Residency Advisor
Ultimate Guide: Questions for Global Health Residency as a Non-US IMG
Why Your Questions Matter as a Non‑US Citizen IMG Interested in Global Health
As a non-US citizen IMG or foreign national medical graduate, the questions you ask residency programs are as important as the answers you give. For global health–focused residencies, this is even more critical. Programs differ widely in how they define “global health,” how genuinely they support international medicine, and—crucially—how reliably they sponsor visas and support non-US graduates.
Thoughtful, well-researched questions help you:
- Identify programs that truly match your goals in global health
- Assess how they support non-US citizen residents (visa, career planning, mentorship)
- Demonstrate maturity, insight, and sincere interest in the program
- Avoid mismatches in expectations, especially regarding international rotations
This guide will walk you through specific, high-yield questions to ask residency programs, tailored to non-US citizen IMGs pursuing global health. You don’t need to ask all of them; instead, choose those that align with your priorities and the flow of each conversation.
Strategy: How to Approach Asking Questions
Before diving into lists, it helps to have a framework so your questions feel purposeful rather than random.
1. Do Your Homework First
Programs quickly notice when you ask about things that are clearly stated on their website. Use your limited time for deeper questions.
Before your interview day, review:
- Program website – especially any global health residency track or “international medicine” pathways
- Current residents’ bios – Who has global health interests? Any IMGs? Any non-US citizen IMG profiles?
- Affiliated global health centers or university departments
- Information on visa sponsorship and alumni outcomes
Then base your questions on what you could not find online or what needs clarification.
2. Adapt Your Questions to Who You’re Speaking With
You will likely interact with:
- Program Director (PD)
- Associate PDs / Global Health Track Director
- Faculty interviewers
- Current residents (group sessions or 1:1)
- Program Coordinator
The best interview questions for them depend on their role:
- PD: Big-picture vision, support for IMGs, visa policy, long-term outcomes
- Global Health Track Director / Faculty: Specific international projects, mentorship, research
- Residents: Reality of workload, culture, actual access to global health opportunities
- Coordinator: Logistics, visas, onboarding, licensing
3. Prioritize Depth Over Quantity
You don’t need 30 questions ready. It’s better to have 6–10 excellent, tailored questions and then follow up naturally based on their answers. A thoughtful follow-up often impresses more than a long list.
Pro tip: Have a short “core list” that you ask at almost every program and then 2–3 program-specific questions that prove you researched them.
Core Questions on Visa, Support, and Non‑US Citizen IMG Issues
For a foreign national medical graduate, it is essential to clarify immigration and institutional support. These questions are appropriate and expected; programs understand they are critical for you.
Questions to Ask Program Director or Coordinator About Visa Support
“What types of visas do you sponsor for non-US citizen residents?”
- Follow-up: “Do you typically support J-1, H-1B, or both? Are there any restrictions by specialty or track?”
“In the last few years, how many of your incoming residents have been non-US citizen IMGs, and what visas were they on?”
- This helps you understand experience and comfort level with foreign national medical graduates.
“Given the changing immigration landscape, how has the program or institution adapted to support residents on visas?”
- Shows you’re aware of real-world challenges and want a stable environment.
“If a resident on a visa is interested in pursuing a fellowship or academic position afterward, how does the program support that transition, especially regarding visa issues?”
- Very important if you hope to stay in the US post-residency.
“Are there any limitations for residents on visas in participating in certain electives or global health rotations?”
- Some international rotations or paid research may be affected by visa rules or institutional policies.
Questions on Support for IMGs and Cultural/Professional Integration
“How does your program support non-US citizen IMG residents in adjusting to the US health system and documentation requirements (EHR, billing, malpractice expectations)?”
“Do you have any formal or informal mentorship structures specifically for IMGs or foreign-trained graduates?”
“Could you share examples of how your program has helped a non-US citizen IMG overcome early challenges and succeed here?”
- This invites a concrete story, not just abstract reassurance.
“Are there faculty or senior residents who are also non-US citizen IMGs and would be open to mentoring junior residents?”
“How does the program address possible biases that IMGs or international physicians may encounter from patients or staff, especially regarding accent or background?”
- This question signals maturity and awareness of real-world issues.
Global Health–Specific Questions: Evaluating True vs. Superficial Commitment
Many programs advertise “global health” or “international medicine” but differ greatly in depth, access, and sustainability. Your goal is to distinguish between marketing and meaningful training.
Questions About the Global Health Residency Track Structure
For the Program Director or Global Health Track Director:
“How do you define global health within your residency?”
- Listen for whether they mention:
- Health equity, social determinants, systems, marginalized communities
- Partnerships with low- and middle-income countries (LMICs)
- Ethical and sustainable engagement
- Listen for whether they mention:
“Could you describe the structure of your global health residency track or pathway?”
Follow-up prompts:- “Is it a formal track with a certificate, or more a loose collection of electives?”
- “When do residents typically apply—before starting, during PGY-1, or later?”
