Top Questions MD Graduates Should Ask for Global Health Residency

As an MD graduate passionate about global health, your residency choice will shape not just your clinical skills but also your ability to work effectively across borders, cultures, and health systems. The programs you interview with may share similar buzzwords—global health residency track, international medicine, equity, underserved care—but the depth, structure, and authenticity of their global health opportunities can vary tremendously.

Asking the right questions to residency programs is one of the most powerful tools you have to distinguish between strong, well-supported global health programs and those that are more “label than reality.”

This guide is designed specifically for MD graduates seeking global health–focused training. It will help you:

• Identify meaningful, targeted questions to ask residency programs
• Tailor interview questions for them—faculty, program directors, residents, and coordinators
• Understand what to ask program directors to evaluate their long-term commitment to global health
• Compare programs when considering an allopathic medical school match with a global health emphasis
• Clarify how programs support your plans for a global health residency track or international work

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Why Your Questions Matter So Much in Global Health–Focused Residency

Many MD graduate residency applicants assume interviews are mostly about being judged, but for global health–oriented candidates, interviews are a two-way evaluation. You bring a specific mission: to practice equitable, culturally responsive, often resource-conscious medicine that may involve international medicine, migrant health, or underserved communities domestically.

Strong programs recognize that serious global health applicants:

• Care about ethics and sustainability, not voluntourism
• Need protected time and funding for global activities
• Want mentorship in both clinical and academic global health
• Value language skills, cultural humility, and safety planning
• Are thinking long-term: fellowships, academic global health careers, NGOs, policy work, or health systems leadership

Your questions should therefore:

1. Test alignment of values between you and the program
2. Clarify structure and support for global health residency tracks
3. Reveal the lived reality behind polished brochures and websites
4. Help you rank programs realistically for the NRMP Match

A helpful mindset: You’re not just asking “Can I match here?” You’re asking, “Will this program give me the tools and support I need to become the global health physician I aspire to be?”

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Core Domains to Explore: What You Must Ask About

Think of your interview day as an opportunity to collect data in several key domains. Within each, you’ll find suggested questions to ask residency programs—choose the ones that best fit your interests and the flow of conversation.

1. Program Philosophy and Commitment to Global Health

You want to understand whether global health is central to the program’s identity or more of a side project.

Questions for program leadership (PD, APD, global health director):

• “How would you describe this program’s philosophy toward global health and international medicine?”
• “When you say you have a global health residency track, what does that concretely look like in terms of curriculum, time, and structure?”
• “How long has the global health track been in place? How has it evolved over time?”
• “How is global health integrated into the core residency training, even for residents not in the track?”
• “What do you see as this program’s strengths and limitations when it comes to global health?”

What you’re listening for:

• Clear, consistent messaging (not vague references)
• Evidence that global health is woven into the system, not just an optional away rotation
• Honest acknowledgment of limitations (a good sign of maturity and realism)

Red flags:

• Generic statements like “we’re very committed” without specific examples
• Heavy emphasis on “medical tourism” style experiences (short, superficial trips)
• No mention of local underserved or immigrant communities as part of global health

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2. Structure, Curriculum, and Protected Time

As an MD graduate with serious career goals, you need more than ad hoc electives. Ask detailed questions to understand whether the global health training is structured and sustainable.

Questions about curriculum and structure:

• “Can you walk me through the formal global health curriculum during each year of residency?”
• “Is there an official global health track or distinction, and what are the requirements to complete it?”
• “What proportion of residents participate in the global health track each year?”
• “How much protected time is available for global health activities, both domestic (e.g., refugee clinics) and international?”
• “Are there didactics focused on global burden of disease, health systems, implementation science, and ethics—not just travel medicine?”

Questions about scheduling and logistics:

• “How are global health electives and international rotations scheduled—are residents guaranteed a certain number of weeks?”
• “Is there flexibility to do global health work in multiple years, including PGY-1, or is it limited to senior years?”
• “Are there call-free electives or blocks specifically set aside for global or international work?”

What to compare between programs:

• Number of weeks allowed for global health per year
• Whether global health work counts toward graduation requirements
• How easily residents actually access those opportunities (not just on paper)

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3. Partnerships, Sites, and Ethical Frameworks

The quality of partnerships and the ethical framework behind global health activities are critical, especially for long-term sustainability and your own professional development.

Questions about partnerships and sites:

• “What long-term international partnerships does the program have? How long have they been in place?”
• “Are there partner sites where residents go regularly, and what is the bidirectional nature of those relationships?”
• “How are host institutions and local clinicians involved in designing the rotations and educational goals?”
• “Are there opportunities for trainees or faculty from partner sites to visit or train here?”

Questions about ethics and responsibility:

• “How does the program ensure that residents’ participation at international sites benefits, rather than burdens, the host community?”
• “What kind of pre-departure training do residents receive on ethics, cultural humility, and local health systems?”
• “How do you handle language proficiency and supervision at international sites?”

