What expenses does the fellowship stipend cover?

During your fellowship, you will receive a small stipend fund to contribute to your accommodation and living costs. 

Please note that the stipend is a contribution to the costs for travel, accommodation and meals and may not necessarily cover all the costs. AO is not able to arrange accommodation in the host country. Travel as well as insurance costs must be organized and funded entirely by the fellow.

The AO Fellowship stipends are calculated using a benchmark of USD 550 for 1 week's fellowship in the United States. The stipends for all other countries are adjusted for the local price level. To calculate the adjustment, the price level ratio of purchasing power parity (PPP) conversion factor to market exchange rate provided by the World Bank is used. The World Bank data can be accessed here. The stipends are paid in Swiss francs equivalents.

Can I bring my family along?

AO recommends that all fellows pursue the fellowship individually. This approach allows you to maximize your time with your hosts and fully benefit from this invaluable opportunity. Additionally, some host centers only offer single accommodations for fellows. If you wish to request alternative accommodations (e.g., for family), you will need to arrange and cover these expenses personally.

However, some fellows opt to organize a family visit towards the end of their fellowship. This can be a wonderful opportunity to share your new local experiences—such as culture, customs, and new colleagues—with your family or friends.

How do I find accommodation? 

Please be aware that AO cannot facilitate accommodation arrangements. We recommend reaching out to your host center directly. Many host centers offer on-site accommodation located within the hospital premises, while others may provide links to nearby housing options.

Do I need insurance? 

During your stay, please be aware that you will not be insured against any illness or accident through either AO or the host center. It is essential to verify if your medical insurance extends coverage for medical treatment in foreign countries. Additionally, please note that you will not be covered by malpractice insurance. If you lack insurance for these potential risks, we strongly advise you to arrange for coverage before departing for your fellowship.

Do I need vaccination? 

Upon arriving at the host center, it is essential to present a certificate confirming negative test results for Hepatitis B, Hepatitis C, and HIV.

It is essential to reach out to your host center promptly to inquire about any additional vaccinations that may be required. Be sure to organize your schedule in advance to not waist time on site with these matters.

Do I need to complete paperwork with my host center before my arrival?

Contacting your host center promptly after receiving Host center Approval from the AO fellowship team is crucial. The Human Resources Department requires specific paperwork to be completed at various clinics/hospitals, and your acceptance will only be confirmed once these requirements are finalized.

When do I receive my stipend payment? 

The stipend will be transferred to your account upon confirmation of your arrival by the host center. Please note that the bank transfer may take between 1to 2 weeks. 

Please ensure that you provide the necessary international bank account information.

It is essential to confirm with your bank that you can access this account while abroad. Please be aware that stipend transfers made by the AO can only be directed to accounts registered in the name of the fellow. Transfers to accounts held under different names will not be processed. The AO will not be held responsible for any issues arising from errors in the payment instructions provided by the supplier on this form.

What if I want to extend my stay? 

Extending your stay depends on availability and requires approval from your host center. Please note that any living expenses and accommodation costs incurred during the extension will be your sole responsibility.

If I do not speak the language of the proposed fellowship center, is this an issue? 

Good knowledge of the working language of the host center, or a good command of English, are a requirement for an AO fellowship. 

Note that some host centers have regular staff meeting in local language.  

How do I introduce myself at my host center? 

Some host centers suggest that as an introduction the Fellow give a brief presentation to the staff. We recommend that Fellows contact the host center to enquire about such presentations, or other modes of introduction. 

What should I do if I need a leave of absence? 

A temporary leave of absence requires approval from both the head of the host department and AO Fellowship team. If a fellow wishes to leave before completing the full fellowship period for any reason, they must obtain permission from both the head of the host department and the AO. Please note that the stipend may be adjusted accordingly.

Can my Fellowship be postponed to the next year? 

No, this is not possible. 

Is it mandatory to fill in the "Learning Objectives" and the "Reflection Journal"? 

Yes. This will support you in your learning journey during your fellowship. Having completed both is a prerequisite to receive your AO fellowship certificate. 

When shall I write my "Learning Objectives" and "Reflection Journal"? 

We suggest that you to define your "Learning Objectives" latest 1-2 weeks before your fellowship starts. However, you'll be able to make adjustments after the start. Please note that if you missed the deadline (start date -7), you won’t be able to modify your Learning Objectives in the portal. They would need to be sent by email, no adjustments possible after deadline.

 For the "Reflection Journal" we suggest that you write down your latest learnings and experiences on a minimum weekly basis throughout your fellowship. Guidelines on how to use your Reflection Journal can be found in the Fellowship Portal.

Is it mandatory to complete the questionnaire about the host center? 

Yes. You will need to complete the questionnaire before your "Certificate" can be issued. 

Will I receive a "Fellowship Certificate"?

Upon completing the questionnaire regarding your fellowship experience, you will be able to download a digital certificate immediately. Please note that we do not issue hard copy certificates.

Where can I find and contact other AO Fellows? 

To access the "Yearbook" feature within the Fellowship Portal, navigate to the "Community" section. Here, you can search for fellow participants by various criteria such as name, country, or year. Alternatively, you can utilize the "Host Center" world map, also located in the "Community" area, to find other fellows by focusing on a specific host center.

Through the MyAO app, you can connect with both past and present fellows in the Short-term Fellowship groups.