A new year often brings a quiet moment of reflection, a chance to think about what you want to learn, how you want to grow, and what kind of experiences will shape the healthcare professional you’re becoming. For many students and early career clinicians, that reflection leads to one question: What kind of clinical experience will truly add value to my training?

Healthcare internships and global health electives can offer more than just clinical exposure. When chosen with intention, they become opportunities to align with your learning goals, deepen your understanding of healthcare delivery in different settings, and connect with peers who share your passion for global health.

Every student comes into a healthcare internship or elective with a different goal in mind. Some want shadowing or hands-on clinical experience, while others are looking to understand how healthcare systems work in low-resource settings. Some students are drawn to community outreach or learning how to provide care in a culturally responsive way.

At Elective Africa, our programs are designed to support a wide range of learning objectives across disciplines, whether you’re a pre-health or medical student, nursing or PA student, dentistry student, newly qualified resident, or junior doctor. And because every individual learns differently, choosing the right location and program matters. The setting you choose can shape not only what you see and do, but also what you take away from the experience.

Each Elective Africa location provides a distinct learning environment:

• Mombasa offers exposure to a busy coastal healthcare setting, where you experience a mix of urban clinical care alongside community health needs, all within a culturally rich and historic region.

• Nairobi places you in a dynamic urban healthcare system, ideal for those interested in structured hospital environments, multidisciplinary teams, and understanding healthcare delivery in a major city.

• Migori provides a valuable perspective on rural and regional healthcare, where you can observe and engage with community-based care, public health challenges, and resource-conscious clinical practice.

• Arusha offers a cross-border global health experience in northern Tanzania, giving you a broader view of global health in a setting that’s both clinical and community-focused.

Each location supports different learning outcomes, allowing you to select an environment that best aligns with your academic requirements, learning objectives, and personal interests.

One of the most meaningful parts of a global health elective is the people you meet along the way. Many students say the best memories aren’t only from clinical rotations, but from learning together with peers from different countries and healthcare backgrounds.Whether you’re discussing a case after rounds, sharing reflections over dinner or exploring the city on the weekend, those shared moments often turn into lasting friendships and professional connections. Working alongside students from different disciplines also changes how you learn. It pushes you to collaborate, think differently and see global health as something we build together, not just something you study on your own.

Elective Africa programs also recognize that learning extends beyond clinical settings. Students have opportunities to engage in activities outside the hospital that enrich their understanding of local culture and community life. These experiences often include cultural excursions, community interactions,and time to explore the social context in which healthcare is delivered.

Such moments help students better understand patients lived experiences and the broader determinants of health that are invaluable to compassionate and well-rounded healthcare practice.

As you plan your year, take a moment to think about what you want to gain from your elective or internship. Are you hoping for hands-on clinical experience, deeper cultural understanding, exposure to public health, or the chance to work alongside peers who share your passion for global health?

If you’re unsure where to start, you don’t have to figure it out alone. Our program advisors are available for one-on-one guidance, and you can book a call to discuss what would be the best fit for you including program type, location, timelines, and learning goals. Reach us at bd@electiveafrica.com or +1 (240) 244-6605