Work the World elective placements in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania
Dar es Salaam remains one of our most popular destinations, providing the perfect mix of opportunities that come from living in a cosmopolitan city, with the ultimate traveller's paradise beckoning from across the water. Just an hour from the mainland, Zanzibar's white sands and turquoise waters are a mecca for divers, backpackers and party goers, and the laid back lifestyle is a world away from the heady buzz of Dar.
As a capital city, Dar es Salaam is home to the biggest and best equipped hospitals, providing the most specialist care the country can offer. It is also close to Mikumi National Park and Selous Game Reserve, offering less touristy safari options. For students that want to take advantage of the city, but also be close to Tanzania's travel highlights, Dar es Salaam provides a fantastic mix.
Where will my healthcare elective be?
Dar es Salaam is home to the biggest tertiary referral hospital in the country, offering students some of the best opportunities available in specialist clinical areas. As a teaching hospital it also provides a great learning experience for gaining new, and developing existing, skills.
For many Tanzanians, medical care is not easily accessible. As an add-on to our elective programme, we run a Village Experience in a community hospital in the heart of Mikumi National Park. It is an excellent opportunity to witness the delivery of primary healthcare outside of the city.
Where will I live?
The Dar house is one of our most impressive and surprising. As with all the big African centres, the city is busy and sprawling. Travel to the North of the metropolis though and you come across the palm-lined shores of the Sea Cliff peninsula. Jutting out into the Indian Ocean, with beautiful white-sand beaches on your doorstep, our base at Oyster Bay offers students something of the island vibe from Zanzibar as well as access to everything the city has to offer.
Accommodating up to 37 healthcare elective students, the house has spacious living areas, comfortable shared bedrooms and its piece de resistance - a gorgeous garden with a swimming pool. It is the perfect place to relax after placements, or brush up on your KiSwahili. All meals are included during your placement and Rehema and her team will cook up traditional Swahili and Arabic cuisine as well as western favourites with a Tanzanian twist. Each week the team will also host one of their legendary barbecues out in the garden and with so many fishing boats on the peninsula you are guaranteed some amazing fresh seafood.
What can I do in my free time?
Oyster Bay has a beautiful beach, moments from the house. Whether you want to enjoy a sun-downer at one of the many great restaurants or bars, spend an afternoon sunbathing or arrange a snorkelling or fishing trip to the islands off of the coast, this is the best place on the peninsula to make the most of your free time. You can also easily get a dala-dala into the city to explore. Dar hosts a mix of African, Arabic and Indian influence and has some beautiful buildings and fascinating bazaars to wander around.
On weekends or after your placement finishes your base in Dar provides endless travel options. Driving north or south you will find stunning coastline and rural villages to explore. There is also the chance to visit Selous Game Reserve or Mikumi National Park, the fourth largest in Tanzania, or fly north to the more famous Serengeti and Ngorongoro. For most students though, it is hard to resist another weekend in paradise... just ninety minutes by boat will see you lazing on Zanzibar's picture postcard beaches, exploring the maze of Stone Towns craft stores and jumping in for a once in a lifetime chance to swim with dolphins and whale sharks.
