A Land of Heritage
and Hope
Peru is a land where history and heart intertwine. From the vibrant markets of Cusco to the misty peaks of Machu Picchu, its cultural richness captivates. Coastal Lima pulses with urban energy, while the Amazon rainforest teems with life. Yet, beneath this beauty, Peru faces stark realities.
Rural and indigenous communities, far from urban centers, struggle with limited healthcare access, battling malnutrition, tuberculosis, and inadequate maternal care. Socio-economic disparities, compounded by the lingering effects of COVID-19, leave women, children, and the elderly most vulnerable.
Since 2012, International Medical Aid has partnered with Peruvian communities to bridge these gaps. Our mobile clinics reach remote villages, our hygiene programs empower schools, and our mental health initiatives heal unseen wounds. Rooted in the academics of Johns Hopkins University, we collaborate with local healthcare providers, community leaders, and families to create sustainable solutions. As an IMA intern, you’ll step into this mission, gaining transformative clinical experience while helping Peru write a healthier future.
Why Peru
with IMA?
Imagine standing in a rural clinic, the Andes looming outside, as you assist a Peruvian physician with a patient’s care. Or picture yourself in a Cusco school, teaching children about nutrition, their eager questions sparking change. IMA’s Peru medical internships, founded at Johns Hopkins, offer a rare blend of clinical immersion, cultural exploration, and global health impact. Unlike passive observerships, our programs place you at the heart of care delivery, honing skills in resource-scarce settings that will distinguish you in medical or graduate school applications.
Our in-country Medical Director and Patient Coordinators guide you every step, ensuring you thrive in both clinical and cultural contexts. You’ll live in secure, modern residences with Wi-Fi, savor chef-prepared Peruvian dishes, and enjoy 24/7 security. Beyond the clinic, Peru’s vibrant culture awaits—join traditional festivals, explore Inca ruins, or learn Quechua phrases.
With flexible 2- to 12-week programs starting every Saturday, IMA crafts your internship to align with your goals, offering academic credit, a certificate of completion, and letters of recommendation to fuel your career.
Key Statistics
Sources:
World Bank, WHO, UNESCO, UNICEF, UNDP, washdata.org
International Medical Aid Specialties and Internship Opportunities
Our medical internship programs in Peru offer an extensive array of specialized healthcare and allied health placements. Each program is carefully designed to provide meaningful, hands-on experiences for interns. The detailed information for each specialty—including program dates, fees, safety and security measures, and residential accommodations—can be accessed through the provided links:
Clinical specialties range from Medicine and Dentistry to Mental Health and Occupational Therapy, ensuring diverse opportunities for professional growth. Interns can select the program that best aligns with their career aspirations and academic backgrounds.
Pre-Med Internships Abroad
Pre-med internships abroad for undergraduates, gap year students and medical students. Shadow physicians on hospital rounds, attend global health lectures and clinical simulations and join community clinics in Mombasa, Kenya and Cusco, Peru. Housing, meals, transport, insurance and 24/7 support are included.
Physician Assistant and Pre-PA Internships Abroad
Pre-PA and physician assistant internships abroad for pre-PA undergraduates, PA students, recent graduates and licensed PAs. Shadow clinicians in hospitals in Mombasa, Kenya and Cusco, Peru, attend global health lectures and join community clinics. Housing, meals, transport, insurance and 24/7 support are included.
Pre-Dental and Dental Internships Abroad
Dental internships abroad for pre-dental students, dental students and recent dental graduates. Shadow dentists in hospital dental units, attend global health lectures and help teach oral health in Mombasa, Kenya and Cusco, Peru. Housing, meals, transport, insurance and 24/7 support are included.
Nursing and Pre-Nursing Internships Abroad
Nursing internships abroad for pre-nursing students, nursing students, recent graduates and licensed nurses. Shadow nurses on hospital wards, attend global health lectures and simulations and join community clinics in Mombasa, Kenya and Cusco, Peru. Housing, meals, transport, insurance and 24/7 support are included.
Mental Health and Psychology Internships Abroad
Mental health and psychology internships abroad for undergraduates, graduate students, recent graduates and licensed professionals. Observe psychiatry and mental health teams in Mombasa, Kenya, attend global health lectures and support community awareness clinics. Housing, meals, transport, insurance and 24/7 support are included.
