Opthalmology Observership @ Univ. of Utah

Someday, an outdoor nature fan that I am, I hope to take my backpack and go trekking in the immensely beautiful forest parks in the state of Utah, that would be an 'observership' of a different kind ...guess I simply had to crack a bad one ;-)

Back to business - The first look at the website section of the University of Utah regarding this observership might confuse you a bit, since the title reads "Ophthalmology International (Img) Fellowship Program" but then if you point your mouse cursor on the left menu over 'fellowships', you will see that this section is listed under "International Observership". Additionally, the description on the page ends with: "possibly the opportunity in clinical research" - meaning, though called a 'fellowship' the focus is observing rather than research.

Anyways, the selection process for this observership seems pretty rigorous and needs the following as part of the application:

1. Identify the ophthalmology sub-specialty you wish to rotate.
2. Dates you wish to rotate.
3. Personal Statement / Statement of Purpose
4. A current CV with publications included.
5. Copies of academic degrees
   
6. Three Letters of Recommendation (LORs)
7. Proof of fluency in English. Some samples of proof could be:
1. A letter from an ophthalmology faculty member in the United States who has personal knowledge of you and your level of English.
2. TOEFL
   
3. A letter from an English teacher who has personal knowledge of your fluency in English.

Also, you need to show proof of adequate finances to cover the visit. If a visa is needed, the University is willing to sponsor a J1 visa for the observership, but I guess they should be other valid visa types.


Visit : University of Utah Ophthalmology Observership for IMGs


IMGs interested in Ophthalmology might also wanna check out Ophthal Residency Match Statistics