Why Global Health Internships Are the Future of Pre-Health Education

As healthcare becomes more interconnected and diverse, so too must the education of future healthcare professionals. Traditional pre-health pathways—shadowing doctors in local hospitals, volunteering at clinics, taking science-heavy course loads—are no longer enough to fully prepare students for the realities of 21st-century medicine.

Enter: global health internships. These immersive, international experiences are no longer a niche addition to your resume. They're becoming a cornerstone of competitive, compassionate, and culturally aware medical education. Here’s why global health internships—like those offered by Go Elective—are rapidly becoming the future of pre-med, pre-PA, pre-nursing, and pre-dental training.

The Shift from Local to Global: Why It’s Happening Now

Global health is no longer optional. From pandemics to climate change, cross-border health challenges are influencing everything from hospital protocols to policy decisions. As a result, pre-health students are seeking out real-world, global experiences to better understand:

Health equity and social determinants of health
Infectious disease management in low-resource settings
How infrastructure, policy, and culture shape healthcare access

“I learned so much more about medicine in three weeks than I did in probably the entire semester. You can’t unsee what this kind of exposure teaches you.”

— Pre-med student, Go Elective participant

Clinical Exposure That Goes Beyond Observation

One of the biggest draws of global internships is the chance to go deeper than just shadowing. At public teaching hospitals like Coast General Teaching and Referral Hospital in Kenya or Tanga Regional Referral Hospital in Tanzania, Go Elective interns gain:

Frontline exposure to high patient volumes
Observational access to surgeries, OB/GYN, pediatrics, emergency, and internal medicine
The opportunity to assist with vitals, documentation, and clinical rounds (when appropriate)
Mentorship from local physicians, nurses, and clinical officers

> Explore Go Elective’s clinical internship sites

This kind of experience is especially impactful for pre-PA and pre-med students, who often struggle to find hands-on opportunities in the U.S. due to liability constraints.

Building Cultural Competence: An Admissions and Career Asset

Medical and PA schools are increasingly emphasizing cultural humility, diversity, and global health understanding. Global internships help students:

Communicate with patients from different cultural backgrounds
Understand how language, tradition, and religion influence care-seeking behavior
Reflect on their own biases and assumptions
Work within different health systems and hierarchies

“Learning to deliver culturally sensitive care started when I realized that patients in Kenya didn’t always view pain the same way we’re taught in the U.S. That changed how I listen—and how I’ll approach future patients.”

This kind of growth translates powerfully in personal statements, interviews, and future clinical interactions.

Reflection, Not Just Action: Turning Experience into Insight

Go Elective’s programs are designed to help students not just do, but reflect. Through weekly guided journaling, group discussions, and faculty mentorship, participants learn to ask:

What does this experience mean in the context of global health?
How does it relate to my future role as a provider?
What assumptions did I carry into this situation—and how have they shifted?

This kind of critical thinking is essential in healthcare—and admissions committees know it.

Making Your Application Stand Out

Global health internships provide concrete, verifiable experience you can include in:

CASPA and AMCAS Work & Activities sections
Personal statements and secondary essays
Interviews when asked about clinical exposure, adaptability, or patient experience

Instead of generic responses like “I shadowed a doctor for 20 hours,” you can talk about:

Assisting with triage in a pediatric ward
Observing a C-section in a rural hospital
Witnessing healthcare decision-making with limited resources

These stories demonstrate real-world learning that no textbook can match.

Global Internships Are Also More Accessible Than Ever

It’s a myth that international internships are only for the wealthy. Programs like Go Elective are committed to affordability and accessibility. All-inclusive pricing covers:

Placement at a public hospital or clinic
Accommodation and meals
Airport pickup and in-country transport
24/7 safety support and guided excursions

> See full pricing breakdown and what's included

You’ll also find group discounts, fundraising tips, and short-term options to fit most budgets.

Where Go Elective Leads the Way

Go Elective is one of the few organizations that offers:

Dedicated pre-health tracks (pre-med, pre-nursing, pre-PA, pre-dental)
Tailored mentorship from licensed healthcare professionals
Small student cohorts for a more personalized experience
Cultural excursions and guided safaris (optional add-ons)
Support with licensing paperwork, safety briefings, and pre-departure planning

Our programs in Kenya and Tanzania are trusted by students from the U.S., UK, Canada, Australia, and beyond.

Final Thought: This Isn’t the Future—It’s Already Happening

Global health internships are no longer optional extras. They’re shaping a new generation of healthcare providers. More empathetic, more informed, and more prepared for a changing world.

If you're serious about standing out and growing into a provider who sees the full picture, start your journey with Go Elective.

> Apply Today to Join Our Next Cohort