After signing up, you receive access to a dedicated travel preparation page with step-by-step guidance on everything you need before departure, including flight recommendations, a guide to applying for your visa, travel insurance, vaccinations, and a packing list.
We stay in close contact throughout the preparation to ensure everything is in place before you leave.
Before departure, you are also added to a group with your fellow participants, giving everyone the opportunity to meet and chat before the programme begins. Each group typically consists of 20–30 participants.
The hospital placement is fully included in the program fee.
You will shadow healthcare professionals who act as your daily mentors, teaching and guiding you as they carry out their daily work while encouraging you to ask questions and gain real insight into your chosen profession. Patients are always asked for their consent before you observe their care.
Placements run Monday to Friday, usually from 08:00 to 13:00, with one afternoon each week dedicated to a teaching session. When you apply, you choose the healthcare field you want to explore, with the option to choose up to three fields.
Depending on your chosen field(s), destination, and program length, you may rotate to a different department each week, giving you broader insight into clinical practice.
From arrival to departure, a dedicated on-site team ensures a safe and well-structured experience.
You are welcomed at the airport, introduced to your accommodation, hospital, and mentors, and supported throughout your stay.
Your placement coordinator helps turn observation into meaningful learning, while the wider support team takes care of the practical details so you can focus fully on your placement and experience.
You will stay in the Try Medics house, exclusively for programme participants, throughout your placement.
Most participants arrive without knowing anyone, but friendships form quickly as you live, learn, and explore together with like-minded young adults from around the world who share your interest in healthcare.
Comfortable accommodation, inviting shared spaces, WiFi, mosquito nets on every bed, and a dedicated on-site team create a safe and welcoming environment from day one. You can explore each house in more detail on the destination pages.
While the main focus is the hospital placement, the programme also offers the opportunity to experience the culture, nature, and highlights of your destination beyond clinical hours.
Included activities take place on afternoons and weekends, allowing participants to explore together, build friendships, and create unforgettable memories.
Activities vary by destination. See the destination pages for the full list of included and optional activities in Uganda, Zanzibar, and Sri Lanka.
Dedicated Try Medics drivers provide all transport throughout the programme.
From airport pick-up on arrival to drop-off before your departure flight, as well as daily transport to the hospital and included activities.
Using our own trusted drivers ensures a safe, reliable, and well-structured experience from arrival to departure, so you never need to arrange transport on your own.
Dedicated Try Medics chefs prepare breakfast, lunch, and dinner every weekday throughout the programme.
Meals combine local and familiar dishes, and most dietary requirements and allergies can be accommodated.
If you have specific dietary needs, we encourage you to contact us before signing up so we can discuss the available options and ensure the programme is a good fit.
Your safety is our highest priority.
From secure participant-only accommodation and dedicated on-site coordinators to trusted drivers and continuous local support, every part of the programme is designed to provide a safe and well-structured experience.
We also closely monitor local conditions and official travel advice to ensure placements only go ahead when conditions are considered safe and responsible, always putting participants' wellbeing first.
Receive a Certificate of Completion at the end of your programme, recognising your participation and the experience you have gained.
Flights
Flights are not included and must be booked independently, but we guide you through the process. We recommend booking as early as possible for the best prices.
Arrival must be between 00:00 and 18:00 on your programme start date. Departure is on the Saturday of your final week at a time of your choice.
Arrival airports
Airport transfers are included. A dedicated Try Medics driver will meet you on arrival and take you safely to the Try Medics house, with return transport to the airport ensuring you arrive at least 2.5 hours before your departure flight.
Travel insurance covering the full duration of your stay is required.
We provide guidance on what your policy should include, with the most important cover being emergency medical treatment and evacuation in the event of serious illness or injury.
An entry visa is required for Zanzibar, Sri Lanka, and Uganda. The fee is USD 50 (Approx. EUR 40) for Zanzibar and Uganda, while visas for Sri Lanka are currently free.
We provide step-by-step guidance and all the documents you need to complete your online visa application. Visa applications are typically approved within 7 days.
From the moment you arrive, almost everything is covered by the programme fee, including accommodation, meals, hospital placement, daily transport, and all included activities.
You will only need spending money for personal shopping and any optional add-on activities. As a general guideline, we recommend budgeting EUR 130 per week. Local currency can easily be withdrawn from ATMs after arrival, and your coordinator will show you and your group the nearest ATMs.
If you do not have suitable hospital workwear, you can rent it from us.
The workwear package costs EUR 80 and includes 2 scrub sets and weekly laundering throughout your placement.
Workwear is provided on arrival, so there is no need to use valuable luggage space packing it. Please bring your own disposable gloves, which can be purchased at most pharmacies. Closed-toe shoes are required — trainers or sneakers are perfectly suitable.
You can expect to gain unique first-hand insight and medical knowledge across the healthcare fields you are considering or already pursuing.
