Medical Electives Abroad for Finnish Students | Hands-On Experience in Kenya & Tanzania

A transformative opportunity to gain international medical experience in Kenya or Tanzania

For Finnish medical students seeking practical experience beyond their national healthcare system, a medical elective abroad is one of the most impactful decisions they can make. It provides the chance to immerse yourself in a new clinical environment, understand healthcare delivery in a different cultural context, and build both your competence and confidence before graduation.

Go Elective offers medical electives in Kenya and Tanzania tailored for students from Finland’s top universities—including the University of Helsinki, Tampere University, the University of Turku, and others—who are pursuing their lääketieteen lisensiaatti (Licentiate of Medicine).

Why Consider a Medical Elective Abroad as a Finnish Student?

Finland’s healthcare system is among the most advanced in the world. But this also means Finnish medical students are often trained within a system that benefits from strong infrastructure, high funding, and consistent patient access.

Going abroad exposes you to healthcare systems that function with fewer resources and more variable conditions. This contrast enhances your ability to:

Adapt to different medical settings
Improve diagnostic reasoning in low-resource environments
Collaborate cross-culturally with international health professionals
Witness advanced pathologies rarely seen in the Nordic region

Students who pursue electives in underserved or low-income countries often return with a deeper understanding of global health inequities—and a renewed commitment to patient-centered care.

Go Elective: Trusted Partner for Finnish Medical Electives Abroad

At Go Elective, we specialize in organizing fully supported medical electives in Kenya (Mombasa) and Tanzania (Arusha). These electives are suitable for both clinical-phase students and recent graduates completing their practical rotations.

What sets Go Elective apart for Finnish students?

Accredited Clinical Sites:

Including major referral hospitals like Coast General Teaching and Referral Hospital (Kenya) and Mount Meru Regional Hospital (Tanzania).

Multidisciplinary Exposure

Rotations across departments like internal medicine, general surgery, pediatrics, emergency medicine, obstetrics & gynecology, and infectious diseases.

Local Mentorship:

Daily supervision by experienced physicians committed to teaching and international collaboration.

Cultural Integration:

Community outreach, Swahili lessons, and guided excursions that add depth to your clinical placement.

Fully Supported Experience:

We provide airport pick-up, accommodation, meals, local transport to your placement, and in-country support.

Whether you're coming from Helsinki or Oulu, we help you navigate every step of the process so you can focus on what matters—learning and contributing.

English Language Skills: A Must-Have for Success

While Go Elective programs take place in East Africa, the primary language of instruction and clinical communication is English. You don’t need to be fluent, but a basic command of spoken and written English is essential for:

Understanding patient histories and documentation
Communicating with local doctors and other interns
Participating in ward rounds, tutorials, and case discussions

If you're unsure about your level of English, we recommend a preparatory course or conversational practice before departure. Our local teams are friendly, accommodating, and used to working with students from all over Europe.

Elective Backdrop: Safari Adventures and Travel Beyond the Hospital

One of the unique advantages of doing your internship with Go Elective is the chance to explore some of Africa’s most iconic destinations. On your days off or weekends, you'll have the opportunity to go on unforgettable adventures:

Go on safari in Maasai Mara, Tsavo, or Serengeti National Park and see the Big Five in their natural habitat
Relax on white-sand beaches in Diani or Zanzibar after a week of clinical immersion
Hike through the Ngong Hills or view Mount Kilimanjaro as part of your cultural immersion
Visit local Maasai or Swahili communities, learning firsthand about traditional medicine and local health beliefs

These experiences don’t just serve as a break from the clinical environment — they enrich your understanding of the broader context in which health and healthcare exist. It’s a perfect blend of education, exploration, and reflection.

Matching Your Elective Abroad to Finnish Curriculum Requirements

Most Finnish medical schools allow and even encourage international electives, especially during your clinical years. Before booking your placement, consult your faculty’s study advisor to confirm:

The number of credits you can earn from your elective
Required documentation (learning agreements, supervisor forms)
Post-placement report or reflective essay requirements

We’ll assist with any official paperwork needed, including supervisor evaluations and certificate of completion.

How to Apply for Your Medical Elective

Step 1: Visit goelective.com and review the available destinations and dates.

Step 2: Fill out the online application form at goelective.com/apply selecting your preferred department(s), arrival window, and duration. You can also write to hello@goelective.com

Step 3: Receive a personalized response from our team with a tailored placement plan.

Step 4: Secure your spot with a deposit, then receive your pre-departure guide and support on visa, vaccinations, and packing checklist.

Step 5: Fly out and begin your clinical and cultural immersion experience!

Electives are available year-round. Most students from Finland choose summer placements between June and August—but slots fill up fast. Book early to avoid disappointment.

What’s Included in the Program?

Go Elective takes care of the logistics so you can focus on learning. The program includes:

Pre-departure support
On-ground orientation and 24/7 support
Comfortable carted accommodation
Wi-Fi
Airport transfers and in-country transport
Cultural excursions and weekend trip options

Learn more about what’s included.

Final Thoughts: Why Finnish Students Love Go Elective

Past participants from Finland consistently highlight:

The depth of clinical exposure in low-resource settings
Supportive local mentors who encourage student involvement
Cultural immersion and meaningful friendships with peers from around the world
Unforgettable travel opportunities across East Africa

A Go Elective medical internship is more than a clinical rotation—it's a global health journey that challenges, educates, and inspires.

> Inquire today or reach out to us via hello@goelective.com