Best Platforms to Find Pre-Med Internships Abroad (Compared)

Where to Look and What to Watch For

Gaining international experience as a pre-med student is one of the most impactful ways to grow your clinical skills, explore new health systems, and strengthen your medical school application. But with so many organizations offering shadowing, medical volunteering, and clinical internships abroad, it can be hard to know which ones are legitimate, ethical, and worth your investment.

In this guide, we break down the best platforms to find pre-med internships abroad, compare their offerings, and highlight key factors you should consider before booking your trip.

What Makes a Great Pre-Med Internship Abroad?

Before diving into specific platforms, here’s what you should look for:

Hands-on or close-up clinical exposure (not just observation)
Structured mentorship from licensed professionals
Safe, vetted hospital placements in reputable facilities
Transparent pricing with clear inclusions (accommodation, meals, transport)
Cultural orientation and in-country support
Alignment with AAMC/medical school standards
Ethical, community-centered practices (not “voluntourism”)

Now, let’s compare top platforms where you can find these experiences.

Go Elective

goelective.com/healthcare

Best for:

Affordable, hands-on clinical internships in Africa

Overview:

Go Elective offers curated pre-med, pre-PA, pre-nursing, and public health internships in Kenya and Tanzania. Students are placed in major public hospitals like Coast General Teaching and Referral Hospital (Mombasa) or urban clinics in Nairobi and Arusha.

Key Features:

Direct clinical exposure with real patient interactions
Rotations in OB/GYN, pediatrics, surgery, internal medicine, and emergency
Small cohorts and personalized mentorship
All-inclusive program (housing, transport, meals, excursions)
Ethical focus with a track record of high student satisfaction

Cost:

Starting at $2,300 for 2 weeks (in East Africa)

Support:

24/7 in-country staff and global coordination team

Ideal For:

U.S., UK, Canadian, and international students seeking immersive clinical experience in Africa

✅ Standout For:

Value, hands-on experience, and high-quality mentorship

❌ Not For:

Students seeking virtual or remote internships

Work the World

Best for:

Customizable hospital placements in multiple countries

Note:

Their program fees are higher compared to other programs offering similar services like Go-Elective.

Overview:

Work the World places students in hospitals across Asia, and Latin America. Known for flexibility, they offer placements from 1–12 weeks and cater to a wide range of healthcare disciplines.

Key Features:

Multiple destinations (Vietnam, Sri Lanka, Peru, etc.)
Optional language courses and global health tutorials
Western-managed housing and student hubs
Pre-health to postgraduate levels welcome

Cost:

Approx. $3,000–$4,000 for 2 weeks

Support:

On-site teams and customized pre-departure guidance

Ideal For:

Students wanting multiple location options and a structured global health learning environment

✅ Standout For:

Variety of destinations

❌ Not For:

Budget-conscious students or those seeking intensive mentorship

Child Family Health International (CFHI)

https://www.cfhi.org

Best for:

Public health and global health-focused pre-med experiences

Overview:

CFHI partners with universities and local NGOs to offer global health internships in Latin America, Africa, and Asia. Their programs emphasize health equity, social determinants of health, and ethics.

Key Features:

Public health-focused learning, especially for undergrads
Observation-based clinical exposure
Online courses and academic credit options
Emphasis on ethical partnerships and community integration

Cost:

Starts at $2,500–$3,600 for 4 weeks

Support:

Pre-departure webinars, in-country coordinators

Ideal For:

Students interested in global/public health, health policy, or MPH programs

✅ Standout For:

Ethical model and academic framework

❌ Not For:

Students seeking hands-on clinical skills or hospital-heavy exposure

Projects Abroad

Best for:

General volunteering combined with medical shadowing

Note:

Their program fees are equally higher compared to other programs offering similar services.

Overview:

Projects Abroad is a large volunteer travel company offering placements in healthcare, education, conservation, and more. Medical projects typically involve shadowing and basic health outreach.

Key Features:

Medical volunteering in hospitals and clinics
Add-on community programs (e.g., hygiene education)
Large network, flexible dates

Cost:

Around $3,000–$4,500 for 2–4 weeks

Support:

Local teams and volunteer coordinators

Ideal For:

Students who want a mix of service and travel

✅ Standout For:

Flexibility and extracurricular opportunities

❌ Not For:

Students looking for structured clinical mentorship or academic rigor

AAMC Summer Enrichment Programs (U.S.-based Alternative)

www.aamc.org

Best for:

Free or low-cost enrichment in the U.S.

Overview:

Though not abroad, the AAMC lists summer enrichment programs hosted by medical schools for underrepresented and pre-med students. These programs often include research, test prep, or light clinical exposure.

Key Features:

Free or subsidized options
Focus on career advising and MCAT prep
Typically U.S.-based and competitive

Cost:

Often free or minimal

Support:

Hosted by medical institutions

Ideal For:

Students who can’t travel abroad or want domestic experience

✅ Standout For:

Cost and career prep

❌ Not For:

Students specifically seeking international exposure

Platform Comparison Table

Platform	Hands-on Experience	Destinations	Estimated Cost (2 weeks)	Inclusions	Best For
Go Elective	✅ High	Kenya, Tanzania, and Uganda	$2,300	Housing, meals, transport, placement	Clinical skill-building in Africa
Work the World	✅ Moderate	Global (5+ countries)	$3,000+	Housing, staff support	Multi-country flexibility
CFHI	❌ Observation	Global (focus on public health)	$2,800+	Housing, mentorship	Ethics-focused, public health
Projects Abroad	❌ Light	Global	$3,000+	Housing, meals, flexible travel	Volunteering + basic shadowing
AAMC Programs	❌ U.S. only	Domestic	Often free	Career prep, mentorship	Cost-conscious or U.S.-based students

Final Thoughts: Choose the Platform That Fits Your Goals

The best pre-med internship abroad isn't always the most expensive or most popular — it’s the one that aligns with your career path, learning style, budget, and values.

Want a structured, affordable, and hands-on clinical experience abroad? Start with Go Elective’s pre-med programs.
Want a more public health or policy lens? Look into CFHI.
Interested in a summer abroad that includes travel and volunteering? Projects Abroad or Work the World could work — if you're comfortable with observation-based learning.

Whatever you choose, ensure it’s ethical, educational, and empowering — for both you and the communities you’ll serve.