Medical electives for University of Otago students

The University of Otago has been looking closely at the impact of COVID-19 on overseas electives for medical students. It has been decided there will NOT be a blanket ban on overseas elective placements. Neither will the University be recalling students currently on overseas electives.
However, as was highlighted in an email to all concerned students yesterday, this remains a rapidly evolving situation and students need to be aware that this could change at any time.
Currently, the only locations that we are advising students to return from are those countries that have a New Zealand MFAT “Do not Travel” or “Avoid all unnecessary Travel” advisories [currently mainland China and Iran].
We are also now withdrawing approval of electives in destinations/countries that require self-isolation on return [currently Republic of Korea and northern Italy].
All students have been reassured that if they are feeling at all uncomfortable for any reason and wish to return to New Zealand early, the University will fully support an early return to New Zealand.
The email to medical students states: “Please do not let concerns regarding terms influence your decision; if you are uncomfortable remaining overseas, your personal safety is our main concern and you should return.”
If students do return early this will not impact on their ability to fulfil terms’ requirements. Currently, we are working on identifying and building a database of potential New Zealand supervisors/electives.

There are currently 75 medical students on electives, of these 61 are overseas and 14 in New Zealand