WHAT IS AN OVERSEAS MIDWIFERY PLACEMENT WITH WORK THE WORLD?
An overseas midwifery placement is a clinical placement you undertake in an under-resourced but fast-paced hospital in the developing world.
You’ll see big differences in how local staff practise midwifery abroad. You’ll also get insight into practices you’ve never encountered before.
Midwifery placements abroad help you get experience in OBG, NICU, prenatal and postnatal care, labour wards... Your clinical experience is completely customisable.
You’ll see complications in labour, often resulting from a lack of prenatal care. You’ll see how a lack of resources impacts midwifery abroad (many women give birth without pain relief), and you’ll learn some amazing sociocultural beliefs surrounding childbirth.
WHAT ARE THE BENEFITS OF A MIDWIFERY PLACEMENT ABROAD?
We design our international midwifery opportunities to help you stand out as a student midwife in an increasingly competitive job market.
On one of our international midwifery placements, you’ll:
- Expand your clinical knowledge and skill set
- Develop your confidence and resourcefulness
- Build your personal and professional network
- Sharpen your verbal and non-verbal communication
- Become more attractive to employers
As a midwifery student or graduate, placements for you run in the hospital Monday to Friday. That means you can spend evenings and weekends travelling across whichever breathtaking country you’ve chosen to visit.
WHO ARE WE?
We're Work the World — The experts in planning and building midwifery placements abroad. We’ve created placements for 18,000+ students from 400+ universities worldwide since 2005.
Our service is end-to-end, and it includes:
Placement customisation (choose your destination and departments) | Comprehensive pre-trip support | 24/7 in-country support team | Private, catered accommodation
Our midwifery programs run 365 days a year, and arrivals are every Sunday. The minimum placement duration is one week, and there’s no maximum.
Click here to find out more about how our service works.
AM I ELIGIBLE?
You can go on a midwifery placement abroad if:
- You’re undertaking a midwifery degree
- You’ve recently graduated with a midwifery degree
WHERE DO I START?
Speak to our team — they’re ready to answer any and all of your questions about midwifery abroad. They’ll walk you through midwifery opportunities in each destination and then help you secure your space so you don't lose out.
Get in touch using the short enquiry form.
DESTINATIONS
Ghana - Takoradi
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The city of Takoradi lies close to golden beaches that stretch on for miles, local fishing villages, and decaying historical forts which are dotted along the coast.
Midwifery in Africa is very different to what you're used to seeing at home. On a midwifery placement here, you’ll discover that limited resources mean prenatal care is almost non-existent, and the maximum length of stay in the unit is a mere 5 days. Add to that the array of cultural traditions that surround birth here, and you’ll find the opportunities for personal and professional growth are limitless. Read stories from those who’ve already undertaken midwifery programs in Takoradi.
Sri Lanka - Kandy
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Kandy is a time-worn city surrounded by lush tropical forests, diverse wildlife, and golden beaches. With opportunities to go trekking, swim with dolphins, and discover ancient ruins, you’ll never be short of new things to try.
On your Midwifery placement, you’ll have the chance to rotate through the Antenatal, Postnatal and Premature Baby Units, encountering complicated birthing procedures, terminations, and miscarriages. Perceiving how patient numbers regularly exceed bed space will open your eyes to the impact a lack of resources has on local women and the staff who help them. Read stories from those who’ve already undertaken midwifery programs in Kandy.
Vietnam - Hue
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A vibrant focal point of Southeast Asian culture and backpacker favourite, with bustling markets, lively bars and delicious street food in abundance. Close to tropical beaches, rainforests, and ancient temples and pagodas, you’ll have every chance to indulge your adventurous side.
The institution we’re partnered with in Hue, Vietnam is the largest university teaching hospital in the region. You'll get amazing experience alongside local specialists in this low-resource clinical setting. Supervised by local midwives, you’ll spend time in the OBG department getting involved in and and all areas of maternal and infant paediatric care.
