FOR AN ELECTIVE TERM AT DARTMOUTH
2024
The purpose of this guide is to provide an introduction and a
resource for your time in New Hampshire. This guide briefly
describes some of the experiences you will have during your
clinical elective at Dartmouth College (DC) Geisel School of
Medicine and Dartmouth-Hitchcock Medical Center (DHMC).
We hope this document helps you acclimate to life at Dartmouth.
We also hope future students will continue to update this guide
with new information from their experiences. We have organized
the guide chronologically, from shopping in your home country to
saying goodbye to your new friends at Dartmouth.
The experience will be best if you “make it your own,” so we
intend for this only to serve as an outline of suggestions. You can
find important phone numbers at the end. The suggestions in
this document are heavily drawn from a similar document written
by previous visiting students. Thank you to all who have
contributed!
1
Greetings!
As the director of Dartmouth’s Center for Global Health Equity, it is my
distinct pleasure to warmly welcome you to Dartmouth and the Geisel School
of Medicine. Our Center’s vision is a world with health equity for all, and
we strive to do so by designing, implementing, and facilitating opportunities
for global health education, research, and practice to work in solidarity with
our international partners to positively impact the health of communities. And
this bilateral student exchange and your participation in it contribute to our
mission. We hope you will have a wonderful and productive experience that
will transform how you view health, healthcare delivery, and health systems
globally. We offer you our warm hospitality and hope you will feel as
welcome as we and our students do when we visit your home country. So
please soak up every moment and aspect of this experience - we are
counting on your generation to help us achieve our global health equity
vision. Please reach out with any questions at any time. We are here to
support and welcome you to the Dartmouth community.
Dr. Lisa V. Adams
2
PAPERWORK: There is a lot of paperwork and filing of different
forms: application forms, medical forms, department approval
forms, and international visiting student forms. There are also liability and
health insurance forms. It is essential to check your email regularly
and promptly reply. You should ensure that you get the EXACT visa
you need so that you have no difficulty with patient contact once you
are here. In the past, students have applied for the wrong visa and had
issues upon arrival in the United States (U.S.).
OCCUPATIONAL MEDICINE REQUIREMENTS: You will be provided
with a list of immunizations and drug screenings you need to get as
a prerequisite for working at DHMC. Some of the immunizations may
require several subsequent visits, so you must start early enough to
complete the course of immunization in time for travel to the U.S.
DARTMOUTH INVITATION: Upon your selection and acceptance to
the program, you will receive an invitation letter via email from the
Dartmouth contact. In addition, you will receive a letter of support for your
visa application from Dartmouth’s Office of Visa and
Immigration Services. You will also receive subsequent emails from
various Dartmouth and DHMC personnel to provide more details
about the clinical elective rotation and to complete the on-boarding
process.
3
HOUSING: Your housing will be arranged, and your contact at
Dartmouth will email that information to you, including the address. It will
take the following format: Street Number, Unit Number if an apartment,
City/Town, State, and Zip Code.
MONEY: It depends on what you are accustomed to. If you have a
MasterCard or Visa credit card, that will be easiest because you can use it to
withdraw money while in the US. A Barclays card may work, but a CRBD
or NBC visa card may not. Alternatively, you can carry cash if you wish to
travel to New York, Washington DC, or Boston. Consider bringing
additional money to buy presents for your family as well. You will get your
stipend on a gift card once you arrive in Hanover, New Hampshire.
The stipend will be $200/month for food and groceries, but the amount may
be subject to change. You will also receive a smaller amount of cash in US
dollars. In either case, the money provided will be enough to carry out a good
life in New Hampshire. You can check the exchange rate of your country's
currency to the US currency at the US Government's FiscalData website.
FOOD: You will be issued a DHMC dining card with a set amount of
funds to buy meals at the hospital's cafeteria for your stay. This card will allow
you to get breakfast, lunch, dinner, and snacks. If you prefer cooking your meals,
please request that less money be put on the card to receive the
additional cash. DHMC is convenient, but it does limit your choices and may
only sometimes have foods you like most.
