Gap Medics

( 32 Reviews )

Activities: Medical, Health, Medicine
Country: Worldwide
Location: Newcastle Upon Tyne

Gap Medics used to offer international medical work experience for school and university students where they could shadow doctors, nurses, dentists or midwives in hospital for 1 – 8 weeks.

Gap Medics provided year-round medical work placements to students from all over the world. Programmes gave an extensive insight into the world of healthcare and greatly strengthened personal statement and admission interview prospects for university medical school.

Programmes were offered in the Dominican Republic, Croatia, Poland and Rwanda and gave the opportunity to gain insight into the work of doctors, nurses, midwives and dentists before clinical training. Not only did participants receive beneficial experience to help university applications and interviews but it also offered the chance to. learn more about future professions.

Programmes were are available all over the world and open to anyone aged 16 years or over.

Gap Medics are no longer operating. For similar programs please view our medical volunteering directory.

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Gap Medics Santo Domingo Placement

I entered the 2 weeks programme not realising how attached I would get to the hospital I had my placement at. Being mentored at Dr Dario Contreras Hospital was very eye opening and allowed me to witness a lot of medical miracles and the intensity of the work the Doctors are put through. Its helped me realise how much they go through to keep victims alive. It’s a really great experience which I recommend to everyone who is eager to learn!!!

By: Tasnim Hussain
Nationality: British
Age: 20

Awesome Experience

I was not sure what to expect when I was on this trip, but it was extremely educational and fun. I was able to spend time getting to know amazing individuals in the Gap Medics house but also to learn from great physicians. The surgeries and patient care techniques I had the opportunity to see were once in a lifetime experiences for a student not in Medical School. I would love to be able to experience this again and would recommend this experience to anyone who asks.

By: Rachelle
Nationality: American
Age: 23

Incredible and Unforgettable Experience

I had an amazing two weeks with Gap Medics and got to see so many surgeries and procedures alongside having contact with patients. The food was great and so was the accommodation. I would totally recommend Gap Medics to anyone interested in medicine.

By: Megan Richardson
Nationality: British
Age: 16

BEST EXPERIENCE EVER

I had the most amazing time in Santo Domingo and met the sweetest people! I learned so much my mentor was so kind and wanted us to learn and see everything we could. The housing was perfect too. If you’re second guessing it DONT! Just do it!

By: Shana
Nationality: American
Age: 23

Amazing experience

I spent two week in Santo Domingo and it was such an amazing experience! I did a nursing placement and spent one week in the maternity hospital and one week on the trauma hospital. The gapmedics staff were brilliant and I met so many life long friends all over the world. Would 100% recommend.

By: Phoebe
Nationality: British
Age: 19

View All Reviews

A great experience for anyone interested in healthcare!

I spent 2 weeks in Warsaw and met some amazing people. In the first week I had an ophthalmology placement and in the second week I was in ENT. The staff were all great and welcoming. I am already considering doing another placement next summer!

By: Hiba
Nationality: British
Age: 17

Amazing

I spent 2 amazing weeks in Thailand. I was surrounded by loving poeple that I just met. I will forever remember this trip. Would definitely recommend doing a work aboard programme with Gap Medics

By: Hani
Nationality: British
Age: 22

Gap Medics Warsaw

I spent two weeks in Warsaw with Gap Medics and I can truthfully admit that it was the best and most memorable experience of my life. I realised that my career goals had endless possibilities and I made friends that I’m sure I will still have years in the furture.

By: Denika Wyngaarden
Nationality: Australian
Age: 16

A life changing experience

Truly the best three weeks I could have asked for. I learned so much about the field I am looking into and I feel incredibly empowered by the things that I saw. I am infinitly grateful for my time spent with Gap Medics.

By: Cady
Nationality: American
Age: 16

Medical Placement - Tanzania

I did my placement in Tanzania and honest it was the best experience of my life. The people were beautiful and I met friends from other countries who are my friends for life.
100% recommend it, it opened my eyes to what I wanted to do as a career.

By: Angela
Nationality: Australian
Age: 26

Nursing/midwifery placement

The experience I had was out of this world! I saw things that no one else can be exposed to in the UK unless you are in the profession. The staff were so lovely and caring, as well as knowledgeable. The excursions were amazing too! Would recommend it to anyone!!!

By: Rachel
Nationality: British
Age: 18

Getting into paediatric nursing at uni!

Gap Medics is the best thing I have ever done! I didn’t know what to expect when I first booked onto the programme and was so nervous to go, as I had never travelled alone. But I’m so glad I did it, as I got to shadow the most friendly nurses and learnt so much, by seeing very interesting operations and procedures. When I got there the staff made me feel so welcome and they are all so lovely and chatty. One of my placements was ENT, I had Nurse Iva as a mentor, she was so lovely and helpful. Not only did she show me the nursing side of practice but she encouraged me to watch procedures such as skin cancer removals, tracheostomy’s and so much more, which were performed by doctors.

