How to Get a Strong Letter of Recommendation from an Internship Abroad

Looking to Secure a Strong LOR from Your Global Health Experience? Here’s How to Make It Count

Completing a clinical internship abroad is a powerful way to stand out on applications for medical school, PA school, nursing programs, or other healthcare-related graduate paths. But if you’re planning to leverage that experience, there’s one key document that can amplify your story: a letter of recommendation (LOR) from your overseas supervisor or mentor.

Whether you interned in Kenya or Tanzania through Go-Elective, or you're preparing to travel soon, this guide breaks down exactly how to request and secure a compelling LOR that highlights your clinical experience, professionalism, and growth.

Why a LOR From an Overseas Internship Matters

A recommendation from a physician, nurse, or program supervisor abroad can:

• Showcase your adaptability and cultural competence
• Highlight unique hands-on clinical experiences
• Prove your maturity in unfamiliar and high-pressure settings
• Differentiate you from applicants with only domestic experience

Admissions committees are increasingly valuing global healthcare exposure — as long as it’s paired with clear, credible endorsements.

When to Ask: Timing Is Everything

✅ Best Time: 1–2 Weeks Before You Finish Your Program

Ask while your contributions and character are still fresh in your mentor’s mind. If you wait too long, details may fade — and a vague letter won’t help you stand out.

❌ Avoid Waiting Until You’re Back Home

It’s much harder to request a strong letter via email after leaving, especially if your supervisor is busy or you didn’t build a strong rapport.

Who Should You Ask?

Choose someone who:

• Supervised your work directly (e.g., a department head, attending, charge nurse, or Go Elective internship coordinator)
• Observed your clinical involvement regularly
• Can speak to your initiative, reliability, communication, and commitment to learning
• Has strong written English or can work with Go Elective’s support team to finalize the letter professionally

If you shadowed multiple departments, ask the mentor with whom you had the strongest and most consistent relationship.

What to Include in Your Request

Make it easy for your mentor to say yes — and to write a strong, detailed letter. Here’s what you should provide:

#1. A Polite, Professional Request (In Person or by Email)

Example:

“Dr. Ouma, I’ve learned so much under your mentorship during my rotation in internal medicine. I’m planning to apply to PA school this fall, and I would be honored if you could write a letter of recommendation on my behalf. I believe your insight into my clinical growth and professionalism would make a strong impact.”

#2. Your Personal Statement or Resume

Give your recommender context about your background, goals, and what you’re applying for.

#3. Details About the Program You're Applying To

Let them know:

• What type of program (e.g., medical school, nursing school)
• The deadline and how to submit the letter
• Any specific qualities or competencies the school emphasizes
  
  

✅ A Reminder of Your Contributions

Briefly remind them of:

• Departments you rotated through
• Skills or procedures you observed
• Any standout patient encounters or reflections
• Your attitude, punctuality, or initiative

Go Elective's coordinators can help interns draft this summary to share with mentors — making the process smoother for both parties.

Sample LOR Request Email Template

Subject: Letter of Recommendation Request

Dear [Dr./Mr./Ms.] [Last Name],

I hope you’re well. I’m writing to sincerely thank you for the guidance and mentorship you provided during my internship at [Hospital Name] in [Location]. The experience taught me more than I could have imagined, particularly during our time in [Department].

I’m applying to [name of program/school], and I would be deeply honored if you would consider writing a letter of recommendation for me. I’ve attached my resume and a brief summary of what I hope to pursue in the future, as well as the program details and submission instructions.

Please let me know if there’s anything else I can provide to support the process.

Thank you again for your time and consideration.

Best regards,
[Your Full Name]

Can Overseas Mentors Submit Letters to U.S. Schools?

Yes — most U.S. and Canadian programs accept international recommenders, especially when their letter offers unique insights into the applicant’s character and global exposure. Note:

• Most schools prefer typed and on official letterhead
• Ensure the recommender has a professional email address and title
• Use services like CASPA, AMCAS, or NursingCAS to facilitate submissions when applying to centralized application systems

Go Elective provides support in ensuring that overseas mentors can submit LORs in the correct format, with translation assistance and proofing if needed.

What Makes a Strong Overseas LOR?

A powerful letter includes:

• Specific examples of your clinical experience and character
• Details about your ability to work in diverse or low-resource environments
• Mentions of adaptability, professionalism, initiative, and teamwork
• Comparisons to other interns or local students (e.g., “among the most dedicated students I’ve worked with”)
• The mentor’s credentials, contact information, and official stamp or hospital letterhead

Generic letters hurt more than help. Make sure your mentor has enough information to write with substance.

Tips to Make a Great Impression During Your Internship

To increase your chances of receiving a letter (and ensuring it’s a good one), be sure to:

• Show up early and consistently
• Take notes and ask thoughtful questions
• Help with tasks that are appropriate and permitted
• Maintain professional demeanor and respect cultural norms
• Express gratitude regularly — build the relationship

These qualities are often noted by our mentors at Go Elective partner hospitals, especially at high-volume facilities like Coast General Teaching and Referral Hospital in Mombasa.

What If English Isn’t Their First Language?

If your supervisor is more comfortable speaking than writing in English, you can:

• Offer to help them outline key points (not ghostwrite — just organize)
• Request Go Elective’s local team assist with editing or formatting
• Ask if they’re comfortable co-signing a letter drafted with their input and verified by the internship program director

Clarity and authenticity are what matter most — not perfect grammar.

Final Thoughts: Turn Your Internship Into a Launchpad

A letter of recommendation from your overseas internship can be a powerful testament to your initiative, cultural competence, and readiness for healthcare training. But to make it count, you need to:

• Build genuine relationships during your rotation
• Ask professionally and early
• Provide helpful materials to your recommender
• Follow up with gratitude and updates on your journey

If you're still planning your global internship, check out Go Elective’s Pre-Health Programs in Kenya and Tanzania — and start creating experiences that admissions committees (and mentors) will remember.

Article Details

Categories

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

Author: Go-Elective Abroad

Date Published: Jun 27, 2025