Medical Electives Abroad
Tailored Placements Across Asia & Africa
A medical elective abroad with Elective Abroad is a unique opportunity to gain clinical experience in a fast-paced, low-resource hospital in the developing world.
You'll work in a healthcare system vastly different from your own, encountering medical conditions and treatment methods you may have never seen before.
Your elective is fully customizable, allowing you to rotate through various departments such as surgery, pediatrics, emergency medicine, oncology, and more.
You'll gain firsthand exposure to tropical diseases, understand how socio-cultural factors impact patient care, and develop a deeper appreciation for global health challenges through real-world experience.
✔️ Patient History & Examination – Develop skills in taking comprehensive medical histories and conducting accurate physical examinations.
✔️ Procedural Skills – Under supervision, proactively assist and perform procedures such as:
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I.V. cannulation
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Phlebotomy
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Lumbar punctures
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Bone marrow aspiration
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Pericardiocentesis
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Pleurocentesis
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Ascitic tap
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Skin biopsies
✔️ Clinical Reasoning & Diagnosis – Analyze, synthesize, and integrate patient data to develop accurate diagnoses and treatment plans.
✔️ Applying Medical Knowledge – Use knowledge of pathophysiology and disease progression to manage common conditions encountered in the department.
✔️ Patient-Centered Care – Learn how to build positive, healing relationships with patients, while considering the emotional and cultural aspects of patient care.
✔️ Resource-Conscious Healthcare – Understand the importance of cost-effective diagnostic evaluations and management options, a critical aspect of healthcare in low-resource settings.
This immersive experience will challenge participants to think critically, refine clinical skills, and adapt to unique medical challenges, ultimately shaping them into well-rounded, globally aware healthcare professionals.
Common Medical Conditions Encountered in Elective Abroad Placements
During your medical elective abroad in Africa and Asia, you will gain hands-on experience managing a wide range of infectious, chronic, and emergency conditions that are less common in high-resource settings. Working in low-resource hospitals and clinics, you’ll develop essential skills in diagnosis, treatment, and patient management, while adapting to different healthcare systems and cultural approaches to care.
Infectious & Communicable Diseases
✔️ HIV/AIDS & Opportunistic Infections – Tuberculosis (TB), Pneumocystis pneumonia (PCP), candidiasis, toxoplasmosis, cryptococcosis, and Kaposi’s sarcoma.
✔️ Malaria – One of the leading causes of death, presenting with fever, chills, severe anemia, organ failure, and neurological complications.
✔️ Typhoid & Cholera – Life-threatening gastrointestinal infections causing dehydration and sepsis.
✔️ Tuberculosis (TB) – Pulmonary and extrapulmonary TB, frequently associated with HIV co-infection.
✔️ Hepatitis (A, B, C, E) – Chronic and acute cases leading to liver cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma.
✔️ Meningitis – Bacterial and viral meningitis requiring rapid diagnosis and treatment.
✔️ Schistosomiasis & Parasitic Infections – Chronic conditions affecting the liver, kidneys, and intestines.
Non-Communicable Diseases (NCDs) & Chronic Conditions
✔️ Hypertension & Stroke – Limited access to preventative care leads to high rates of ischemic & hemorrhagic strokes.
✔️ Diabetes & Complications – Diabetic foot ulcers, neuropathy, and infections are common due to poor disease management.
✔️ Chronic Respiratory Diseases – COPD, asthma, and complications due to indoor air pollution and smoking.
✔️ Cardiovascular Diseases – Heart failure, rheumatic heart disease, and ischemic heart conditions due to lack of early intervention.
✔️ Kidney Disease – Chronic kidney disease (CKD) caused by diabetes, hypertension, and infections.
✔️ Liver Disease – Cirrhosis, hepatic encephalopathy, and hepatocellular carcinoma.
Pediatric Conditions
✔️ Malnutrition & Growth Disorders – Kwashiorkor, marasmus, and stunted growth due to chronic malnutrition.
✔️ Respiratory Infections – Pneumonia, tuberculosis, and bronchiolitis, often exacerbated by poor sanitation and overcrowding.
✔️ Gastrointestinal Diseases – Diarrhea, dysentery, and dehydration, major causes of pediatric mortality.
✔️ Neonatal Conditions – Premature birth, neonatal sepsis, birth asphyxia, and congenital defects like spina bifida and clubfoot.
