Top Questions for US Citizen IMGs Pursuing Global Health Residency

Why Your Questions Matter as a US Citizen IMG in Global Health

As an American studying abroad with a passion for global health, your residency interviews are not just about answering questions well—they’re also about the questions you ask.

Programs learn a lot about you from what you ask:

• It shows how seriously you’ve thought about international medicine and global health residency tracks.
• It signals whether you understand the realities of training as a US citizen IMG.
• It helps you figure out if a program is truly aligned with your goals—or just using “global health” as a buzzword.

This guide focuses on high-yield, specific questions to ask residency programs, faculty, residents, and program directors so you can:

• Evaluate how committed a program really is to global health
• Identify red flags early
• Advocate for your strengths as a US citizen IMG
• Leave a strong, mature impression during interviews

You don’t need to ask every question here. Think of this as a menu: choose the ones that fit your priorities and the conversation.

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Core Strategy: How to Ask Smart, Memorable Questions

Before we get into question lists, it helps to have a strategy.

1. Prioritize Depth Over Volume

Asking 2–4 well-thought-out, specific questions is far better than firing off 10 generic questions. Programs remember:

• Candidates who ask nuanced questions tied to their own story
• Candidates who demonstrate they did their homework about the program

Example:

• Weak: “Do you have any global health opportunities?”
• Strong: “I’m particularly interested in longitudinal partnerships rather than short-term trips. Could you share how your residents remain engaged with your Tanzania partnership over multiple years?”

2. Tailor Questions as a US Citizen IMG

You bring distinctive strengths:

• Cross-cultural experience
• Adaptability to new systems and environments
• Often, language skills and prior global health work

Your questions can highlight this:

• “As an American studying abroad, I’ve worked in low-resource settings throughout my clinical years. How do residents here leverage prior international experience in your global health track?”

3. Ask Different People Different Types of Questions

Think of interviews as multiple perspectives on the same program:

• Program Director (PD): Big-picture vision, curriculum, support for your career goals
• Associate PD / Faculty: Specific tracks, research, mentorship
• Residents: Reality check, culture, workload, what actually happens day-to-day
• Coordinators / Staff: Logistics, visas (for non-US citizens), scheduling, documentation

Use your “what to ask program director” questions strategically, and save lifestyle/culture questions for residents when possible.

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Global Health Focus: Questions That Reveal Real Commitment vs. Buzzwords

Many programs advertise “global health opportunities,” but the depth of those opportunities varies widely. As a US citizen IMG interested in global health residency tracks, you need to separate marketing from true investment.

Questions to Ask About the Global Health Track Structure

Use these with PDs, track directors, or faculty:

1. “Do you have a formal global health residency track or pathway? If so, what are the eligibility criteria and how many residents participate each year?”

   • Listen for: Dedicated track vs. occasional elective, number of residents, competitive selection.

2. “Is the global health track integrated into the curriculum longitudinally, or is it mainly elective time abroad?”

   • Strong programs will discuss:
     • Longitudinal seminars
     • Ongoing projects
     • Regular mentorship

3. “What specific didactic components are included in your global health curriculum (e.g., tropical medicine, health systems, ethics, humanitarian response, refugee health)?”

   • You want structure, not vague ideas like “we sometimes have lectures.”

4. “Are global health activities recognized formally—such as certificates, track completion notation, or support for ASTMH/tropical medicine certification?”

5. “How are residents’ global health projects or experiences evaluated and supported for academic output—publications, presentations, posters?”

Questions About Global Health Sites and Partnerships

You’re looking for stable, ethical, bidirectional partnerships, not one-off medical tourism trips.

6. “What ongoing international partnerships does your program maintain, and how long have these partnerships existed?”

   • Look for multi-year or multi-decade relationships.

7. “How do your international rotations support host communities and trainees there, rather than just providing experience for US residents?”

   • Good answers reference:
     • Capacity building
     • Local leadership
     • Education for local trainees

8. “What are the main clinical settings for international work—urban hospitals, rural clinics, refugee camps, primary care vs. tertiary care?”

   • Match this to your interests.

9. “Do residents return to the same international site over multiple years to build continuity and relationships?”

10. “Are there opportunities to engage in global health work domestically—such as refugee health, immigrant health clinics, Indian Health Service, correctional medicine, or underserved urban/rural communities?”

    • Strong global health programs often emphasize “global is local.”

Questions About Safety, Logistics, and Funding

These are practical—and asking them shows maturity.

11. “How are safety and risk assessments handled for international rotations—who oversees this, and how is emergency evacuation or medical care abroad coordinated?”

12. “Are international rotations fully funded, partially funded, or self-funded? What typical costs do residents incur, if any?”

13. “What happens if global travel is restricted (political instability, pandemics)? Are there alternative global health opportunities—telehealth projects, domestic rotations, research?”

14. “How often are residents actually able to go abroad during residency, and what percentage of interested residents are able to do so?”

    • This separates programs where “everyone interested goes” from those where “1–2 people total get to go.”

