Should You Consider Organizing an Internship or Elective Abroad on Your Own?

Introduction

Lately, some students are opting to organize their own medical internships or electives abroad. With so much information available online, it may seem simple — and cheaper — to arrange your own placement. While this approach might work for leisure travel, it’s not the best choice when it comes to educational or study-abroad programs. Organizing a medical internship on your own often leads to unexpected challenges and risks that can impact both your learning experience and your safety.

On the other hand, using a reputable placement organization like Go-Elective Abroad comes with several invaluable benefits. From our well-established relationships with hospitals to our expertise in running thousands of successful placements, we’ve fine-tuned our programs to meet the expectations of schools and universities worldwide. We take care of the logistics, safety, and structure, so you can focus entirely on making the most of your hospital rotations and clinical experience.

Why Go Elective Is the Smarter Choice

1. Long-Standing Relationships with Hospitals

Go Elective has built strong partnerships with top teaching and referral hospitals in Kenya and Tanzania, like the Coast General Teaching and Referral Hospital. These long-standing relationships ensure that we can offer well-structured, high-quality placements where students gain meaningful, hands-on clinical experience. When you organize your placement independently, you may not have access to such well-established programs or the mentorship that comes with them.

Additionally, our established connections mean we’re able to provide a smoother onboarding process, ensuring your rotations are well-organized and you have access to departments that suit your educational goals, from OBGYN to Emergency Medicine.

2. Programs Tailored to Educational Standards

Our experience placing students for thousands of hours of clinical work has allowed us to iterate and refine our programs to meet the expectations of most medical schools and universities. We collaborate closely with universities and faculty worldwide to ensure that our internships align with educational standards and provide the necessary clinical exposure, supervision, and assessments.

We also work to ensure that students are well-prepared before they arrive — offering guidance on cultural competence, managing expectations, and making the most of their rotations. This preparation helps students adjust quickly and perform confidently in a new healthcare environment.

3. Safety and Support

One of the biggest concerns when arranging a study-abroad program is safety. At Go Elective, we prioritize your well-being with comprehensive support systems in place. We provide secure, comfortable accommodations, round-the-clock in-country assistance, and carefully vetted hospital environments. When you organize a placement on your own, you take on the burden of managing safety and logistics without the same level of local knowledge and resources.

Our teams on the ground are well-trained and experienced in supporting international students, ensuring you always have someone to turn to, whether it’s for medical advice, travel logistics, or cultural guidance.

4. Hassle-Free Experience

With Go-Elective, you only need to worry about your rotations and getting the most out of them. We handle all the pre-departure planning, from visa guidance and vaccinations to packing checklists and program expectations. Once you arrive, our team manages your accommodation, transport, and any additional activities, so you can focus on your learning and cultural experience.

We also offer language lessons to help you communicate better with patients, though in Kenya and Tanzania, English is widely spoken by medical professionals and many patients. This added layer of preparation enhances your ability to engage fully in the clinical environment.

5. Accountability and Structure

When you arrange your own internship, there’s no organization to turn to if something goes wrong. Go-Elective provides you with a clear point of contact and a structured support system. Should any issues arise — whether academic, logistical, or personal — you’ll have an entire team behind you to address them promptly and professionally.

Furthermore, having an organized program means your clinical exposure is balanced and well-structured. You won’t have to worry about being under-supervised or missing out on important learning opportunities.

6. Cultural Immersion and Community Engagement

Go-Elective offers more than just clinical experience — we help you engage with local communities and immerse yourself in East African culture. Through outreach programs, visits to local schools, and opportunities to teach health education, you’ll make a real impact while deepening your understanding of global health.

We also arrange cultural excursions like safaris and city tours, ensuring your experience abroad is both educational and enriching.

Why Do Programs Seem Expensive?

It’s true that organized medical internships can seem costly, but this investment ensures a superior, well-supported experience. Here’s where your program fees go:

• Hospital Fees

We pay the hospitals for access to their facilities and mentorship, ensuring students get quality clinical exposure.

• High-Quality Accommodation

We secure safe, comfortable housing close to hospital placements.

• Security

Safety is paramount, and we invest in security measures for accommodations and transport.

• Mentor Incentives

To attract the best supervisors, we incentivize experienced medical professionals to guide and teach you.

• Community Contributions

We give back to the communities we operate in by donating to local schools, orphanages, and outreach programs.

• Support for Local Businesses

We prioritize working with local suppliers and service providers to strengthen the local economy.

• Research and Development

We continually invest in improving our programs to align with evolving educational and healthcare standards.

• Fair Staff Wages

Our dedicated in-country teams are well-compensated to ensure they provide top-tier support and coordination.

• Comprehensive Student Support

From pre-departure preparation to in-country assistance, we provide resources and guidance every step of the way.

Conclusion

While arranging your own medical internship abroad might seem like a budget-friendly option, the risks and logistical challenges can outweigh the savings. Choosing a reputable organization like Go-Elective offers peace of mind, safety, and a structured, high-quality educational experience. Our established hospital partnerships, tailored programs, and comprehensive support ensure you gain the most from your time abroad — both in clinical knowledge and cultural immersion.

By investing in a well-organized program, you’re not only ensuring your own safety and success but also contributing to the local communities and healthcare systems you’ll be working with. Let Go-Elective handle the details so you can focus on becoming the best medical professional you can be. Inquire here.

Article Details

Categories

Recent Articles , Pre-health, Medical Electives, Travel Tips, Dental Internships, Nursing Internships,

Author: Go-Elective Abroad

Date Published: Mar 11, 2025