Self-Funding for Your Entire Placement Abroad

Funding an overseas internship may sound daunting, but with determination and creativity, it’s absolutely possible. Leah Morgan, a final-year nursing student from Cardiff, managed to raise the full cost of her two-week placement in Mombasa, Kenya.

Here’s how she made it happen. And what tips future students can take from her journey.

Why choose an overseas placement?

Leah had the option of staying in the UK for her elective, but she wanted something different. “I wanted to see what nursing looked like in a low-resource setting. Kenya stood out to me because of its culture and the chance to work in a busy teaching hospital. I knew it would challenge me both personally and professionally.”

Her placement cost just over £2,000, including accommodation, meals, hospital fees, and local support. Flights were extra, and Leah knew she would need to cover everything herself.

Getting started with fundraising

Leah’s first step was applying for small grants. She approached her local community health trust and gave a short presentation about her goals. They awarded her £600, which gave her a strong start. She then contacted the local Rotary Club and a regional nursing charity, who together contributed another £500.

From there, she started planning creative fundraising events. Her favorite was a “Curry and Quiz Night” at a local community hall. Friends and family helped cook, sell tickets, and run the raffle, which raised £500 in a single evening. She also ran a sponsored coastal walk with classmates, which added another £300.

Overcoming challenges

Not every application was successful. “I must have emailed 20 different organisations, and most never replied,” Leah admitted. “It was tough, but I reminded myself that every ‘no’ just meant I was closer to a ‘yes’ somewhere else.”

She also struggled with balancing fundraising alongside her studies and hospital placements. “Some weeks I felt completely stretched. But I kept reminding myself of the bigger goal. It kept me motivated.”

Using social media and local press

Leah set up a simple fundraising page and regularly updated it with photos and posts about her progress. She shared stories about why the placement mattered to her, which encouraged more people to donate. A local newspaper even ran a short feature on her efforts, which helped spread the word further.

Was it worth it?

Absolutely. “I’ll never forget my time in Kenya. It was hard work, but it gave me confidence, perspective, and so many lessons I’ll carry into my career. Fundraising felt like a mountain at first, but now it’s one of the things I’m proudest of. It made the placement feel even more rewarding.”

Leah encourages other students to take the leap:

“Don’t be afraid to ask. People want to support students doing something meaningful. Break it into small goals, and celebrate each success. If I could do it, you can too.”

At Go-Elective, we’ve seen many students fund part or all of their internships through creative efforts. That’s why we provide ideas and support through our fundraising hub. Whether it’s hosting a dinner, running a sponsored event, or writing to local charities, there are plenty of ways to make your elective possible.

Ready to plan your own journey? Explore nursing and midwifery internships in Kenya and Tanzania and start mapping out both your placement and your fundraising strategy today.

Article Details

Categories

Recent Articles , Pre-health, Medical Electives, Dental Internships, Nursing Internships, PA Internships, Residency,

Author: Go-Elective Abroad

Date Published: Sep 20, 2025