Example Scenario

You: “I’m very interested in longitudinal engagement rather than a single one-month elective. Could you describe the continuity of your global health partnerships and how residents engage over multiple years?”
Program: “We’ve had a 15-year partnership with a hospital in Malawi. Residents can go PGY2–PGY3, and track residents often return to the same site twice, working on an ongoing QI and education project with local trainees.”
→ This suggests a mature, stable global health program with sustained relationships.

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US Citizen IMG–Specific Questions: Support, Culture, and Career Trajectory

As a US citizen IMG, your status doesn’t raise visa concerns, but it does affect perceptions, integration, and support. You should evaluate whether a program understands and values your path.

Questions About How Programs View US Citizen IMGs

15. “As a US citizen IMG, I’ve trained in a different health system and cultural environment. How do you typically support graduates of international schools as they transition into your residency?”

    • You’re signaling insight and maturity rather than defensiveness.

16. “How many current residents or recent graduates trained at international medical schools, and how have they done in your program?”

    • Look for:
      • Clear numbers
      • Positive framing
      • Examples of leadership roles, chief positions, fellowships

17. “Do you have any faculty who trained internationally or have strong experience working with international graduates?”

    • Faculty with IMG backgrounds often serve as powerful mentors.

18. “Are there any structured resources for interns who may need extra support during the transition—for example, orientation to US documentation systems, EMR training, or extra supervision in the first months?”

Questions About Culture and Inclusion

Your global health orientation likely aligns with diversity and equity. These questions help you assess whether you’ll belong.

19. “How would you describe the culture of your program in terms of supporting diverse backgrounds—cultural, educational, and personal?”

20. “Can you share examples of how residents with non-traditional paths or international backgrounds have been integrated into leadership roles or committees?”

21. (To residents): “As someone who trained outside the US, I’m curious how welcoming the team is to different perspectives and training backgrounds. What has your experience been with inclusion and psychological safety here?”

Questions Linking IMG Experience to Global Health

Use your background as a strength connected to international medicine.

22. “I’ve worked in low-resource environments during medical school, which shaped my approach to problem-solving and resource stewardship. Are there ways residents bring that kind of experience into QI, education, or system-level projects here?”

23. “Do you see prior international or cross-cultural experience as an asset when residents engage in your global health initiatives? How do you help them translate that into leadership or scholarship?”

These questions send a subtle message: I am not a liability; I am a resource for your global health mission.

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High-Yield Questions for Different Interviewers

Use this section as a practical checklist when deciding what to ask program directors versus residents or coordinators.

What to Ask the Program Director (PD)

Focus on vision, infrastructure, and alignment with your long-term goals.

24. “How does global health fit into the overall mission and strategic priorities of your program and institution?”

    • Programs truly committed to global health will have a clear answer.

25. “For residents interested in careers in global health or international medicine, what have your graduates gone on to do, and how did the program help them get there?”

    • Ask for concrete examples: fellowships, NGOs, academic roles.

26. “As an American studying abroad, I’m very interested in using that international lens long-term. How do you see your program helping residents build sustainable, ethical global health careers rather than just short-term experiences?”

27. “Do you have dedicated global health faculty with protected time, and how involved are they in resident mentorship?”

28. “What expectations do you have for residents who participate in the global health track in terms of scholarship, teaching, or leadership?”

29. “Are there institutional or hospital-level global health initiatives that residents can plug into—for example, global surgery programs, telemedicine, or partnerships led by other departments?”

These are strong interview questions for them because they:

• Show that you think long-term
• Highlight leadership potential
• Frame you as someone who will build the program’s reputation

What to Ask Faculty and Track Directors

Get into the day-to-day reality of the global health experience.

30. “What distinguishes your global health residency track from other programs you’re aware of?”

31. “When residents return from international rotations, how do they debrief and translate that experience into QI, policy, or educational initiatives here?”

32. “Are there interdisciplinary opportunities involving public health, epidemiology, or policy—for example, MPH programs, dual degrees, or collaborations with schools of public health?”

33. “How flexible is the curriculum in accommodating residents who may want to dedicate more time to research or extended international work?”

What to Ask Residents (Arguably the Most Important)

Residents give the most honest answers. Focus here on reality vs. brochure.

34. “How many residents are actually involved in global health work each year, and do you feel the opportunities are accessible or limited to a small group?”

35. “Can you describe a typical global health experience a resident had recently—where they went, what they did, how much support they received?”

36. “How supportive is the scheduling when it comes to arranging international rotations or global health electives?”

37. “Have you ever felt that global health here is more of a checkbox or branding exercise than a true priority?”

    • You may not ask this verbatim if the vibe is formal, but a softer version can still be insightful.

38. “How does the program respond when residents struggle or feel overwhelmed—especially those adjusting from different training systems, like IMGs?”

39. “If you could change one thing about the global health offerings here, what would it be?”

    • A powerful reality check.

40. “Have any US citizen IMG residents in the program pursued the global health track? How did they integrate and how successful have they been?”

