Can an International Internship Count for CASPA or AMCAS? Yes—Here’s How

If you’re planning to apply to medical school or PA school, you already know that clinical experience matters—a lot. But what if that experience takes place thousands of miles away in a hospital in Kenya or Tanzania? Does an internship abroad count on your CASPA or AMCAS application?

The short answer is: yes, it absolutely can. If it meets certain criteria and is presented properly.

Whether you’re shadowing surgeons at Coast General Teaching and Referral Hospital, participating in maternal health rounds in Tanzania, or doing rural outreach with a local clinical team, your experience abroad can—and should—be included on your application to U.S. PA and med schools.

> Explore Go-Elective’s Pre Med or Medical Internships Abroad 

Let’s break it down by platform and give you tips on how to log it effectively.

What Are AMCAS and CASPA?

Before diving into how your internship abroad fits, here’s a quick refresher:

• AMCAS (American Medical College Application Service) is the primary application system for most U.S. MD-granting medical schools.
• CASPA (Centralized Application Service for Physician Assistants) is the centralized portal used to apply to most PA programs in the U.S.

Both platforms require applicants to log their clinical, healthcare-related, shadowing, and volunteer experiences—and these are key areas where your international internship can shine.

Does AMCAS Accept International Experience?

Yes. AMCAS accepts both domestic and international experiences, as long as they are accurately described, verifiable, and aligned with one of the application categories.

You can list your internship under:

• Community Service/Volunteer – Medical/Clinical
• Physician Shadowing/Clinical Observation
• Health-Related Employment (if applicable)
• Other

✅ Pro Tip: If you received a formal evaluation, certificate of participation, or letter of recommendation through your Go Elective internship, you can use these documents to verify your hours if requested by schools.

Does CASPA Accept International Clinical Hours?

Yes. CASPA allows applicants to list international clinical experience, but you must be clear about:

• Your role (observer vs hands-on involvement)
• Supervision (who oversaw your experience and their credentials)
• Hours completed
• Type of facility and clinical exposure
  
  

You may list international internships in one or more of these CASPA categories:

• Patient Care Experience (PCE) – if you had direct patient interaction and responsibility
• Healthcare Experience (HCE) – if you worked in a healthcare setting but did not provide direct care
• Shadowing – for observational experiences with physicians, PAs, or clinical officers

✅ Note: Most Go Elective internships are categorized as HCE or Shadowing, with occasional PCE depending on your level of involvement and supervision.

What Makes an International Internship Acceptable?

To ensure your internship abroad is credible and counts toward your application, make sure it checks the following boxes:

✔️ Clearly Defined Role

Admissions committees want to know exactly what you did. Were you shadowing? Assisting with vitals? Participating in ward rounds? Observing surgeries?

✔️ Structured and Supervised

A formal, well-organized program like those offered by Go Elective includes designated supervisors (licensed physicians, nurses, or clinical officers) who can validate your hours and learning objectives.

✔️ Hours Tracked

Track your clinical hours in a daily log or journal. Most successful applicants report between 100–500+ hours, and international hours are accepted when documented properly.

✔️ Culturally Competent Learning

If you’re applying to programs that value global health (many do), be sure to articulate what you learned about health disparities, resource limitations, and cross-cultural care.

How to Log Your International Internship on Your Application

Here’s how to present it effectively on either CASPA or AMCAS:

Title: 

“Medical Internship – Go Elective”

Location: 

Coast General Teaching and Referral Hospital, Mombasa, Kenya (or relevant hospital)

Dates: 

June–July 2025

Hours: 

120 total clinical/shadowing hours

Description Example:

Shadowed physicians across Surgery, Pediatrics, and Obstetrics/Gynecology departments at a large public referral hospital in Mombasa. Participated in ward rounds, outpatient clinics, and observed emergency procedures. Gained exposure to healthcare delivery in a low-resource, high-volume environment and developed cross-cultural communication skills. Supervised by licensed medical officers and program coordinators through Go Elective.

✅ Optional: Mention a letter of recommendation from a supervising physician if applicable.

What Admissions Committees Really Think

Medical and PA school admissions teams appreciate real-world clinical exposure, especially when it demonstrates:

• Adaptability in unfamiliar or challenging environments
• A commitment to underserved populations
• Initiative in seeking hands-on learning opportunities outside the classroom

In fact, many students who completed internships through Go Elective have received interview questions specifically about their experiences abroad—and were able to use those stories to stand out.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

❌ Listing vague or unverified experience

Always include your role, setting, hours, and supervisor info.

❌ Overstating patient care responsibilities

Be honest about your level of involvement—especially if you were mainly shadowing.

❌ Leaving it off altogether

Some students undervalue their international internship because it wasn’t “for credit” or wasn’t in the U.S. Don’t make that mistake.

Final Thoughts: Yes, It Counts—and It Sets You Apart

Internships abroad absolutely count toward CASPA and AMCAS as long as they are properly documented and accurately described. More importantly, they provide unique, unforgettable experiences that can strengthen your:

• Personal statement
• Interview answers
• Letters of recommendation
• Global perspective on medicine

At Go Elective, we’ve helped hundreds of students gain valuable international experience that directly supports their med or PA school applications. We provide the documentation, support, and structure to make your internship count academically and professionally.

Article Details

Categories

Recent Articles , Pre-health, Medical Electives,

Author: Go-Elective Abroad

Date Published: Jun 28, 2025