If you’re thinking about a gap year before medical, dental, PA, or nursing school, or planning how to make the most of Summer 2026, International Medical Aid (IMA) offers a path that goes beyond shadowing and generic travel programs. Our clinical internships immerse you in real-world healthcare environments, pairing you with licensed medical professionals in underserved communities. Along the way, you’ll gain the kind of hands-on experience, mentorship, and global perspective that can powerfully shape your future career.
For over a decade, IMA has helped students like you become competitive applicants for professional school through meaningful clinical internships abroad. Whether you’re completing your undergraduate degree or taking a purposeful gap year before continuing on to professional school, we provide structure, supervision, and real learning opportunities—far beyond what most domestic programs can offer.
A Better Way to Build Clinical Experience
Admissions committees now look for more than just numbers. They want to know you’ve done something meaningful, that you understand the realities of patient care, and that you’ve demonstrated maturity, compassion, and initiative. Our internships are designed with these expectations in mind.
Each IMA intern is assigned to a hospital or clinical setting based on their interests, experience level, and career goals. You’ll work alongside local medical professionals and gain first-hand exposure to global healthcare systems—whether it’s assisting in outpatient clinics, observing procedures, or participating in community health initiatives. You’ll return with more than hours—you’ll return with stories, insights, and a deeper understanding of why this path matters.
Internship Tracks for Every Pre-Health Student
We understand that healthcare isn’t one-size-fits-all. That’s why our internships are tailored for students on a variety of tracks.
IMA offers a wide range of clinical internships for every health profession. Each includes direct patient interaction, mentorship, and a chance to make a difference in communities with real healthcare needs.
Medicine / Pre-Medicine
Medicine and Pre-Medicine Internship: As a pre-med or medical student, you’ll gain essential clinical experience in fast-paced outpatient settings and community health centers. You’ll shadow surgeries, observe diagnostic procedures, and support ongoing care under the guidance of licensed physicians. Placements in Kenya, Tanzania, Colombia, and Peru offer exposure to conditions not commonly seen in high-income countries, providing a broader understanding of global health disparities and system challenges.
Physician Assistant (PA)
Pre-PA Internship: For students preparing to apply through CASPA, our Pre-PA Internship provides a structured opportunity to accumulate direct patient care hours—something most PA programs require. Interns are placed in clinical environments where they can observe consultations, assist in intake and triage, and participate in community outreach. This hands-on involvement builds both confidence and competence.
Pre-Dental / Dentistry
Dentistry Internship: Our Dentistry Internship allows you to work with licensed dental professionals to deliver care in communities where dental services are often scarce. You’ll assist with patient education, cleanings, fluoride applications, and even observe extractions or restorative procedures. The experience highlights the role of oral health in overall well-being, especially in underserved populations.
Nursing / Pre-Nursing
Nursing Internship: Nursing interns join local nurses and public health teams to provide essential services such as wound care, immunizations, and prenatal check-ups. You may assist with maternal and child health, infectious disease prevention, and patient education in both hospital and mobile clinic settings. This program is especially valuable for students preparing for BSN or MSN programs.
Nutrition and Dietetics
Dietetic Internship: Nutrition interns work in communities facing food insecurity, malnutrition, and chronic disease. Under the guidance of local dietitians, you’ll support patient assessments, community education campaigns, and maternal-child health initiatives. Interns often contribute to programs addressing anemia, stunted growth, and nutrition-sensitive interventions.
Physical Therapy
Physical Therapy Internship: Our Physical Therapy Internship places students in hospitals and rehab centers where you’ll observe recovery plans for stroke, injury, or post-operative patients. Interns shadow licensed therapists and participate in therapy sessions, learning techniques used in low-resource settings to adapt and deliver effective treatment.
Mental Health and Psychology
Mental Health Internship: Mental health interns assist in clinical environments focused on psychiatric care, counseling, and community-based recovery programs. You’ll observe patient intake, learn about culturally relevant treatment methods, and support public awareness efforts around stigma and mental illness.
Midwifery
Midwifery Internship: This internship is designed for students pursuing careers in maternal and reproductive health. Interns work closely with midwives and obstetric teams during prenatal checkups, labor and delivery, and postnatal care. The experience provides a grounded understanding of birth practices and maternal health needs in different cultural settings.
CRNA / Anesthesia
CRNA Internship: Our CRNA Internship gives aspiring nurse anesthetists rare access to observe pre-operative assessments, anesthetic administration, and post-operative monitoring. Interns shadow licensed anesthesia professionals in surgical wards, gaining critical insights into patient safety and anesthetic techniques in global health environments.
