Lizzy Higham

Doing my medical elective abroad has always appealed to me, and many colleagues have said it was one of their highlights of medical school. As well as getting the opportunity to travel and experience new cultures, seeing healthcare in a different setting is such a unique opportunity (and privilege). I was really interested in seeing and learning about different conditions and how they were treated in another country.

Work the World made the whole experience of an overseas elective infinitely easier. Not only do they organise and plan your time away in the lead-up to the placement, but they also offer incredible support while out here. All the staff are so friendly and welcoming, from introducing us to staff at the hospital, recommending activities and showing us the local area, they couldn’t have been more helpful. In terms of safety and security, Work the World ensured that this wasn’t a problem at all, allowing us to simply make the most of it and enjoy.

The Work the World house is located in a lovely, safe area of Dar es Salaam. The house is large, comfortable and inviting. It soon became a home away from home - particular highlights for me were the large terrace where we enjoyed drinks, sunbathing and the BBQ every Thursday, as well as the pool area. It was so much fun, and opportunities for socialising were virtually endless. From Karaoke on Wednesdays, trips to the market, weekends on Safari or in Zanzibar and the abundance of local bars and restaurants, I never felt bored.  

During my placement, there were 30+ healthcare students in the house, and there was always something to do or someone to talk to. Making so many new friends made the whole experience even more enjoyable. Living with other healthcare students meant that although we all had different backgrounds and were of different ages, we all had enough common ground to really get on well and build lasting friendships. It was impossible not to make friends.

All the team here were beyond friendly and welcoming. Whether it was greeting us at the airport, taking us to placement or helping us arrange activities, they were always there to help and with a smile. I will truly miss the cooks who made us delicious meals, to house keeping staff, security and all.

From what I saw, the healthcare system here is very different to the one at home. First and foremost, patients are required to pay for pretty much all healthcare (or have insurance), which was heartbreaking to witness at times. Healthcare is also far more inaccessible financially and geographically, so patients often present with extreme or very advanced cases. Attitudes to healthcare and illness were generally just different, and there’s much space for alternative medicine in the UK. That being said, I observed some wonderful healthcare professionals who strive to help their patients to the best of their ability.

Our evenings were occupied with Swahili lessons, trips to the market, local bars, restaurants and plenty of time to relax. It really felt like a holiday in the evenings. On the weekends, we did similar things as well as day trips to the beach and local islands (Bongoyo and Mbudya). I also went on safari in Mikumi National Park and visited Zanzibar on a long weekend. Both of which were incredible.

One thing about my experience that will stick in my mind forever is the Safari trip, without a doubt. Our driver was friendly and knowledgeable, the accommodation was beautiful, and we were lucky to see a lot of animals, including elephants, giraffes, hippos, lions, impalas, buffaloes, and even a Leopard.

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