Top Reasons to Travel Solo for Your Internship Abroad

If you’re finding it hard to coordinate with friends for an overseas placement, don’t let that hold you back. Traveling solo for your internship can be one of the most rewarding decisions you make. Not just for your professional development, but for your personal growth too.

Here are some of the best reasons to consider going it alone.

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1. Go at your own pace

When you travel solo, you answer only to yourself. You have complete freedom to design your experience, from how you spend your time outside the hospital to how you structure your weekends. If you need space, you can take it without worrying about leaving anyone behind. If you want to say yes to a spontaneous opportunity, you can jump right in.

2. Meet new people

Ironically, traveling alone often makes it easier to build new friendships. Without the comfort of a ready-made group, you’ll naturally branch out and connect with fellow interns, hospital staff, and locals. At Go Elective program houses, you’ll live alongside students from around the world: future doctors, nurses, physiotherapists, and more. Shared experiences like evening meals, weekend trips, and cultural excursions mean that many students leave with lifelong friends.

3. Build confidence

Solo travel pushes you outside your comfort zone, and that’s where growth happens. From navigating a new city to taking initiative in a hospital setting, each challenge strengthens your independence and self-assurance. By the end of your placement, you’ll likely feel more confident. Not just in your clinical abilities, but in yourself as a whole.

4. Discover more about yourself

Being on your own gives you time and space to reflect. You’ll learn what you’re capable of, where your strengths lie, and which areas you want to develop. This kind of self-discovery is invaluable and often shapes both personal and career decisions down the road.

5. Fundraising might be easier

On a practical note, fundraising can be more straightforward when you’re traveling solo. You won’t be competing with a group for the same pool of donors, bursaries, or grants. That means your efforts are more likely to directly benefit your placement costs. Explore our fundraising tips to help make your elective possible.

6. You’re never truly alone

While solo travel sounds intimidating, you won’t actually be on your own. Our safety and security support and in-country teams are there every step of the way, from airport pickup to orientation and ongoing support. You’ll also be part of a community of fellow interns living together in the program house, so you’ll always have people to share experiences with.

At Go-Elective, we help students design overseas placements that fit their goals, whether you’re traveling solo or with friends. Our internships in Kenya and Tanzania combine clinical learning with cultural exploration, giving you the chance to grow in ways you might never expect.

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Author: Go-Elective Abroad

Date Published: Sep 20, 2025