A medical student conquers Harvard: a dream comes true!

A medical student conquers Harvard: a dream comes true!

Medical student Ali Bakri will have a clinical internship at the in April 2025 Harvard Medical School completed in Massachusetts. This experience represents a rare opportunity for Bakri as no international students have been accepted for internships at the renowned institution since the coronavirus pandemic. American students had priority access to internships during this time.

Bakri's application was supported by the Ruhr University, in particular by Dean of Studies Prof. Dr. Thorsten Schäfer. This commitment underlines the importance of academic support during international study visits. In addition, his internship was partially financed by a scholarship from the German National Academic Foundation, which reduced the financial hurdles. Bakri believes that such scholarships are crucial in providing international students with valuable experiences.

Professional development and internship experiences

During his internship, Bakri worked primarily in the operating room. He accompanied various operations and rounds, which enabled him to learn new surgical techniques. A central element of his internship was learning different communication styles through patient discussions. These skills are not only important for medical practice, but also promote intercultural competence.

Bakri emphasizes that discipline and hard work are more important for professional success than exceptional intelligence. This insight particularly impressed him and is considered a lesson for future doctors. As part of his work, he experienced how the head physician chose unconventional surgical approaches in certain cases in order to best help the patients. Many medical students find such experiences to be unique in their professional careers.

Cultural insights and system comparisons

In addition to the medical experiences, Bakri emphasizes that such a stay offers an excellent opportunity to get to know a new culture and a different healthcare system. These insights are essential for personal and professional development. Bakri expressly recommends such internships as they provide valuable insights into top-class medical structures.

Harvard Medical School accepts applications from international students, but this is subject to certain requirements. Applicants must have at least one year of study at an accredited institution in the United States or Canada and complete course requirements. A good knowledge of English is required, but the TOEFL test is not absolutely necessary. The application also requires a bachelor's degree and completion of three years of college education, which is through Harvard Medical School is confirmed.

The possibility of financial support for stays abroad is also available. Various foundations, such as the Hanns Seidel Foundation, the Hans Böckler Foundation and the Heinrich Böll Foundation, offer scholarships for medical students who are abroad during their training. These scholarships not only help with financing, but also promote cultural and academic experiences and thus contribute to comprehensive further training. Information about these funding programs can be found at Medizinstipendium.de.

In summary, Ali Bakri describes his time at Harvard Medical School as a “once in a lifetime” experience that was of great importance for both his professional development and his personal growth. This shows how important international experiences are for medical students and what opportunities can be offered to them with appropriate support.