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Electives are a well-established and popular part of the curriculum of medical schools in Europe and North America, offering students opportunities to expand upon prior learning and gain valuable experience in new environments. In the UK, electives occur after either the fourth or fifth year of undergraduate study, and typically last between six to eight weeks. The majority of students travel abroad, with 40% choosing to go to developing countries [1]. The educational benefits of these placements are varied and far-reaching: aside from improving clinical knowledge and procedural skills through direct exposure to novel scenarios, international health electives can increase students' awareness of global health issues and their determinants, foster independence and self-confidence, and influence decisions regarding future career choices [2-4].This article describes my elective in Sierra Leone, particularly focusing on the learning points resulting from this experience.