After falling in love with Australia on a family holiday when I was six, I always knew it was where I wanted to do my elective.
It turned out that one of my best friends also wanted to travel to Australia, so approximately a year before our elective was timetabled, we began planning the trip of a lifetime.
Applying for my placement
I applied to a couple of universities that offered medical clerkships in Australia and I was very fortunate to be accepted by the University of New South Wales (UNSW).
For countries like Australia, it's common for medical students to need to apply many months before, as there are often short periods of time where applications are open.
I was surprised that many universities in Australia charge an application fee (I paid around £50), so it’s worth doing your research to avoid extra costs. Unfortunately, these fees are non-refundable, even if they don’t offer you an elective.
Pre-elective admin (there’s a lot!)
Forms
I remember being so excited when I received the email to say I had been allocated a cardiology placement at Liverpool Hospital Sydney, and I soon learnt about all the ‘life admin’ that needed to be completed before I made my way to the other side of the world.
Firstly, I had to complete lots of forms and send across personal contact details, a copy of my CV and an academic transcript signed by my university. I also had to pay a fee to UNSW for the placement (this was around £200).
Insurance
Indemnity insurance is essential when you are planning your elective. I went with the MIPS who offer free medical student indemnity in Australia. Electives in Australia aren’t covered by the MDU or MPS, but they do offer indemnity for many other countries.
I also organised personal travel and health insurance using a price comparison website, as it was important to have cover for flights, luggage and medical.
Vaccinations
I was worried that I would have to spend a fortune on vaccines and I initially had no idea where to find out what would be required. Fortunately, I received all the required vaccinations for free, but do consider this when budgeting for your elective.
I started by booking an appointment at my local GP practice, with a helpful and friendly nurse who advised me on what was recommended for the areas I was travelling to.
In addition, I contacted my university’s occupational health team who were able to email a transcript of my past vaccines and provide some free vaccinations and blood tests that the UNSW required before starting my placement.
Visas
Applying for my visa seemed like a daunting process, as there were so many options available and I wanted to pick the right one.
I would recommend calling the visa helpline associated with the embassy you’re planning to travel to if you’re unsure. While they often can’t give out personal advice, it helped me to decide which was the most appropriate choice.
The visa I applied for was free, but for other electives you may need to consider your visa when budgeting.
Budgeting
Budgeting is crucial when planning your elective. Important things to consider include:
- Placement fees
- Accommodation
- Vaccines
- Visas
- Flights (typically the earlier you book your flights, the less expensive they are)
- Other travel expenses
- Any equipment you may need to complete the elective
- Money for food
- Money for spending and activities
I saved a lot of money by staying in student flats, as rent in Sydney was significantly over my budget. Public transport was brilliant. The tap in/out system was inexpensive and worked very smoothly. I also cooked a lot of meals in my flat to save on food costs, so I could save funds to spend on experiences instead.
At Sheffield University, we complete our electives in our fourth year, so I wasn’t eligible for the NHS bursary at that time. However, it’s worth being aware of to help with costs like accommodation.
Health regulations
New South Wales Health advises that overseas travellers should not enter high risk areas (e.g. hospitals) for seven days after entering the country. I used this week to travel around the Gold Coast and Port Douglas, which is where I created some amazing memories.
I was in the first cohort of overseas students to have my elective hosted by the UNSW following Covid-19, so there were many protocols we had to abide by. This included getting our UK Covid Vaccine Passport approved by GPonce in Australia, which cost approximately £50.
My cardiology placement
I chose to apply for a cardiology placement as this rotation is not part of our curriculum at Sheffield University. I wanted to improve my cardiology knowledge, as it still comes up on exams. I’d recommend doing a placement in something you are really passionate about or something that you would like to learn more about.
I met some amazing doctors in Sydney who were very friendly and welcoming. It was interesting to get an insight into the similarities and differences between healthcare in Australia compared to the UK.
The working culture seemed much more relaxed and I felt the work-life balance was better. However, I’m very close to my family and friends who live in England, so this elective hasn’t persuaded me to move abroad.
Fun stuff!
When I wasn’t on placement, I was out having fun. Personal highlights were exploring the Daintree Rainforest and snorkelling in the Great Barrier Reef (despite being quite seasick). I also really enjoyed the free walking tours around Sydney, spending time on beaches, and a sunrise kayak on Sydney Harbour.
Overall, my elective was one of the best things I have ever done. I recommend planning early, but also being spontaneous while you’re travelling as this is often when you meet amazing people and create the best memories.
I felt that I developed independence and resilience throughout my trip, and it has encouraged me to travel more. To treasure my elective memories, I made a scrapbook – this was an experience I never want to forget!