applicable for when funding is available)
Arrangements for visiting scholars and faculty should be made in the following manner:
- a nomination of the visiting scholar by the sending institution to the prospective host institution, including information as to the suggested time and duration of the scholar's or faculty's appointment,
- approval and acceptance by the host institution,
- appointment of an official host faculty member/co-operator by the host institution,
- agreement by both institutions regarding the exact time and duration of the visiting scholar's or faculty's appointment.
- funding is available through
International Collaboration and Mobility Grant for faculty members.
Outward Mobility Programmes are available at the following:
Antwerp University Elective Opportunity 2024
Open to: MBChB IV and V year Students
The following documents must be submitted:
- Curriculum Vitae
- Motivation
- Transcripts
- Indication of period
- Discipline
Any queries can be directed to Mr Dimitri Geelhand De Merxem at
Dimitri.GeelhanddeMerxem@uantwerpen.be
FMHS INTERNATIONAL OUTWARD MOBILITY STUDENT EXPERIENCES
International travel bursary
Before starting my elective, I thought the healthcare system in America would be much better than in South Africa and possibly without flaws. Throughout my time I came to know that access to healthcare is also limited among people in lower socio-economic classes as well as in the rural areas. They use a lot of the same theatre equipment as I have seen in South Africa. They have a lot more staff around to lighten the load including physician assistants, anaesthesia nurses etc. Even with the additional staff the doctors and nurses are still overworked, suffering from burnout and struggle to have a healthy work-life balance. They are however much less resource limited and can be quite wasteful in my opinion. This experience has made me realise that the grass is not always greener on the other side and that we are not alone in the problems we face in the South African healthcare system. I would definitely consider this as a valuable learning experience. I am very grateful for the opportunity I got to experience the healthcare system on the other side of the globe. I got to broaden my clinical knowledge and skills while also stepping outside of my comfort zone and work on my adaptability and communication skills. It gave me a better understanding of global healthcare and the challenges faced in other countries. This experience also had a positive impact on my personal growth, cultural awareness and global perspective which are all very important in the world becoming more and more connected every day.
Lindi Blomerus, United States of America
SU international travel bursary afforded me an opportunity to leave the South African borders for the very first time and be able to learn more medical skills in a different setting. For my elective, I travelled to Walvis Bay State hospital in Namibia and my elective was in family medicine. My main reason for leaving the country was to see and learn from the health care system of a different country, there were many limitations, but I learnt a lot and have become a better professional through this experience. This was my very first time outside South Africa and I believe being in a hospital that is not academic was not the best decision. I had to orientate myself, figure out how most things work and create a learning environment on my own. Being a scholar was tested in all ways possible and knowledge gaps were highlighted mostly in the academic meetings as all questions directed to the student were basically directed to me. More than anything, the importance of patient education was highlighted, I noticed how majority of the hospital and clinic visitations and admissions could be minimized if patient knew better. Most patients were unaware of their diagnosis and their treatment, I realized that some doctors would just listen to the patients’ complaint and examine them and just make notes of the management without explaining any of their findings. This meant the larger population were just being medically treated but were unaware of their health condition and therefore not playing a part in their own health. I intend on staying in rural medicine for the rest of my career as I believe the burden of health can be reduced just by educating the general population more. With both my rotations I experienced how patients appreciate counselling and reassurance from a health care provider. To reduce the patient to doctor ratio to a much more bearable number, we as practitioners will have to involve patients in their own healthcare. Health advocacy will bring a change in the health of African countries. I am grateful to have had this opportunity and it has impacted my life and my career. This opportunity has ignited the zeal to help our communities in all ways I possibly can.
Khaahule Radzilani, Namibia
Regarding the feedback on the travel bursary; The money I received from the bursary helped me in so many aspects. It covered my flights to and from Tanzania as well as my accommodation in Zanzibar. It also covered some of the hospital fee I paid at Mnazi MMoja being 400 US dollars. I would not have been able to have covered any of these costs without this aid. It was such a privilege to have been granted it. I had an unforgettable experience in Zanzibar and got to experience how medicine works in countries with very little resources and facilities. Many thanks to the international travel fund for allowing me to experience all I did.
Eden Grosel, Zanzibar
Overall I had a really great experience at Charing Cross Hospital, London . I really want to express a huge gratitude to Stellenbosch University International travel bursary department for providing me with the travel bursary and helping make this trip possible. Over the course of these 4 weeks I learnt some incredible skills, observed some fascinating surgeries and got to know doctors that really have a passion for surgery. I enjoyed being in a foreign country and seeing how medicine works outside of South Africa. I got to spend time in the clinics, theatres and A&E and all 3 posed different learning opportunities. I really enjoyed spending time in theatre with my supervisor, Mr Grant, who taught me so much and invested so much of his time in me. I also really enjoyed watching the ear surgeries that were very fine and extremely detailed. I am incredibly grateful that I got to experience this elective and have definitely learnt a lot that will only benefit me for my future as a doctor. Thank you, once again for granting me this bursary and I can definitely say that this experience was worthwhile.
Matteo Greyling, London
