Charité Universitatsmedizin Berlin – Berlin, Germany

The Charité is the largest university hospital in Europe and one of the most historic medical centers in the world, producing more than half of all the Nobel Prizes in medicine and physiology awarded to German physicians and scientists. Feinberg School of Medicine medical students may complete rotations in anesthesiology, pathology, general surgery and many other surgical sub-specialties, including occasionally radiology. The Charité has a rich history and its hospital had been located so close to the border between East and West Germany during the cold war that certain windows with a view of West Germany that had been sealed off. German language skills are not required and students will work with English-speaking faculty. M4 students are eligible to apply.

Dates: Year-round
Length of rotation: Four weeks
Location: Berlin, Germany
Language requirement: None required; many doctors at Charité speak English, but some basic knowledge of German is strongly preferred for Doctor and Patient communication.
Student level: M4s
How to apply: Complete the online application
Rotation areas: Charite recommends students consider English-language rotations in anesthesiology or various surgical sub-specialties, including general, thoracic, cardiac, neuro and transplant surgery (review the clinical rotations and research areas available to visiting medical students)

Program Information

The Charité is one of the oldest hospitals in Germany and among the largest university hospitals in Europe today. With a history spanning almost three centuries, the Charité has produced eight Nobel prize winners and has a worldwide reputation for excellence in medicine and research. Currently, with a staff of about 18,000 employees, the hospital handles about 130,000 inpatient and almost 700,000 outpatient cases a year in more than 100 clinics and institutes concentrated in 17 centers on four campuses.

The three main Charité campuses are Campus Mitte, Campus Virchow-Klinikum and Campus Benjamin Franklin. The Charité is one of the most prestigious medical schools in

Germany, serving as the medical faculty for both Humboldt University Berlin and Free University Berlin since 2003. Currently, more than 9,000 students are enrolled in the various study programs, which include human medicine, dentistry, medical and nursing pedagogy/nursing sciences as well as numerous postgraduate study programs.

The hours vary from rotation to rotation, but the typical day will begin at 8 a.m., with rotations and shadowing continuing for six to seven hours into the afternoon. Past medical students have generally spent approximately 35-40 hours each week from Monday to Friday in the hospital. Students have frequently participated in radiology, anesthesiology and pathology rotations and sit in on conferences with German attendings, observing procedures and in laboratory. Student often gain a deeper understanding of and appreciation for the history of European medicine as well as the significant economic and technological differences between the U.S. medical system and the more socialized European system. There is an international student office at Charité that offers support and advice to Feinberg students both before and during the rotation. While students are not required to speak German and Charité will make efforts to place visiting international students with attendings who speak English, students should be prepared to attend rounds and weekly conferences at times that will be conducted in German.

Helpful Links

Accommodations & Local Travel

Previous Feinberg students have stayed in guesthouses or apartments through referrals by Charité’s international office. These are shared and single bedrooms in apartment-style dormitories with shared kitchens. Hotel Berlin Mitte is a recommended option located close to Charité's main medical school campus, which offers single rooms in studios or shared apartments-style dormitories, with linens and internet provided. Please note that not all affiliated Charité Hospitals are located in the Mitte borough of Berlin. Other students have successfully rented apartments for one month via various online rental companies. Housing expenses may be budgeted at approximately 650-850 Euros per month, and students pay this fee directly upon arrival. Students find the subway in Berlin to be very accessible and reliable and that it provides great access to all parts of the city. It's recommended that students purchase a monthlong pass upon arrival. Visit the Berlin train system's English language website to learn more.

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