Through the Max Kade Clinical Clerkship Program, the American Austrian Foundation and the Max Kade Foundation provide medical students from the USA and Austria with the opportunity to spend a one-month rotation at a partner university of the American Austrian Foundation in Austria and the USA respectively.
In February, March and April 2025, ten medical students from George Washington University, Johns Hopkins University, Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania and Weill Cornell Medical College travelled to Vienna to spend a one-month rotation at the Medical University of Vienna. Students joined the medical teams during case discussions, morning rounds and – depending on the specialty – during surgery or outpatient clinics. Once a week, students were invited to attend a German class and a social event together with the OMI observership group of the month, where they learned about and experienced medical history and Austrian culture.
In the spring and summer term 2025, seven medical students from the Medical University of Vienna are attending rotations at George Washington University, the Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania and Weill Cornell Medical College.
To provide an insight into the fellowship experience, we are happy to share a quote from Chase Alston, who joined the department of anesthesiology and intensive care during the month of March 2025:
“This was my first experience in Europe, and being able to experience Vienna, and Europe, for the first time has been a life changing experience. I think this program provides a great gateway to exploring various elements of the history and culture in Vienna. The orientation, the community formed by the fellow observers, and the events throughout the month all allowed for built in exposure to Viennese cultural elements, and also builds a community through which one can explore other parts of Vienna. I felt similarly about my experience with the medical team. Members of the team integrated me into patient care, answered questions I had about the Austrian healthcare system, and also asked questions about the healthcare system in America. Being able to talk through differences and misconceptions either side had about the healthcare system of the other was really insightful.”
Applications for clinical clerkships in spring/summer 2026 in Austria and the USA are now open! For further information on the Max Kade Clinical Clerkship and application deadlines, please click here.
