Top 5 Destinations for Medical Internships Abroad [2025 Edition]

Where to Go for the Best Guided Hands-On Healthcare Experience 

For pre-med, dental, PA or medical students, a medical internship abroad offers something a classroom never can: real-world exposure. Observing patient care, shadowing doctors in busy hospitals, and learning how healthcare systems work across cultures provides a transformative experience—and gives your school or residency application a competitive edge.

But where should you go? Not all internship destinations offer the same level of clinical engagement, cultural immersion, or safety. In this edition, we break down the top five destinations for medical internships abroad, factoring in learning opportunities, affordability, mentorship, and impact.

What Makes a Great Medical Internship Destination?

Before diving into the list, here’s what sets a top-tier internship location apart:

• Diverse clinical exposure: Rotations in departments like surgery, OB/GYN, pediatrics, emergency medicine, and internal medicine
• Hospital access: Placements in public referral or teaching hospitals with high patient volumes
• Language support: English-speaking settings or structured translation support
• Affordability: Transparent pricing and reasonable program fees
• Cultural immersion: Opportunities to experience life beyond the hospital walls
• Safety and structure: In-country support, orientation, and guided reflection

All the destinations below check these boxes—and offer opportunities through Go Elective’s healthcare internship programs.

1. Mombasa, Kenya

Best for comprehensive hospital exposure in a vibrant coastal city

Mombasa tops our list for a reason. As home to the Coast General Teaching and Referral Hospital (CGTRH), students here gain access to one of Kenya’s busiest public hospitals, with over 700 beds and multiple specialty departments.

Interns can rotate through:

• General surgery and emergency medicine
• Pediatrics and neonatology
• OB/GYN and labor wards
• Internal medicine and infectious diseases

Outside the hospital, Mombasa offers beautiful beaches, Swahili culture, and nearby excursions to wildlife reserves or historic sites. With structured mentorship, English-speaking supervisors, and small intern cohorts, Go Elective’s Mombasa program is ideal for pre-med, nursing, and pre-PA students alike.

> Explore internships in Mombasa

2. Arusha, Tanzania

Best for students seeking rural and community health perspectives

For those interested in rural medicine or public health, Arusha delivers. Interns are placed in district hospitals and health centers that serve both urban and Maasai communities. You'll witness how care is delivered in low-resource settings, where medical decision-making is shaped by cultural context and limited supplies.

You’ll gain insight into:

• Maternal health and traditional birth practices
• Malaria, tuberculosis, and HIV care
• Pediatrics in high-volume clinics
• Community-based health initiatives

Arusha also acts as a gateway to some of Africa’s most iconic adventures—Mount Kilimanjaro, Ngorongoro Crater, and Serengeti safaris.

> See placements in Arusha

3. Cusco, Peru

Best for Spanish-speaking pre-health students seeking urban-global contrast

If you're looking to develop clinical Spanish while shadowing in a Latin American context, Cusco is a top destination. Hospitals here balance modern medicine with traditional healing practices. You’ll work in urban clinics and emergency departments while also learning about Andean medical culture.

Highlights:

• Practice clinical Spanish
• Learn about indigenous health beliefs
• Explore Machu Picchu and Sacred Valley on weekends

Note: Go Elective doesn’t currently operate in Peru, but we encourage students who speak Spanish to explore supplemental experiences or language immersion opportunities to complement their East African internship.

4. Kathmandu, Nepal

Best for students interested in surgical observation and high-altitude medicine

Nepal provides a rich setting for global health learning. With hospitals in Kathmandu handling trauma, orthopedic injuries, and general surgery, students can observe complex cases resulting from both urban and rural accidents.

In addition to clinical experience, you’ll explore:

• The impact of topography on healthcare delivery
• Surgical procedures in resource-constrained settings
• Local disaster preparedness and emergency response

Again, while Go Elective specializes in East Africa, we recognize Kathmandu as a solid alternative for students with specific interests in Himalayan or surgical medicine.

5. Nairobi, Kenya

Best for advanced students or those interested in policy and public health

As the capital city of Kenya, Nairobi offers access to larger national referral hospitals, research institutions, and NGOs. It's ideal for students looking to combine clinical shadowing with exposure to public health systems, health education, and health policy.

Students may observe:

• Advanced diagnostics and teaching hospital workflows
• Specialist clinics and referral systems
• Medical research or health NGO collaboration

For students ready for a fast-paced clinical environment and interested in broader systems-based learning, Nairobi can be a dynamic and career-defining location.

> Ask about advanced rotations in Nairobi

How to Choose the Right Destination for You

Consider your goals:

• Do you want to shadow surgeries or work in maternal health?
• Are you fluent in another language, or do you prefer English-speaking mentors?
• Are you more drawn to urban hospitals or rural clinics?
• Do you want to combine your program with cultural excursions or safaris?

Go Elective’s program advisors can help you find the best fit based on your academic background, language comfort, and desired timeline.

Final Thoughts

Choosing the right destination for your medical internship abroad is about more than geography—it’s about opportunity. Whether you want to shadow surgeries in Mombasa, explore community health in Arusha, or dive into public health systems in Nairobi, Go Elective’s programs offer meaningful, ethical, and transformative experiences for pre-health students.

Today,  global healthcare needs globally aware providers. Start your journey here.

> Apply today or reach out at hello@goelective.com to plan your experience abroad.

Article Details

Categories

Recent Articles , Pre-health, Medical Electives,

Author: Go-Elective Abroad

Date Published: Jun 29, 2025