Work the World

Ella, a medical student from James Cook University, recently completed her placement with us in Kathmandu, Nepal.

“Work the World made the process of organising an overseas medical elective so much easier. Overseas travel is intimidating at the best of times, let alone trying to organise a placement in a hospital, arrange accommodation and ensure safety.

As a female travelling by myself, I wanted a placement that was reliable, well supported and gave me a welcoming environment to meet new people - Work the World ticked all these boxes and more. From navigating airport transfers, weekend getaway destinations, offering support on placement and cooking amazing food - there really is nothing they can’t do.

Living with other healthcare students honestly helped me as a solo traveller so much… Undertaking placement in a different country can be confronting, but the presence of other students meant that we could easily bond and debrief on cases we had seen or challenging aspects of our days. The team consistently goes above and beyond to accommodate all students and truly make the house feel like a home away from home.”

Are you thinking about going overseas for your placement? We’ve got over 20 years of experience creating safe, structured overseas experiences for healthcare students across a range of disciplines. Head to our website and submit the short enquiry form to get started.

Thomas, a medical student from Cardiff University, recently completed his placement with us in Kathmandu, Nepal.

“I wanted to experience a healthcare system significantly different to the UK's, and to see how financial, logistical, and cultural barriers require a different approach to practising medicine. This also included seeing the diagnosis, management, and patient experience of conditions I would otherwise rarely see.

“Bypassing the need to organise my elective independently meant that more time, effort and money could be directed towards making the most of our trip, as opposed to stressing about these things ourselves.

“Living in a house that’s exclusively for healthcare students offers ​excellent exposure to like-minded people studying in the same environment. Social gatherings such as Dhal Bhat night and BBQ night served as excellent catalysts for making new friends and lifelong memories.

“Work the World provided excellent housing, food, transport, advice, placement logistics and opportunities for reflection during this trip.”

Ryan, a physiotherapy student from Bond University, recently completed his placement with us in Hue, Vietnam.

“I love to travel, and I thought that if I could complete my clinical rotation while travelling, then that would be amazing. I had never been to Vietnam before, and I always wanted to go. The Work the World team here has made everything so much easier; they have been amazing. They supported me with everything throughout my placement and when we travelled on weekends.

“Everyone in the house is so nice and welcoming, it is very easy to make great friends and travel with them. It is also great that all your meals are cooked for you. One thing from my experience that will stick with me forever is experiencing the Ha Giang loop - it was such a fun and unique experience.”

Arianna, a child nursing student from King’s College London, recently completed her 4-week placement with us in Hue, Vietnam.

“I was inspired to undertake my placement overseas as, as a young girl, there is still so much I would love to learn about healthcare and the world. This placement gave me the chance to see who I really am, what I am capable of, and what I need to learn and take in. My career also played a part, as a future child nurse, I wanted to expand my knowledge of nursing in a low-resource setting.

“On day one, you get picked up from the airport. When I arrived, I saw big smiles; everyone knew my name, and I was given a fan. Every day after placement, we had activities like Vietnamese language lessons, cooking classes, and barbecue nights. We also got breakfast, lunch, and dinner – the cakes were my favourite! You have to be here to experience it.

“The social aspect of my trip was absolutely amazing. We would usually travel on Friday afternoon and return on Sunday. The people here were always lovely; we would usually travel in a group of 6–8, so the overall cost would be lower, and we could create group memories. The food, weather, and location were always great, and coming back to the Work the World house was the best.

“The Work the World team here became my family. I felt so at home; this place is home for all of us because of them. Every staff member, from the programme manager to security, I knew them all – and they knew me. I felt special.”

Ready to start planning your own overseas placement for 2026/27? Head to our website and submit the short enquiry form, and we’ll be in touch with some more information.

Lizzy, a medical student from Hull York Medical School, recently completed her placement with us in Tanzania.

"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 house is located in a lovely, safe area of Dar es Salaam - it 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.

"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."

Ready to start planning your own overseas placement? Head to our website and submit the short enquiry form, and we'll be in touch with some more information.

Jess, a radiography student from the University of Leeds, completed her placement with us in Kathmandu, Nepal, and took part in our Village Healthcare Experience as part of her trip.

