Our Purpose
Choose the medical elective you can be proud of
For most people, a medical elective abroad is a once-in-a-lifetime experience. We think it should be a fair one, too.
For most people, a medical elective abroad is a once-in-a-lifetime experience. A chance to develop new skills in a different medical system, and to explore some of the world's most stunning locations.
But it can also be a life-changing experience. An opportunity for personal growth in a host community where you bring something special, and can make a real difference.
Fair Trade Electives was set up to create meaningful medical electives by working hand-in-hand with host communities in the Global South. Together, we ensure ethical placements that respect and benefit everyone involved, enabling you to maximise your contribution.
With our own backgrounds in medical teaching and international volunteer placements, we aim to address the challenges tomorrow's doctors and global health care professionals face when organising electives abroad. We understand the complex and time-consuming process of arranging elective placements facing students. FTE simplifies this process by offering ethical, high-quality placements, ensuring students gain valuable learning experiences while benefiting local healthcare institutions.
Unlike profit-driven agencies, we reinvest any surplus funds back into the communities we work with, promoting sustainable, fair trade healthcare solutions. Our mission is to empower students and host communities, fostering global citizenship and equity in healthcare education.
So why not trust FTE to help find the right elective for you?
What guides us
Our principles in short
Ethical by design
Placements are co-created with hosts so they respect and benefit everyone involved.
Not-for-profit
Unlike profit-driven agencies, any surplus is reinvested in the communities we work with.
Simpler to arrange
We remove the complex, time-consuming work of organising a placement abroad.
Built on experience
Our team's backgrounds are in medical teaching and international volunteer placements.