Nutrition Internships Abroad in Kenya
Nutrition internships abroad for nutrition and dietetics students, graduates and licensed nutrition professionals. Observe dietitians and nutritionists at a public hospital in Mombasa, Kenya, attend global health lectures and join community clinics. Housing, meals, transport, insurance and 24/7 support are included.
Physical Therapy and Pre-PT Internships Abroad
Physical therapy internships abroad for pre-PT students, DPT students, recent graduates and licensed physical therapists. Observe physical therapists and rehab teams in Mombasa, Kenya, attend global health lectures and join community clinics. Housing, meals, transport, insurance and 24/7 support are included.
Midwifery Internships and Placements Abroad
Midwifery internships abroad for pre-midwifery students, midwifery students and licensed midwives. Observe midwives on the maternity service, attend global health lectures and simulations and join community women's health work in Mombasa, Kenya and Cusco, Peru. Housing, meals, transport, insurance and 24/7 support are included.
CRNA and Anesthesiologist Assistant Internships Abroad
CRNA and anesthesia internships abroad for pre-CRNA and pre-anesthesiologist assistant students, nursing students, nurses and licensed CRNAs. Shadow anesthesia teams at IMA's teaching hospital placements in Kenya and Peru, attend global health lectures and join community clinics. Housing, meals, transport, insurance and 24/7 support are included.
Pre-Optometry and Optometry Internships Abroad
Optometry internships abroad for pre-optometry students, optometry students, recent graduates and licensed optometrists. Shadow eye care teams in Mombasa, Kenya, attend global health lectures and join community outreach. Housing, meals, transport, insurance and 24/7 support are included.
Radiology and Rad Tech Internships Abroad
Radiology internships abroad for pre-rad tech students, radiologic technology students, recent graduates and licensed technologists. Shadow technologists and radiologists in a hospital radiology department in Mombasa, Kenya, attend global health lectures and join community clinics. Housing, meals, transport, insurance and 24/7 support are included.
Occupational Therapy Internships and Placements Abroad
Occupational therapy internships abroad for pre-OT students, OT students, recent graduates and licensed occupational therapists. Observe occupational therapists in Mombasa, Kenya, attend global health lectures and join community clinics. Housing, meals, transport, insurance and 24/7 support are included.
Chiropractic Internships Abroad
Chiropractic internships abroad for pre-chiropractic students, chiropractic students and licensed chiropractors. Observe licensed clinicians under supervision, attend global health lectures and join community clinics. Housing, meals, transport, insurance and 24/7 support are included.
Our Impact Toward a
Healthier Peru
Since 2012, IMA has been a catalyst for change in Peru. Our mobile clinics have delivered care to thousands, tackling tuberculosis (110 per 100,000, 2023) and maternal health challenges (69 per 100,000 mortality ratio, 2020). In rural schools, our hygiene education programs foster healthier habits, critical in a nation where only 80.2% have sanitation access (2023).
Our mental health clinics provide counseling to underserved communities, while our nutrition programs combat an 11.0% under-5 stunting rate (2023, UNICEF), nourishing children for brighter futures. Co-designed with Peruvian healthcare providers and community leaders, these initiatives are built to last, empowering locals to lead their own health journeys.
Meet Rosa, an Andean mother who received free prenatal care through an IMA clinic. With support and education, she safely welcomed her daughter, now thriving.
Or consider Maria, a 2023 nursing intern, who shares, “Peru transformed my perspective. The skills I gained and the bonds I formed will guide my career.”
These stories are the soul of IMA’s mission, and as an intern, you’ll add your own chapter.
Support
Our Mission
A Day in the Life
of an IMA Intern
Your day begins with the aroma of Peruvian coffee in your modern residence, where you share breakfast with fellow interns, swapping stories of Cusco’s markets. By 8 AM, you’re in a mobile clinic, assisting with patient screenings or teaching hygiene in a rural school. Lunch is a feast of lomo saltado with Peruvian colleagues, filled with laughter and learning. Afternoons might take you to a hospital, observing a procedure, or to a village, sharing nutrition tips with families. As twilight paints the Andes, you join a cultural adventure—perhaps a weaving workshop or a hike to an Inca ruin. Each day blends clinical excellence, cultural connection, and profound impact, shaping you into a global health leader.