"I was really keen to experience radiography and healthcare in a developing country, and to test my skills in unfamiliar environments. I also wanted to make the most of my assigned elective weeks, and there was even a grant I could apply for through my university.

"My main placement hospital in Kathmandu was bustling and lively with a massive daily patient turnover. The hospital itself was great, with lots to learn, and the view from the cafeteria was stunning! Although initially there didn't appear to be the order and organisation of appointments and queues I was used to in the NHS, the hospital's efficiency was actually impressive, with hundreds of patients seen in the radiology department every day. Each X-Ray room had about 100 patients per day, and the pace of imaging was rapid, which made up for the time lost during power cuts when the equipment went down!

"During the Village Healthcare Week, I learnt many new skills because there was a lack of imaging equipment (the sonographer was only there once per month). I really recommend the Village Healthcare Week for a realistic insight into village life and how healthcare is delivered. The week was great at getting us out of our comfort zone and appreciating the tough lifestyle. Laxmi was great as a host too, and we learnt lots about cooking, cultural practices, and household dynamics.

"I felt really supported by the Work the World team, who recommended activities and gave us tips on booking our weekend trips. The experience was made even better by having other healthcare students in the house to explore, and by the staff who were so friendly and cooked amazing food.

"I would really recommend an overseas healthcare placement in Nepal — I had an amazing time and feel so fortunate to have had an experience that not many people can say they've had. I was worried about the finances, but I'm so glad I went ahead with the trip and added the Village Healthcare Week. I really will remember it forever."

Raunak, a medical student, recently completed his placement with us in Nepal 🇳🇵

“I’ve always been curious about how healthcare is delivered in other parts of the world outside Australia, especially in places where resources are limited and where doctors often need to rely more on clinical skills than investigations. Nepal stood out to me for its rich, vibrant culture and the opportunity to learn from a system that operates with great resilience despite the challenges. I hoped the experience would give me a fresh perspective on patient care, and it absolutely did.

"Thanks to Work the World, I was fortunate to gain exposure across a variety of clinical settings. During my time in cardiothoracics, I had the opportunity to scrub in and observe complex procedures such as valve replacements, congenital heart defect repairs and coronary artery bypass grafts.

"I witnessed the management of a high-impact pelvic fracture from a road traffic accident, several cases of poisoning, and a child with suspected meningitis. One particularly striking case was a young patient presenting with liver failure secondary to Budd-Chiari syndrome — something I’d never seen before, and a condition I may never see again in Australia.

"Overall, this placement didn’t just teach me medicine — it gave me a broader perspective on what it means to care for people.

"If you’re considering a Work the World placement, I can honestly say it’s one of the best decisions you’ll make as a student. You’ll be exposed to a completely different way of practising medicine, gain confidence in your clinical skills, and come away with a far deeper understanding of healthcare beyond your own system.”

Planning your own overseas placement for 2026? Head to our website and submit the short enquiry form, and we’ll be in touch with more information.

Gloria, a professional nurse, joined us in Kandy, Sri Lanka, for a two-week placement.

“As a qualified paediatric nurse, I was eager to step beyond my usual clinical environment and gain insight into how healthcare is delivered in a different country. With my Sri Lankan heritage, the experience held personal significance, allowing me to contribute to patient care in a place that feels like home while deepening my understanding of global health and culturally responsive practice.

“Once I arrived in Sri Lanka, the in-country team made me feel completely supported and prepared. They helped us settle in by providing clinical sessions on dengue fever, cultural guidance on navigating the hospital system, and Sinhala language classes that allowed us to better communicate with patients and staff. From giving us a city tour to orienting us to the hospital and each of our departments, the team ensured we felt confident and welcomed.

“One experience that will stay with me forever was the village week, where I had the opportunity to visit an Ayurvedic hospital while staying with a local host family in Nildandahinna. An area close to tea plantations in Sri Lanka. The atmosphere was calm and peaceful, unlike the busy hospital environment in Kandy. It was fascinating to learn about Ayurveda, the ancient system of traditional medicine that has existed in Sri Lanka long before the introduction of Western medicine.

“Overall, my experience in Sri Lanka was unforgettable. Work the World gave me the chance to connect my culture with my nursing skills, making the journey deeply meaningful.”

Thinking about your own overseas placement? Head to our website and submit the short enquiry form, and we’ll be in touch with some more information.