Medicine Internships in Tanzania

I only had about 3 weeks to plan my trip to Africa, so I honestly wasn't sure if I could make it happen. Almost immediately after applying online, I was connected with someone from the Go Elective team who was really friendly and helped me figure out which hospital departments would best suit my interests, especially with the limited time I had. They were also incredibly helpful with my visa application, vaccination requirements, packing checklist, and even flight suggestions. They made the whole process so much easier, and I went from being a little stressed to genuinely excited about the trip! The experience itself definitely exceeded my expectations. Spending time in the hospital and seeing the work doctors and nurses do every day made me appreciate just how much of an impact healthcare can have on people's lives. I learned so much in such a short time, and I honestly wish I could have stayed longer. I'm about to start my Master's in Clinical Neuroscience, and this experience has made me even more excited about the next chapter of my studies. Hopefully, I'll get the chance to come back again!

One thing I particularly enjoyed was getting to experience everyday life in Mombasa alongside my hospital placement. We spent our mornings at the hospital, where I got to observe different cases and learn from the doctors, and still had plenty of time to explore in the afternoons. I also met some lovely students from the United States, and we became friends so quickly. It was really fun getting to know people from different backgrounds, sharing stories about our universities, and spending time together outside the hospital. I especially enjoyed visiting Old Town and learning more about the local culture. The Go Elective staff were also so kind and always made sure we were comfortable and had everything we needed. I honestly didn't expect to make so many friends during my time in Kenya, and saying goodbye was probably the hardest part!

One thing I really liked about Go Elective was the Global Health sessions. We got to discuss some of the things we'd seen at the hospital and learn more about the challenges facing healthcare in Kenya. I also really enjoyed visits to a local orphanage, where we spent time playing and interacting with the children. It was nice getting to experience another side of Kenya outside the hospital. I loved the balance between clinical learning and community activities.

I really enjoyed my time in the emergency department. It was quite busy, and I got to see how doctors handled different cases and made decisions under pressure. I was a little overwhelmed at first, but everyone was welcoming, and I became more comfortable as the days went by. I also liked that we had free afternoons and weekends to explore Kenya. One of my favorite experiences was going on safari in Tsavo National Park, where I got to see elephants, lions, and even dikdiks! Overall, it was a great experience, and I'd happily recommend it to other students!

From my very first interaction with Medi Trip and speaking with Pearl about what I wanted to gain out of my trip, until my very last day in Tanzania, I felt fully supported, completely safe, and genuinely cared for. It is clear that everyone involved in Medi Trip truly wants to change the world. Day by day, they create experiences that shift your perspective on life, teach you how different people see the world, and help you learn how to be a better person in the process. Not a day goes by now where I don’t mention my trip to Arusha and the time I spent with exceptional humans who all shared the exact same goal of making a positive change. During my 3-week nursing internship, I learned multiple lifelong skills that have fundamentally shaped my practice. Immersed in a resource-limited environment, I vastly improved my clinical adaptability, cross-cultural communication, and rapid triage assessment skills, while learning to navigate complex pathologies less common back home. The staff at the hospital were extremely friendly and wanted to learn as much from us as we did from them. Every single member of staff I came across was incredibly grateful for our presence, eager to learn about our culture, and fascinated by how the healthcare world differed across borders. A definitive highlight of my trip happened on a day when I was asked to support the junior doctors with learning catheter insertion, as I was already qualified to do this back home. In return—through what I believe was full trust built by constantly asking the doctors questions and showing genuine dedication—the doctors got to know me and wanted to say thank you. They asked if I wanted to stay in on an emergency C-section. That day, I got to experience the birth of a healthy little boy. I supported the mother, handed medical equipment to the lead doctor, and took part in a clinical milestone I will absolutely never forget. Coming back from the hospital each day was pure comfort. The accommodation felt so homely, the food was absolutely tasty every single day, and the welcome home each afternoon was incredibly warm and loving. From the moment I got home, all I wanted to do was return. I am still utterly grateful for the lessons I learned. I came home a better clinician and a better person, and for that, I will be forever grateful to Medi Trip.

I went to Kenya thinking surgery would be my favorite rotation, but I actually ended up enjoying pediatrics the most. I loved seeing how the doctors interacted with the children and their parents, and I learned quite a bit just from watching and asking questions. I'm glad I got to experience different departments because it helped me figure out what I'm interested in. Overall, I had a really good time with Go Elective and would recommend it!

My experience with Medi Trip in Arusha, Tanzania, was truly one of the most meaningful and memorable experiences of my personal and professional journey. From the beginning, Pearl was incredibly welcoming and genuinely committed to making my internship experience meaningful. Her warmth, guidance, and encouragement helped me adapt to a new country, culture, and community and made my time in Arusha particularly special. During my internship, I had the opportunity to contribute to nutrition and health education and engage with the local community. The experience gave me a much deeper understanding of how culture, resources, education, and everyday circumstances influence nutrition and health. It also strengthened my interest in public health nutrition and reinforced the importance of culturally appropriate health and nutrition education in improving the well-being of children and families. What made Medi Trip particularly special was that the experience went far beyond an internship. I was able to learn from the community, build meaningful relationships, and grow both personally and professionally. The memories and lessons I gained in Tanzania have stayed with me and continue to influence my work and interests in public health and nutrition. I am especially grateful to Pearl for her kindness and encouragement. She genuinely cares about the interns and the communities Medi Trip works with, and her personal commitment makes the experience truly meaningful. I would wholeheartedly recommend Medi Trip to anyone looking for an international internship where they can contribute, learn, develop professionally, and build a genuine connection with the local community. Thank you, Pearl and Medi Trip, for giving me an experience in Arusha that I will always cherish.

