Medical Electives
Are you exploring opportunities for a medical elective placement abroad? With few options to sift through, finding the ideal international medical internship can be daunting. Rest assured, GE offers tailored programs that align with institutional requirements and personal objectives. You will have a chance to rotate in private and public remote hospitals in East Africa.
Our programs are suitable for undergraduates, medical students, residents, and practitioners seeking firsthand clinical experience in underserved areas of East Africa, spanning specialties like accidents and emergency medicine, OBGYN, general surgery, ENT, pediatrics, internal medicine, psychiatry, orthopedics, and more.
Program Duration & Schedule
The duration of our placements program abroad is flexible, ranging from 2-12 weeks. You can choose the start and end dates that suit your schedule and align with your school’s requirements.
Weekdays include hospital rotations from 8 am to 1 pm, leaving afternoons for exploring, attending global health seminars, language lessons, or relaxing at the residence. You can also choose to extend clinical hours with additional hospital shifts.
Weekends offer relaxation, embarking on safaris, spending time with kids at local schools or participating in our volunteer work such as providing preventive health education.
What’s Included in the Program Fees
Go Elective offers a comprehensive pre-health shadowing internship abroad package.
We provide pre-trip support; airport transfers; 24/7 assistance; safe, spacious, and comfortable housing; private transport; chef-prepared meals tailored to personal dietary preferences; hospital fees; orientation; mentorship/training; weekly global health seminars in the residence; language lessons; recommendation letter/certificate of participation; volunteering opportunities as well as a chance to explore the destination, hike Mt. Kilimanjaro or go on a safari.
Why Choose Go Elective?
In today’s interconnected world, gaining a global healthcare perspective is essential. International experiences enable cultural interaction, skill adaptation, and practical, hands-on learning beyond the classroom.
Besides, our medical elective programs abroad come with distinct advantages. Including:
Flexible Year-Round Opportunities
Our residency electives abroad are available year-round, allowing you to join one at any time. We also have a flexible schedule to enable you to make changes to your trip and travel dates to suit you.
Clinical Experience
Our program is thoughtfully crafted to provide medical residents with a truly unique experience. Picture yourself helping diagnose and treat conditions without the advanced laboratory services and equipment you're accustomed to in your home facilities.
In emerging economies, patients often postpone seeking treatment, leading to diseases or conditions reaching critical stages. These experiences will significantly deepen your medical knowledge and hone your clinical skills.
Diverse Specialties
Our program provides exposure to a wide range of medical specialties, helping you enhance your medical competence and gain a comprehensive understanding of various fields within healthcare.
Professional Growth
Undertaking a residency elective abroad opens up a world of personal and professional growth opportunities including connecting with fellow medical students from around the world.
Tailored Experiences
We acknowledge each student's unique interests and career aspirations. We actively consult our applicants to meet their individual needs.
Safety and Support
Your well-being is our top priority. We ensure your safety with secure accommodations and provide 24/7 support through designated mentors and other staff.
Safaris & Adventure
Immerse yourself in the local culture and explore the natural wonders of your destination, including breathtaking wildlife, enchanting landscapes like Kilimanjaro, and rich cultures like the Maasai.
Unique Program Highlights
Our programs are located in regions with unique healthcare challenges. Kenya, for instance, grapples with a shortage of doctors, resulting in a distinct doctor-to-patient ratio. Limited resources lead to different approaches to healthcare delivery, such as prescribing medication when resources are scarce. Traditional medicine is also practiced in some hospitals, and research into its effectiveness is ongoing.
Resources are often limited, and emergencies can be challenging due to a lack of equipment. Patients and their families are typically expected to pay for treatment unless they have health insurance, which many cannot afford. Patients may present with advanced conditions, and you'll have the opportunity to contribute to research on diseases like TB and Malaria.
Beyond medicine, these regions offer remarkable experiences, from unwinding on palm-lined beaches to encountering elephants, lions, and giraffes on safari.
Hospital Profile
One of our featured hospitals is the Coast General Teaching and Referral Hospital, with a rich history dating back to 1908. It's now the second-largest public hospital in Kenya, serving a primary population of over a million people and a secondary population of about 3 million. Patients travel from across Kenya and East Africa to seek high-quality and compassionate healthcare at this institution.
We also work with other public and private healthcare centers in Mombasa, Malindi Nairobi, Kakamega, and Arusha in Tanzania.
Elective Supervision & Mentorship While Abroad
Upon your arrival, our designated representative will greet you at the airport and arrange transportation to your residence, allowing you to relax after your journey. The following day, you will receive a thorough local area orientation, followed by a hospital induction.
During the hospital induction, you will be assigned a doctor mentor who will guide you throughout the program. We maintain daily communication with your supervisor to ensure your learning experience stays on track and aligns with your objectives.
