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Travelling during the summers in med school?


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I've been saving up for years for a big Europe trip and it doesn't look like it'll be able to happen this summer. If I get accepted to medical school this year, will it be possible to travel for 4-8 weeks in the summer after my first year?

The reason I ask is because I've heard that you should get research or other med-related work/volunteer experience in the summers during med school in order to be competitive for residency. 

I know this is a silly thing to be worrying about right now, but I've been pretty sad and I'm just trying to find something to look forward to.

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As long as your Med school doesn't run through the summer,  yes you can take time for an extended trip. (Although 8 weeks may be too much).  Many Med students will opt for a research opportunity and to make money, but it is not necessary.    Taking some time to look after mental health and unwind may be a better use of the time.

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1 hour ago, Meridian said:

As long as your Med school doesn't run through the summer,  yes you can take time for an extended trip. (Although 8 weeks may be too much).  Many Med students will opt for a research opportunity and to make money, but it is not necessary.    Taking some time to look after mental health and unwind may be a better use of the time.

Cry in 3 year program 

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My brother and I used the summers in 1st and 2nd year to travel. I can't possibly be out for 8 weeks in a row but we did take 2 2-week trips each summer. It's possible in 4 year professional programs, just got to plan around research opportunities and work/externships. Also, use the points from your LOC credit cards, they come in handy 

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Summers in med school are strictly for R & R, the next occasion to take time off will be retirement! With an upperclassman, I did a 3 week literature review that was published. Work is a zero sum gain as the bursary is reduced by the amount of employment income you receive.

 

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  • 2 years later...

My sister graduated from medical university about two years ago. Every summer, she found a few weeks to go somewhere and relax. If you don't take a break from work, you can spend all your strength. When applying to a hospital, doctors will look at your real skills, not the number of hours worked in residency.  I advise you to fly to Costa Rica next summer on tours from www.costaricafocus.com. I was there in 2019, and I liked it. Tropical regions are good for their unusual nature and diverse wildlife. I wanted to fly to Chile as well.

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  • 7 months later...

Many med students take some time off during the summer to relax and recharge before starting their next academic year. While getting research or other medical-related experience can be helpful for residency applications, it's also important to take care of yourself and prioritize your mental health. Travelling can be a great way to do that!

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