RELIGIOUS AND SPIRITUAL ACCOMMODATIONS: The community
strives to provide a welcoming environment for a full range of
religious and spiritual perspectives. Dartmouth's William Jewett
Tucker Center provides information about local congregations and houses
of worship, and the Department of Spiritual Health at DHMC provides
information about religious and spiritual accommodations available at the
hospital.
4
There are often Tanzanian MPH students at Dartmouth or in Boston at Boston
University, so certainly ask for their emails. They can help you meet people and
even find ways to eat some Tanzanian foods. In Tanzania, Dr. Albert Magohe at
the DarDar Clinic is an excellent person to be in touch with, as well as Dr.
Maryam Amour, a lecturer and head of the Internationalization and
Convocation Unitat MUHAS. Both Dr. Magohe and Dr. Amour completed their
MPH at Dartmouth and know the Upper Valley well. Check out the b
log post
below about fellow MUHAS students who participated in the DarDar medical
exchange program.
Blog Post:
5
THINGS TO PACK
DRESS CODE AND CLOTHING: Clothing and jewelry must be neat,
clean, and appropriate for professional business environments.
Business
casual is the expected dress code. Flip-flops or casual sandals are not
allowable. You may want to wear layers, as the indoor temperature can
vary. Hooded sweatshirts may not be worn while taking your ID photo. If
you like suits, then you may wear them as much as you like, but others
will likely not be in full suits. Please bring a short white coat. Scrubs are
available free of charge at the hospital.
TOILETRIES: You may bring special toiletries as your specific product
brand may not be available locally. If you like medicated soap, buy
Protex Gentle before you leave, as Protex won't likely be unavailable in
Hanover. Liquid products in your carry-on luggage are limited to 3.4
ounces (100 milliliters) or less per item in travel-sized containers. Larger
volumes are permitted in your checked baggage. The U.S.
Transportation Security Administration (TSA) provides guidance about
the amount of liquids that can be brought on the plane in your carry-on
luggage.
HAIR CARE AND PRODUCTS: It's important to note that there are very
few hair care professionals trained in Black or ethnic hair care in
Hanover; however, some work with diverse hair types. Barbershops in
Hanover cost around $20 - $40 per haircut. Alternatively, you can buy an
electric shaver and help each other shave your hair in the apartment. Try
to carry your own Gilette razor, shaving cream, and aftershave. Bring any
specific hair care products or tools you may use at home, as they may
not be available locally. The Dartmouth Office of Pluralism and
Leadership lists Community Specific Campus Resources for coily, wavy,
and textured hair and a list of Black hair care services. You are permitted
to bring liquids - please note that you are limited to bring liquids in
travel-sized containers that are 3.4 ounces (100 milliliters) in or less per
item in your carry-on luggage.
6
BEDDING/HOUSE SUPPLIES: Blankets, sheets, pillows, and
towels should be available in your residence. Your Dartmouth contact
will let you know if you need to bring any of these items or arrange to
purchase them locally for your stay. Other house supplies, such as
washing detergent, dish detergent, broom, mop, vacuum cleaner, etc.
will also be available to you or can be purchased locally. Washing
machines and cloth dryers are available. If you are unsure about
using the washing machines and dryers, do not hesitate to ask the
person who shows you your apartment or your host family for
assistance.
ELECTRONICS: The electrical sockets in the U.S. are different from
those in other countries, as type A and type B are used. The
electrical supply in the U.S. is 120-volt, 60-hertz. To ensure you can use
your electronics, it's best to carry your own multi-plugs. You can
request a converter to use while you're in the U.S. from the
Dartmouth contact.
CELL PHONE: A cell phone will be available for your use while in
the U.S., or you can use a SIM card that will be available to you for use
in your personal cell phone. We will cover the monthly plan for your US
cellular service.
7
ON THE PLANE: The plane is usually quite cold, and you will need a
sweater. Getting a seat at the window will be great, so be sure to
choose one when checking in on the plane if you still need to be
assigned a seat. Some seats require extra payment, so try to avoid
them. You'll be comfortable without the expensive upgrade.
CONNECTING FLIGHT: When you get off the first plane, immediately
find your next gate because there are many gates. You may
want to roam around after establishing which terminal and gate
your plane will leave from. You also may need to print out a
boarding ticket from the self-service kiosk. They look like ATMs
and there is not anybody to show you anything, but just follow
the instructions on the screen. You will not need a visa for the
country your plane connects in, as long as you stay in the airport.
