How to Get the Most Out of Your Medical Internship Abroad 

Interning abroad in healthcare is more than just an educational experience—it’s a transformative journey that blends professional development with cultural immersion. For medical, pre-med, nursing, dental, pre-health, and physician assistant students, a global health internship provides rare insight into healthcare delivery in resource-limited settings.

At Go Elective, we enable students to gain hands-on learning opportunities in Kenya and Tanzania. But how do you make sure your time abroad leaves a lasting impact both personally and professionally? Here’s a comprehensive guide to ensure you make the most of your international healthcare internship.

Laying the Foundation – Preparation is Everything

Before setting foot in your host country, groundwork is key:

• Select the Right Program: Choose an internship that matches your goals. Go Elective offers tailored placements in departments like internal medicine, pediatrics, emergency medicine, surgery, and more, designed for aspiring healthcare professionals seeking immersive clinical experiences.
• Understand Local Healthcare Systems: Dive into the healthcare structure of your destination country. For example, Kenya and Tanzania have distinct public and private healthcare sectors, often marked by disparities in resources. Knowing this context will help you appreciate your role in the system.
• Prepare Logistically:

• Apply for your visa and necessary travel permits well in advance.
• Get recommended vaccinations (such as yellow fever and typhoid) and secure travel insurance.
• Arrange accommodation and transport—Go Elective includes this in most packages, but always confirm details before departure.
• Master Basic Language Skills: Swahili is widely spoken in both Kenya and Tanzania. Learning simple phrases will help you connect with patients and staff while showing respect for the local culture.
• Pack for Success: Bring a professional wardrobe (scrubs, lab coats, etc.), personal essentials, and medical equipment like stethoscopes. Don’t forget region-specific items like mosquito repellents and power adapters.

>Read more about Go Elective's pre-departure support here.

Be a Student of Observation First

The first few days at your placement site will shape your understanding of clinical care in a global context.

1. Shadow Before Assisting

Spend time shadowing doctors, nurses, and allied health professionals. Pay attention to how patient care is delivered in settings with limited technology or medication options.

2. Observe Etiquette

Healthcare professionals in East Africa often navigate hierarchical structures and cultural norms unfamiliar to Western students. Take note of how clinicians communicate with patients and peers and adapt your approach accordingly.

3. Understand Local Protocols and Resources

From basic diagnostics to treatment plans, observe how medical decisions are influenced by available resources. This will not only sharpen your critical thinking but also teach you how to make the most of limited tools in clinical care.

4. Build Meaningful Relationships

Your internship abroad is also about creating lasting bonds—both personally and professionally.

5. Engage with Supervisors and Mentors

Ask for feedback regularly and express a genuine interest in learning about their career paths, clinical decision-making, and patient care approaches in low-resource settings.

6. Connect with Fellow Interns and Local Staff

These relationships foster teamwork and resilience, making your experience more enriching. Many Go Elective alumni build strong peer networks that support them throughout medical school and beyond.

7. Immerse in the Local Culture

Participate in cultural excursions, volunteer in community outreach programs, and explore local customs. These experiences will broaden your worldview and increase your cultural competence—an essential trait for future healthcare providers.

>Explore cultural immersion activities with Go Elective.

Reflect and Adapt for Growth

A successful internship abroad goes beyond clinical knowledge—it’s about growing as a compassionate and adaptable individual.

1. Journal Your Experience

Document clinical encounters, cultural observations, and moments of personal growth. This reflection will help you better articulate your learning in interviews or personal statements later on.

2. Reframe Challenges as Learning Opportunities

Whether facing communication barriers or navigating ethical dilemmas in a different cultural context, view each challenge as a chance to grow resilience and empathy.

3. Stay Open-Minded

Your perspective on healthcare delivery may be challenged—but that’s the point. Embrace the discomfort of learning in a new environment. Engage in conversations with locals and healthcare providers to understand the broader social determinants of health.

Why Go Elective Makes the Difference

Go Elective offers more than a clinical placement—it’s a holistic international healthcare experience. Our Kenya and Tanzania programs empower future healthcare providers with:

• Hands-on shadowing across diverse specialties.
• 24/7 on-the-ground support.
• Cultural excursions including safaris and community visits.
• Personalized mentorship and career-building guidance.
• Flexible internship durations (1 to 8+ weeks).

View Go Elective’s full list of programs and learn how we help shape globally competent healthcare professionals.

Final Thoughts

A medical internship abroad is an invaluable investment in your professional journey. By preparing thoroughly, staying observant, fostering human connections, and reflecting on your growth, you’ll leave with much more than clinical knowledge—you’ll gain global awareness, cultural humility, and resilience.

With Go Elective, you’re not just stepping into an internship, you’re stepping into a life-changing opportunity to make a difference and develop as a compassionate leader in global health.

Article Details

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

Author: Go-Elective Abroad

Date Published: May 7, 2025