Adventure Alternative

Medical Electives Application procedure

Applying for a medical programme with Adventure Alternative

• You can apply online through this website and make a £250 deposit through Paypal or you can send a cheque made out to 'Adventure Alternative' to our office (PO Box 14, Portstewart, N Ireland BT55 7WS). This will be receipted. Final payment is 6 weeks prior to departure.
• You need to provide a letter confirming your status as a medical student and Helena will advise you on who to make this letter out to. We need this at least 6 weeks before travel.
• Purchase a flight to Nairobi, Kilimanjaro Int Airport or Kathmandu. We can assist with advice on airlines.
• You will also need to get the necessary immunisations and buy malaria tablets from your GP.
• You will need to organise your own travel insurance. A visa is easily bought on arrival at the airports in Kenya, Tanzania or Nepal and we will discuss this with you. It is a normal tourist visa, not a working visa since you are not receiving a salary from the local hospital.
• You can download our policy regarding safe travel in a developing country, and with respect to exposure to HIV AIDS especially, from our website. You will also find health and safety procedures and information on HIV AIDS, which your university may require.
• Instalments can then be made for the cost of your stay in-country and the full balance must be paid 6 weeks prior to travel. Inclusions and exclusions are on the invoices. The cost of your placement is all-inclusive, except for personal expenses and weekend travel and free time.

Our staff will have your information and provide the on-ground logistics for you on arrival at the airport. You are assisted to the hospital where you meet the staff, and are helped to move into your accommodation. You receive an allowance in local currency to take care of your daily food and transport costs. We help with taxis to and from the hospital if necessary (eg Kathmandu).

At all times you will have contact with us in the main office in N. Ireland. The companies in Kenya, Tanzania and Nepal are subsidiaries of the company in N. Ireland so you can be sure that we will remain responsible for you and have contact with both you and all of our staff, at all times.

At the hospital itself you will work with the medical director or consultant to discuss your exact daily routines and timings. You will be able to mention your preferences and you will find all the medical staff happy to try and accommodate you.

We hope you will enjoy your stay in East Africa or Nepal, and that it will prove a valuable and important part of your education.