Hear From Our Alumni
Don’t just take our word for it—listen to the experiences of our past healthcare and pre-health interns. Our alumni have pursued successful careers, using the skills and knowledge gained during their internships to make meaningful contributions to their communities.
Here are some of our alumni's success stories:
Tyra Dennis
East Africa [Mombasa, Kenya]
Kayla McBride
East Africa [Mombasa, Kenya]
Grace Munoz
East Africa [Mombasa, Kenya]
Ija Mumford
East Africa [Mombasa, Kenya]
Alumni Experiences & Testimonials
Five words. That’s it. The ultimate definition of short and sweet. At the end of each week during debriefing, we were asked to present the group with five words that encompassed our experience in our respective departments. Every Friday, this…
Our Initiatives in Depth
IMA’s work in Peru is a mosaic of care and empowerment. Our mobile medical and hygiene clinics traverse rugged terrains to deliver healthcare where it’s scarce, addressing tuberculosis, maternal health, and infectious diseases. In schools and villages, our sanitation education programs spark transformation, teaching sustainable practices vital in a nation where only 80.2% have sanitation access (2023).
Our mental health clinics offer counseling and dismantle stigma, fostering resilience in indigenous and rural communities. And our nutrition and food security programs nourish children, reducing an 11.0% under-5 stunting rate (2023, UNICEF) with locally tailored solutions.
These efforts thrive through collaboration. Peruvian healthcare providers, community leaders, and families co-design every initiative, ensuring cultural resonance and lasting impact. As an intern, you’ll be woven into this fabric, contributing to clinical care, education, and advocacy that uplifts Peru’s most vulnerable.
For Our Donors - Building a Healthier Peru
Your support is the spark that lights Peru’s path to health. Every donation fuels mobile clinics that reach thousands, providing free tuberculosis screenings and maternal care. It equips schools with hygiene resources, supports mental health counseling, and ensures children grow strong, tackling an 11.0% stunting rate (2023).
Since 2012, donors like you have powered IMA’s mission, addressing Peru’s healthcare gaps with sustainable solutions. Your tax-deductible gift—whether $25 or $2,500—creates a ripple effect, empowering communities for generations. Join us and see your impact flourish.
Your Journey with IMA
Your adventure in Peru begins with a single step: applying online. Submit your form, personal statement, and documents, and if selected, join us for an interview to find the perfect fit. Once accepted, our comprehensive pre-departure guide covers vaccinations, visas, and travel insurance. In Peru, you’ll arrive at secure residences with Wi-Fi, chef-prepared meals, and 24/7 support.
Your 2- to 12-week internship unfolds with clinical rotations, community outreach, and cultural experiences like Machu Picchu treks. After completion, you’ll return with a certificate, potential academic credit, and recommendation letters, ready to soar. Start today and let Peru shape your future.
Internship Opportunities - Shape Your Path
IMA’s Peru internships offer 13 clinical specialties, each a canvas for your growth. Aspiring physicians can immerse in Medicine or Pre-Medicine, mastering diagnostics in diverse settings. Nurses and pre-nursing students refine patient care, while those in Nutrition or Mental Health lead transformative community programs. From Midwifery to Chiropractic, every internship is hands-on, guided by expert mentors, and enriched by Peru’s culture. Explore your options, from 2- to 12-week programs, and find your calling.
What You'll Gain
You’ll master clinical skills, navigating complex cases in resource-limited settings. You’ll build cultural fluency, forging bonds across Peru’s diverse communities. Your resume will shine with public health experience, program management insights, and a certificate of completion, while academic credit and recommendation letters open doors to medical or graduate school. Above all, you’ll carry Peru’s lessons of resilience, community, and purpose into every step of your journey.
Your Home in Peru
IMA prioritizes your safety and comfort. Our in-country Medical Director and Patient Coordinators provide 24/7 guidance, from clinical mentorship to cultural exploration. You’ll live in secure, modern residences with chef-prepared meals and a supportive community. Robust security protocols and detailed pre-departure briefings ensure peace of mind.
