6-Best Ways to Spend Summer Before College

Summer is more than just a break—it’s a launchpad. Whether you're a highschool student,  pre-med, or just eager to make the most of your time, this summer could be the season that changes your perspective, your resume, and your purpose.

At Go Elective, we’ve seen students trade in passive summers for powerful ones—combining global travel with clinical shadowing, volunteer work, and life-changing cultural immersion.

Here’s how you can do the same.

1. Shadow Doctors Abroad and Gain Clinical Hours

There’s no better way to explore healthcare than shadowing real doctors in real hospitals—and doing it abroad takes it to another level.

In Kenya or Tanzania, for example, Go Elective students spend their mornings (8AM–1PM) in public hospitals like Coast General Teaching and Referral Hospital, observing:

• Surgeries and emergency cases
• Tropical diseases rarely seen back home
• Maternal and pediatric care in resource-limited settings
• Ward rounds, outpatient clinics, and teaching moments

Why it matters: You’ll return home with documented clinical hours, mentorship from global physicians, and a deeper understanding of medicine across borders—something that sets you apart on medical or PA school applications.

2. Volunteer in Meaningful Ways

Purposeful travel is more than sightseeing—it’s about service. During your afternoons or weekends, you could:

• Volunteer at a local orphanage or school
• Join a mobile health clinic
• Help run hygiene workshops in underserved communities
• Support local outreach programs for youth and women

Why it matters: You’ll be contributing to real lives and developing soft skills—like empathy, cross-cultural communication, and adaptability—that medical schools love to see.

3. Explore the World (and Yourself)

You deserve to explore. And with a program like Go Elective, you get to:

• Walk to the beach after shadowing
• Feed giraffes and visit animal sanctuaries
• Take Swahili lessons
• Join weekend excursions to places like Tsavo East, Malindi, Watamu, or Lamu
• Go on safari, snorkel in coral reefs, or sail a dhow boat at sunset

Why it matters: You’re not just checking boxes—you’re expanding your worldview. Traveling with purpose cultivates cultural intelligence, curiosity, and self-awareness.

4. Make Your Resume Stand Out (and Your Life Story Richer)

Medical schools want to know who you are outside the classroom. A summer internship abroad tells them:

• You stepped outside your comfort zone
• You pursued global healthcare exposure
• You cared enough to give your time and energy to underserved communities
• You’ve seen medicine practiced beyond textbooks

Why it matters: These experiences don’t just build your resume—they shape your story.

5. Create Lifelong Friendships and Networks

You’ll meet fellow students from across the world—future doctors, nurses, and global changemakers like you. You’ll also build relationships with local healthcare professionals and mentors who will inspire and support your journey.

Why it matters: Shared experiences abroad lead to deep bonds. These people become your global community—and sometimes, lifelong friends.

6. Reignite Your Motivation (Or Discover It for the First Time)

If you’ve been feeling burnt out, confused, or unsure of your future in medicine, this kind of summer can bring clarity. You’ll remember why you started—or you’ll discover a new direction entirely.

Why it matters: Medicine is a commitment. Purposeful travel gives you space to reflect on whether it’s right for you—and why.

Final Thoughts: Don’t Just Spend Your Summer—Invest It

This summer doesn’t have to be ordinary. It can be transformative.

Imagine returning home with:

• Verified clinical hours
• Global health experience
• Volunteer impact
• A new worldview
• Stronger purpose
• And memories you’ll carry forever

Whether you're pre-med, pre-nursing, pre-PA, or just curious about healthcare—now’s the time to step into something bigger than yourself.|

Ready to spend your summer meaningfully?

Apply today to shadow doctors, explore global health, and volunteer in Kenya or Tanzania through Go Elective.

Because the best kind of summer? The one that shapes your future—and changes how you see the world.

Article Details

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Recent Articles , Pre-health, Dental Internships, Nursing Internships,

Author: Go-Elective Abroad

Date Published: May 13, 2025