What to Pack for Your Medical Elective

Preparing for your medical internship abroad is incredibly exciting, but it can also be worrying if you’re not sure where to begin. Without a comprehensive packing list, you might overpack, leaving you with a sore back and lots of unused belongings at the bottom of your backpack. 

The good news is that you don’t need to pack a lot at all for a medical internship abroad. Most things can be bought locally if you forget something, and you’ll be helping the local economy by doing so! Today, we’ll explore what you should pack for your medical elective and what to leave at home. 

Essential Travel Documents

• Passport (with at least 6 months' validity)
• Flight itinerary and booking references
• Vaccination records, if applicable (such as yellow fever)
• Travel and health insurance documents
• Emergency contact information
• Debit/ credit card and cash
• Body wallet to carry your personal belongings securely

Travel documents are among the most essential items for your trip, so double-check that you have everything printed and ready to go multiple times before leaving. 

When working with Med Trips, one of our helpful advisors can be on hand to help ensure you have all the documents you need for your specific elective. 

Placement Essentials 

• Scrubs and closed-toe shoes, or other uniform relevant to your placement
• Stethoscope, pen torch and medical-grade gloves
• Notebook and pens
• A medical reference pocket book
• Alcohol hand gel
• Padlock for securing your things in hospital lockers

It’s important to check what you need for the specific elective you choose, as some hospitals require interns to bring more of their own supplies than others. For example, some hospital placements will have enough spare medical-grade gloves and scrub caps for you to use, while others request interns bring their own. 

When deciding which organization to work with, check that they’re aware of your placement essential checklist. This will prevent any confusion when packing and help you avoid bringing unnecessary supplies. 

Comfort Items 

• A small flashlight or headtorch
• Earplugs and an eye mask
• Sunglasses, sun hats and sun cream
• Mosquito and bug repellent 
• Basic first aid kit, including plasters, pain relief and bite cream

When packing lightly, it can be tempting to cut out any items that bring you comfort, as they may not seem necessary. However, comfort essentials are just as important as practical items, especially when you’ll be working long, strenuous hours! 

If you’re worried about saving space in your backpack, consider using a travel-size first aid kit and creams and sprays. 

Clothing

• Uniform for your internship hours
• Clothes for wearing at your accommodation and during your downtime
• One or two sets of nightwear 
• Swimwear and a towel
• Comfortable shoes to wear during your internship and for exploring

When planning what you’re going to wear during your downtime, always consider the country’s culture and rules for tourists. Some countries may allow you to wear clothing similar to what you wear at home, while others may require you to dress more conservatively. When in doubt, make sure your knees, shoulders and midriff. 

If you’re planning on visiting any religious sites during your downtime, they may require a specific dress code. 

Most internships are hosted in countries with warm climates, but you should always check weather trends before packing. Pack light, thin layers of clothing (cotton is a great option as it’s breathable and comfortable) that you can take on and off quickly and easily. 

Toiletries

• Toothbrush and toothpaste
• Soap
• Shampoo and conditioner
• Deodrant
• Hairbrush or comb, hairbands
• Nail clippers and a file
• Suncream and aftersun

Consider how long your internship is and how many toiletries you’ll need to keep you going. There’s no need to bring big bottles of shampoo and conditioner if you’re only going to be washing your hair once or twice a week. Travel bottles are excellent for saving space in your travel bag.

If you’re planning on interning for multiple weeks or months, consider buying toiletries once you get settled at your accommodation. Not only will you save space in your luggage, but you’ll also help the local economy. 

Technology and Extras

• Unlocked mobile phone
• Camera for taking plenty of photos
• Small bag for day trips
• Journal and pens
• E-reader or other form of entertainment
• Headphones

The technology and extras you deem important enough to pack for your internship will depend on your personal preferences and how you like to unwind. An e-reader is a great option here as it can store hundreds of books in a lightweight case. 

You could also download movies onto your phone. Just make sure you use headphones to avoid disrupting other interns in your accommodation. 

An unlocked mobile phone can be used with any SIM card. Some countries may not be compatible with your current SIM provider, and you may be charged extortionate roaming fees due to the location. Local SIM cards are often cheap and easy to buy, so you’ll be able to keep in touch with your friends and coordinators.

Optional Items

• Mosquito net
• Sleeping bag liner
• Laundry detergent
• Medicines or anything specific to you

These extras aren’t necessarily needed, but they might make you feel more comfortable during your stay. Most accommodations will provide you with a mosquito net and suitable bedding, but you can bring your own if you’re worried about not having them. 

Laundry facilities are also often available at hostels and intern houses, but if you want to be prepared, you could bring a travel-size bottle of detergent. 

Always remember to pack the essentials for your daily routine. Some interns can get so wrapped up in packing lists that they forget important items, like medicine or unique clothing. 

We recommend jotting down everything you use at home in a day, then considering whether you’ll need it during your internship. By doing this, you’re much less likely to forget something important that can’t be purchased once you get off the plane. 

Why Choose to Intern with Med Trips

With so many great experiences out there to choose from when planning your internship, it can be difficult to know which organization to partner with. At Med Trips, we take pride in always putting our students first in terms of safety and overall experience. 

Here’s why we think we’d be a good fit for your internship: 

• Choice of electives: We offer several amazing electives, such as pre-med, nursing and midwifery, in 12 countries. 
• In-country support: Dedicated local teams provide guidance, logistics help and on-the-ground support throughout the placement. 
• Global healthcare exposure: You’ll get the opportunity to observe and assist in real hospitals and clinics, setting you up for success in the future. 
• Safe and structured programs: Our internships are all well-organized with clear protocols and supervision to ensure your safety and protection.
• Cultural immersion: We’ll provide accommodation options where you can live and work within local communities to gain a deeper understanding of global healthcare.
• Professional development: We’ll support you in developing confidence, adaptability, and practical skills that you can use for many years to come. 

Ready to Plan Your Medical Internship Abroad? 

Planning an internship abroad is incredibly exciting and meaningful, and knowing what to pack, you can start looking ahead to all the wonderful memories you’re about to make! If you’re still unsure whether you need to pack certain things or not, one of our Med Trips advisors will be more than happy to help. 

Ready to get the ball rolling on your most exciting adventure yet? Check out our medical electives abroad and click ‘Apply Now’ to get started.