An experience that can give you an edge and greater clarity when choosing your future studies, all while experiencing a new culture and becoming part of a community of like-minded young adults from around the world who share your interest in healthcare.
An ideal pre-university experience if you are 18 or above, want to travel, and are considering a healthcare degree.
The entire program is designed for young adults with no previous healthcare experience or qualifications. The placement is observational, allowing you to learn from healthcare professionals without taking on clinical responsibilities.
The only requirements are that you are 18 or above when your placement starts and come with a willingness to learn.
No. Your placement and learning take place in English, and both hospital mentors and Try Medics staff speak English.
We generally recommend an upper-secondary level of English. During your placement, you will typically follow your mentor alongside another participant, so you can support each other and always ask your mentor to repeat or explain anything you do not understand.
At a glance:
Most participants on our Before Studies programme are between 18 and 22 years old.
Of course, but it is not necessary. Most participants travel without knowing anyone beforehand and quickly make new friends, while enjoying the opportunity to learn, share experiences, and explore alongside other participants.
There are typically 12–25 participants on each departure. A strong group dynamic often forms quickly, with participants sharing experiences and exploring the destination together.
Our placements are available for 4, 6, or 8 weeks. Most participants choose 4 weeks, which the programme is designed around and provides plenty of time for a rewarding experience.
If you are considering a longer placement, we recommend our 8-week combined Uganda & Zanzibar option — 4 weeks in Uganda followed by 4 weeks in Zanzibar.
Ultimately, choose the length that feels right for you.
Participant safety and wellbeing are our highest priority and the most important consideration in how we choose and operate our destinations. We continuously monitor official travel advisories and local developments.
At every destination, our dedicated local team is present throughout each placement. Their local knowledge and experience help provide a safe and well-supported environment, so you can focus on learning, exploring, and enjoying your experience.
If a destination can no longer provide the level of safety we expect, we will cancel the placement rather than operate under unsafe conditions.
Placements run year-round on set start dates, which you can find in our travel calendar.
Our set start dates ensure you begin alongside a group of fellow participants and share the experience together throughout.
The placement does not automatically improve your chances of admission at most institutions. However, it gives you relevant first-hand experience to reflect on your study choice, motivation, and understanding of the healthcare field you are considering.
If you are considering a healthcare degree, the experience can help you make a more informed and confident study choice.
We recommend contacting the institution you are considering directly for specific admission requirements.
Placement spots are available on a first-come, first-served basis, and departures often fill up well in advance.
We recommend signing up as early as possible. This gives you more time to prepare, arrange travel vaccinations and other practicalities, and often find better flight prices.
Most participants sign up 4–12 months before departure.
Once you apply, we will review your application and confirm your placement within 24–72 hours. Once accepted, a EUR 600 deposit is due within 7 days to secure your placement.
The remaining balance is due one month before your start date.
You can cancel up to 60 days before your start date and receive a full refund of all payments made, excluding any bank charges associated with processing the refund.
If you cancel less than 60 days before your start date, the EUR 600 deposit is non-refundable, but any remaining balance paid will still be refunded.
Our flexible cancellation policy allows you to secure your placement well in advance with greater financial peace of mind.
Try Medics is a member of the Danish Travel Guarantee Fund (Rejsegarantifonden), membership no. 2642. Our placements are offered as package travel, giving participants the consumer and insolvency protection provided under EU package travel rules.
This includes protection of payments in the event of organiser insolvency, regardless of the traveller’s EU country of residence.
Our chefs are experienced in accommodating common food allergies and dietary requirements, including gluten-free, lactose-free, and vegetarian diets.
If you have specific dietary requirements or allergies, please let us know before applying, so we can discuss your needs and ensure we can accommodate them. While we do our best to meet individual requirements, some specialty products may be limited locally.
In Zanzibar and Uganda, all meat served is halal. In Sri Lanka, meat is generally not halal.
Yes, many participants choose to continue traveling after their placement ends — either onward within the same country or to a new one.
Before departure, you will need to arrange your flights, travel insurance, vaccinations, and a few other practicalities.
Once enrolled, we guide you step by step through the entire preparation process, with a detailed guide covering everything you need to know, including a packing list. You can always contact us along the way if you have any questions.
Being part of a group offers added safety, the chance to form new friendships, and other participants to share, learn, and reflect with throughout your placement. We find that a strong sense of community quickly develops, with participants enjoying the opportunity to share the experience together.
Yes. Before departure, you will be invited to a Facebook group where you can connect and chat with the other participants in your group.
You will also be invited to an online pre-departure meeting hosted by the Try Medics coordinator who will be with you throughout your placement.
Our Before Studies programme is open to anyone aged 18 or above who wishes to join. Most participants currently come from Scandinavia, Germany, and the USA, creating an international community with a shared interest in healthcare.
Although flights are not included and must be booked independently, we guide you through the process and are happy to suggest a suitable route based on your preferred departure airport, which you can then book directly with the airline or your preferred booking provider. We recommend booking as early as possible for the best prices.
