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The thought of hopping on a plane to help the sick and needy is thrilling and inspiring. But, working internationally in the health care field is not quite as simple as that. Read this section to get a sense of what your options are.

Top Tips

• Health is a growth industry: Developing nations are in constant need of certified medical professionals to fight famine and disease. Hospitals, companies, NGOs and IGOs are just some of the employers generally in need of qualified professionals.
• Understand why you want to go abroad: Are you going because of your desire to participate in humanitarian efforts? Are you looking to expand your professional experience? Are you going abroad because job opportunities are limited in your home country? Be sure you assess your motivations before applying to go abroad.
• You don’t have to be a doctor to work in the health care field: In addition to all the standard medical professionals, project managers, mechanics, engineers, electricians, human rights officers, IT staff and other professionals are required to keep health services running.
  
• Health is a risky business: When traveling abroad as a health professional, you may find yourself in compromising situations. Before traveling to a developing nation, ask yourself whether you are ready to deal with the stress of uncertainty and constant risk.
  

Related Articles on MyWorldAbroad (for registered users):

• Build a Health Career Abroad
• What Types of Jobs Are Out There?
• The Skills Required
• Gaining Experience and Targeting Your Job Search
• What Expat Health Workers Say: The International Experience