Studying abroad can be a powerful way to grow personally and professionally—yes, even as a pre-health student! With thoughtful planning, you can gain global experience without delaying your path to medical, dental, or other health professions schools.
What You Need to Know
- Take Your Prerequisites at UT
The Health Professions Office (HPO) strongly recommends that you complete your core pre-health prerequisites at UT Austin, especially early in your undergraduate career. This ensures your coursework is recognized and competitive for U.S. health professions programs. You can find guidance on which courses may be taken outside of UT for your pre-health pathway by consulting the HPO’s recommendations. - Understand the Limits of Clinical Experience Abroad
There are important ethical and legal boundaries around patient care in international settings. Most programs—including those offered through CNS—are strictly observation-only. Be sure to review HPO’s guidelines for clinical experiences abroad before committing to a program. - Plan Ahead
With the right timing, study abroad won’t interfere with your application timeline. The CNS Experiential Learning team and HPO can help you map out your coursework and application strategy to make it all fit. You can explore 4-year and 5-year academic planning recommendations for your pre-health pathway through HPO.
Why It’s Worth It
- Gain cross-cultural communication and problem-solving skills
- Explore global health systems and medical practices
- Strengthen your application with international experience
- Grow your confidence, adaptability, and global perspective
Want more guidance? CNS Undergraduates can make a “Study Abroad & International Opportunities Advising" Appointment with our team in 12twenty@Texas.