How to Prepare for a Medical Elective Abroad

So, you’ve decided to take your medical elective overseas—amazing! Whether you're a clinical-year medical student, a gap-year grad, or a pre-med student looking to gain global exposure, a medical elective abroad is one of the most powerful ways to step outside your comfort zone and deepen your understanding of healthcare.

At Go Elective, we’ve helped students from around the world prepare for transformative placements in Kenya and Tanzania, where they shadow doctors, explore healthcare systems in low-resource settings, and immerse themselves in new cultures.

Here’s your ultimate guide to preparing for a successful medical elective abroad.

✅ 1. Choose the Right Location and Program

Not all electives are created equal. The best programs combine clinical immersion, safety, support, and flexibility.

At Go Elective, we place students in several destinations abroad, however, for medical electove, we highly recommend:

Mombasa, Kenya – Home to Coast General Teaching and Referral Hospital, the second-largest public hospital in the country
Arusha, Tanzania – A growing medical hub with exposure to regional and rural healthcare practices

Depending on your goals, you can focus on departments like:

Internal Medicine
Surgery
Pediatrics
OB/GYN
Emergency/Trauma
Infectious Disease
Tropical Medicine
Psychiatry, Radiology, and more

Choose your elective based on your academic needs, clinical interests, and preferred duration (typically 2–8+ weeks).

✅ 2. Understand What You’ll Be Doing

As a medical student, you may observe or—depending on your level of training—take part in:

Ward rounds and patient reviews
Case discussions and diagnostic reasoning
Minor procedures (under supervision)
Surgical observation and post-op care
Maternal and newborn care
Mobile clinics and community outreach (when available)

You’ll shadow licensed physicians and healthcare teams while building global health competencies and cultural sensitivity.

✅ 3. Coordinate with Your Medical School

Before you go, it’s smart to notify your university or medical faculty. Some schools may:

Require elective approval in advance
Ask for a signed learning agreement or supervisor evaluation
Provide forms or reflective assessment templates
Offer academic credit (or requirements to receive it)

Side note: Not every school has formal paperwork, but it’s a good idea to check early and share any necessary forms with Go Elective ahead of time—we’re happy to support and sign what’s needed.

✅ 4. Prepare Medical and Travel Requirements

Once accepted into the program, you’ll need to handle your pre-travel medical prep. This usually includes:

Vaccinations:

Yellow Fever
Hepatitis B
Tetanus (Tdap)
MMR and Varicella (if not immune)
TB testing (if required by your school)
Influenza (recommended if attending in flu season)
Malaria Prophylaxis:
Your doctor will prescribe the right medication based on your destination.

Travel Insurance
High recommended. Be sure it covers medical evacuation and emergencies.
Passport and Visa:
Ensure your passport is valid for at least 6 months and research Kenya or Tanzania’s eVisa or eTA requirements.

✅ 5. Know What to Pack

Beyond your scrubs and stethoscope, here’s what else to bring:

Closed-toe shoes for clinical settings
Notebook for patient logs and reflections
Travel adapter, sunscreen, insect repellent
Modest, comfortable clothing for cultural sensitivity
A positive attitude and cultural humility

You’ll receive a full pre-departure guide from Go Elective with everything you need to prepare.

✅ 6. Make Time for Meaningful Exploration

Your clinical schedule typically runs from 8:00 AM to 1:00 PM, leaving your afternoons and weekends free for:

Swahili lessons and cultural activities
Volunteering at local schools or orphanages
Relaxing at the beach or local cafés
Going on safari in Tsavo, the Serengeti, or Ngorongoro
Exploring coastal towns like Malindi, Lamu, or Zanzibar

A medical elective abroad isn’t just about observing healthcare—it’s about understanding the human, cultural, and social contexts of medicine.

✅ 7. Reflect, Learn, and Grow

As you navigate this experience, be sure to take time to reflect on:

The realities of healthcare in different settings
The ethical challenges faced by local teams
Your own growth as a future clinician
The privilege and responsibility of serving patients from different walks of life

Many students keep a daily journal or complete a school-required reflective report. These reflections often turn into powerful stories for personal statements, interviews, and lifelong perspective.

Final Thoughts: Preparing Is Just the Beginning

Preparing for a medical elective abroad isn’t just about paperwork and packing—it’s about mentally and emotionally opening yourself up to learn in a new environment. You’ll gain:

Clinical confidence
Cultural intelligence
Global awareness
And memories that will shape your career forever

Ready to Start Your Medical Elective Journey?

Go Elective offers flexible, structured, and fully supported electives in Kenya and Tanzania for medical students around the world.

Apply now or get in touch to start planning your medical elective abroad.

Because medicine is more than what happens in your home country—it’s a global calling.