Info

Our medical projects in Tanzania are popular for good reason. The placements are designed to help support your university application, but also give you an unforgettable insight into healthcare in the developing world.

Tanzania is a famed for its safari and tribal culture and Iringa, off the beaten track in the heart of the country, is the perfect place to take advantage of what it has to offer.

Iringa is the third largest Southern town and is an important administrative and medical centre for the surrounding villages. We have developed strong relationships with the large regional hospital in the area and can provide some exceptional nursing placements.

We understand that undertaking a medical placement in a developing country hospital can be a little daunting, so before you start our dedicated in-country team runs an extensive preparation programme. You will get a tour of the hospital, meet your placement supervisors and get a chance to discuss your aims and objectives with them. You will be given a detailed breakdown of healthcare in Tanzania, the role of the doctors and nurses within the hospital and what you may see or be involved with during your time in the country.

The Gap Medics house in Iringa accommodates up to 16 people in shared rooms, with lots of space to relax or brush up on the free Swahili lessons, and you are just a short dala-dala ride away from your placement.

All meals are included during your placement and our live–in caterer will cook mouth-watering treats, as well as keep the fridge stocked with snacks and purified drinking water. The Iringa team want this to be a home away from home, so will give you a local orientation on arrival and provide as much advice and support as you need to settle into Tanzanian life.

Going on a wildlife safari is one of the most exciting parts of any trip to Africa, and with Ruaha National Park on your doorstep you could not be better placed to spot wildlife. Regularly referred to as the best game-viewing secret in the country, Ruaha is home to more elephants than any other Tanzanian park, an abundance of cheetah and leopard as well as prides of around twenty lions working together in teams to hunt for prey. It is sufficiently far away from the northern safari circuits to ensure that tourism numbers are low, so you really will feel like you are away from the crowds.

Iringa is also a great place to see traditional Tanzanian culture, whether you are interested in the colourful produce markets, the local He-He tribes-people or the eerie stone-age site of Ismila with its towering sandstone rock formations.

Duration

Varies according to preference. minimum 4 weeks, maximum 6 months.

Start Dates

Any Monday throughout the year.

Costs / Benefits

Varies according to duration. Prices start at £1590 for 4 weeks.

For those that want to stand ahead of the competition, Gap Medics offers the safest and greatest opportunity to explore the world of nursing, providing a unique experience whilst at the same time offering the experience of a lifetime.

Unlike our competitors, Gap Medics specialise in clinical experiences, offering 24/7 support both in the UK and overseas, as well as intensive pre-placement training and limited positions. We give you an opportunity to get real experience and learn about healthcare in the developing world. You will witness a wide variety of clinical cases and perhaps most importantly see what it feels like to work in a medical environment.

Many universities feel that students who take time out to travel, earn money or get experience, are often more mature than school leavers, it makes sense to combine gap year fun with the chance to stand out from the crowd.

Requirements

Aspiring medical students with a real interest in the issues effecting global healthcare.