Budgeting for your elective
Electives are expensive. However, they also represent excellent value for money: you're able to make use of student deals, you'll have more flexibility (so can choose the cheapest flights and not be tied to fixed annual leave) and you're probably prepared to "rough it" a bit more to save on unnecessary luxury. In addition, your holiday time is likely to be longer than any other holidays you take in the future (unless of course you take major time out, for example a sabbatical) and as a student you will find yourself eligible for a lot more financial help.Furthermore, when you're on elective, time will be spent doing clinical activities - so you won't be constantly spending money on tourist entertainments. You're also likely to become friends with locals who will be able to offer their advice and knowledge - therefore reducing the need to use commercial guides and services.
Plan early
I can't emphasise this enough. Applying for funds takes time, and strategy is important. Cheap flights are snapped up quickly, on a first-come-first-serve basis. For any inter-continental elective you should ideally allow yourself more than 10 months to plan. If you have less time, then you are likely to find that getting the best value becomes less and less easy.
Don't be pessimistic
I raised the entire cost of my elective by applying to funds. I highlight this because I think it is a little-known fact that there are loads of small trust funds aimed at specific groups of people. This is covered in more detail in Funding. Your elective will be an amazing experience. If you can get this at little - or zero - expense then so much the better!
How to budget
Be realistic from the outset. Get quotes from websites, ask friends, Google for student reports of similar electives. Be aware of things such as big air fare increases as soon as school holidays begin - and ask about student discounts all along. Think about doing a mind-map of all the things to budget for - there's nothing worse than realising you've forgotten a major cost, then scrimping to afford it. The main costs to consider are:
- Accommodation: this can be difficult to confirm, but ask around and check guides such as Lonely Planet.
- Air fares: including all taxes and supplements.
- Elective fees: what the hospital/university is charging you to be with them.
- Equipment costs: get a copy of a catalogue from Cotswold Leisure, Field and Trek or equivalent, and identify what you need to get. A suggested kit list is available here. The cost of a decent pair of boots, mozzie net etc. can soon mount up, and it's better that this is budgeted for and not a surprise! Remember to ask for a student discount.
- Food and living expenses: again, difficult to quantify but see Lonely Planet and people who've already done electives in the same area. Is there a hospital cafe or nearby cafe?
- Insurance: shop around, but be sure to compare the cover. You may already be covered under your credit card, home insurance etc. Does it have all the cover you need (a lot of folk seem to like the HIV/AIDs cover now).
- Other travel: once you're there, you'll need to think about how much it will cost to commute to your elective placement.
- Travel documents: for Nepal this is really just the visa. However, other countries may require health cheques, x-rays, medical certificates... which can be costly.
- Vaccinations: can mount up, mainly because some are private prescriptions. Speak to a friendly occupational health advisor, GP or your university health service - sometimes they take pity on students!
- Holiday costs: you're there for a good time too! Are you travelling after your elective placement? If so, be sure not to forget these costs too... although you should normally leave this out of funding applications as most trusts will only help with costs associated with the principal "learning experience".
Careful planning will ensure that you get the most for your money, and result in more for spending once you're there!
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