How to Choose the Right Country for a Pre-Med Internship Abroad

A Go Elective Guide to Making the Smartest Choice for Your Clinical Experience Abroad

Choosing where to complete your pre-med internship abroad isn’t just about picking the most exotic destination. It’s about finding a location that offers the right balance of clinical exposure, mentorship, safety, affordability, and global health insight — all while aligning with your long-term goals as a future physician.

At Go Elective, we’ve hosted pre-med students from across the world in East Africa’s largest referral hospitals, and we’ve seen firsthand how the right country can make or break your experience. Here’s how to choose the best country for your pre-med internship — and why places like Kenya and Tanzania are becoming go-to destinations for serious applicants.

> Explore Go-Elective PreMed, PA and Medical Internships Abroad

Match the destination to your learning goals

Not every country offers the same kind of clinical learning. Ask yourself:

Do you want hands-on exposure or just passive observation?
Are you looking for diverse medical cases, including tropical diseases?
Is your priority shadowing physicians, understanding global health, or exploring public hospitals?

For example:

In Kenya and Tanzania, Go Elective interns shadow real physicians in departments like surgery, OB/GYN, pediatrics, and internal medicine.
You’ll witness diseases rarely seen in the U.S., like malaria, TB, and late-stage chronic conditions, making for a richer understanding of global medicine.

Choose a country where your learning goals are not just supported — they’re elevated.

Look at healthcare system access

Some countries restrict foreign students from entering hospitals due to licensing laws or insurance limitations. Others place students in private clinics with low patient flow and limited scope.

Look for countries that:

Legally allow pre-med shadowing under licensed supervision
Offer access to public hospitals or teaching referral centers
Provide a variety of departments and patient demographics

In Kenya, Uganda and Tanzania, Go Elective works directly with the Ministry of Health–approved hospitals and local clinical supervisors to ensure you get a safe, legal, and valuable internship experience.

Consider language and communication

Will you be able to understand what's happening in the hospital?

In many countries, language barriers may limit how much you learn
Look for programs where English is used in clinical documentation or consultation, or where the internship includes language and cultural orientation

In Kenya and Tanzania:

English is an official language used in hospitals, alongside Swahili
Go Elective provides interns with basic Swahili lessons to help you greet patients and understand local phrases during rounds
Most doctors and nurses are bilingual and used to working with international students

Don’t overlook safety and support

Your safety and well-being matter just as much as your clinical experience. Choose a destination that offers:

Secure intern housing
24/7 in-country support staff
Trusted transportation
Pre-departure guidance on vaccinations, visas, and insurance

Go Elective programs are staffed by local teams who live on-site and are available around the clock. We coordinate airport pickups, in-country transport, and offer full placement oversight to ensure you're supported from start to finish.

Check program affordability and transparency

Some countries may offer internships in name only — and charge thousands in hidden fees. Others may have low sticker prices but leave you to arrange housing, transport, or hospital approval on your own.

Ask:

Does the program include housing, meals, transport, and hospital access?
Is there on-ground support included in the price?
Are there any hidden charges for registration or hospital letters?

✅ Go Elective's program pricing is transparent and all-inclusive. Your fee covers everything from hospital placement to meals and support. As of 2025, a 2-week program costs $2,575 (excluding deposit), and every intern receives a completion certificate for their AMCAS or university documentation.

Look beyond the hospital: What else will you gain?

Think about how your internship will shape your worldview, not just your résumé. The best programs allow you to:

Explore a new culture
Learn how medicine intersects with social determinants of health
Engage with underserved communities
Reflect on your path into medicine

Kenya and Tanzania offer immersive, ethical, and eye-opening pre-med experiences. Through Go Elective, you’ll also get to:

Visit historic cities like Mombasa or Stone Town
Go on safari in world-renowned parks (Maasai Mara, Serengeti)
Learn from real-world challenges like equipment shortages, high patient loads, and strong community resilience

“This experience gave me clarity. It reminded me why I chose medicine and gave me a lens I never would’ve gained from U.S. shadowing.” — Go Elective intern

Final thoughts: The best country is the one that grows you

Don’t choose a country because it sounds trendy. Choose it because it challenges you, teaches you, and prepares you for the next step in your healthcare journey. The best internships combine clinical depth with cultural insight and real human connection.

At Go Elective, we believe East Africa offers a uniquely powerful space for pre-med growth — one where you’ll leave not just with logged hours, but with a renewed sense of purpose.

> Apply to Go-Elective Internships Here