externes

Externes is a term used in several French-speaking institutions to describe people who participate in an activity from outside the regular program, typically as trainees or observers, rather than as employees or full members of the organization. The exact meaning varies by field and country, but the common elements are a temporary, supervised, external position intended to provide training or exposure.

In medical education, externes are medical students during an externship phase. They rotate through hospital departments, assist with basic patient care under supervision, and observe clinical work. They typically do not sign prescriptions or make independent clinical decisions and are not licensed physicians. The externship is part of the curriculum and is designed to develop clinical skills and professional judgment before becoming a resident.

In law and public administration, externs are students who work at courts, government agencies, or law firms as part of their studies. They perform legal research, draft memoranda, and observe proceedings, under supervision. Credit may be awarded toward the degree, and compensation varies by program.

In broader educational or professional contexts, externes may refer to external students who take part in courses, clinics, or projects, or to external staff or trainees who are not regular employees. The term is most common in French-speaking settings; in English, counterparts include extern, externship, or internship, with variations in rights and responsibilities.