2025 Global Health Internship Index: Top-Ranked Programs for Pre-Health Students

Which Global Health Internship Is Really Worth It?

Not all global health internships are created equal. Some promise impact but offer little more than observation. Others are packed with buzzwords, but leave students without mentorship or meaningful clinical experience.

At Go Elective, we believe students deserve better.

We’ve compiled the 2025 Global Health Internship Index — a ranked list of programs evaluated across five key factors:

Clinical exposure
Mentorship & supervision
Ethical structure
Student outcomes
Overall value for money

This isn’t just a popularity contest. It’s a guide for future physicians, nurses, PAs, and public health leaders who want genuine, hands-on learning abroad — not a staged photo-op.

Go Elective Ranks #1 for Clinical-Based Global Internships

Go Elective – Kenya & Tanzania

Weekly hours: 25–40 hours in public referral hospitals
Specialties: Surgery, pediatrics, OB/GYN, internal medicine, A&E, and more
Support: Daily mentorship, in-country team, curated learning goals
Outcome: Letters of recommendation, stronger med/PA/nursing school applications, global competence
Cost: Starts at $2,300 for 2 weeks, all-inclusive except airfare

Go Elective offers the most accessible, structured, and affordable hospital-based internships for pre-health students — without cutting corners.

> Explore our programs.

Tier 1 – Policy + Fellowship-Level Programs

These are highly competitive, long-term, or policy-based programs. Ideal for postgrads and public health scholars.

WHO Global Health Internships

Rotations in global health policy and research
No clinical experience; unpaid; very selective

Global Health Corps Fellowship

1-year, paid placements in NGOs and ministries of health
Focused on equity and systems change
Not suitable for undergrads or clinical pre-health students

Tier 2 – Academic & Field-Based Learning

Ideal for students interested in public health, epidemiology, and research.

London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine (Short Courses)

Tropical medicine field programs in Africa and Asia
Emphasis on disease control, vector research

Unite for Sight (Global Health Delivery)

Eye care-focused programs with ethics and research tracks
Fieldwork in Ghana, India, and Honduras

Tier 3 – General Internship Providers with Health Tracks

These organizations offer a mix of public health and medical placements. Good for students seeking general international exposure.

Intern Abroad HQ

Internships in Greece, Costa Rica, South Africa
Clinical roles vary; structured but not always hospital-based

World Endeavors – Health Internships

Public and clinical health placements across Latin America and Asia
Program quality depends heavily on location

AIFS Abroad (Public & Global Health)

Internships in Europe and Australia
Great structure, but limited for clinical practice

Short-Term Brigades & Voluntourism Models

These programs can be immersive but often prioritize group logistics over individual learning.

Global Brigades (Medical Brigades)

Short-term service trips in Latin America and West Africa
Focus is on community clinics and outreach
Can be meaningful but limited in clinical mentorship

Projects Abroad

Offers shadowing and public health tracks
Variable supervision; not always suitable for medical school-level goals

How Programs Were Scored (Go Elective Criteria)

Criteria	Weight	What We Looked For
Clinical Hours	High	Time spent on hospital wards or in direct care
Supervision	High	Licensed local mentors, not untrained volunteers
Ethics & Safety	High	No unqualified tasks, local ministry approval
Value for Money	Medium	Transparent pricing, housing, and support
Outcomes & Testimonials	High	LORs, student growth, med school impact

Why Go Elective Is #1 in 2025/26

While many programs offer insight into global health, Go Elective combines all the essential elements:

Hands-on clinical exposure in real hospitals
One-on-one mentorship from local physicians
Small cohort sizes for personalized learning
Structured outcomes including reference letters and reflective coaching
Affordable pricing without sacrificing safety or experience

Students leave with 100+ verifiable hours, clarity on their career path, and stories that stand out in interviews and personal statements.

“I saw live C-sections, worked on a malnutrition ward, and joined an HIV outreach — all in one week. Go Elective wasn’t just an internship. It confirmed my calling.”
— Tanya W., Pre-Med Intern

Final Thoughts: Don’t Just Choose a Program — Choose a Pathway

Global internships are an investment. The right one can elevate your resume, deepen your clinical confidence, and open doors in medical, nursing, PA, or public health programs.

If you want affordable, structured, and real clinical exposure, Go Elective ranks #1 for good reason. Whether you’re prepping for med school, looking to explore specialties, or building your global health perspective, we’re ready to support your next step.

> Start your application today or browse our clinical programs abroad