My other department was Internal Medicine, where cancer patients were being treated with chemotherapy. My mentor was Boris, one of the nurses in the department. He not only showed me the part of Internal Medicine he worked in, but I also got to see every other section in Internal Medicine, as he made time to show me these. Both nurses answered all my questions and gave me the opportunity to see things that I would struggle to see in the UK. I not only met people from all round the world, but have met AMAZING friends for life. As well as placement, you get so much time to socialise and explore Croatia. I’m so glad I did Gap Medics as it has confirmed what I want to do. I would 100% recommend it to people who want to go into a medical profession!

By: Chloe James
Nationality: British
Age: 18

Medical placement Dominican Republic

Absolutely amazing! Such an eye opening experience whilst at the same time getting to meet new friends. Perfect combination of being on placement and time to relax or explore your placement allows you to see how hospitals really run. Would recommend to anyone!

By: Annabel
Nationality: British
Age: 18

Santo Domingo

This is such a great experience for anyone interested in any health profession. The sheer amount of surgeries, injuries and facilities that you get to see is eye opening, but also highly enjoyable and very worthwhile. I would highly recommend this programme to anyone as you will have a brilliant time!

By: Kate
Nationality: Irish
Age: 19

Fantastic

I travelled to Tanzania for the two week hospital placement and had a brilliant time. The staff were all really kind and welcoming.

By: Lavinia
Nationality: British
Age: 17

Best Experience

I went to Thailand on a three week placement about a year and a half ago. It was an amazing experience. The accommodations were over and above what I was expecting. The food at the placement house was great. There’s no Thai food in the US that compares to the food there. The staff was incredible. They went out of their way to ensure that everyone was having a good experience both accommodations wise and placement wise. Through the hospital placement I got to observe many surgeries, meet and learn from many knowledgeable doctors, and experience a way of healthcare outside of what I had normally been exposed to previously. Overall, the Gap Medics placement is one I would recommend to anyone who has an interest in the medical field.

By: Lydia Babineau
Nationality: American
Age: 22

I would recommend Gap Medics

I participated on the Thailand prenurse program for 4 weeks and would recommend to anyone thinking about a medical career. The only down side is there is only so much you can see through the pre nurse program so I would recommend a shorter duration.

By: Grace Evans
Nationality: Australian
Age: 21

Physiotherapy placement in Pula/Croatia

Gap Medics is a good company but they are very expensive. I booked my placement with the team in England. They replied my emails quickly and answered all my questions. Things skso went well with Gap Medics in Pula. Accommodation was very goid, i had a huge room to myself. The meals were very nice but a couple of times there wasn't enough to eat. The placement was great and I learned so much about physiotherapy, the physio team was very friendly and helpful. It kind of exceeded my expectations. I was also able to assist the physios and touch the patient under the supervision of the physio of course, nothing major. Overall it was great but very expensive for just one week. I paid over £1000.

By: Nadège
Nationality: New Zealander
Age: 28

Unforgetable and life changing

Gap medics took me on a journey that i will treasure forever. It showed me an insight into the world of others, further developed my love for nursing and medicine and my love for helping people. The program was so well organised, safe and enjoyable. I made so many friends I’ll have for life, so many memories and grew within myself.

By: Zoe
Nationality: European
Age: 20

Amazing Medical Placement in Warsaw

I had a fab time in Warsaw, Poland shadowing doctors and surgeons in a really big hospital, observing surgeries and practices that I would never have seen in the UK. It was also a great opportunity to meet lots of other like minded people of my own age who were at the same stage as me who I know I will stay friends with for many years. It also allowed to to experience Polish culture and cuisine as we explored Warsaw Old Town as well as optional excursions to Krakow and Auchwitz! Would definitely recommend to anyone who can afford it! It is quite expensive (£1500 for 2 weeks not including flights, insurance, inoculations, scrubs, travel and accommodation in London and money for extra visits) so I spent 9 months fundraising which was rewarding but also quite challenging and stressful at times! Overall, had a really great time and it was definitely worth it.

By: Maeve
Nationality: British
Age: 17

Best two weeks of my life

My two weeks I'm La Romana were incredible. I spent time doing the career I want to do for the rest of my life and met the most increvile people and Freida for life. Everyone who works for gap medics are the best, they are with you every second to support you tom the moment you land to the moment you take off. Cannot recommend enough, don't hesitate on booking, it'll be the best thing you ever do

By: Lauren
Nationality: British
Age: 17

Amazing medical experience in Pula, Croatia

I done a 2 week lab/medical placement in the general hospital in Pula, Croatia. Week one I was in the Cytology depart and then week two I was in the Infectious Diseases depart. Both weeks I spent there, I learned a lot of hands on experience and further expanded my medical/scientific knowledge. The work eperiance I gained there I would not have been able to do such a thing in the UK. Overal, the medical experiance I gained was highly worth every peny. I'd highly reccomend doing a placement with Gap Medics!