For all destinations, you should arrive between 00:00 and 18:00 on the Sunday your programme starts. Departure should be on the Saturday of your final week, at a time of your choice.
Airport transfers on arrival and departure are included as part of your placement, provided you follow the above.
A dedicated Try Medics driver will meet you at the airport and take you directly to the Try Medics house. At the end of your placement, we will arrange your return transfer to the airport, ensuring you arrive at least 2.5 hours before your departure flight.
Arrival airports
The placement at both destinations ends after the final hospital day on Friday of your last week. Most participants then fly home on Saturday, giving plenty of time to pack. Your return flight should be at a time of your choosing on that Saturday. Our drivers will coordinate your transport to the airport and make sure you arrive 2.5 hours before your flight.
We recommend consulting your doctor or a travel clinic about vaccinations and preventive medication, as recommendations may vary depending on your medical history. We recommend doing this no later than one month before departure.
Common recommendations for previous participants include:
For Uganda, Zanzibar, and Tanzania, preventive malaria medication is also commonly recommended. Requirements and recommendations can vary, so always follow the individual advice of your doctor or travel clinic.
All our destinations have a generally warm climate, so we recommend bringing light, comfortable clothing suitable for warm weather. Once enrolled, you will receive a detailed preparation guide with a recommended packing list for your destination.
We also recommend bringing clothing that covers your shoulders and knees, as this is appropriate at hospitals and in certain cultural settings across Uganda, Zanzibar, and Sri Lanka. You will still have plenty of opportunities to wear shorts, tops, and swimwear during your free time and at the Try Medics house.
Both are suitable. As you will have a permanent base at the Try Medics House throughout your placement, it makes little difference whether you bring a suitcase or a backpack. We recommend simply choosing whichever you find most convenient.
We do, however, recommend bringing a smaller backpack for weekend trips away from the house, such as safaris, coastal trips, or hiking excursions.
If you become unwell during your placement, our local Try Medics team will be there to support you and help you access appropriate medical care if needed.
You are required to have travel insurance that covers illness and medical treatment abroad for the full duration of your placement. You will receive further guidance on travel insurance as part of your preparation before departure.
If you have rented scrubs for your hospital placement, they will be provided after you arrive, where you can try them on and choose the right size. This also means you won’t need to make space for them in your suitcase when travelling.
Wi-Fi is available at the Try Medics House throughout your placement and is generally sufficient for everyday use, including keeping in touch with friends and family.
During your first few days, we will also help you get a local SIM card and mobile data package if you wish, so you can stay connected while away from the house.
For a 4-week placement, you can expect to spend around EUR 30 on mobile data, depending on your usage. Additional data can easily be topped up if needed.
We generally do not recommend purchasing an eSIM before departure, as local SIM cards tend to offer better value.
Laundry facilities are available at all Try Medics Houses.
In Uganda and Zanzibar, clothes are traditionally washed by hand. Water and detergent are provided, so you can wash your own clothes or use the housekeeping team’s laundry service. A load of up to 10 items costs approximately EUR 10.
In Moshi and Sri Lanka, washing machines are available for participants to use, and laundry detergent is provided.
If you require a specific type of detergent, such as fragrance-free detergent, we recommend bringing it from home, as specialist products may be difficult to find locally.
Your placement fee covers the main expenses during your stay, including your hospital placement, accommodation, transportation, weekday meals, and included activities.
For additional expenses such as cafés and restaurants, snacks and drinks, shopping, souvenirs, and other personal spending, we recommend budgeting around EUR 100 per week.
This is only a guideline, and your actual spending will depend on your preferences and any optional activities you choose to join. Prices for optional excursions can be found under each destination on our website.
You may want some local currency for souvenirs, personal expenses, and optional activities.
During your first days, we will show you where to find local ATMs. We generally recommend withdrawing local currency from an ATM after arrival, rather than bringing large amounts of cash from home. Cash exchange is also available locally if needed.
You will live in the Try Medics House together with your fellow participants, sharing a room with 2–10 people and with your own bathroom.
All Try Medics Houses have large gardens, comfortable areas to relax, and Wi-Fi so you can stay in touch with friends and family back home. Rooms have bunk beds with mosquito nets, and bed linen is provided and changed weekly.
Living with other young people who share an interest in healthcare creates a great atmosphere. Our houses offer plenty of opportunities to socialise and spend time with fellow participants, while also giving you space to relax and recharge when needed.
During your placement, you will take in many new impressions from both the hospital environment and a different culture, and having a comfortable home base gives you a place to unwind and process your experiences.
After completing your placement, you will receive a physical certificate as well as a digital copy by email, documenting your participation and placement period.
You will also have the opportunity to request references from your hospital mentors as additional documentation of your experience.
Apply now and look forward to gaining unique first-hand experience in healthcare.