What to Ask Coordinators or Administrative Staff

Logistics can make or break your experience.

41. “How far in advance do residents need to plan and obtain approvals for international rotations?”

42. “Are there institutional requirements such as specific insurance, clearances, or online modules for international work?”

43. “Do residents usually complete paperwork and logistics themselves, or is there centralized support for scheduling and coordination?”

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Turning Answers Into Decisions: How to Interpret What You Hear

Asking strong questions is only half the job. You also need a framework to evaluate the answers.

Signs of a Strong Global Health Program

• Clear structure: Named global health track with defined requirements and benefits
• Sustained partnerships: Multi-year relationships, emphasis on bidirectionality
• Infrastructure: Dedicated faculty, coordination, funding streams or scholarships
• Integration: Global health ideas built into local care for underserved populations
• Success stories: Graduates in global fellowships, NGOs, academic global health roles

If multiple people (PD, faculty, residents) all tell a coherent story about global health in the program, that’s a positive sign.

Red Flags to Watch For

• Vague answers like:
  • “We have a lot of opportunities; it just depends on what you want to do.”
  • “Residents sometimes go abroad, but I’m not sure of the details.”
• Heavy emphasis on short-term, one-off trips with little mention of:
  • Local partners
  • Ethics
  • Sustainability
• “Global health” seems limited to one faculty member with no backup or continuity
• Residents say:
  • “It’s talked about a lot, but in reality hardly anyone goes.”
  • “You can do something if you create it from scratch and fight for it.”

Interpreting Responses as a US Citizen IMG

When you ask about IMGs and you hear:

• “We do take a few IMGs, but they usually need more supervision” (said dismissively)
  → Be cautious; support may be limited.

• “We have several IMGs in leadership positions; our chiefs this year include an IMG, and we’ve had IMGs match into competitive fellowships”
  → Strong sign of respect and inclusion.

You want a program where:

• Being a US citizen IMG is not an exception or apologetic topic
• Your global perspective is seen as adding value to a global health–oriented environment

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Putting It All Together: Sample Question Sets for Different Situations

You don’t need to memorize 40+ questions. Use these curated sets based on time and setting.

If You Only Have Time for 2–3 Questions With the PD

• “How does global health fit into your program’s overall mission, and how is that reflected in resident training year to year?”
• “For residents aiming for careers in international medicine or global health, what have graduates from your program gone on to do?”
• “As a US citizen IMG with prior international experience, how could I best integrate that background into your global health initiatives and long-term projects?”

If You’re in a Resident Breakout Room

• “How many residents actually participate in the global health track, and do you feel the opportunities are realistic and accessible?”
• “Can you share an example of a recent global health experience that went really well—and one that was more challenging?”
• “How supportive has the program been for residents who trained abroad or who had to adjust from different health systems?”

For a Program You’re Ranking Highly

• “What do you see as the biggest strengths and current limitations of your global health offerings, and how do you see them evolving in the next 3–5 years?”
• “If I matched here and wanted to be heavily involved in global health, what would you envision as a realistic path for me through the three years—clinically, academically, and in leadership?”

These are sophisticated interview questions for them that signal genuine commitment, long-term thinking, and self-awareness as a US citizen IMG.

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FAQs: Questions US Citizen IMGs Commonly Ask About Interview Questions

1. How many questions should I ask during each interview?

Aim for:

• PD/faculty interview: 2–4 questions, tailored and substantive
• Resident sessions: 3–5 questions, more informal and culture-focused

Quality matters more than quantity. If you’ve already had several of your questions answered during a presentation, it’s fine to say: “Several of my questions were already answered earlier, but I do have one I’d love to ask…”

2. Is it okay to ask directly about how the program views IMGs?

Yes—if you frame it professionally. For example:

• “As a US citizen IMG, I know that residents come from very diverse training backgrounds. How have IMGs typically integrated into your program, and what kind of support is available as they transition?”

This is thoughtful, not confrontational, and it often opens the door to honest discussion.

3. Can I ask about match outcomes and fellowship placements for global health–oriented graduates?

You should. This is a key part of due diligence.

Try:

• “For residents who have engaged heavily in your global health work, what kinds of positions or fellowships have they matched into after graduation?”

You’re not just asking about fellowship rates generically—you’re aligning it with your specific global health goals.

4. What if I’m genuinely undecided between global health and a more traditional career path?

You can still frame your interest honestly and maturely:

• “I’m very interested in global health but still exploring how central I want it to be in my long-term career. How does your program support residents who want to ‘sample’ global health without necessarily committing to a full track?”

Programs appreciate honesty. Your questions should reflect your genuine level of certainty, not what you think they want to hear.

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By choosing thoughtful, targeted questions to ask residency programs—especially about their global health commitments and support for US citizen IMGs—you not only gather better information but also present yourself as a reflective, mission-driven future colleague. Use your questions to clarify whether a program will not only train you, but also partner with you in building the global health career you envision.