• medical elective students at hospital

Medical Electives

The Medical Elective Network are the leading provider of medical electives in South America.  Since 2011 we have received hundreds of final year medical students and professionals looking to gain clinical experience in Peru.

As well as medical electives, we fund our own NGO, feeding elderly in poverty.   Together with local partners run community health campaigns and, with visiting surgical teams, carry out free surgeries.

Taking your elective in Peru is more than just another clinical rotation.  Whilst here you will also have the opportunity to learn medical Spanish, participate on community health fairs and discover Peru!

Clinical Rotations

We are based in the city of Trujillo, where we work with hospitals of all sizes.  Most medical elective program participants are final year students from around the world.  Some are clear about the specific rotation they want and others are happy to look at a number of alternatives.  Regardless of your preference, we will develop the best program possible for you.

Elective rotations take place at both government hospitals and NGO facilities.  Conditions at the hospitals vary according to the resources available.  You will experience health care in a developing country, and see conditions you may not see in your home country.

Most clinical rotations take place in the mornings Monday to Friday from 8 am to 12 noon.  However, some rotations may include the opportunity to participate on the occasional nightshift.  If you do have any free mornings, you do have the option of taking extra language classes in the mornings.

At the hospital you will be placed with local medical students as well as health care professionals.  You do have the option of 4 or 5 day hospital electives.

Popular Clinical rotations

  • Emergency
  • Pediatrics
  • Internal Miedicine
  • Surgery
  • Family Medicine
  • Obstetrics/Gynecology
  • Ophthalmology

Medical Spanish Program

One of the great benefits of taking your medical elective in South America is the opportunity to develop your general and medical Spanish skills.  Our medical Spanish program is the best around.  In Trujillo we have a team of teachers providing a CME accredited medical Spanish program.

Regardless of your existing level of Spanish, you will quickly improve whilst taking 4 hours of Spanish classes each afternoon.  Classes are taught at all levels. Teachers rotate each hour to always keep classes fun and stimulating.

Beginners  have the option of taking the intensive medical Spanish program with an additional 2 hours each morning for the first week or 2 before beginning the clinical rotation.  This is a popular way to build up your language skills before beginning clinic.

Daily Schedule (Mon - Fri)
Elective Rotation8 am – 12 noon
Medical Spanish Program2.30 pm – 6.30 pm

Community Health Fairs

One of the most popular elements of our programs for students taking medical electives are the community health fairs that take place each month.  You may be spending most of a day on a public square or even a prison. There you will see patients receiving free consultations and medicines.   For these health fairs our partners include local municipalities, the national police and the prison service.

Each health fair is different.  Conditions are never ideal, and are often accompanied by a lot of noise.  You can expect to see 100 to 200 patients with a variety of complaints.   Local health care professionals and language teachers will be there, providing support.

Participating on a health fair is very intensive but satisfying experience.  They are also a fantastic opportunity to see lots of patients and apply the Spanish language schools you learn each day here.

Surgical Missions

Each year we partner with visiting surgical teams such as ISHI Global and Go-Med to provide free surgeries for patients with very limited resources.  These missions normally last just a week, but require lots of preparation, with a visiting surgical team of 20 to 25 people.  If you are interested in surgery and would like to participate, do please contact us, for advice about getting involved.

Abuela’s Kitchen

Every day, through our foundation, Abuela’s Kitchen,  we provide lunch and a place to socialize for elderly living in poverty in La Eperanza district of Trujillo.  Since September 2016, we have provided thousands of meals and facilitated many new friendships.  Elective students are welcome to see the work carried out at our small center there.

Quality Accommodation

The quality of your accommodation  is very important when looking at medical electives abroad.  Therefore, program participants in Trujillo all stay with families within 10 minutes walk of our elective center.  All are professional households who understand the importance of student being comfortable.  The homes have wifi and all students have private rooms, most with private bathrooms.  The language immersion our families provide provides reinforces the language  learnt and practiced each day in the classroom and at the hospital.

About 50% of students taking medical electives with us come alone and 50% with a friend or two.  Our families normally have between two and four program participants.  We are happy to accommodate small groups together.  our families also have no problem meeting any dietary preference or need

Learn more about our families.

Activities

As you can imagine, your days here are pretty full after clinical rotations and medical Spanish programs.  Nevertheless, we do also include gym membership, salsa classes or yoga classes as part of your elective program.

The gym option is particularly popular as it includes yoga classes and many dance classes, as well as everything you would expect from a large modern gym.  Students often go together at the end of their afternoon medical Spanish classes.

As part of the language classes we also include activities such as making pisco sours, preparing a meal or bringing in a dance teacher to the electives center.

Trujillo & beyond

Peru is one of the most exciting countries on earth to visit.  With the Andes mountains, the Amazon Rain forest and hundreds of miles of pacific beaches. Beyond its amazing geography it also has a rich history dating back thousands of years.   Long before the Spanish were the Incas and long before them were the Moche and other cultures.

Trujillo is a Spanish colonial city know as the City of Eternal Spring for its great weather.  Full of history with colonial mansions it is a modern bustling city and the educational center of Northern Peru with several large universities.  With an active nightlife offering clubs and live music, as well as cinema and theatres.

Close by

Just 20 minutes from Trujillo you will find the impressive archeological sites fo Chan Chan, and La Huacas Del Sol y De la Luna,.  Alco nearby is the seaside town of Huanchaco: a surfing resort full of seafish restaurants.  a great place to try Ceviche.

Within 2 hours of Trujillo you will arrive at the wine growing region of Cascas, the Andes town of Otuzco, or the longest right hand wave in the world at Puerto Morin.

Weekend Trips

Every month students take weekend trips together.  Perhaps the most popular weekend trip from Trujillo is to Huaraz, with the highest mountains in Peru and the best trekking.  Another popular destination is Cajamarca, a lovely Andes town full of history.  Mancora is a great option for beach lovers, where they can also swim with giant tea turtles.

Of course, Peru is best know for Cusco and Machu Picchu.  Many choose to visit at the end of their elective.  Direct flights are available from Trujillo to Cusco

For Peruvians, the most exciting destination of 2017 is Chachapoyas & Kuelap.  Considered to be the new Machu Picchu, but with just 1% of the tourists.

Any Questions?

Please do get in touch if you have any questions about how we can make your elective a worthwhile and memorable experience

Pre-med student electives

Please note that unfortunately we do not accept Pre-med students onto our medical electives program. Programs are open to medical students and professionals.

© Copyright The Medical Elective Network 2017