For more than two decades, TEN has been helping students from across the globe plan and prepare for their electives. In that time, we have created a unique platform with guides, tips, and ideas to help you plan the perfect elective.
Once signed up for our services, you will have access to a range of tools that will help narrow down your search so you can apply to the hospitals that suit your interests. You can start by exploring specific countries and medical specialities, or head to our ‘Inspire Me’ page to see our partners in areas such as global health and humanitarian medicine.
For each hospital, you will find an individual profile with all the information regarding the hospital’s history, work, and elective application process. Once you’ve narrowed down your search, use our planning guides to help you manage tasks such as funding your elective, visa applications, and insurance.
Everything you need to plan your elective is right here at your fingertips and if you are ever confused or not sure what to do, our team of friendly staff will be on hand to support you in any way they can.
The word voluntourism has grown in recognition recently, with both positive and negative connotations. On one hand, a visiting volunteer can be part of a structure which helps a community who otherwise would not have access to learning materials or aid. Alternatively, it can be harmful for an organisation who rely on the economic gains of supporting volunteers, to the detriment of locals. This is something you must be hyper-vigilant about whilst planning your elective abroad.
Here at TEN, we only work with institutions that believe and practice the same ethical values as we do, meaning we will never promote electives that come at the cost of the local community. We hand pick and work continuously with our partners to ensure their needs are met, as well as those of our users. We are also always on hand should you become concerned about a placement before, during, or after your visit.
If you find yourself in a bind whilst planning your elective, you can always rely on our handy ‘how to’ guides to give you tips and advice on what to do next. There are a huge number of steps to planning your elective, but with our service you will never find yourself alone. Our team have many years of experience working with students just like you as they went through this very same process. Whatever your interest, we can help you find the elective that fits.
We also have several guides to wellbeing on our site as the elective planning process can be taxing on your mental health. We believe in supporting you through every phase of this time in your medical studies, not just the practical elements. Drop us an email or message us on social media to chat about your planning and we will be on hand to be supportive and offer any advice you may need.
One of the biggest questions we get is how to stand out during the application process. This can be deeply nerve-racking, as it may be the first time you have had to write a document of this kind, particularly as it will be different to the CV you’d send when applying for a regular job.
The great news is that this is the perfect way of practicing for when you qualify in the medical field and need to send similar details to your future employer. You can find lots of advice and information about medical elective CV planning, and other application procedures, on our website.
While risks might not be the first thing that comes to mind when you think of planning an elective, risk assessments are a vital part of any application and could have a huge impact on your trip. You may have never had to carry out a risk assessment before, and that’s not a problem. We will be with you every step of the way with how to guides and tips on the best way to make the experience stress free.
There is no two ways about it – your elective will most likely incur some costs, whether you stay where you are or fly to the other side of the world. On a student budget, it can be quite daunting to plan a really exciting and Instagram-worthy elective.
But worry not! There are loads of amazing and affordable electives – AND plenty of funding opportunities if you’re organising a pricey placement. We have a huge range of guides about budgeting for your elective; from where to find funding, to the costs you should consider.
Every elective is different and, as such, you need to prepare travel insurance that will protect you both whilst at your chosen institution and whilst you’re exploring the wider country. We have plenty of guides and experience in this area to help you find the right one for you.
You can also check out our travel guides and country profiles to help you fully understand what to expect from your host country. These are updated regularly to include any travel warnings and advice so you will always have the most accurate information to help choose a placement and insurance.
Want to capture your elective in every glorious detail?
We have a collection of GoPros for students to take with them on their travels. You don’t have to be a budding director to still shoot some amazing footage that can then help other students decide if your institution and country are the right fit for them.
All you have to do is send us an email saying you’re interested in borrowing one of our cameras, and we will get organise posting it to you. It’s that simple and then you can capture your memories forever.
As you may have guessed by now, we love talking about electives! Why not put that to the test and drop us an email where one of our experienced team will be able to answer any questions or make suggestions to put your mind at ease. You can also drop by and say hi at one of the many talks and conventions we attend each year and meet us in person. Follow us on social media for all of the updates on where we are heading next.
You are never alone when planning your elective and there is no such thing as a silly question. Whether it’s big or small, we take your queries seriously and your membership gives you access to all of our combined experience and enthusiasm.
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