# Life in New Orleans for medical students

**Source**: https://ochsner.uq.edu.au/stories/life-new-orleans-medical-students
**Parent**: https://ochsner.uq.edu.au/

**News**

Published 26 Feb, 2026  ·  3.5 minutes

Studying medicine in the United States is about more than learning clinical skills.

It’s about stepping into responsibility, caring for real patients, and understanding how healthcare works every day.

For medical students, the final two years of The University of Queensland-Ochsner Doctor of Medicine (MD) program take place in New Orleans.

After two years of pre-clinical study in Brisbane, Australia, you will return to the U.S. together as a cohort where you’ll begin full-time clinical training and take on the role of a medical student in the hospital, two intense, formative, and deeply rewarding years.

### **Welcome to New Orleans**

New Orleans is a city shaped by culture and community, where neighborhoods and relationships matter.

Music, food, and history are part of daily life, not just special occasions., and that sense of identity carries into how the city feels to live in.

The climate is warm most of the year with hot, humid summers. Fall, winter, and spring are mild and comfortable.

Students spend time outdoors year-round with many parks, cafés, and neighborhood walks offering easy ways to reset after long days.

Compared with many large U.S. cities, New Orleans is easier to navigate and the pace feels grounded and personal, which helps during demanding clinical years.

### **Clinical years at Ochsner Health**

Clinical training takes place at Ochsner Health, one of the leading healthcare systems in the Gulf South.

From the start of Year 3, you are immersed in patient care, working as part of clinical teams alongside attending physicians, residents, nurses, and allied health professionals.

Teaching is a priority and our students are encouraged to ask questions, contribute on rounds, and take on increasing responsibility.

Students complete core, 8-week rotations in:

- Hospital Medicine
- Surgery
- Pediatrics
- Obstetrics and gynecology
- Psychiatry
- Emergency Medicine
- General Practice

In year 4 you’ll also undertake an elective, ‘PRINT’, our pre-internship course, plus return to Brisbane for an 8-week ‘return rotation’.

The patients you’ll see come from diverse backgrounds so you’ll gain experience managing complex medical and social needs that reflect real-world U.S. healthcare.

This clinical exposure builds confidence, judgment, and readiness for residency.

### **Life in New Orleans**

Life outside the hospital is an important part of the clinical years and New Orleans offers space to recharge while staying connected to your cohort.

#### **Housing**

Most UQ-Ochsner students live off campus in nearby residential neighborhoods with housing options including apartments, duplexes, and shared houses.

Many students choose to live with classmates as this helps manage costs and creates a built-in support system.

Students receive guidance on:

- When to move
- Where to look for housing
- How to set up utilities

Commutes are usually short and parking is widely available near clinical sites.

#### **Travel**

New Orleans is well connected for domestic travel with Louis Armstrong New Orleans International Airport offering direct flights to major U.S. cities.

On weekends or lighter rotations, students often visit:

- Gulf Coast beaches in Mississippi, Alabama, or Florida
- Baton Rouge or Lafayette
- Texas cities such as Houston or Austin

Longer breaks make it easy to travel within the U.S. or visit family and friends.

#### **Student activities**

New Orleans offers plenty to do outside of study.\
Live music is part of everyday life, with performances happening across the city.

Food plays a central role in social life and shared meals are a common way students stay connected, which is easy to do with many and varied culinary adventures to be had in New Orleans.

Many students stay active by:

- Walking or running in local parks
- Joining gyms or fitness classes
- Exploring neighborhoods on foot

Informal social gatherings and cohort traditions help balance the intensity of clinical training.

### **Residency preparation**

Clinical years are also when residency planning becomes a focus.

UQ-Ochsner students receive structured support for:

- Step 2 CK preparation
- Residency applications
- Interview preparation

Faculty and advisors guide students through specialty selection, personal statements, and letters of recommendation.

Clinical training at Ochsner Health helps students build strong evaluations and lasting mentorships.

UQ-Ochsner graduates consistently achieve strong U.S. residency Match outcomes.

By the end of Year 4, students are confident and well prepared for residency training.

From Brisbane to New Orleans, the UQ-Ochsner MD program offers more than clinical training, giving you perspective, responsibility, and real-world experience in two health systems.

Your time in New Orleans is where knowledge becomes practice and where confidence takes shape.

Learn more about the UQ-Ochsner MD program and take the next step in your global medical journey.

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