GE Elective Programs Health & Safety
Our program residences are situated in the safest parts of the cities where we work. Each residence is in a gated community with security staff available all through. The accommodations might involve sharing a room with one other person depending on the number of participants at that particular time.
The residences are equipped with a TV, Wi-Fi, kitchen, dining area, and access to a swimming pool. Additionally, we offer private transportation in the destinations.
Specialties Available
GE offers placements in a wide range of specialties including accidents and emergency, pediatrics, general surgery, internal medicine, obstetrics and gynecology, oncology, radiology, cardiology, psychiatry, tropical medicine, general medicine, orthopedics, respiratory medicine, trauma, intensive care, and laboratory work. You have the option to specialize or rotate in various departments.
Be aware that there is a limited number of openings for each department, so we recommend securing your spot as early as possible. We maintain a controlled number of students to uphold the quality of our clinical placements.
Scope, Task & Responsibilities of Medical Students in Internships Abroad
A common inquiry we receive is whether students will have the opportunity for hands-on experience during their elective abroad. Student assignments are at the discretion of your supervisor after adequate orientation and evaluation. You will have access to the clinical area, as well as direct patient contact but with supervision.
Possible tasks that you might help with in some departments include:
- Outpatient Department
Receiving and registering patients, checking vital signs, assisting with patient histories and treatment administration, supporting lab and pharmacy activities, and conducting clinics on topics like HIV and diabetes.
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Surgical Department
Tasks could include preparing patients for major and minor surgeries, assisting in operating rooms, post-surgery patient follow-ups, and participating in morning rounds with medical staff.
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Gynecology:
Duties may involve assisting in prenatal clinics, aiding with deliveries and C-sections, supporting postnatal clinics, and participating in rounds with medical staff.
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Pediatrics:
Responsibilities might include assisting with pediatric treatments and vaccinations, helping in pediatric wards, and participating in morning rounds with medical staff.
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HIV Care and Treatment:
Trainees may help provide counseling and check-ups for individuals living with HIV.
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Community Health Services:
Volunteers can participate in preventive workshops when organized with the hospital or local NGOs.
Adventure Beyond Medicine
We understand that exploring the local culture and attractions is an important part of your experience. In your free time, you'll have the opportunity to go on safaris, join excursions, or even take on adventurous activities like hiking Mount Kilimanjaro, the tallest mountain in Africa.
These optional add-on activities allow you to fully immerse yourself in the beauty and culture of the placement destinations.
Preparing for Your Elective Abroad
Before embarking on your medical elective program, we recommend familiarizing yourself with your designated placement location. Learning about the language, climate, local customs, and culture will enrich your experience and help you adapt more easily. We will cover this in the pre-trip sessions.
Don't Leave Your Friends Behind!
Most applications are solo trips that then join other participants in the program. However,
you are free to travel with a group of friends or classmates. Moreover, you have the option
of extending your experience by inviting your family to join you for a memorable safari at
the program's conclusion.
Note that there may be group discounts available for those who choose to travel with friends
or classmates.
Other Placement Options
Besides healthcare, other work placement options available are Teaching, Community Development, Business Treks, HIV work, Orphanage Work, Agriculture, Environmental Protection, and more.
Our programs revolve around volunteering, studying abroad, career exploration, cultural immersion, language study, and gap year programs. Which can all be used for school credit.
2026 & Summer 2027 Electives Applications Ongoing
Ready to embark on this transformative journey with Go Elective? We're here to support you every step of the way, from liaising with university staff to handling paperwork, visas, and flights.
If you're seeking specific advice or more information about our medical internships in 2026 or the summer of 2027 before applying, don't hesitate to reach out. You can email us or click here to schedule a virtual meeting or call.
Join Go-Elective and expand your horizons in the world of healthcare. It's an experience that will enhance your skills, broaden your perspective, and empower you to make a difference. It's your chance to scrub up and hit the ground running.
Success Stories from Our Alumni Network
Go Elective surpassed my expectations. From the moment I arrived, the GE staff made me feel at ease. The shadowing experience I got from the rural clinics in Mombasa was incredible, allowing me to see things I don't think I would have seen anywhere else.
Kayla Foord, Premed Internship
Success Stories from Our Alumni Network
Working with a skilled surgeon was incredible, but the real highlight was the eye-opening experience at the Coast General Hospital. It humbled me and showed me the impact that the medical profession can have worldwide.
Matthew O'Donnell, Medical Elective
Go Elective surpassed my expectations. From the moment I arrived, the GE staff made me feel at ease. The shadowing experience I got from the rural clinics in Mombasa was incredible, allowing me to see things I don't think I would have seen anywhere else.
Kayla Foord, Premed Internship
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Go Elective offers immersive opportunities for medical students, pre-med undergraduates, residents, nursing practitioners, and PAs to gain guided invaluable experience in busy hospitals abroad. Discover the power of study, travel, and impact.
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