LUGGAGE: Each airline differs in the number of luggage allowed
to be checked and carried on the aircraft with you. The weight
limit for checked baggage is usually 50 lbs (22 kg) - there are
additional fees for anything over. Your Dartmouth contact will
provide your airline information when the reservation is shared.
Checked luggage may sometimes arrive well after passengers
arrive at their destination, so pack essential items in your
carry-on bag. Such items include prescription
medications, passport, Dartmouth/DHMC invitation letters,
and other essential travel documents. Only bring a few liquids
and reduce things that contain metal in your carry-on. The
U.S. Transportation Security Administration (TSA) provides
guidance about the amount of liquids that can be brought on
the plane in your carry-on luggage, which is limited to travel-sized
containers that are 3.4 ounces (100 milliliters) or less per item.
You may bring your laptop, cell phone, and other electronics in
your carry-on luggage onboard. Additional information about what
you can pack for travel to the U.S. can be found on the
TSA website.
8
8
FOOD WHILE TRAVELING: Meals are usually provided on the
plane. Be sure to tell your Dartmouth contact if you
have any dietary restrictions/preferences that should be
included with your reservation. It is illegal to bring fruits,
vegetables, and certain meats from another country into the U.S.,
and it could cause problems when passing through Customs at the
U.S. airport. Please make sure you do not have any of these items in
your luggage or carry-on. The U.S. Customs and Border
Protection (CBP) discards such items. Additional information
about permissible and restricted items can be found on the
CBP's website.
9
NAVIGATING THE AIRPORT: Your flight will arrive at Boston
Logan International Airport in Boston, Massachusetts, Terminal E. If a
few of you are traveling, stay together at all times, including transfers in
other countries and when landing in the US. If you are asked if you're
traveling together, always say yes so you can stay together as a group.
Another reason to stay together is that your phone will not work
because you don't have a US SIM card. Your Airtel line might receive
messages from home, so you may want to buy one before traveling. For
your convenience, free Wi-Fi is available at the airport and on the Dartmouth
Coach. You can use WhatsApp to send text messages or make phone calls.
Please note that the Coach has a 'No Cell Phone' policy, but short phone calls
related to your arrival are allowable.
U.S. CUSTOMS AND BORDER PROTECTION: After exiting the
aircraft, you will enter U.S. Customs and Border Protection. When
requested, be prepared to show your passport, visa, Dartmouth/
DHMC invitation letters, and any other travel documents.
I94 FORM: You must fill out an I94 form when you pass through the
airport and enter the States through CBP. An I94 is completed by
foreign visitors who enter and depart from the U.S. - your date of
entry, port of entry, visa category (if applicable), and the authorized
period of stay are documented on the I94.
BAGGAGE CLAIM: After passing through CBP, head to Baggage Claim
to collect any checked luggage. If you don't find your bag with the
other passenger bags, make your way to the lost baggage counter.
They will need your baggage claim ticket from the airline. Keep track of
the number and call frequently for an update on the status of your
missing baggage.
10
CONTACTING HOME: Inform your family as soon as you can that
you have arrived safely at the first stop. SIM cards are expensive and can be
hard to find, so consider other options. Try to use the free Wi-Fi that's
available in most airports. You need to sign some terms and conditions
for access; agree because your browser will automatically log on to the
website, and after you sign in, you should be able to communicate by
Skype, WhatsApp, email, or anything that might interest you. The
airport has free Wi-Fi, so just sit on one of the benches outside and
enjoy the Wi-Fi while waiting for Dartmouth Coach. The Dartmouth
Coach also has Wi-Fi and complimentary bottles of water. Someone will
meet you at the bus stop in Hanover, and if your baggage does not arrive
with you, it should arrive within one week.
11
BUS/TRANSPORTATION TO HANOVER, NEW HAMPSHIRE: When you are
ready to leave, walk outside to the right of the airport building to
catch the Dartmouth Coach bus to Hanover, New
Hampshire. The
Dartmouth Coach is located on Level 1, door 107 for Terminal E.
