Surgery Electives Abroad

Undertaking a surgery elective in Africa will provide you with early and unequaled exposure to basic and complex surgical procedures in operating rooms. You will have the opportunity to get insight into the day-to-day routines of surgeons in busy hospitals with limited resources.  

Elective Africa's surgery elective programs are suitable for medical students, senior medical students, surgery residents, and medical volunteers. The programs are tailored to our customized and structured to meet medical school requirements and personal clinical rotation objectives. 

As a medical/surgery student you will be integrated into the local healthcare team delivering care within the surgery department. You will work under a surgeon, who will be your mentor and go-to person while on placement. 

Our surgery electives abroad expose you to a health system different from what you are accustomed to. You will garner global health insight and the impact of poverty and socio-cultural traditions on healthcare.

Participants in the surgery elective/ surgery shadowing program will get a chance to volunteer in our community outreach programs as a way of giving back to the communities that we operate in. The activities include visiting local orphanages, schools, and community health education and sensitization programs.

It is also a chance to travel, unwind and explore the placement destinations through excursions, experiencing an African safari, or hiking the tallest mountain in Africa, Mt. Kilimanjaro; (take a look at this Youtube video to see if it is worth the trip).

Elective Africa follows AAMC’s Guidelines for premedical and medical students providing patient care during clinical experiences abroad. 

Program Specialties

Shadowing surgery in a real-life hospital is a very valuable experience. Under mentorships and supervision, participants in the program are mentored to enhance their skills and to learn the factors affecting the delivery of surgical care in developing countries.

The specialties include:

1. Orthopedic Surgery
2. Surgical Critical Care
3. Pediatric Surgery
4. Burn Surgery
5. Trauma and Emergency Surgery
6. Surgical Critical Care and 
7. General Surgery.

You not only see what is involved in preoperative, intra-operative, and postoperative patient care but also: 

• Suturing skills enhancement
• Introduction to invasive techniques such as endoscopy and broadening trauma assessment acumen, especially in the emergency (casualty) department minor and the main theatres. 

Shadowing in the Operating Room

Ask questions but only at appropriate moments. Prior to your surgery shadowing, remember to research common procedures in the surgical specialty that you’ll be observing. This will help you to understand better what’s going on and allow you to ask the physician more educated questions. 

Some other useful insights to help you through include asking where to stand, observing the strict staff rules, avoiding touching anything, punctuality, and wearing professional attire. 

However, your mentor will always guide you on the dos and don'ts in the operating room. For this reason, it is important to cultivate a good relationship with your mentor. 

Elective Africa also organizes biweekly insightful global healthcare tutorials at the participants' residences These are insightful sessions attended by local healthcare professionals to discuss the healthcare system in the country and beyond.

Why Undertake Your Surgery Elective Abroad

Medical schools like to create all-rounded healthcare providers with an insight into global health; medics who are conscious of different cultures and environments. A surgery shadowing/ elective with us will help gain an in-depth surgical work experience than what you might get in your home country. You will also be expected to:  

1. Enhance your soft skills like communication, confidence, teamwork, endurance, empathy, resilience, and time management.
2. Interact with different cultures thus developing a global health mindset & cultural intelligence.
3. Boost your confidence as a result of meeting patients and working in a team.
4. A chance to travel and unwind.

Program Duration 

Typical surgery elective  ranges between 2 to 12 weeks per location 

Spending more time on the programs gives you a scope to become better integrated over time, gaining increased insight into culture and understanding of international healthcare. 

Do you want to Come with a Group of Friends?

You may opt to travel alone and join a group of participants or travel as a group and make memories together.

Elective Africa’s surgery electives can be tailored to accommodate groups. You may also have the opportunity to get a group discount if you tag along with your friend(s) or classmate(s). For more information on groups, contact our placements advisors at operations@electiveafrica.com or inquire here!

What Is Included in the Surgery Elective Abroad

Our aim has always been to provide you with a memorable, adventurous, and hassle-free program in Kenya or Tanzania.

Applicants pick the desired destinations and departments they want to rotate through. We guarantee your department choices well in advance of your trip. We provide you with detailed pre-departure information such that you can plan your elective abroad down to the finest detail.

The program includes:

1. A surgery elective customized to your medical school elective requirements and individual clinical interests.
2. A comprehensive pre-departure guide.
3. Airport transfers as per different location guidelines.
4. Designated mentors and support from local staff.
5. Gated, safe and comfortable houses complete with in-house catering, Wi-Fi access, and support staff.
6. Biweekly global health tutorials.
7. Two-way transport to your clinical site.
8. Basic Swahili lessons twice a week.
9. Certificate of participation on program completion.
10. Volunteer activities as per schedule by local staff.
11. A chance to explore and travel: safaris, excursions, and mountaineering as optional add-on activities.

With this diversified surgical elective delivered under supervision and mentorship, we are confident that you will have a rewarding, enlightening, and adventurous learning experience. For more information, download a free brochure for our medical internships abroad in 2024 & summer 2025.

Click Here to APPLY and Start your Journey of Joining us for a Valuable Surgery Elective Abroad!