International Observership / Elective Programs

Every year, close to 300 international physicians/students visit our campus in Suez Canal University Hospitals, Ismailia, to discover recent innovations in medicine and surgery, while experiencing our model of care and engaging with Egyptian culture.

🎗️Overview

The Observership/Elective program is an informal shadowing or hands-on experience that enables participants to watch & scrub-in procedures and surgeries, attend patient rounds and teaching conferences, and have full access to the Suez Canal University system. Egyptian regulations prevent participants from having patient care responsibilities.

🎗️ Who is eligible?

  • Fully trained international physicians and specialists currently practicing abroad.

  • International residents and fellows enrolled in a residency/fellowship program at a foreign institution and who are expected to graduate from that same institution.

  • International medical students enrolled at an international medical school and are expected to graduate from that same school after the prospective visit takes place.

Our program is not designed for Egyptian medical students/graduates residing in Egypt. These applications will not be considered for this program.

*Visitors entering Egypt with the following visa types are eligible to participate:
Tourism Visa single or multiple entry

Available Specialties

Observership/Elective opportunities are offered by the following Suez Canal University departments on main campus in Ismailia, Egypt:

  • Anesthesia
  • Burn & Burn surgery
  • Clinical Cardiology
  • Dermatology
  • Emergency Medicine
  • General & Laparoscopic surgery
  • General Pediatrics
  • Internal Medicine
  • Medical Intensive Care (ICU)
  • Neonatology
  • Nephrology
  • Neurology
  • Neurosurgery
  • Obstetrics & Gynecology
  • Otorhinolaryngology (ENT)
  • Pediatric Intensive Care Unit
  • Pediatric surgery
  • Plastic & reconstructive Surgery (including Maxillofacial Surgery)
  • Pulmonary Medicine
  • Tropical Medicine & Infectious Diseases
  • Urosurgery
  • Others
 

Observership/Elective opportunities are offered by the following Suez Canal University departments on main campus in Ismailia, Egypt:

  • Anesthesia
  • Burn & Burn surgery
  • Clinical Cardiology
  • Dermatology
  • Emergency Medicine
  • General & Laparoscopic surgery
  • General Pediatrics
  • Internal Medicine
  • Medical Intensive Care (ICU)
  • Neonatology
  • Nephrology
  • Neurology
  • Neurosurgery
  • Obstetrics & Gynecology
  • Otorhinolaryngology (ENT)
  • Pediatric Intensive Care Unit
  • Pediatric surgery
  • Plastic & reconstructive Surgery (including Maxillofacial Surgery)
  • Pulmonary Medicine
  • Tropical Medicine & Infectious Diseases
  • Urosurgery
  • Others
 

All available specialties are included in a drop-down list on the application form. Spots are limited.

If the specialty you are interested in is not listed above, please send us an email on 📬 international@exegypt.org

🎗️ Duration 

The length of the program is one month.

🎗️ Fees

Registration fees might be different depending on your type of registration (Individual, Group of three, Group of five or more) and your desired program (Observership or Electives).

Fees includes: 

  • Tuition (Medical Program)

  • Welcome Package

  • Air-conditioned accommodation for one month  (utilities included)

  • One hospital meal per working day

  • Transportation to and from the hospital

  • Certificate of Completion

🎗️ Cancellation and Refund Policy

Once your visit has been confirmed by e-mail, you’re expected to complete your observership/electives.  If cancellation is unavoidable, please submit your notification in writing four weeks before your scheduled visit to 📬 international@exegypt.org.

For more information about registration details and cancellation policies, please contact us by email.

🎗️ How to Apply to the International Observership/Elective Program

  1. Our applications are presented to one specialty only; please select the one specialty that reflects your area of expertise or that you are most interested in.

  2. Select an application period most appropriate for you.

  3. Complete the application form and submit all required documents when requested

  4. Pay the fee.

You will be notified in writing either that your application has been accepted or that we cannot accommodate your request. If you are accepted, but we are unable to provide your requested rotation, you will be offered the next available rotation date.

Application Policies

  • Each applicant is responsible for ensuring their application is complete.

  • The Review Committee will not consider any additional changes once an application has been submitted for review.

  • Applicants are responsible for ensuring that all information and supporting documents provided are authentic and accurate.

  • We reserve the right to request additional information or verification of information and documents submitted. If an applicant is unable to do so, we reserve the right to withdraw consideration of the application.

  • The tuition fee needs to be paid in full in advance prior to the start of the program by wire transfer.

  • Applicants must possess competent English-language skills for a professional healthcare environment.

🎗️ Documents Required After Acceptance

  • Up-to-date CV/Resume.

  • Personal Statement – one page or less addressing your interest in this program.

  • Employment or medical school enrollment verification letter.

All documents submitted must be in

  • English

  • PDF format.

Social Activities

ExEgypt can organize weekly social trips on weekends upon your request to Cairo, Alexandria, Ain Sokhna, Dahab, Sharm El Sheikh, Hurghada Fayoum, Siwa, or Portsaid.

Program Schedule 

Working days: Sunday to Thursday

  • You will receive an orientation email with information about 1-2 weeks prior to your start date.

  • You will receive further information about the Egypt visa and recommended flight details and arrival instructions. ExEgypt can organize airport pickup and drop off upon request

  • Most departments begin in the morning between 8:30 a.m. and 10:00 a.m., depending on the group/doctor you will be assigned to. Your round can end by 2 p.m.

  • We will provide you with information on the first day of your visit about the schedule of activities you will have during the month.

Thank you for your interest in our International Observership / Electives Programs, and we wish you the best of luck!

For any other inquiries, please feel free to reach us at 📬 international@exegypt.org