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IMA's Award-Winning Healthcare Internships Abroad

Hospital shadowing programs are proven to strengthen med school applications — and our programs go above and beyond. Unique, in-depth, and focused on multiple medical specialties, our summer and winter internships take place in East Africa, South America or in multi-country formats. In part thanks to our immersive and multifaceted internship model, IMA alumni go on to top MD, DO, and PA programs across the country.

International Medical Aid Healthcare Students in Clinical Setting

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IMA Medical Internship Programs - Global Healthcare Training Opportunities

Reasons to Join IMA

Reasons to Join IMA

International Medical Aid (IMA) offers healthcare and pre-med internships in various medical specialties, providing students with the opportunity to gain hands-on experience in clinical settings and develop specialized skills, including the following: 

Maximize Your Learning

Students in clinical setting discussing healthcare

Compared to typical pre-health shadowing programs, IMA delivers exceptional depth and breadth — more hands-on, didactic, and service-learning experiences, as well as expansive global and intercultural insights.

Prioritize Your GPA

Students showing their certificates

Our programs are so full of extracurricular accomplishments that you can focus on your academic goals while in school, without worrying about how your pre-med requirements will fit into your schedule.

Impress Top Medical Schools

Students working in medical laboratory

IMA helps you showcase your competencies through powerful stories. More than a list of accomplishments, our programs give you the extensive skillsets medical schools are looking for — notably grounded in compelling, real-world experience.

What's in an IMA Program?

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International Medical Aid ensures an enriched learning environment that goes beyond the typical classroom structure. As a participant, you have the chance to interact directly with patients, practitioners, and global health challenges, all under the careful guidance of experienced mentors.

Our Impact and Success Stories

At International Medical Aid, the value we offer extends beyond our programs. It's echoed in the positive impact we have on the lives and careers of our students. Each student's journey is unique, yet they all share a common thread - transformative experiences that have shaped their academic and professional journeys, while creating lasting connections with peers and mentors from around the world.

From enhancing their understanding of global health to gaining hands-on exposure in their respective fields, our alumni have found their time with IMA to be profoundly impactful. They've not only honed their skills and knowledge, but also learned to navigate the complexities of healthcare with a renewed perspective and confidence.