What strong programs will highlight:

• Multi-year, stable partnerships
• Bidirectional exchanges
• Collaborative research or quality-improvement projects
• Pre-departure training, debriefing, and safety planning

Red flags:

• One-off trips without sustained relationships
• Emphasis on what residents “get” with little discussion of reciprocity
• Limited or no supervision at international sites

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Funding, Safety, and Practical Support: Questions That Reveal the Program’s Investment

Your ability to pursue global health often depends on practical realities: funding, scheduling, safety policies, and institutional backing. Serious programs invest tangibly in global health; your questions should uncover the depth of that investment.

4. Funding and Institutional Support

As you evaluate MD graduate residency options, be explicit in asking how the program financially supports global health.

Questions on funding:

• “Are there dedicated funds for residents participating in global health rotations—such as travel stipends, housing support, or grants?”
• “How predictable and stable is this funding year to year?”
• “Are there institution-wide global health grants or scholarships that residents can apply for?”
• “Do you support residents to present global health work at conferences (registration, travel, time off)?”

Examples of strong answers:

• “Each resident in the track is guaranteed up to X weeks of funded global health time, including flights and housing.”
• “We have an endowed fund specifically for international medicine projects; residents can apply annually.”
• “We send residents to [major global health conference] each year and support abstract submissions.”

Questions on administrative/logistical support:

• “Is there a global health office or administrator who helps coordinate international rotations and contracts?”
• “Who assists with visas, housing, and insurance for international rotations?”

The more centralized and predictable the support, the easier it will be for you to participate meaningfully.

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5. Safety, Risk Management, and Wellness

For global health work, safety is non-negotiable. Programs that take your well-being seriously will have clear guidelines and infrastructure.

Questions on safety:

• “What safety protocols and risk assessments are in place for international rotations?”
• “Is there a formal approval process for new sites or projects, and who oversees that?”
• “How do you handle political instability, epidemics, or security concerns at partner sites?”
• “What type of health/evacuation insurance is provided for residents abroad?”

Questions on support and wellness:

• “What support systems are in place if a resident experiences illness, trauma, or moral distress while abroad?”
• “Do residents have structured debriefing after returning from challenging global health experiences?”

Why these questions matter:

• They differentiate programs that have experience managing global health rotations from those that improvise
• They signal to programs that you prioritize ethical and safe engagement, which is viewed positively

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Mentorship, Scholarship, and Career Development in Global Health

Your residency years will fly by. To build a sustainable global health career, you’ll need mentors, scholarly opportunities, and clear pathways beyond residency.

6. Mentorship and Faculty Expertise

Questions to ask program director or global health faculty:

• “Who are the key global health faculty here, and what are their areas of focus?”
• “How are residents matched with mentors in global health, and does that happen early in training?”
• “Do any faculty hold advanced degrees or specialization in global health (MPH, PhD, DTM&H, etc.)?”
• “Are there opportunities to work with mentors across departments—e.g., infectious disease, pediatrics, surgery, OB/GYN, public health?”

Questions for residents:

• “Do you feel you have sufficient access to mentorship for your global health interests?”
• “How often do you actually meet with your mentor, and is that built into your schedule?”

Signs of a strong mentorship environment:

• Multiple faculty with active global health projects
• Formal mentor-matching processes
• Regular meetings and career-planning sessions

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7. Research, Quality Improvement, and Academic Pathways

If you’re considering academic global health, public health leadership, or NGO work, scholarly opportunities during residency can be foundational.

Questions on scholarship:

• “What kinds of global health research or quality-improvement projects are current residents involved in?”
• “Are there structured pathways for residents to design and carry out global health projects, either locally or abroad?”
• “How is authorship and project ownership handled for resident-led work with international partners?”
• “Is there mentorship in grant writing or implementation science relevant to global health?”

Questions on training beyond the MD:

• “Does the program support dual-degree options, such as an MPH during residency or between PGY years?”
• “Are there affiliated global health fellowships, and do your graduates match into them?”
• “Do any alumni currently hold leadership roles in global health NGOs, academic global health centers, or ministries of health?”

These questions help you assess whether the program can truly serve as a launchpad for long-term global health careers.

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Culture, Diversity, and Day-to-Day Reality of Global Health Residency

Beyond formal structures, the culture and people will determine your daily experience in residency.

8. Program Culture, Diversity, and Inclusion

Questions for residents:

• “How would you describe the culture of the program when it comes to global health—enthusiastic, performative, deeply engaged?”
• “Do you feel the program genuinely supports residents from diverse backgrounds, including international and underrepresented trainees?”
• “Have residents ever felt discouraged from pursuing global health because of service needs or coverage issues?”

Questions for program leadership:

• “How does your program’s commitment to global health intersect with diversity, equity, and inclusion efforts locally?”
• “Are there structured opportunities to work with immigrant, refugee, or migrant communities here in the U.S. as part of your global health training?”

You’re looking for alignment between global health rhetoric and local practice: global health at its best includes local underserved work as an extension of the same values.