Walk to the area where the orange signs read "Scheduled Bus"
and list "New Hampshire." Find a "Help Desk" or an airport
employee if you are unsure where to find the Dartmouth Coach.
Don't be afraid to ask; it is free, so nobody will charge you for
asking for information. They will tell you where to wait for the bus
since the plane often arrives an hour or two before your scheduled
Dartmouth Coach leaves Logan Airport. The last bus leaves Logan
Airport at 8:50 pm, so if you miss the bus, you can catch the next
one. You can use the same ticket, so don't worry about purchasing
a new ticket. The Dartmouth Coach looks exactly as it looks on
the website. Remember to adjust your watch to the local time (EST)
so you'll know how long you have until the bus comes. When the
bus arrives, the driver will take your luggage and load the bigger
ones into the luggage space below the bus. They will ask for your
ticket, which you should have printed before departure. That's all
you'll need. Get onto the bus and relax. It's at least a 2.5 to 3-
hour drive from Logan Airport to the Dartmouth Campus. The
days are longer in the summer, so it will still be daytime when you
arrive, as long as it is before about 9 pm in the summer.
https://dartmouthcoach.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/04/Dartmouth_Coach_LoganMap_2019_v3-042221.pdf
12
Taken From:
12
DARTMOUTH EMAIL ADDRESS: You will be assigned a Dartmouth
email address during your elective for all professional work.
Your Dartmouth contact will work with you to establish the address
before your arrival. Please use this address for all professional and
work-related activities.
DARTMOUTH OFFICE OF VISA AND IMMIGRATION SERVICES (OVIS): Upon
arrival in the U.S., an electronic I-94 record is created to
document your entry. Once it is created, you can access this
record at the U.S. Customs & Border Protection Agency's
website. Your Dartmouth contact will schedule an appointment with
an OVIS advisor to check in and complete an orientation session.
Bring your passport and any travel-related documents to this session.
DRUG SCREENING: Immediately following your arrival, you must
complete a urine drug screening test at DHMC. Your Dartmouth
contact typically schedules this appointment the day after your
arrival, as the results usually take three days to return. Bring
your passport or a valid U.S. photo I.D., such as a
driver's license or military identification. Additionally, your bladder
must be full for urine collection. You can only start the elective
once the results come back. You may receive a bill after the test.
Just forward it to your Dartmouth contact for payment.
PREREQUISITES FOR PATIENT CONTACT: You will be required to do the
eDH (electronic medical record) training to get access to the
electronic patient information system. Also, to access the internet
Wi-Fi services at the hospital, you must have your laptop and mobile
phone registered with the hospital's IT department. Install Windows
on your computer. Other systems might not be compatible with their
system. Alternatively, the DHMC IT can give you a loaner computer
for the duration of your time.
13
YOUR WORK AT DHMC: Basically, this is an elective clinical rotation
where you will be required to
see patients take histories, do
examinations, and present them to your attending physicians and
fellows. On the Infectious Disease rotation, you will go on rounds
with them. You might be assigned to one of the two teams: RED
(Orthopedic cases with infections) or GREEN (Transplant, HIV, and
other Immunosuppressed patients with infections). You will receive
orientation material the first week explaining what to do. You will
also complete another rotation in Emergency Medicine or another
medical specialty.
MALPRACTICE INSURANCE: You will be covered by medical
malpractice insurance during your elective at DHMC. Your
Dartmouth contact will arrange the medical malpractice insurance
plan for you and send the details before your arrival. Academic
Medical Professionals Insurance Risk Retention Group, LLC is
usually the vendor used for health professionals' liability insurance
coverage, but can change.
FACILITIES/SPACES: You will have access to numerous areas at DC
and DHMC. This link lists the facilities and spaces you can access at
the college and hospital.
14
MEDICAL INSURANCE: Short-term medical insurance will be
available to you in the event of an accident or sickness and need
care. Your Dartmouth contact will arrange the medical insurance
plan for you and send the details before your arrival.
International Student Insurance is usually the vendor used
for short-term medical insurance, but can change.