Nepal - Kathmandu
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Kathmandu is the ancient capital of Nepal, and is home to elaborate Buddhist temples, traditional markets, modern bars, and more. Beyond the city you’ll discover adventure activities like paragliding, whitewater rafting, and mountain climbing to name but a few.
Local midwives, keen to impart their knowledge of birthing traditions and common practices, will oversee your placement on a busy Maternity Ward, as well as in Post-operative and Post-natal Wards. The epidemic of HIV also presents a challenge for many breast-feeding infants in Nepal—an issue you’ll encounter on your Midwifery Placement. Read stories from those who’ve already travelled with us to Kathmandu.
Tanzania - Dar es Salaam
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Dar es Salaam is one of Tanzania’s largest cities. Despite developing into a more modern metropolis, it’s surrounded by awe-inspiring natural beauty. Go on big game safari, sample famous national dishes, or boat over to tropical Zanzibar for water sports and diving.
On a midwifery placement here you could encounter complicated surgical births. You'll spend time in a ward dedicated to mothers with HIV which will open your eyes to the realities of issues faced by professionals in the developing world, and how local specialists battle them with limited resources. Read stories from those who’ve already travelled with us to Dar es Salaam.
Philippines - Iloilo
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Iloilo is a tropical paradise. Dive off the coast into emerald waters, join locals in one of their many festivals, or even watch whales off the coast.
On your midwifery placement you’ll gain experience alongside a dedicated delivery team and have the chance to rotate through areas like Reproductive Endocrinology, Cervical Pathology, and Gynaecologic Oncology. The high number of patients here often means women share beds, highlighting just one of the areas a lack of resources can impact your field. Read stories from those who’ve already travelled with us to Iloilo.
"It was interesting to see what emergencies were prevalent in Tanzania compared to the UK..."
Charlotte Smith, Anglia Ruskin University 2024
Read more"It was often the case that there were six women in one room labouring at the same time..."
Robyn Grant-Marsh, University of Lincoln 2024
Read more"I travelled alone but all my anxieties melted away as soon as I touched down and met the amazing support team. I regret nothing...well I only wish I booked for longer".
Faatemah Mahetar, University of Central Lancashire 2023
Read more"Under supervision, I was able to help with deliveries and even lead the delivery of a baby on my own with hospital staff overseeing my practice at all times".
Joanna North, Bangor University 2023
Read more"If I’d have known just how much fun it was going to be I’d have planned for a longer trip. I didn’t want to leave.
Madeline McCallum, University of South Australia 2022
Read moreWhat do our midwifery placements offer?
A Work the World midwifery placement gives you the chance to undertake a clinical placement in the developing world. You will spend time in a low-resource hospital and see unfamiliar practices and advanced conditions. You can even choose the departments you want to rotate through. Learn more here.
What are the benefits of a Work the World midwifery placement?
The benefits of our midwifery placements include:
- Expanding your clinical knowledge and skill set
- Becoming more confident, independent and resourceful
- Making yourself more attractive to employers
- Doing some proper travelling
- Building your personal and professional network
- Sharpening your language and communication skills
- Renewing your perspective on care back home
How can I raise funds for my midwifery placement?
It’s easier than ever to get the funds together for your overseas midwifery placement. You can take advantage of government programs like OS-HELP, you can take the initiative by starting your own online fundraising page, and you can apply for a huge number of grants and bursaries to help you along the way. Learn how easy it is to raise as much as you need.
Can midwives travel?
Yes, midwives can travel. If you are studying towards a midwifery degree (or you’re a recent graduate), you’re eligible for an international midwifery placement with us. Get in touch today to explore your options.
How long is a Work the World midwifery placement?
A midwifery placement is as long as you want it to be. Our minimum placement duration is one week, but students typically travel on their midwifery placements for 4-6 weeks. There is no upper limit to how long you can travel for.