- “How many residents per year participate in the global health pathway?”
“What are the main learning objectives for residents in your global health track, and how are they assessed?”
- Look for structured teaching: seminars, journal clubs, capstone projects, or defined competencies.
“Is participation in the global health track compatible with the call schedule and ACGME requirements for my primary specialty?”
- This matters if you’re in a demanding field like internal medicine, surgery, emergency medicine, etc.
Questions on International Rotations and Partnerships
“What long-term international partnerships or sites does your program work with, and how stable are those relationships?”
- Follow-up: “How many years has the program been active at those sites?”
“For residents interested in international rotations, what proportion who want to go abroad are actually able to do so each year?”
- This helps you see whether opportunities are realistically attainable or only theoretical.
“What types of work do residents typically do during international rotations—clinical care, teaching, research, quality improvement, or a mix?”
“How does the program address ethical considerations and sustainability in its global health work?”
- Look for mention of:
- Local leadership and input
- Avoiding “medical tourism”
- Bidirectional exchange (visiting scholars from partner sites)
- Look for mention of:
“Are there any funding mechanisms or grants to help cover travel and lodging for international rotations?”
- For non-US citizen IMGs, self-funding may be more difficult; structured support matters.
“How did COVID-19 and other global events impact your international rotation opportunities, and what is the current status?”
- Realistic programs will explain both challenges and adaptations.
Questions on Domestic Global Health / Health Equity Work
Many strong global health programs emphasize that global health starts at home.
“What local/global health equity initiatives are available—such as work with refugee communities, migrants, rural populations, or underserved urban communities?”
“How are residents integrated into these projects? Is participation one-off or longitudinal over multiple years?”
“Are there options to focus more on health systems, policy, or implementation science within your global health pathway?”
- Useful if you’re interested beyond direct clinical work.
Questions to Assess Mentorship, Research, and Career Outcomes
If you aim for a career in global health, academic medicine, or international work, mentorship and outcomes matter as much as the label “global health track.”
Mentorship and Academic Support
“Who typically mentors residents with strong global health interests, and how are mentors assigned or chosen?”
“Are there faculty members with sustained, long-term engagement in global health or international medicine? Could you give a few examples of their work?”
“How many residents currently in your program are seriously pursuing global health as part of their career plan?”
- Follow-up: “Do they usually find they have enough faculty and institutional support?”
“Is there protected time or flexible scheduling for residents involved in global health research or quality improvement projects?”
“What institutional resources exist—such as a global health center, MPH or other dual-degree options, or university partnerships—that residents can tap into?”
Research and Scholarly Work
“What types of global health research or scholarly projects have residents done recently?”
- Ask for 2–3 specific examples; this reveals true academic activity.
“Are residents encouraged and supported to present their global health work at conferences or publish in journals?”
- Follow-up: “Does the program provide financial or logistical support for conference travel?”
“Have residents received any grants or awards to support their international or global health projects?”
Long-Term Career Outcomes
“Where have recent graduates with global health interests gone after residency—fellowships, faculty positions, global health roles?”
“Could you share examples of alumni who are non-US citizen IMGs and have successfully pursued global health careers or fellowships?”
- This will help you see if paths like yours are feasible from this program.
“How supportive is the institution if a resident wants to extend training for an additional year of research or obtain an MPH related to global health?”
Culture, Workload, and Practical Fit: Questions to Ask Residents
Current residents will usually give you the most honest picture of daily life, call schedules, and whether the global health and IMG support you’ve heard about is real in practice.
Questions About Day-to-Day Reality and Culture
“How has your actual experience of the program compared with what was described on interview day, especially regarding global health opportunities?”
“For residents in the global health track, how manageable is the workload? Do you feel you can be involved in international medicine without burning out?”
“As an IMG / non-US citizen resident (if they are one), what kind of support have you received from the program, both academically and personally?”
“How approachable are the program leadership and faculty if you need help with visa issues, personal stress, or family matters?”
“Do residents feel safe and supported if they raise concerns about workload, supervision, or experiences of bias?”
Questions About Access to Opportunities
“For residents interested in the global health track, is there competition for spots or rotations? Has anyone struggled to get the opportunities they were promised?”
“Are international rotations or projects available to residents on all visas, or have there been any issues with J-1 or H-1B participants?”
“How early in training do residents typically start global health activities? Do interns get involved, or is it mostly PGY-2 and higher?”
“Can you realistically maintain global health work while also being competitive for fellowship or academic positions?”
“What would you say are the strengths and the limitations of this program’s global health offerings?”
- Residents’ willingness to name limitations tells you a lot about the honesty and culture of the program.
Putting It All Together: Sample Question Sets by Interviewer Type
Below are condensed, realistic question sets you can adapt during your interview day. They incorporate the keywords “questions to ask residency,” “what to ask program director,” and “interview questions for them” in a natural way.
