Work the World is the leading provider of medical, dental, nursing, midwifery and physiotherapy electives and placements in Africa, Asia and South America.
We have an experienced and knowledgeable team in the UK head office, as well as in each of our overseas destinations, providing you with a 24/7 support network and lots of advice and guidance, both before you leave and while you are away. We make sure your placement is efficiently organised and matches your interests, and also sort out all in-country logistics. All you need to focus on is enjoying the experience!
Meet our UK team
Omar Mohamed - Director
Prior to co-founding Work the World in 2005, Omar worked in the gap year industry promoting responsible travel for six years. His career has involved working for extensive periods of time in eleven destinations, which span North America, Europe, Asia and Africa. During this time Omar was arranging, developing and overseeing work-experience projects in the fields of social welfare, education, health and conservation.
Dave Brown - Director
Dave has set up and managed volunteer and work-experience projects on five continents. He spent eighteen months as a programme director in Ghana, West Africa, and has also lived for extended periods in India, Korea, South Africa and Mexico. Prior to setting up Work the World, he was the Operations Director at a large development travel company.
Faye Stickings - Managing Director
Faye joined the team as Operations Director and following a successful two years building up an incredible placement portfolio, has moved into the role of Managing Director. She oversees all aspects of the company to make sure that you get the best service possible and have an outstanding elective experience.
Having spent time in Africa, Asia and South America, Faye has many years experience in the travel industry and has worked with students on healthcare, education, social and conservation projects around the world. She has visited most of our destinations and speaks to our in-country staff regularly.
Ruth Chapman - Communications Manager
Ruth joined us in the spring of 2009 to develop the website and Work the World brand. She now manages the marketing and advertising for the company, as well as the content and development of both the UK and International websites.
Coming from a background in travel and product marketing, Ruth's love of exploring has seen her head off round the world twice, quite conveniently visiting almost every destination we offer! She is an experienced travel-writer and has won several competitions talking about her experiences overseas.
Simon Vaughan - UK Electives Consultant
Simon is the key contact for students and faculty based in the UK, handing everything from independent enquiries to universities that want to establish a more structured partnership.
Having spent long periods of time in Europe, India, Africa and South America, he is a man of many experiences.... he's been stuck in the middle of the Amazon for 2 days with no way out, had 3 different strains of malaria, been chased by a grumpy hippo and has lived with the Dalai Lama in the mountains of the Himalayas. Stories aside, he is perfectly placed to talk you through any worries you, or your students, have about travelling abroad. During his time at Work the World he has visited several of our hospitals and can give you plenty of information on the benefits of an overseas elective and coping with the challenge of living and working in different cultural settings.
Cat Basset - Sales and Marketing Assistant
Cat joined the Work the World team in January 2012 as a Sales and Marketing assistant. After spending her early twenties travelling through South Africa, Asia and "down under", she decided it might be time to get a career! Cat is responsible for all our social media so can often be found on Facebook, tweeting or uploading students’ videos to our YouTube channel. Cat assists the rest of the Sales and Marketing team following up enquiries and with anything else they might need!
Rob Giddings - Head of Operations
Rob started Work the World as the Africa Operations Manager, and the success of our Tanzania programmes are a tribute to his efforts - the boy even learnt Swahili! He now manages our East Africa and South America programmes, and works closely with Alex and Susie to ensure all of our destinations are offering the best placements possible.
Having spent extended periods exploring many other areas of the world, Rob understands the excitement, apprehension and planning involved in living and working abroad. Before joining the Work the World team, he specialised in teaching English to foreign students. He spent two years in Japan, two years in South Korea and taught people from all over the world in a language school in England. He has also spent a year in New Zealand, working as an adventure activities co-ordinator.
Susie Anthony - Operations Manager
Susie joined Work the World in January 2012. She got her travel bug when she moved to Siberia to teach English in a small oil town. After spending 2 years evading bears and getting used to -40 C, she moved to Oman to + 40 C to teach English at a university and also found some time to swim, hike and wadi bash. Before joining the Work the World, Susie worked at a language training company, which is a her biggest passion after travel.
In overseeing our Tanzanian programmes, Susie helps students prepare for their placements before they fly out and also makes sure everything runs to plan whilst out there.
Alex Furey - Operations Manager
Alex joined Work the World at the start of 2012 as Operations Manager. He is well qualified to talk about life in other parts of the world - as well as a degree in Russian, he spent over 2 years living, working and studying in different parts of Russia. He has also made the Ukraine, Kazakhstan, Tanzania and Nigeria his home - getting something of a reputation as a minor celebrity with an appearance on a Ukrainian chat show, an interview with the Prime Minister of Tanzania and as a contestant on the children’s TV show “Get Your Own Back”. He also has the gift of the gab, as anyone who took an open top tour around London while he "worked the buses" can testify!
Alex oversees our Asian programmes in Sri Lanka and Nepal, assisting students with their pre-departure preparations and ensuring that their elective runs smoothly from start to finish.
Nicole Jones - Office Manager
Originating from Australia, Nicole has voyaged around much of the world and has lived and worked in several countries - most recently in Canada.
Nicole joined Work the World in December 2009 and as well as managing the Brighton office, she takes care of the finances and overseeing the pre-departure administration. She is currently on maternity, but is so dedicated she still helps us out when we need it (quite regularly) from the comfortable base of her home!
Chris Lloyd - Administrator
Chris is the main point of contact for all paperwork relating to student placements required by universities and Work the World.
Northerner Chris moved to Brighton in 2009, after spending time in Guernsey working in finance. He joined Work the World in early 2011 and has quickly become the offices IT support and Tea boy.
Martin Samuels - Administrator
Martin is originally from Lancashire and has spent the last 10 years living the glamorous lifestyle of a semi-professional musician.... sleeping on strangers floors and travelling the country in the back of a poorly insulated transit van were just some of the highlights!
Martin moved to Brighton in December 2011 in search of a more healthy lifestyle and joined Work the World shortly after. He is responsible for processing new bookings, date changes, ensuring applicants get their documentation to us on time and for keeping Nicole’s seat warm whilst she is away on maternity leave.