Go Elective is a great program! From the beginning, I had a lot of support with my visa application, and I was especially grateful that they were able to accommodate me when I had to change my dates. The staff were always friendly, patient, and available whenever I needed help. At the hospital, I really enjoyed joining the ward rounds because you never knew what cases you were going to see that day. Some were things I had studied before, while others were completely new to me. One thing I would tell future students is to be patient, but also be proactive and show that you’re interested. The doctors are busy and obviously have patients to take care of, so you sometimes have to ask questions and take the initiative to learn. I started carrying a small notebook with me to write down interesting cases or things I didn’t understand, then I would look them up later or ask about them the next day. That really helped me get more out of my placement. Overall, I had a great experience and the time went by much faster than I expected. I would definitely recommend Go Elective!

I was a little nervous about traveling to Africa by myself, especially since I didn’t know anyone before arriving. That feeling disappeared pretty quickly. I met students from different places, and within a few days we were going to the hospital together and exploring on the weekends. One of my favorite rotations was in the labour ward. I got to see babies being born, which was something I had never experienced before. Seeing a new life come into the world right in front of me was honestly amazing, and each delivery felt just as special as the first one. I learned a lot during my time abroad, but those moments in the labour ward are something I know I’ll always remember.

I went to Kenya mainly for the clinical experience, but I ended up getting much more out of the program than I expected. I enjoyed being in the hospital every day and getting to know the doctors and other students along the way. There were definitely things that took some getting used to, but that was part of what made the experience so valuable. I also really enjoyed trying the local food. Everything was so fresh and flavorful, and I definitely ate more than I expected to while I was there.

I loved my experience in Kenya. It was both humbling and eye-opening. Seeing patients in open wards and watching doctors do everything they could with the resources available was difficult. There were moments when I felt helpless, knowing there was more I wanted to do but not having the skills or resources to change the situation. At the same time, seeing how much the doctors and nurses were able to accomplish with what they had was incredibly humbling. It pushed me to become more confident with taking histories, performing physical exams, and thinking through cases. More than anything, this experience changed the way I think about healthcare. I developed a much deeper appreciation for the resources and opportunities we have in the U.S, and a stronger understanding of why access to quality healthcare matters so much.

I was looking online last minute for an internship when I came across Go Elective. Luckily, I was able to get a spot. The staff were really helpful and guided me through the visa process. My placement was only 2 weeks, which I wished could have been longer, but I still made the most of it. I’m already planning to come back for a longer placement in the future! The doctors and staff were always willing to help and answer any questions I had. I’m really glad I found Go Elective!

What I enjoyed most was not feeling like I was just there to watch. I joined ward rounds, listened to case discussions, observed wound care and other everyday procedures, and had plenty of chances to ask questions along the way. I also learnt a lot from communicating with patients and seeing how much trust and understanding matter in healthcare. By the end of the four weeks, the hospital felt much less unfamiliar, and I felt a lot more comfortable in a clinical environment.

I took a gap year because I didn’t want to rush into the next stage of school without being sure about what I wanted. I also didn’t want the year to become just more studying and applications. Spending part of it abroad gave me the chance to stay connected to medicine while doing something completely outside my normal routine. Some days were spent at the hospital, while others were spent exploring. I also liked being able to connect with other students who were figuring out their next steps too. Now, I feel less pressure to have everything figured out and much more certain about why I want to continue pursuing medicine.

I have been with meditrip to Tanzania now twice and both of the times have been amazing! I had a good time talking to Pearl for the preparations and expectations. Pearl also was a great help with discussing a topic I could use to write my thesis. When I arrived the second time it really felt like coming home. I love the home feeling in the hostel. I also met the most amazing people in the hostel who are now some of my closes friends. In the hospital I had great guidance in Kaloleni Hospital. Overall I had the most amazing experience and I can't wait to go back!!

The program was good overall. The staff, especially Jackie, were really helpful and made the experience easy to settle into. I was able to get the clinical exposure I needed and also had time to explore, which was a nice balance.

I was looking for a program that would help me complete my elective requirement while also giving me real clinical experience. During the program, I spent time in surgery, pediatrics, obstetrics, emergency care, and cardiology. I saw cases involving trauma, normal deliveries, post-op care, and a variety of other conditions that I would not normally be exposed to during my training back home. That made the experience much more valuable for me. I’d definitely recommend it to anyone looking for a clinical elective with a lot of variety and opportunities to learn.

I came to Africa with a friend, and I'm so glad we got to share this experience together. From our time in the hospital to exploring and experiencing the culture, we learnt so much and made some amazing memories. The Go-Elective team was also very welcoming and made us feel comfortable throughout our stay.

My time in Kenya gave me the chance to experience healthcare in a way I had never seen before. I was able to spend time in different wards, learn from healthcare professionals, and witness moments that were both inspiring and difficult. Some of the cases I saw were heartbreaking, while others, like witnessing births, were incredibly moving. Seeing patients and families go through such different experiences gave me a much deeper appreciation for patient care and showed me how important compassion is in medicine. Outside the hospital, I really enjoyed learning more about Kenyan culture, meeting local people, and exploring Mombasa. Everyone I met was warm and welcoming, and the GoElective team made the whole experience feel organised, comfortable, and easy to enjoy. It was a trip that gave me so much to reflect on, both personally and professionally.

What an amazing internship experience! It was an unforgettable month that pushed me out of my comfort zone, gave me experiences I’d never have at home, and allowed me to learn about conservation while meeting some amazing people. I learned a great deal and the entire experience definitely exceeded my expectations! I really enjoyed game drives. It was a good way to explore the reserve, learn lots about the environment and wildlife, get to know other participants and no drive was ever the same. Seeing all the animals, sunrise and sunsets on drives and getting to know new people made the experience truly unforgettable.