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9. Outcomes: Where Do Graduates Go?

You’re ultimately making a decision about your long-term trajectory. Ask about concrete outcomes, not just intentions.

Questions to ask program director about outcomes:

• “For residents who have completed your global health track, what have their career paths looked like?”
• “Where have recent graduates gone—global health fellowships, academic positions, NGOs, or policy roles?”
• “Do you have examples of alumni working in international medicine or leading global health programs now?”

Questions for residents:

• “Do you feel adequately supported in your long-term global health career planning?”
• “How has the program helped residents connect with post-residency opportunities, both domestically and internationally?”

Programs that can readily name alumni and their roles in global health likely have stronger, more established tracks and networks.

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How to Use These Questions Strategically on Interview Day

You don’t need to ask every question on this list. Instead, prioritize and plan.

10. Tailoring Your Questions to Each Interviewer

Think of interview questions for them as targeted to each person’s role:

For the Program Director (PD) or Associate Program Director (APD):

Focus on big-picture issues and long-term strategy:

• “What is your long-term vision for global health within this residency over the next five to ten years?”
• “For an MD graduate like me who’s serious about global health, what do you see as the biggest advantages and challenges of training here?”
• “What should I know about balancing core residency requirements with a robust global health experience?”

For the Global Health Track Director or Faculty:

Dive into details of curriculum and partnerships:

• “What are you most proud of in your global health program, and where are you trying to grow?”
• “How do you ensure that residents’ work at partner sites is sustainable and aligned with local priorities?”

For Current Residents:

Get the unfiltered, lived-experience perspective:

• “What global health opportunities have you personally done so far?”
• “Were there any unexpected barriers or surprises in pursuing global health during residency?”
• “If you could change one thing about the global health training here, what would it be?”

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11. Practical Tips for Asking Strong Questions

To make your questions impactful and memorable:

• Do your homework first.
  Review the program’s website and materials so you can ask, “I read about X on your website—can you tell me more about how that works in practice?”

• Tie questions to your story.
  For example: “Given my previous work in refugee health, I’m very interested in how residents here engage with immigrant communities locally. How does the program support that?”

• Be specific, not generic.
  Instead of “What are your global health opportunities?” ask, “How many weeks of international medicine experience do residents usually complete, and how is that funded?”

• Listen more than you talk.
  Ask open-ended questions and then allow the interviewer to elaborate without interruption.

• Take notes right after the interview.
  Summarize key points: funding, protected time, mentorship names, alumni roles. This will help you compare programs when creating your rank list for the allopathic medical school match.

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Putting It All Together: Evaluating Programs After You Leave

After you finish interviews, step back and ask yourself:

• Did the program’s actions match its global health language?
• Could I clearly describe this program’s global health track and opportunities to someone else? If not, the program may not be well structured.
• Did residents seem supported and excited, or stretched thin and frustrated by barriers to global health participation?
• Is there tangible evidence of funding, mentorship, and long-term outcomes in global health?
• Do I feel my personal mission in global health would be nurtured and challenged, or would I be fighting against the system?

When ranking programs, don’t just ask, “Where can I match?” Ask, “Where will I become the global health physician I want to be—ethically grounded, clinically strong, and sustainably engaged?”

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FAQ: Common Questions MD Graduates Ask About Global Health Residency Interviews

1. How many global health–related questions is it appropriate to ask in an interview?
You can comfortably ask 2–4 focused global health questions per interviewer, especially if your interest is clearly presented in your application. Prioritize questions that you can’t answer from the website and that reveal information essential to your decision: structure, funding, mentorship, and outcomes.

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2. Will emphasizing global health hurt my chances of matching at some programs?
It depends on the program. At places with a strong global health mission, clear interest is usually a plus. At others, interviewers may worry you’ll be frequently away or not committed to core training. Frame your interest as complementary to strong clinical training: emphasize that you value rigorous inpatient and outpatient experience as the foundation for effective international medicine.

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3. What should I look for in a global health residency track description?
Look for specific details:

• Defined curriculum and requirements
• Number and type of partner sites
• Amount of protected time and typical weeks abroad
• Name of the track director and faculty involved
• Examples of resident projects and alumni outcomes

If descriptions are very vague or only list “examples of past trips” without structure, ask probing follow-up questions during the interview.

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4. How can I compare global health programs objectively when building my rank list?
Create a simple comparison table with columns such as:

• Weeks of funded international medicine experience
• Number of active partner sites and years of partnership
• Presence of formal global health track (Y/N)
• Dedicated global health faculty and mentorship strength
• Research/scholarship opportunities and conference support
• Local underserved/immigrant/refugee engagement
• Safety policies and institutional support

Score each program honestly based on your notes and your gut sense of transparency and alignment. Then integrate this with other key factors (location, program size, call schedule, personal support) to make your final rank list.

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By approaching interviews with clear, thoughtful questions tailored to global health, you’ll not only leave a strong impression—you’ll also gather the insight you need to choose a residency that truly supports your mission in international medicine and health equity.