Medical & PA  Internships Abroad: An Alternative to Overpriced U.S. Programs

If you’ve searched for clinical experience as a pre-med or pre-health student in the United States, you’ve likely come across internships costing $4,000 to $7,000 for just a few weeks—often without guaranteed hospital placement or meaningful patient interaction. Sound familiar?

The rising cost of U.S.-based medical internships has left many students wondering:
Is there a more affordable, more immersive alternative?

The answer is yes. Medical internships abroad are not only more cost-effective, but often provide deeper clinical exposure, real-world cultural learning, and greater value for your career preparation.

> Explore Go-Elective’s Medical and PA Internships Abroad 

Here’s how international internships are becoming the smart choice for students serious about medicine, healthcare, and global impact.

Why Are U.S. Medical Internships So Expensive?

In recent years, U.S. internship providers have capitalized on demand by offering pre-health experiences priced like luxury packages. While many provide housing and “mentorship,” they may:

• Limit students to observing from a distance
• Restrict access to only outpatient settings
• Have large group sizes with limited individual guidance
• Offer minimal cultural or educational structure

And yet, the price tag continues to rise—with some short-term U.S. shadowing programs costing more than a semester of college tuition.

What Makes Go Elective More Affordable?

At Go Elective, affordability doesn’t mean cutting corners. It means delivering more value for less.

A standard 2-week program costs:

$2,300 USD (exclusive of a $300 deposit)

This fee covers:

• Airport transfers
• Private housing with security
• Daily meals
• In-country transport to your hospital or clinic
• Placement in a public hospital with high patient volume
• Mentorship from licensed physicians and clinical officers
• Group orientation and weekly debriefs
• 24/7 in-country support
• Excursion guidance and cultural integration

> See the full breakdown of Go Elective program costs

No hidden fees. No upsells. Just structured, real-world experience in Kenya or Tanzania—where your learning is the priority.

Clinical Access That Goes Beyond Observation

Unlike many overpriced U.S. programs that limit students to sitting in a corner and taking notes, Go Elective interns work in busy, public hospitals like:

• Coast General Teaching and Referral Hospital in Mombasa
• Tanga Regional Referral Hospital in Tanzania
  
  

Interns can:

• Observe real-time surgeries and emergency procedures
• Rotate through OB/GYN, internal medicine, pediatrics, and more
• Assist with patient intake, vitals, and documentation (where permitted)
• Learn directly from local physicians and clinical officers

In short: you don’t just shadow—you engage.

> Explore pre-med internships abroad

A Better Return on Investment (ROI)

Your time is valuable. Your money is valuable. So what do you really gain from an expensive internship with limited access?

With a Go Elective internship, you’ll return with:

• Verified clinical experience logged for AMCAS, CASPA, or AACOMAS
• Real patient stories to include in personal statements and interviews
• Clinical confidence and maturity gained through immersion
• A clearer understanding of global healthcare systems and resource-limited settings
• Stronger applications backed by meaningful, mentored experience

Cultural Competence Comes Built In

One of the hidden advantages of international internships is the development of cross-cultural competence, a growing requirement in healthcare education.

Interning in Kenya or Tanzania:

• Exposes you to patient interactions shaped by language, religion, and community norms
• Challenges your assumptions about care, access, and communication
• Helps you develop humility and adaptability in diverse settings

Read: Culture Shock as a Catalyst for Clinical Growth

This isn’t just extra credit—it’s what admissions committees are increasingly looking for in future physicians and providers.

Bonus: Adventure and Discovery

Where else can you:

• Scrub into surgery during the week…
• ...and go on safari over the weekend?
  
  

Go Elective’s programs also offer optional excursions to:

• Diani Beach
• Tsavo National Park
• Wasini Island
• Mount Kilimanjaro foothills

It’s a chance to combine medicine, culture, and exploration—all in one affordable, well-supported package.

> See Go-Elective Safaris 

Conclusion: Don’t Overpay for Less

You don’t need to spend thousands of dollars on a sterile, limited U.S. internship just to fill a checkbox. With Go Elective, you get:

• Genuine clinical immersion
• Hands-on mentorship
• Global health perspective
• Affordable, all-inclusive pricing

All while gaining the kind of experience that not only impresses admissions committees—but transforms you as a future healthcare provider.

> Apply Today to Join Our Upcoming Cohorts

Article Details

Categories

Recent Articles , Pre-health, Medical Electives,

Author: Go-Elective Abroa

Date Published: Jul 2, 2025