Top Countries for a Nursing Internship Abroad: Why Kenya and Tanzania Stand Out in 2025

Nurses form the cornerstone of healthcare systems across the globe, providing essential care from clinics to intensive care units. Yet, the global nursing shortage remains a pressing issue. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), nearly 6 million nurses are needed to meet global healthcare demands, with the majority of that shortfall concentrated in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs).

For pre-nursing and nursing students looking to gain hands-on clinical experience while making a real difference, nursing internships abroad in countries like Kenya and Tanzania offer unmatched opportunities. In this guide, we’ll explore why East Africa is a top destination and how these placements compare to experiences in other LMICs such as Ghana and Bangladesh.

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Kenya: East Africa’s Leading Destination for Clinical Experience

Kenya is East Africa’s Premier Destination for Clinical Experience.

Kenya stands out as one of the top destinations for nursing internships abroad—and for good reason. With a nurse-to-population ratio of just 1.2 per 1,000 people, the healthcare system operates under considerable strain. This presents an unparalleled opportunity for nursing students to gain immersive, hands-on experience in both bustling urban hospitals and resource-limited rural clinics.

With a population of over 50 million and growing demand for healthcare professionals, Kenya offers one of the most dynamic and rewarding environments for global health internships. Interns placed through Go Elective rotate through top-tier institutions like Coast General Teaching and Referral Hospital in Mombasa, where they work across departments including pediatrics, emergency care, internal medicine, and maternal health.

Interns work under the guidance of licensed professionals, actively contributing to patient care while learning to navigate the challenges of healthcare delivery in low-resource settings. Beyond hospital rotations, participants engage with public health initiatives, preventive care campaigns, and tropical disease management programs—gaining a well-rounded perspective on healthcare in East Africa.

At facilities such as Jaramogi Oginga Odinga Teaching and Referral Hospital in Western Kenya, students deepen their clinical insight while participating in community outreach and public health education.

Why Choose Kenya?

Diverse clinical environments: maternity wards, pediatric units, surgical theaters, infectious disease clinics
High patient volumes that foster real-time decision-making and clinical adaptability
Cultural immersion through community health education, outreach programs, and rural placements
Proximity to iconic destinations like the Indian Ocean coastline, Maasai Mara, and Mount Kenya

Tanzania: A True LMIC Immersion in Global Health

Tanzania, Kenya’s southern neighbor, offers equally rich opportunities for aspiring nurses to gain firsthand experience in global health. With a critically low nurse-to-population ratio, especially in rural and underserved areas, Tanzania’s healthcare system relies heavily on dedicated staff and volunteers to bridge care gaps. This creates a meaningful space for interns to contribute while learning the fundamentals of care delivery in a low-resource context.

Interns are placed in institutions like Mount Meru Regional Hospital and other regional health centers, where they rotate through departments such as maternal health, surgical recovery, neonatal care, and emergency medicine. These placements emphasize clinical adaptability, teamwork, and patient advocacy—essential skills for any healthcare professional.

Tanzania also provides exposure to conditions rarely seen in high-income countries, including malaria, tuberculosis, and obstetric complications like fistulas. Through direct patient care and community engagement, interns gain practical experience and cross-cultural fluency.

Beyond the clinic, interns immerse themselves in Tanzanian culture by participating in outreach programs, NGO initiatives, and home-based care for patients with chronic conditions.

Why Choose Tanzania?

Departmental rotations in high-need areas like labor and delivery, outpatient care, and emergency response
Engagement with NGOs and public health campaigns addressing local and regional challenges
Cultural and language immersion in Swahili-speaking communities
Internship locations near Mount Kilimanjaro, Serengeti National Park, and Lake Manyara

How Kenya and Tanzania Compare to Other LMICs

While Kenya and Tanzania lead the way in well-structured nursing internships abroad, other LMICs—like Ghana, Bangladesh, and Madagascar—also present compelling global health learning environments. However, placements in these regions may vary in structure, safety, and mentorship quality.

Here’s a quick comparison:

Country	Nurses per 1,000	Key Health Challenges	Internship Highlights
Kenya	1.2	Maternal health, infectious diseases	Teaching hospitals, structured mentorship
Tanzania	0.4	Malaria, pediatric malnutrition	Public hospitals, rural placements, strong NGO ties
Ghana	1.0	Urban-rural access gap, NCDs	Limited hospital resources, growing NGO presence
Bangladesh	0.3	High population density, undertrained nurses	Resource-limited clinics, opportunity for outreach
Madagascar	0.2	Traditional medicine, rural isolation	Unique cultural integration, limited equipment

While countries like Bangladesh and Ghana do offer meaningful exposure, Kenya and Tanzania stand out due to their organized hospital systems, safety for international students, and deeper investment in mentorship and global exchange.

What to Expect During a Nursing Internship Abroad

Whether you're joining a pre-nursing program or you're currently in nursing school, internships abroad provide unparalleled opportunities to:

Assist with clinical procedures under supervision
Shadow and or work nurses, doctors, and midwives across departments
Participate in community outreach programs
Learn how to adapt to low-resource healthcare environments
Gain cross-cultural communication and empathy skills

Most nursing internships run between 4 to 12 weeks and take place in public hospitals or government clinics. You may support patient assessments, medication administration, and health education efforts depending on your level of training.

Why Go Elective for Nursing Internships Abroad

At Go Elective, we offer structured nursing internship programs in Kenya and Tanzania designed for pre-nursing and nursing students who want hands-on learning in real clinical settings. Our programs are tailored to your career goals and include:

One-on-one mentorship from licensed professionals
Rotations across multiple departments
Opportunities for research or public health involvement
Safe housing, in-country support, and cultural immersion

Learn more about our Nursing Internships: goelective.com/healthcare/nursing-electives

Final Thoughts

Nursing internships abroad are more than résumé boosters—they're transformative, career-shaping experiences. If you're passionate about global health and want to gain clinical insight in a meaningful, ethical, and well-supported setting, Kenya and Tanzania are the best places to start.

Whether you're assisting in a delivery room in Mombasa or conducting community health education in Arusha, your contribution matters—and so does the experience you'll take with you. Apply today.

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Go Elective offers immersive opportunities for medical students, pre-med undergraduates, residents, nursing practitioners, and PAs to gain guided invaluable experience in busy hospitals abroad. Discover the power of study, travel, and impact.