“The cottage hospital's facilities were basic but were better than I expected, with two dental chairs, a small collection of materials and plenty of instruments which were sterilised using the facilities in the hospital's small but surprisingly well equipped operating theatre.”
Richard (dentistry elective)

Dar es Salaam, or Dar, is home to the biggest tertiary referral hospital in the country, as well as several key district hospitals. Our base here offers Work the World students some of the best opportunities available in specialist clinical areas, as well as huge scope to split your placement and really learn about Tanzanian healthcare.

We have also developed close relationships with two smaller, cottage hospitals on Zanzibar Island, which allows us to offer some fantastic extended village experiences and outreach programmes in most disciplines. in most disciplines. Living and working in both Dar and Zanzibar will provide two very strong, contrasting placements and give you the best of both worlds.

We know how daunting it can be taking your elective or just gaining work experience in an overseas hospital so Work the World will provide you with all the support you need throughout your experience. We have developed strong relationships with both government and private centres throughout Dar so that we can ensure we provide you with a structured placement in an area that interests you. We are also happy to give our students the assurance that each hospital we work with understands the importance of limiting the number of placement students working with each supervisor. This is a growing problem in Zanzibar's main hospital, Mnazi Mmoja, and one of the key reasons we have moved our base to Dar and no longer offer elective placements there.

“It was the best summer I've ever had and I just wish I had appreciated it more when I was there, as it's easy to get used to how friendly Tanzanians are and how close a community the WTW house can be.”
Kaanthan (medical elective)

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 all the city has to offer.

Accommodating up to 30 healthcare elective students, the house has spacious living areas, comfortable shared bedrooms and its piece de resistance – a gorgeous garden with a swimming pool. 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.

“I learnt how to scuba dive, shopped to my heart's content in Stone Town, danced all night at the full moon party, discovered the spice plantations, learnt about the history of the island... and developed a fantastic tan!”
Karina (medical elective)

Oyster Bay has a beautiful beach just 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. With most tourists heading to the Northern safari circuits, the Southern parks allow you to escape the crowds and offer some of the best safari as a result. 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.