✔️ Vaccine-Preventable Diseases – Measles, polio, diphtheria, and pertussis due to low immunization rates.
Emergency & Trauma Cases
✔️ Road Traffic Accidents (RTA) – A leading cause of trauma, fractures, traumatic brain injuries, and emergency surgeries.
✔️ Burns & Wound Care – Commonly caused by open-fire cooking, chemical exposure, and electrical burns.
✔️ Snake Bites & Animal Bites – Envenomation from cobras, vipers, and rabid animal bites.
✔️ Sepsis & Septic Shock – Common due to delayed medical attention and limited access to antibiotics.
✔️ Surgical Emergencies – Appendicitis, bowel obstruction, perforated ulcers, and acute cholecystitis requiring urgent intervention.
Mental Health & Neurological Conditions
✔️ Depression & Anxiety Disorders – Often underdiagnosed and untreated due to stigma and lack of mental health services.
✔️ Substance Abuse Disorders – Alcoholism and drug addiction are rising public health concerns.
✔️ Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) – Common in post-conflict regions.
✔️ Seizure Disorders & Epilepsy – Many patients lack access to antiepileptic medications, leading to uncontrolled seizures.
Why This Experience Matters
As a medical student or internal medicine participant, you will:
✅ Develop clinical reasoning in resource-limited settings.
✅ Gain hands-on diagnostic and procedural skills.
✅ Learn to adapt to different healthcare systems and manage patients with limited resources.
✅ Build critical decision-making skills in high-pressure environments.
✅ Understand the sociocultural and economic factors influencing global health.
This elective will not only prepare you for diverse clinical challenges but also shape you into a more adaptable, globally aware healthcare professional.
✔️ A Safe & Secure Placement – We ensure a structured, well-supervised, and secure elective experience in trusted hospitals and clinics.
✔️ Exclusive Accommodation & Meals – Stay in private housing with fellow healthcare students, enjoying fully catered meals prepared by in-house chefs (dietary needs accommodated).
✔️ Diverse Placement Options – Choose from a range of partner hospitals, including regional, teaching, and government hospitals.
✔️ Unmatched Hands-On Experience – Get extensive clinical exposure in low-resource settings, assisting in real patient care.
✔️ Cultural Exchange & Exposure – Gain global healthcare insights while immersing yourself in local culture.
🔹 Comprehensive Hospital Support –
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Guided hospital tour with staff and department introductions.
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Doctor & mentor fees covered.
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Strong mentorship programs with experienced professionals.
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English-speaking supervisors for structured, multi-layered clinical guidance.
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24/7 in-country support from locally hired experts fluent in English.
🔹 Pre-Departure Support
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Dedicated Operations Manager to assist with trip preparation.
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Expert placement advice to help you choose the right specialty.
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Help with university documents and risk assessments.
🔹 During Your Placement
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Guaranteed department choices tailored to your interests.
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Flexible start dates to fit your schedule.
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Community outreach opportunities (destination-dependent).
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Language lessons covering clinical and everyday phrases.
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Comprehensive city tour and welcome lunch with the in-country team.
🔹 Logistics & Safety
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Airport pickup and return transfers arranged by the in-country team.
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Daily transport to and from your hospital placement.
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24/7 emergency support from our global and in-country teams.
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Comprehensive international staff support throughout your trip.
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WiFi access at accommodation.
🔹 Post-Elective Benefits
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Placement confirmation letter upon completion to enhance your portfolio.
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Travel recommendations and weekend itinerary suggestions from the in-country team.
Elective Abroad is more than just an elective—it’s an unforgettable experience that prepares you for a global medical career!
If you are a college student enrolled in or accepted into a professional medical degree program, you are eligible to join Elective Abroad.
Graduates are also welcome to participate; however, please note that our placements are educational in nature. They are designed to provide hands-on experience in low-resource hospitals under the supervision of local, qualified professionals.
✅ Step 1: Submit an Inquiry
Fill out the inquiry form at the bottom of the page, letting us know where, when, and why you want to travel, as well as your current level of study.
✅ Step 2: Consultation & Eligibility Check
A member of our team will review your inquiry and contact you to discuss your eligibility. They will also answer any questions you may have about the program.
✅ Step 3: Approval & Confirmation
Once your eligibility is confirmed, you’ll need to submit your application and pay the registration fee. Your placement will be confirmed within 5 business days upon availability in the host hospital placement
Ready to start your elective abroad? Submit your inquiry today!
