Medical Electives Abroad for Scandinavian Medical Students

Why Scandinavian Medical Students Are Choosing Electives Abroad

Medical education in Scandinavia. whether in Sweden, Norway, Denmark, or Finland—is known for its academic rigor, progressive healthcare systems, and commitment to public service. But increasingly, students across these countries are looking beyond their national borders to gain broader perspectives through medical electives abroad.

Whether you're studying at Karolinska Institutet, the University of Oslo, Aarhus University, or the University of Helsinki, an international elective can elevate your clinical competence, cultural awareness, and professional growth.

If you're considering taking your medical elective abroad, this guide is for you.

What Is a Medical Elective Abroad?

A medical elective abroad is a temporary placement where medical students gain supervised clinical experience in a foreign country. These placements often occur during the clinical years of study and are typically integrated into your curriculum or taken as optional study periods.

Students can choose from a wide range of specialties—from general surgery and pediatrics to tropical medicine and emergency care—in countries with diverse healthcare challenges.

Go Elective offers structured medical electives in Kenya and Tanzania designed specifically to give students hands-on learning in high-volume hospitals, with mentorship from experienced local physicians.

Why Take a Medical Elective Abroad?

Exposure to Diverse Healthcare Systems

Scandinavian students are trained in highly organized, resource-rich systems. Practicing in settings with limited resources, like Kenya’s Coast General Teaching and Referral Hospital or Tanzania’s Mount Meru Hospital, provides critical insight into how medicine is practiced under different constraints. You'll sharpen your diagnostic skills, learn clinical resourcefulness, and develop deep professional empathy.

Broadened Clinical Experience

Unlike electives in Western countries where student involvement may be limited, Go Elective’s programs encourage active participation. Students observe and assist in real-time procedures, attend ward rounds, scrub into surgeries, and contribute meaningfully under supervision—ideal for those who want hands-on exposure.

Strengthened Global Health Perspective

Understanding tropical diseases like malaria, tuberculosis, and HIV/AIDS is crucial for anyone interested in global health, public health, or infectious disease. You’ll also witness the social determinants of health in action and appreciate the global inequalities that shape access to care.

Academic Recognition

Most Scandinavian universities allow students to count international electives toward their medical degree, provided they meet set learning outcomes. Go Elective provides detailed documentation and support to help with academic credit approval.

Personal Growth and Cultural Immersion

Living in East Africa gives you more than just clinical experience—it’s a cultural journey. You’ll interact with local communities, take part in cultural excursions, and even explore world-famous destinations like the Maasai Mara, Serengeti, or Zanzibar through Go Elective’s curated safari add-ons.

Popular Destinations: Kenya and Tanzania

Kenya

At Coast General Teaching and Referral Hospital, the largest public hospital in Mombasa, you’ll join multidisciplinary teams in surgery, internal medicine, pediatrics, obstetrics & gynecology, and more. With over 700 inpatient beds, this facility offers unmatched patient diversity and caseload volume.

Tanzania

In Arusha, students rotate at Mount Meru Regional Hospital—a district referral center where students see a blend of trauma, tropical illness, and maternal-child health challenges. You’ll also enjoy proximity to Mount Kilimanjaro and Serengeti National Park.

What's Included in a Go Elective Medical Internship?

Clinical placement aligned with your interests
Pre-departure orientation and support
On-ground program coordinators and 24/7 support
Accommodation in secure student housing
Meals and airport transfers
Transport to the hospital each day
Certificate of completion and academic documentation

Go Elective maintains close partnerships with hospital administrators and physicians to ensure your learning is structured, safe, and fulfilling.

Elective Backdrop: Safari and Cultural Experiences

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.

When to Apply for a Medical Elective Abroad

Most Scandinavian medical schools allow electives during your final or penultimate clinical year—often during summer breaks or elective semesters. Start your planning early, ideally 6–12 months in advance, to align your elective with academic requirements and secure your visa/eTA, vaccinations, and licensing approvals.

However, we also have instant internships for last minute applicants, though this this subject to availability.

> Apply Here

Funding Your Elective

Several Scandinavian universities and government bodies offer grants or stipends for medical students pursuing electives abroad. Check with:

SIDA (Swedish International Development Cooperation Agency)
Läkare Utan Gränser (Doctors Without Borders Sweden)
Norwegian Centre for International Cooperation in Education (SIU)
Nordplus or Erasmus+ mobility grants
Your university’s international office or medical faculty

Go Elective also supports students with documentation for scholarship and grant applications.

How to Get Started

Choose Your Destination:

Explore our Kenya and Tanzania programs.

Submit Your Application:

Apply directly through Go Elective’s website and let us know your desired specialty and timing. Or, reach out to us via hello@goelective.com

Secure University Approval:

We’ll help you with any academic documentation or learning agreements your university requires (if needed).

Plan Your Travel:

We assist with pre-departure preparations, visa advice, health checks, and what to pack.

Begin Your Journey:

Arrive in-country, settle into your accommodation, and start your clinical rotation with full on-ground support.

Final Thoughts

For Scandinavian medical students seeking to expand their clinical knowledge and global awareness, a medical elective abroad is a powerful opportunity. It prepares you for future work in global health, public service, or even residency programs in international settings.

Go Elective is proud to support students from Sweden, Norway, Denmark, and Finland in accessing meaningful, well-supported clinical electives in East Africa. If you're ready to take the next step in your medical journey, we're here to help you make it unforgettable.

To learn more about out programs contact us via hello@goelective.com