@kool.doc4u
hey..remembr u frm anastomosis :P
internship is not a requirement fr residency in the US...as long as u hv da degree..u can apply fr a residency..but it is a good option to get registered in atleast 1 country b4 u go to the US coz u mite hav to leave USA at sum point of time (which...depends on wht visa u get) ... and den doin interenship at a later stage wud be very annoyin/boring/difficult/whateva (i wudnt wanna do internship after residency frm USA :P ) .. but if u get a degree before u do internship den u can always apply fr residency widout the interenshp...
tokin abt electives...u can do em while u r enrolled as a final yr med student .. it is expensive in sum univs...its very cheap in sum..so depends on which univ u applied to...Baylor collg of med, houston .. $500 per month and $500 for applicatn .. about $200/month fr insurance .. etc
univs like Yale charge 2500$ pm .. nw dats expensive .. !!!
observrshp mite b cheaper .. but u dont get hands on experience...so if u hv already graduated...externship wud b a bettr choice..but dat is expensive
good luck..