RESIDENCY TRAINING programs are unique parts of the medical educational system of the US, although they somewhat resemble German assistantships. The institution of the first residency programs depended on the initiative of Osler and Halsted, of Johns Hopkins University, in the last years of the 19th century. At that time. North American physicians traveled to Europe for advanced training, just as doctors today come to this country. Today the US offers, in general, more and better opportunities for postgraduate medical training than any other country. Nevertheless, there are a few points, in relation to orthopedic training programs in particular, that should be looked at through the eyes of a foreign doctor. I believe that many foreign physicians look up to North American training as their highest educational goal. There are valid reasons for such an attitude, but sometimes they return to their countries disappointed, convinced that they made the