Ideas for Choosing the Perfect Nursing Elective Placement Abroad

Are you considering what you can do with your nursing background and education, and want to find something that is as meaningful and rewarding as it is exciting? A nursing elective placement abroad might be the ideal solution, especially when seeking clinical experience and adventure. 

There are plenty of internship options for nursing students, but finding the perfect one might be more difficult than it sounds. Today, we’ll explore options to inspire and prepare you for a nursing elective overseas. 

Deciding Where Your Internship Will Take You

Nursing is one of the most rewarding internship opportunities available, and most developing countries all over the world are in need of passionate interns. This means that you’ll have plenty of choice when it comes to deciding where you want to complete your experience. 

From sunny Greece to culturally rich India, we recommend consulting your bucket list and choosing a location based on where you want to visit the most. This guarantees you’ll be able to enjoy your downtime seeing sights that genuinely pique your interest. 

Med Trips currently offers nursing electives in 11 countries, including: 

Tanzania 

Tanzania is perfect for nursing students seeking exposure to healthcare settings with limited resources. This gives you the opportunity to work on your problem-solving and adaptability skills as you navigate challenging circumstances you often won’t see at home. 

During your downtime or between nursing electives in Tanzania, you won’t be short of local markets and safaris to visit! Tanzania is known for its gorgeous beaches, too, which are perfect for relaxing after a long day. 

Thailand

Thailand offers nursing students a nice balance of modern healthcare facilities and traditional practices. Not only will you get a great insight into patient-centered care in fast-paced environments during a nursing placement in Thailand, but you’ll also earn a global perspective of healthcare systems completely different from your own. 

Thailand boasts incredible temples and tropical islands to explore on weekends and in the evenings. Don’t forget to check out the street food stalls! 

India 

India is one of the most popular countries for nursing students looking for diverse clinical exposure. Due to the sheer size of the population, you’ll see plenty of patients with a wide range of illnesses and ailments. This broad perspective will further your career and can look amazing to academic and professional interviewers. 

At Med Trips, we host nursing electives in Delhi and the Pink City, Jaipur. Spend your downtime discovering historical landmarks, trying local cuisines, or even attending a cultural festival.

Sri Lanka 

Sri Lanka is known for its warm and welcoming atmosphere in healthcare settings. It’s one of the only countries in Asia that offers free healthcare! This means you’ll always be busy, and passionate nurses are always in high demand. 

When you’re not busy working for your nursing elective in Sri Lanka, the country has some incomparable tea plantations and ancient temples to explore. If you’d prefer a more laid-back free time activity, we highly recommend the golden beaches surrounding this beautiful country. 

Morocco

Morocco offers a unique blend of African, Arab and European cultures, resulting in a completely unique experience that many people don’t get to experience in their lifetime. Nursing and medical electives in Rabat provide essential exposure to healthcare delivery in diverse settings.

During your weekends, we highly recommend you check out a once-in-a-lifetime desert excursion. The evenings and briefer periods of free time can be spent in traditional souks or historic medinas across Morocco. 

Kenya 

Kenya is a great choice for nursing students, particularly interested in public health and preventative care. Medical electives in Kenya often emphasize community outreach and rural healthcare, so you’ll be able to make a tangible difference in local communities while gaining meaningful experience. 

Your free time is perfect for experiencing the local culture and coastal towns. There are plenty of wildlife reserves where you can spot the African Big 5 during weekend expeditions. 

Nepal 

Nepal is the perfect learning environment for students looking for a deeply immersive global health experience. Medical electives in Nepal often focus on community health and hospital observation in settings without access to endless resources. 

Nepal is a gorgeous country, known for its scenic beauty and historic cities. Take a long hike and see as many sites as you can, leaving Nepal with memories that’ll last forever. 

Greece

If you want exposure to a European healthcare system, Greece is a great place to start. Nursing electives here can give you a powerful insight into hospital-based care within a modern medical environment. 

Choosing Greece gives you the opportunity to explore ancient ruins in your downtime. Or, if you prefer a more relaxing weekend, there are miles of Mediterranean beaches and plenty of islands to hop between. 

Ghana

Ghana medical electives provide a particularly friendly and supportive environment for nursing students. You’ll be able to cycle through departments, such as community health, maternity care, and emergency services, to develop a greater appreciation for various specialities you could choose in the future. 

Ghana is another culturally-rich country, with plenty of local music and food to enjoy. You and your fellow interns will be able to immerse yourselves completely in Ghana’s local culture, making memories and friendships that’ll last a lifetime. 

Cambodia

Cambodia is a strong option if you’re interested in both global health and development. Nursing and medical electives in Cambodia offer plenty of insight into the healthcare systems that have been shaped by recent history. Perfect if you want to earn real-world, hands-on experience and learn about global issues, too! 

During your downtime, explore iconic temples like Angkor Wat. Try a new riverside cafe each day for lunch, and find little trinkets and mementos at local markets. 

Vietnam 

Vietnam promises unique exposure to a rapidly developing healthcare system in Southeast Asia. Nursing students can observe modern clinical practices alongside traditional approaches, and learn how using both new and old systems can often deliver the best of both worlds. 

When you’re not busy with your medical elective in Cambodia, make the most of your experience by discovering bustling cities and scenic bays. Vietnam is also known for having some of the best street food in the world, and many stalls will offer free samples! 

Short-Term Nursing Elective Experiences

Nursing internships are an excellent way to immerse yourself in the healthcare industry and earn real-world experience to further your professional and academic career. However, some students worry that they don’t have enough time to dedicate to an internship abroad. 

If this is a concern for you, we recommend considering a short-term medical experience where you can choose a nursing specialty. These are one- or two-week programs specifically designed to make the most of the little time you have, with packed itineraries and thrilling, organized chaos. 

Med Trips currently offers three amazing short-term experiences for nursing students: 

• Tanzania Group Medical Experience

Shadow local nurses in hospitals and clinics in Arusha, earning a unique insight into Tanzania’s healthcare system. This two-week experience shares your time between helping at a medical camp offering free health check-ups and exploring local national parks and community spaces. 

• Thailand Group Medical Experience

This short and sweet experience is just one week long, which is perfect if you don’t have much time but still want to make a meaningful impact on local communities. Learn about Thailand’s healthcare system and observe patient care practices alongside local professionals, which you can adopt throughout the rest of your career. 

• Sri Lanka Group Medical Experience

Nursing students are given deeper shadowing opportunities in emergency, surgery, paediatrics, cardiology, physiotherapy and other departments. You’ll have plenty of choice on this two-week experience, including where you want to help and support communities. You’ll also get to enjoy a full-day Jeep Safari at Udawalawe National Park!

Ready to Plan Your Nursing Internship Abroad? 

Nursing electives are perfect for med school students looking to pursue a professional career in nursing. You’ll gain a global perspective, hands-on experience, and grow personally and professionally in ways you never thought possible. Hopefully, you now have some exciting ideas for making the most of your experience. 

Check out our nursing electives abroad opportunities and click ‘Apply Now’ to get the ball rolling on your most exciting, worthwhile journey yet.