Grace Carr

I was inspired to undertake an overseas placement after researching electives and discovering Work the World. I wanted to expand my education and practice by experiencing a completely new culture and navigating a different healthcare system with unique challenges compared to the UK.

Work the World provided amazing assistance from the day that the elective was booked. From helping with flights and placing students into their chosen hospital departments, Work the World ensured that everything was in place.

The Work the World House has a great atmosphere, and it is a fantastic place to call home for the duration of your elective. All aspects cater for both social and private time, as well as providing good food at meal times and all-around friendly places to stay.

It has been fantastic to get to know many different students from around the world during my stay. Everyone has a story to tell, and the social aspect of the placement has been great.

All of the Work the World staff that I have encountered have been fantastic. The staff are always so friendly and are more than happy to help make the experience the best that it can possibly be. Nothing is ever too much, and their assistance certainly hasn’t gone unnoticed.

Tanzania's healthcare system is very different to the UK. However, there are also several similarities. My elective in Tanzania has made me realise how much can be done with limited resources due to the determination of the staff. Despite the availability and challenges, in Tanzania, both staff and patients always managed to show us the bright side to every situation, big or small. The Tanzanian health system does not have ambulances for emergency medical response, which came as a great shock to me. It allowed me to see how this was dealt with.

Whilst in Tanzania, I was lucky enough to travel in my free time. During my stay, I went on a weekend safari to Mikumi and also spent a weekend over in Zanzibar. In doing so, I have been able to immerse myself within a completely different culture outside of healthcare, making my elective truly unforgettable.

One of the most memorable parts of my elective was when I was placed in neonates, taking care of a baby, whom the staff informed us was, unfortunately, an orphan. She has been a pleasure to take care of throughout my stay; the memory of her will stay with me forever.