RHE at MAC

The Reproductive Health Externship (RHE) program, offered in partnership with Medical Actions for Change (RHE at MAC), is a limited-enrollment opportunity, through which selected students get the opportunity to spend two weeks training with MAC staff at a regional hospital in Burundi, gaining clinical experience in reproductive health care, including abortion and post-abortion care. RHE at MAC participants qualify for partial expense reimbursement to offset the costs associated with participating in the externship.

Admission to the program is application-based, as training slots are limited, with only one application cycle per year.

The 2027 RHE at MAC

What are the details of the 2027 RHE at MAC?

For this limited enrollment opportunity, selected students will spend two weeks with MAC at the Gitega Regional Hospital. Sessions will take place in the first two weeks of the month, from April to September 2027.

MSFC will provide financial assistance in the form of reimbursement to each accepted extern to assist with travel to Burundi from the student’s home location; a set reimbursement for meals during the externship; and, if applicable, visa fees. MAC will provide all lodging and transportation to and from training locations during the externship. The reimbursement total will vary per student and will be discussed in detail upon acceptance to the program.

Who Can Apply for This Program?

Acceptance to this program is limited, and meeting the eligibility criteria does not guarantee acceptance. Although MSFC would love to offer this to all qualified applicants, we are able only to schedule a limited number of students.

To be considered for this opportunity, applicants must meet all the criteria below:

1. Currently enrolled in a medical school in Burundi, Benin, Togo, and other French-speaking African countries, and will remain enrolled during the externship period.
2. A member of that school’s MSFC Chapter.
3. Have not previously participated in any of the MSFC’s RHE programs.
4. Able to commit to participating in the program on chosen dates.
5. If traveling from outside of Burundi, able to commit to travel to Burundi and to procure a passport and a travel visa within the needed timeline.
6. Have some financial means for travel and meals while participating in the externship, with the understanding that reimbursement will be disbursed after receipts have been submitted at the externship’s conclusion. MSFC will not cover the cost of airfare or other needs before the externship.
7. Have a current bank account in the applicant’s name that will accept wire transfers in US dollars. This is needed to ensure reimbursement payments are sent at the conclusion of the externship.
8. Valid email address for regular communication with MSFC and MAC.
9. Hold a current and non-expired National ID.
10. Hold a current and non-expired medical school/university ID.

How Can Eligible Students Apply?

Students meeting the above criteria should review the following list of required items to ensure they are prepared. Note that items numbered 2 to 5 should be prepared by the student in advance to ensure they are ready once the application cycle opens.

1. Application: The application will be available on this page in early December. Applicants will be asked to rank their preference of month to participate from those offered (April through September 2027). If traveling from outside Burundi, consider the time to obtain any needed travel documents.
2. Personal Statement: This is a one-page essay asking that the student explain why they wish to participate in MSFC’s Reproductive Health Externship. In this statement, they will address any exposure or training to reproductive health education received thus far.
3. Enrollment verification or letter of recommendation from medical school: This letter must be dated within the current academic year (2026-2027) and confirm that the student is currently enrolled in their medical program. It must be presented on the official school letterhead, signed by a school official, and stamped with the school’s official stamp or seal. Transcripts, class schedules, and other documents will not be accepted.
4. Photo of the back and front of current and non-expired National ID.
5. Photos of the back and front of current and non-expired school/university ID.

I Meet the Criteria—When Can I Apply?

• Applications for the 2027 RHE at MAC will open on December 1, 2026 and be accessible from this page. Applications will be accepted through December 16, 2026 at 11:59 PM (Central Africa Time – GMT+2).
• No applications will be accepted after this date, and incomplete applications will be rejected.
• Selection of students will begin in January 2027, with notifications to those selected sent between February and March.