Optometry
Optometry Internship: Optometry interns assist in eye clinics conducting visual acuity screenings, refractive assessments, and distributing eyeglasses. Interns also support education on vision care, cataract prevention, and conditions like glaucoma and diabetic retinopathy.
Radiologic Technology
Radiology Internship: Interns in radiologic technology observe how limited diagnostic tools are used creatively and effectively. You’ll shadow X-ray and ultrasound technicians and explore the decision-making process in clinics where advanced imaging may not be available.
Occupational Therapy
Occupational Therapy Internship: Occupational Therapy interns support therapists in schools, clinics, and community centers. You’ll help children and adults working on fine motor skills, sensory integration, and rehabilitation for developmental or neurological conditions.
Chiropractic Care
Chiropractic Internship: Interns shadow chiropractic professionals delivering musculoskeletal care in global health settings. Learn spinal adjustment techniques, observe therapeutic exercise regimens, and understand how chiropractic care is integrated into holistic patient wellness.
Global Adventures in East Africa and South America
Not everything in your gap year needs to be clinical. IMA also offers structured Adventures in East Africa and Adventures in South America, perfect for decompressing while staying engaged.
Highlights include:
- Guided Safari Tours in Masai Mara
- Amazon Jungle Treks in Peru
- Cultural Visits to the Giraffe Center
- Volunteer Projects in the Andes
- Hot Air Balloon Rides over the Mara Plains
These adventure add-ons combine ethical tourism with cultural immersion, giving students a well-rounded experience during their program.
Global Context, Local Impact
Our commitment to ethical, responsible global health education sets IMA apart. Interns don’t replace professionals or perform tasks beyond their scope. Instead, they learn by observing, supporting, and engaging with the clinical process in ways that respect both patients and professionals. Our programs are rooted in long-term partnerships with local hospitals and NGOs in Kenya, Tanzania, Uganda, Ecuador, Peru, and Colombia.
The value of working in underserved communities is impossible to overstate. You’ll see the ingenuity of providers making the most of limited resources. You’ll gain cross-cultural communication skills, humility, and the ability to work as part of a team in unfamiliar environments—all critical qualities for your future in healthcare.
Built-In Mentorship and Support
Throughout your internship, you’ll receive ongoing mentorship from both local providers and IMA program staff. Our team is available around the clock, providing clinical coordination, professional development, and cultural guidance to make sure you get the most out of your experience.
We also help you think ahead. Many of our interns request letters of recommendation from their supervising physicians or clinicians, and we’re happy to help facilitate that process when appropriate. From pre-departure preparation to post-program advising, we’re with you every step of the way.
Cultural Learning and Adventures
While the clinical experience is the focus, we know that travel and cultural exchange are a big part of what makes global internships so enriching. We encourage our interns to participate in cultural excursions and adventure safaris during or after their program. Whether it’s a Masai Mara Safari, a Mount Kilimanjaro Trek, or a visit to Mafia Island, these experiences deepen your understanding of the region and offer much-needed time to reflect.
These optional adventures are fully coordinated by IMA and include transportation, lodging, and local guides. You won’t just see the landscape—you’ll engage with the history, ecology, and communities that make these places so extraordinary.
When to Apply and How to Prepare
Summer and Gap Year 2026 placements are now open. We recommend applying 6 to 12 months in advance, especially if you’re planning to travel during peak summer months. After you apply, you’ll be matched with a Program Advisor who will walk you through everything from selecting your destination and specialty to preparing for travel and meeting school requirements.
Spots fill quickly, especially for June–August placements.
We recommend:
- Applying 6–12 months in advance
- Preparing your resume and personal statement
- Talking to an IMA Program Advisor
- Booking time off from school or work early
Our Program Advisors will help you find the right fit based on your goals, school timeline, and experience level.
Join the Next Generation of Global Health Leaders
Your future patients will come from diverse backgrounds and face a wide range of health challenges. Spending part of your education immersed in a global healthcare setting will make you a more aware, compassionate, and skilled provider.
At IMA, we believe your gap year or summer break should move you forward. It should challenge you, connect you to others, and help you grow into the healthcare professional you’re meant to become. That’s what our internships deliver.
Apply now and secure your place in our Summer or Gap Year 2026 programs. We look forward to welcoming you into our community of global health interns.
