What's included in your elective placement

Heading overseas to work in a developing country can be one of the most exciting parts of your medical career. It can also be one of the most daunting…

From the moment you get in touch, Work the World provide the support and organisation you need to feel confident, secure and most importantly, excited and ready to make the most of your elective placement.

We include:

• Organisation of your placement overseas
• Accommodation and meals (for the duration of your placement)
• Airport pick up and local orientation
• Extensive support network

Organisation of your placement overseas

Our UK office will work with you to decide exactly what you want to do with your elective placement and then liaise with our permanent in-country team to place you effectively. We have strong relationships with all the clinics and partner institutions we use and our team will meet with the relevant departments to discuss each individual student, ensuring you are matched to the most suitable placement and that everything is ready for your arrival.

Once you've signed up you will also gain access to "My Trip", a personalised online information system that lets you access full details of your placement, accommodation and housemates as well as providing health advice and general information to help you prepare.

Accommodation in the Work the World house

In almost every feedback questionnaire and case study we read how much people value the social atmosphere of the house, having like-minded people to talk to after work and the chance to meet new friends to travel with. Safety is also a big priority, so we take great care to locate our houses in safe areas and, depending on local conditions, we sometimes employ security guards and/or security alarms for added peace of mind.

Most of our houses accommodate around 16 people in spacious rooms shared between two or four. We try to support the local economy by using locally sourced furniture and furnishings (which accounts for the rainbow of colours in some of our houses!) and usually have a House Manager that lives at the house to keep it clean, safe and well maintained. Don't worry, that doesn't mean curfews or great lists of house rules. The house is there for you, and we want you to relax, enjoy it and come and go as you please.

Great local food

At every Work the World house we employ our own caterer, who prepares breakfast and dinner for you as well as keeping the kitchen stocked with safe, purified drinking water and plenty of food for lunch and snacks.

Experiencing the local cuisine is a travel highlight and our caterers work hard to prepare typical local dishes using good quality ingredients. Veggies are always catered for and we will do our best to accommodate other dietary requirements.

Airport pick up and orientation

Whatever time of day or night you arrive, one of our own staff will be there at the airport to meet you and take you directly to the Work the World house. Once you are settled we give you a really good orientation, familiarising you with the local area, transport systems, prices and how to avoid being seen as a naive tourist!

Extensive support network

Before you go

Our UK team are always here in Brighton to email or talk to you on the phone about any questions you might have. We can give you knowledgeable, honest opinions about your placement and destination as most of us have lived, worked or travelled in each of our elective placement areas. We are not medics - we don't need to be. Instead the team has been chosen because they are excellent project organisers who can ensure your elective trip runs as smoothly as possible.

Once you’ve arrived

More than anything, it's our dedicated overseas staff teams that make Work the World what it is. Headed by an experienced Programme Manager, the country team is there to arrange everything before your arrival, help you adjust and settle into the placement as quickly as possible and provide support throughout your time in country. We won't nanny you, but we'll be there any time you really need us.

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