WELLNESS AND FITNESS: There are opportunities to engage in
physical activity at DHMC, which include several walking
paths/trails and fitness rooms. There is the Zimmerman Lounge at
the hospital for students, and you might enjoy spending your
extra time there. The Zimmerman Fitness Center at Dartmouth
College is 16,000 square foot facility that houses over 70 pieces of
cardio equipment (many with their own TV's), 40 strength
machines, 3 different dumbbell areas, a full free-weight area, and
open spaces for functional fitness and stretching. Day Passes can be
purchased with a debit or credit card at the Main Entrance desk
of Alumni Gym or the Facilities Office in Alumni Gym.
15
15
(+=(5*, ;9(5:0;! The Advance Transit (AT) buses in Hanover and
Lebanon are free and very helpful. All you need to do is first to get a
schedule of the AT buses which you can find online or on the bus
(ask the driver if you don't see them displayed). The BLUE bus takes
you to DHMC and brings you back to Hanover. Take note that it also
goes to Lebanon, so if you want to go to DHMC from Hanover, you
need to take the BLUE bus with (DHMC/Lebanon displayed on the
screen on the front of the bus) when you are leaving from Hanover.
When returning from DHMC, take the DHMC BLUE bus with
Hanover displayed on the front of it. You will learn this all within a
week. In any case, feel free to talk with the driver if you need
clarification on the destination of the bus you are in. A few
important things: do not just enter the bus when it stops. First, allow
the passengers wanting to exit to get off and then get on the bus.
Never try to walk in the bus while in motion.
TAXIS: There are no regular taxis in HanoverIf you miss a bus for
any reason, don't worry as there will be another one shortly. With
time, you will learn the bus schedule. Remember that the AT
buses only run from Monday through Friday so if you want to travel to
DHMC on weekends you will have to find a contact person or walk.
If needed, you can call a taxi to come pick you up, but that can
take a while and is rarely the best option.
BUSES AND SUBWAYS IN BIG CITIES: If you happen to travel to
Boston, New York, or Washington DC, you will get a chance to use
the subways (underground trains). Unlike the AT buses, they are not
free. You need to pay for tickets.
16
RENTING A BICYCLE OR CAR: Since you may not be familiar with the
road safety rules, we do not advise renting a bicycle or car. As
always, communicate with your sponsor or contact person if you
have any questions regarding transportation. If your driver’s license
can be translated by a rental car agency, then you would be able to
drive in the U.S. If not, then an International driving permit will be
strongly recommended, in addition to your country of residence valid
driver's license.
LONG-DISTANCE TRAVELING: It is great to take advantage of travel
opportunities, but note that Dartmouth will not be responsible for
your travel expenses. If you wish to travel, bring some additional
money. Based on our experience, the bus fare is not as cheap as it is
in other countries, so if you plan on traveling be prepared
financially. You can usually check the fares of different buses or
trains online before making travel plans. Below are links to
transportation regionally and nationally.
Bus Schedules
Dartmouth Coach
Greyhound
Train Schedules
Amtrak
Car Rentals
Enterprise - VOX Car Rental Program
Domestic Rental Vehicles
Airports
Boston's Logan International Airport (BOS)
Burlington International Airport (BTV)
Lebanon Airport (LEB)
Manchester Boston Regional Airport (MHT)
17
SAFETY IN HANOVER: Hanover is a relatively safe place. Do not worry
about feeling insecure. If you do go out at night, around DC,
Dartmouth Safety & Security cars will pass from time to time on
campus. While in your residence, there should be no safety
concerns. For example, one of us mistakenly pressed the emergency
button on the telephone and the police just came in a few minutes
even without a call. You are quite safe if you are in Hanover!
CONTACT INFORMATION IN CASE OF EMERGENCY: You will be provided
with a list of people you may contact. When you are in your home
residence, you will have Wi-Fi, so you can also contact anyone via
email. People in Hanover are extremely friendly in general. If you
need help with anything, feel free to ask anyone for directions,
advice, etc.
18
COMMUNICATIONS AT DARTMOUTH/DHMC:
Cell Phone: A cell phone will be available for your use while in
the U.S., or you can use a SIM card available to you in your
personal cell phone. We will cover the monthly plan for your
U.S. cellular service.
Dartmouth Email Address: You will be assigned a Dartmouth
email address during your elective. Your Dartmouth contact will
work with you to establish the address before your arrival.