What to Ask Program Director (PD)
Pick 3–5 of these depending on time:
- “As a non-US citizen IMG with a strong interest in global health, how have you seen residents with similar backgrounds thrive in your program?”
- “Could you walk me through how your program defines and structures its global health residency track within the core training requirements?”
- “What types of visas do you typically sponsor for residents, and how have you supported foreign national medical graduates in navigating long-term career planning?”
- “For residents in the global health pathway, how does the program balance service demands with time for international rotations, research, or local global health work?”
- “Looking ahead 5–10 years, how do you envision the role of global health and international medicine evolving within this residency?”
What to Ask a Global Health Track Director or Faculty
- “What distinguishes your global health track from similar programs at other institutions?”
- “Could you share an example of a recent resident’s global health project and how the program supported them from idea to implementation?”
- “How do you ensure that international partnerships are equitable and beneficial for the host community, not just for visiting residents?”
- “For residents on visas, are there any special considerations or restrictions when participating in overseas work or research?”
- “How do you prepare residents for the emotional and ethical challenges that often arise in low-resource or crisis settings?”
What to Ask Current Residents
- “Why did you choose this program over others for global health, and has it met your expectations?”
- “If you could change one thing about the global health offerings here, what would it be?”
- “As an IMG or as someone who works with IMGs, how supportive has the program been with integration, teaching, and mentorship?”
- “Do residents genuinely have the time and institutional support to pursue global health work, or do you feel too stretched by service demands?”
- “For those who want to continue in global health after residency, how confident do they feel about their preparation from this program?”
What to Ask the Program Coordinator
- “For non-US citizen IMG residents, what is the typical timeline and process for visa paperwork and onboarding?”
- “Have there been any recent changes in institutional policies affecting visas or international rotations?”
- “When residents organize international electives, what logistical steps do you help with (credentialing, licensure, travel approvals)?”
- “Are there any institutional requirements or deadlines I should be especially aware of as a foreign national medical graduate applying here?”
Practical Tips: How to Use These Questions Effectively
Organize by Priority
- Make a short list of your top 3 non-negotiables:
- Example: “Visa stability, real global health track with mentorship, strong IMG support.”
- Ensure every interview day you ask at least one question targeting each of these.
- Make a short list of your top 3 non-negotiables:
Customize for Each Program
- If the website highlights a specific partnership (e.g., in Kenya or Haiti), ask about that, not generic “international rotations.”
- Example: “I noticed your long-standing partnership with X Hospital in Y country. How are residents integrated into that collaboration, and what have been some recent projects?”
Avoid Yes/No Questions
- Instead of “Do you have global health opportunities?”
Ask: “What global health opportunities are available, and how have residents used them in the last few years?”
- Instead of “Do you have global health opportunities?”
Take Brief Notes Right After Each Session
- Immediately after each interview, jot down:
- Key strengths / concerns
- Any red flags (e.g., evasive about visa issues, vague about global health)
- Specific quotes or examples that stood out
- This will help later when creating your rank list.
- Immediately after each interview, jot down:
Watch How They Answer, Not Just What They Answer
- Do they seem proud and enthusiastic when speaking about IMGs and global health?
- Are they transparent about limitations (e.g., “we paused overseas rotations during COVID but built strong local/global equity work”)?
- Are residents’ descriptions consistent with leadership’s descriptions?
FAQ: Common Questions from Non‑US Citizen IMGs Interested in Global Health
1. Is it acceptable to ask detailed questions about visas during residency interviews?
Yes. For a non-US citizen IMG or foreign national medical graduate, visa status is a critical factor. Asking about types of visas sponsored (J-1 vs. H-1B), historical experience with IMG residents, and support for post-residency visas is appropriate and expected. Just keep your questions concise and professional, and spread them across the PD and coordinator as needed.
2. How many questions should I ask each interviewer?
Typically, plan for 2–4 thoughtful questions per interviewer. If time is short, prioritize:
- One question about global health or international medicine
- One about resident experience/culture
- One about IMG or visa support (if appropriate for that person)
Quality and relevance matter more than quantity.
3. How can I assess whether a program’s global health track is truly robust?
Look for concrete evidence:
- Clear structure (seminars, track, certificate, defined competencies)
- Long-term international partnerships and ongoing projects
- Resident examples of recent global health work
- Faculty with sustained careers in global health
- Honest acknowledgment of limitations and how they’re addressing them
If answers stay vague or purely promotional, that’s a warning sign.
4. Should I tell programs I want to return to my home country or work internationally long-term?
Yes, as long as you tie it to building strong clinical skills and using residency to gain competencies relevant to global health. Many global health–oriented programs value residents who plan to work in underserved settings—whether in the US or abroad. Be clear that you are committed to rigorous training and patient care wherever you practice.
By preparing targeted, thoughtful questions to ask residency programs, you not only gather essential information—you also present yourself as a serious, reflective applicant who understands both global health and the realities of being a non-US citizen IMG. Use these question frameworks as a starting point, adapt them to each program, and let your authentic interests guide the conversation.
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