Description

This program is best suited for midwifery students seeking significant hands on experience to solidify and integrate theoretical knowledge by working closely with midwives in hospitals and community health centers in Africa. Like the rest of our programs, the primary differentiator of our midwifery elective program is that it strongly complements the theoretical training with significant hands on experience in areas like prenatal and postnatal care, assisting in deliveries, family planning and continued maternal health. The overwhelming demand for healthcare services in Africa, coupled with extremely limited resources, provides midwifery students who participate in our program a rare opportunity for significant hands on experience.

While we do placements for various kinds of students and go an extra mile to customize placement whenever possible, students who gain the most from this program already have the basic theoretical knowledge and have completed some clinical courses.

We work with prospective participants to assist with designing their own program if desired, but our standard midwifery elective provides broad hands on experience for students at the tail end of their studies. The program usually runs for 4 weeks, but can be extended to 8 weeks depending on student requirements and preference. Students work closely with and under the supervision of a qualified midwife and are evaluated at the mid and end of their placement. Sessions are structured, regularly scheduled, and usually in a government community health facility. To get the most out of the program, participants should be willing to work some weekends, holidays and night shifts - past participants have found these shifts to offer even more learning experience.

Highlights

The benefits of this midwifery elective program include:

* Provide more hands on learning experience than a student would typically get in a developed world participants leave the programs having enhanced their experience levels with various skills
* Provide opportunity to enhance essential midwifery skills essential for caring for women, babies and their families
* Compare and analyze healthcare access and delivery in a different setting
* Opportunity to practice general medicine and midwifery in particular in a developing country
* Meet elective clinical requirements under the supervision of a clinician who evaluates the student during and at the end of the program
* Satisfy independent study abroad or internship abroad for credit
* Demonstrate and satisfy global intellectual curiosity
* Safe and secure program experience while abroad
* Cultural exchange and exposure, particularly from peer students in host country and community
* Travel

Degree Level

Bachelors Degree (Undergraduate)

Qualifications

Interns must be pre-med or medical students. Volunteers must be medical professionals.

Intern Types

• Health Sciences
• Medicine

Languages

• English

Subject Areas

• Health Sciences
• Internship Programs
• Medicine

Cost in US$:

1,950 for 4 weeks in Kenya: 2,400 for 4 weeks in Tanzania, Arusha

Cost Includes:

• Housing
• Food
• In-country orientation/Training
• In-country staff support

Program Fees Include:

- Organizing your trip and pre-departure support
- Organizing airport pick-up
- Orientation
- Accommodation
- Food
- Support network
- Visa advisory

Experience Required

no

Volunteer Types

• Health
• Health Care
• Health Education
• Hospital
• Medicine

Age Range

18 and above

This Program is open to

Worldwide Participants.

Typical Living Arrangements

• Apartment/Flat
• Group living
• Home-stays

Participants Travel

Independently or in Groups

Typically Participants Work

Independently or in Groups of 4-10

Application Process Involves

• Letters of Reference
• Transcript
• Resume
• Other
• Online Application plus Application Assessment

Post Services Include

• Alumni Network
• Re-Entry Debriefing at Home

Elective Africa's Mission Statement

Our mission is to provide and offer opportunities for both students and international volunteers to interact in development and educational programs thus enabling them to gain experience and build their capacities for their lives and that of future generations.

Year Founded

2000