Hi /r/travel
From August 2015 - October 2015 I have to undertake an 8-week medical elective. I am looking for suggestions as to possible destinations. The elective can take place anywhere in the world, although we are discouraged from war zones. The scope of the elective is really broad and I can pretty much do whatever I want within the field of medicine provided it is feasible for the timeframe and my host supervisor is amenable to the plans.
I'll try to fulfill the suggestions in the sidebar:
Where you're starting: Aberdeen, Scotland, United Kingdom
Dates of travel: August 2015 - October 2015
Budget: This is highly dependent on what bursaries I can secure but I think around about £2.5-3.5k ($4250-6800) including flights, accommodation, admin fees, institution fees, food and drink, and spending money.
Interests: I would like to go to a place that has enough things to do so that an 8 week stay there isn't boring. I would also like to go somewhere that has a vibrant nightlife. I would like to go somewhere that English is common but doesn't have a culture similar to Britain. I would like to go somewhere with good food.
Places you've already been: Spain, Italy, France, Czech Republic, The Netherlands, Florida, Canada.
Research: I hate to admit that I only speak English and for "usual" trips abroad I feel I can get by fine with learning some basic phrases. However, as this trip will involve interaction with people in a healthcare environment I don't feel a rudimentary grasp of the native language will suffice. Therefore, I am limited to countries where English is at least semi-common and particularly where doctors are likely to speak it. I would also like to go somewhere that doesn't have an anglo-style culture (aka the US, Canada, Australia, NZ etc.). I recognize that this greatly limits my options.
As of now I am primarily looking at the Philippines, Hong Kong and Singapore but I am in absolutely no way set on these destinations. After all, I made this post to see if /r/travel had any cool suggestions!