By: Zina
Nationality: British
Age: 22

Most Memorable Two Weeks of My Life

My experience in La Romana, Dominican Republic, was filled with excitement & encouragement in the direction of a future medical profession. The staff was amazing & the work in the hospitals was invaluable. I made incredible friends & will never forget the good times had through Gap Medics. Push yourself out of your comfort zone & go for it. You will not regret enrolling into this program.

By: Faith S
Nationality: Canadian
Age: 16

Incredible Croatia!

I spend two weeks in the surgeries in Pula, Croatia, and had the most amazing time! It wasn't an experience I could get anywhere in Australia, and I learnt so much from it. I would recommend Gap Medics to anyone wanting to see what the real world of medicine is about

By: Dra
Nationality: Australian
Age: 20

Gap Medics Thailand- Nurisng

I went on the Gap Medics Nursing experience in May this year and it was absolutely amazing!
I found the whole experience so interesting and learnt so much from my very helpful mentors.
The Gap Medics house and all the staff were so welcoming and really made you feel at home for the time you are there. I would recomend this experience to anyone aspiring to be in the medical and healthcare system and I am so happy I have done it!
Thank you

By: Polly Cartwright
Nationality: British
Age: 19

A once in a lifetime opportunity

After applying to medicine in the UK for the 2016 cycle & being rejected, I decided to take a gap year because I knew medicine was definitely what I wanted to do. I came across gap medics by googling some medical-related gap year experiences. I booked it straight away! I went to La Romana, Dominican republic for 3 weeks. The 1st week I spent time in private hospital, 2nd week in a public hospital & 3rd in community healthcare. Not only did I get specially tailored experience in obs/gynae & surgery, but I saw & did things I'd never get to do in the UK (even WORKING at the hospital back here)! I saw c-sections, vaginoplasties, a tummy tuck, natural births & so much more! In community healthcare, missionary groups along with Gap medics students set up clinics in the area providing free consultations, medications & even dentist procedures. There was something for everyone! I made lifelong friends around the world & we did activities whenever we weren't on placement like boat trips to the island, partying and exploring the country! Would highly recommend to anyone who wants to go into a healthcare profession - especially abroad!

By: Jessica
Nationality: British
Age: 19

An unforgettable experience

My time in La Romana, Dominican Republic was amazing and more than I ever could have expected. I was able to experience a huge variety of surgeries from amputations to Caesarians. The mentors were great at ensuring you got the best experience possible. My time at the orphanage and exploring the beaches and towns was also amazing. I would recommend this trip to everyone as it truly was a once in a lifetime experience.

By: Emma
Nationality: British
Age: 17

Career Affirming

Most incredible trip I could have asked for. Confirmed my dream career and allowed me to befriend so many amazing, like-minded people. Had incredible mentors who I still keep in touch with who showed me so many amazing things!
Can't recommend this enough

By: Maddie
Nationality: Australian
Age: 19

And unforgettable 2 weeks

I went on their placement for 16/17 year olds to La Romana in the Caribbean. I had the greatest 2 weeks there where I made such good friends. We all instantly clicked and had so much to talk about because of our suimular interests. It was great to meet people going through the same part of school and in the same stage of applying to medicine as me. The placement was incredible where I had the opportunity to do and see far more than what I thought I would be able to. After this trip I was more sure than ever that I wanted to do medicine. The free time was organised so well and there was never a time when I felt I didn't have anything to do. Overall it was a great trip where I met some lovely people and I personally think had the best experience, you can't beat doing what you love and doing it in the Caribbean with some great friends!

By: Anonymous
Nationality: British
Age: 17

Brilliant experience-Gap Medics Tanzania

My first trip with gap medics two years ago was an experience of a life time, volunteering in departments alongside nurses in adult internal medicine and midwives in obs and gynae.
Allowed me to I learn about different cultures and the difficulties faced by patients and staff. It was inspiring to see the medical profession in Africa while restricted and facing obstacles with facilities and medication compared to England, were still able to provide all of the 6’Cs of nursing to the best of their ability. This experience enhanced my communication, interaction and active listening skills, which are essential in this particular career path. The numerous situations I faced exemplified the importance of compassion, dignity and empathy when caring for people.

This amazing opportunity made my university application shine and since then I am now in my 2nd year of adult nursing. I have become more confident and independent, I know that the skills developed will definitely help me flourish within adult nursing. I am thoroughly enjoying my student nursing and will be nursing abroad in Sri Lanka this year. Additionally, the opportunity to give back to the Tanzania community, visiting local orphanages but also meeting new friends were once in a lifetime opportunities.

By: Kate Whalley
Nationality: Biritish
Age: 20

Amazing

Had the best 2 weeks in the Dominican Republic shadowing midwives. Mentors are super helpful and staff are all so lovely. Would 100% recommend.

By: Becky
Nationality: British
Age: 19

An unforgettable experience

Best experience ever. 2 weeks doing what I loved in a happy and organised environment with people that I've just met and already love. I'd recommend it to anyone.

By: Annabelle
Nationality: British
Age: 17