As we transition into our Fall and Winter Programs, we’re taking a moment to recognize the incredible people behind the work: our dedicated Program Staff at our flagship sites in… Verified
As we transition into our Fall and Winter Programs, we’re taking a moment to recognize the incredible people behind the work: our dedicated Program Staff at our flagship sites in…
“Overall, I had a great experience with International Medical Aid. I felt that they took good care of my needs in Kenya. I felt very comfortable in the house, enjoyed… Verified
“Overall, I had a great experience with International Medical Aid. I felt that they took good care of my needs in Kenya. I felt very comfortable in the house, enjoyed…
“I had an amazing experience in Kenya, and I truly cannot say enough positive things about the program. Every aspect of the experience felt thoughtfully planned and well executed. From… Verified
“I had an amazing experience in Kenya, and I truly cannot say enough positive things about the program. Every aspect of the experience felt thoughtfully planned and well executed. From…
Over the weekend, International Medical Aid was honored to participate in the 2026 UC Davis Pre-Health Conference, more than a decade after we first began participating in this event. It… Verified
Over the weekend, International Medical Aid was honored to participate in the 2026 UC Davis Pre-Health Conference, more than a decade after we first began participating in this event. It…
“My experience was incredible; to say I’m grateful is an understatement. Beginning with my clinical experience, my Clinical Mentors were very kind, attentive, and educational. The clinical experience working with… Verified
“My experience was incredible; to say I’m grateful is an understatement. Beginning with my clinical experience, my Clinical Mentors were very kind, attentive, and educational. The clinical experience working with…
“My International Medical Aid internship in Mombasa, Kenya, was one of the most meaningful experiences I have had during high school. From the moment I arrived, I felt welcomed and… Verified
“My International Medical Aid internship in Mombasa, Kenya, was one of the most meaningful experiences I have had during high school. From the moment I arrived, I felt welcomed and…
The IMA experience extends beyond the clinical setting. Our internships abroad provide students with opportunities to engage with local communities, learn about cultural traditions, and better understand the social and… Verified
The IMA experience extends beyond the clinical setting. Our internships abroad provide students with opportunities to engage with local communities, learn about cultural traditions, and better understand the social and…
“My experience in Kenya was incredible overall. As someone with a genuine passion for medicine, I found that my time there, particularly my rotations at Coast General, only reinforced my… Verified
“My experience in Kenya was incredible overall. As someone with a genuine passion for medicine, I found that my time there, particularly my rotations at Coast General, only reinforced my…
Imagine waking before sunrise as the African savannah comes to life—watching elephants move across the horizon, giraffes silhouetted against the morning sky, and the first light stretch across the endless… Verified
Imagine waking before sunrise as the African savannah comes to life—watching elephants move across the horizon, giraffes silhouetted against the morning sky, and the first light stretch across the endless…
Access to healthcare is shaped by more than the availability of medical services. For communities located farther from central healthcare facilities, factors such as distance, available resources, and access to… Verified
Access to healthcare is shaped by more than the availability of medical services. For communities located farther from central healthcare facilities, factors such as distance, available resources, and access to…
Healthcare delivery can look different from one facility to another, shaped by the services available, the healthcare teams involved, and the needs of the communities each hospital serves. Exposure to… Verified
Healthcare delivery can look different from one facility to another, shaped by the services available, the healthcare teams involved, and the needs of the communities each hospital serves. Exposure to…
For many young women, adolescence brings questions about changes in their bodies, menstrual health, personal hygiene, and other aspects of their well-being. Creating opportunities to discuss these topics openly can… Verified
For many young women, adolescence brings questions about changes in their bodies, menstrual health, personal hygiene, and other aspects of their well-being. Creating opportunities to discuss these topics openly can…
If you only had one weekend to experience the Kenyan coast, IMA’s award-winning Malindi & Watamu Beach Safari would be a pretty incredible way to spend it. This unforgettable weekend… Verified
If you only had one weekend to experience the Kenyan coast, IMA’s award-winning Malindi & Watamu Beach Safari would be a pretty incredible way to spend it. This unforgettable weekend…
One of the best parts of an internship abroad? Having a whole new world to explore after your rotations. During the summer, our interns headed to Haller Park, a renowned… Verified
One of the best parts of an internship abroad? Having a whole new world to explore after your rotations. During the summer, our interns headed to Haller Park, a renowned…
Every journey begins with a single step, but the most meaningful ones are defined by the experiences gathered along the way. To our July 2026 cohort, congratulations on successfully completing… Verified
Every journey begins with a single step, but the most meaningful ones are defined by the experiences gathered along the way. To our July 2026 cohort, congratulations on successfully completing…
Finding Purpose Through Medicine: My Transformative Internship in Mombasa, Kenya with IMA
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Tyra Dennis Tyra Dennis
My experience with International Medical Aid in Mombasa, Kenya, was deeply meaningful and transformative. From the moment I arrived, the in-country support team made me feel grounded and safe. Margaret, my program mentor, was incredibly supportive—always checking in on my well-being and helping me...
Make Sure Your Soul Gains More Than Your Hands: My Transformative Medical Internship
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Kayla McBride Kayla McBride
My experience in Kenya was amazing. I loved fully embracing the culture and meeting so many new people. The people who worked at IMA and in the hospital were wonderful. From the moment Michelle picked me up from the airport, she made IMA feel like home. She was so welcoming, and we quickly became...
Humbled and Inspired: My Time with IMA in Kenya
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Grace Munoz Grace Munoz
This trip was truly life changing and inspiring, I am very thankful for all of the staff for their amazing support through the process. I loved everything, the food and culture were beyond amazing. I want to give a shout out to my bestie Janet, she accompanied me through my weekend treks. I had a...
Lessons in Compassion and Clinical Judgment from My Pre-PA Internship
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Ija Mumford Ija Mumford
My experience in Kenya with International Medical Aid was incredible. The in-country support was excellent, and I always felt safe thanks to clear guidance and protocols. Accommodations were comfortable, and the food was a wonderful introduction to Kenyan cuisine. The clinical experience was...

Frequently Asked Questions About IMA Internship Programs

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