Top 6 Countries for Nursing Internships Abroad in 2025 | Hands-On Global Experience

With over 28 million nurses worldwide, yet a global shortage of nearly 6 million,  the demand for skilled, compassionate nurses is more urgent than ever. For students training to join this vital profession, a nursing internship abroad offers more than clinical hours. It provides cultural exposure, confidence, and insight into global healthcare systems.

Whether you're in nursing school or exploring pre-nursing internships, international experience helps you develop core skills and gain a competitive edge in your career.

> Explore Go-Elective Pre-Nursing and Nursing Internships Abroad 

Why Choose a Nursing Internship Abroad?

Healthcare challenges vary widely by country. When you intern in a low- or middle-income setting, you're exposed to:

• Limited resources and staffing
• High patient volumes
• Uncommon diseases and conditions
• Diverse cultural and spiritual healthcare practices

Nursing internships abroad help students build resilience, adaptability, and a patient-centered approach — qualities that admissions committees and employers value.

1. Kenya: Dynamic Learning in East Africa

Location: Mombasa, Kisumu or Nairobi

Kenya offers one of the richest clinical learning environments in Africa. With only 1.2 nurses per 1,000 people, the country faces persistent staffing shortages despite being a regional economic hub. Interns gain hands-on experience in maternal health, pediatrics, surgery, and emergency care while learning from highly skilled but resource-constrained medical teams.

Outside the hospital, interns with Go Elective can experience African safaris, Swahili culture, and coastal biodiversity.

> Explore our destinations in Kenya to learn more.

2. Tanzania: Grassroots Experience in Community Healthcare

Location: Arusha or Moshi

In Tanzania, most of the population lives in rural areas with limited access to healthcare. This makes it an ideal destination for aspiring nurses interested in community health, public outreach, and tropical medicine.

Go Elective’s Tanzania programs include placements in public hospitals, HIV/AIDS clinics, and rural outreach projects, giving students first hand exposure to pressing health disparities.

> Explore our destinations in Tanzania to learn more.

3. Madagascar: Island Challenges and Cultural Traditions

Location: Antananarivo

Madagascar’s healthcare system is underdeveloped and undersupplied, with only 0.2 nurses per 1,000 people. Interns here often support efforts in maternal health, infectious disease, and health education, especially in areas where traditional medicine plays a major role.

Madagascar also offers a unique mix of biodiversity and culture, providing a meaningful backdrop for your clinical work.

4. Bangladesh: High Population, Low Healthcare Access

Location: Dhaka

Bangladesh faces one of the world’s most extreme healthcare staffing shortages. With fewer than 0.3 nurses per 1,000 people, interns are needed in both urban hospitals and community clinics. Common patient concerns include diabetes, infections, and maternal complications.

Students working in Dhaka get a rare look at the intersection of healthcare delivery, infrastructure gaps, and high patient demand. 

5. Nepal: Rural Medicine in the Himalayas

Location: Kathmandu and remote regions

Nepal is an increasingly popular destination for nursing students interested in remote medicine. Many patients live in mountain villages that lack consistent access to health services.

Interns may assist with basic triage, patient education, or wound care — depending on the facility’s needs. Those drawn to wilderness medicine or underserved care find Nepal uniquely rewarding.

If you are interested in rural medicine or public health you may also consider our rural internships in Western Kenya.

6. Uganda: Infectious Disease and Community Health

Location: Kampala or rural districts

Uganda has made significant progress in reducing HIV transmission and improving maternal health, but staffing remains a major concern. Interns often rotate through infectious disease wards, maternity units, and malnutrition clinics.

Nursing internships here are ideal for students interested in HIV care, pediatrics, or NGO-supported healthcare.

What to Expect in a Nursing Internship Abroad

Real-World Skills in Resource-Limited Settings

Most nursing internships last between 1–8 weeks, allowing students to:

• Practice clinical skills under RN supervision
• Assist with patient assessments, wound care, or vitals monitoring
• Learn how to provide care without high-tech resources
• Develop communication and teamwork across language barriers

Through Go Elective’s programs, you’ll gain meaningful clinical hours, participate in public health campaigns, and build cultural competence in real-world environments.

Who Should Apply?

These internships are ideal for:

• Current nursing students seeking clinical experience
• Pre-nursing students exploring the profession
• Future nurse practitioners or CRNA candidates
• Students preparing for graduate nursing or healthcare programs

Whether you’re preparing for NCLEX or planning to apply to a nursing bridge program, global experience will help you stand out.

Final Thoughts

If you're passionate about global health, guided hands-on learning, and making an impact, a nursing internship abroad can transform your education and career path. While countries like Peru, Bangladesh, and Madagascar offer important opportunities, Kenya and Tanzania remain the top destinations for immersive, structured nursing internships.

Ready to learn more? Apply for a nursing internship abroad with Go Elective and start your journey toward becoming a globally competent nurse.

Article Details

Categories

Recent Articles , Pre-health, Nursing Internships,

Author: Go-Elective Abroad

Date Published: Jun 17, 2025