Please use this address for all professional and work-related
activities.
Wi-Fi/Computing: To access the internet Wi-Fi services at the
hospital, you must have your laptop and mobile phone registered
at the DHMC IT office. Windows will need to be installed on your
computer. Other systems might not be compatible with the
DHMC system. Alternatively, DHMC IT can provide you with a
loaner computer during your time. Your Dartmouth contact can
connect you to the DHMC IT department to pick up the laptop.
Wi-Fi will be available to you at your apartment or housing
facility and does not require payment.
WhatsApp:
WhatsApp is an instant messaging and Voice over
Internet Protocol (VoIP) application for communicating locally
and globally. It can be downloaded to your laptop and cell
phone.
19
DHMC DINING: The main dining cafeteria in the hospital is located on
Level 2. You can use your DHMC dining card to purchase hot meals,
sandwiches, burgers, salads, snacks, and beverages in the hospital
cafeteria. You will be asked for your dining card at the checkout
counter, and the cost will be automatically deducted. The weekly menu
is posted for review. Other dining options are located on Level 3 of the
hospital if you wish to use your personal funds.
BUYING GROCERIES AND HOUSEHOLD ITEMS: There are a
few food stores in the area. Food stores in Hanover can sometimes be
more expensive than in West Lebanon. If you want to save some money for
other purposes, we suggest going to stores in West Lebanon and
buying items that will last you a few weeks. It is more difficult to go to West
Lebanon on weekends (no AT buses working), and on weekdays,
you will be quite busy at the hospital. You can also get fresh foods at
the COOP Food Store in Hanover and the Hannaford store in West
Lebanon. The Norwich Farmers' Market is open from 9 am to 1 pm
on Saturdays, May through October and a nice place to visit.
RESTAURANTS: The Upper Valley has a host of restaurants, coffee
shops, bakeries, and breweries/wineries; however, they tend to be more
expensive than cooking on your own. If you want to dine out
occasionally and enjoy the local cuisine, the Upper Valley Business
Alliance has compiled a convenient listing. You can also get pizzas and
fast food in Hanover and DHMC.
WATER: There is treated fresh tap water that you can use for drinking and
cooking purposes; it is entirely safe.
20
ENTERTAINMENT/ACTIVITIES: There are a variety of activities to
get
involved
with during your rotation. Both free and activities for a
fee
are
available to participate in. Following are useful links
about
things to do:
Living in New Hampshire (DHMC)
Diversity (DHMC)
Things to Do in the Upper Valley (DC)
Things to Do (DC)
Life in Hanover (DC)
Hanover Area Attractions
Upper Valley
RESTAURANTS, FOOD & BEVERAGES: T
he Upper Valley has a host
of restaurants, coffee shops, bakeries, and breweries/wineries.
The Upper Valley Business Alliance has compiled a convenient
listing.
IN TOWN: There are a lot of museums, artwork and beautiful
buildings. Just walk around to take in the sights.
21
EQUIPMENT: Schedule a time to return the laptop on the last day
of your work at DHMC. If you borrowed a cell phone, schedule a time
a day or two before your flight to return the cell phone to
your Dartmouth contact.
APARTMENT/RESIDENCE: Depending on where you live, there should be
a checkout list to follow at the end of your stay. Follow the
checkout guidelines and ensure the residence has been tidied up and
returned to the same condition as when you checked in.
THANK YOU NOTES: We encourage you to write thank you notes to
your hospital preceptors and anyone else for whom you would like to
show your appreciation.
RETURN TRAVEL: Your Dartmouth contact will book your return
travel, including your Dartmouth Coach reservation to the airport.
They will also arrange your transportation to the Dartmouth
Coach pick-up location.
22
Dr. Lisa V. Adams
Associate Dean for Global Health, Director
Center for Global Health Equity, Director
Professor of Medicine
Tel: +1603.646.5806
Tecla Coleman
Program Manager
Center for Global Health Equity
Tel: +1603.646.5935
Kelly Burgess
Senior Administrative Assistant
Center for Global Health Equity
Tel: +1603.646.9820
Firoj Gurung
Senior Program Coordinator
Office of Diversity, Inclusion, and Community Engagement
23
June 2024
24
