A Land of Renewal and Resilience
Colombia’s story is one of dramatic transformation. Decades of internal conflict and displacement have left deep marks on its people, yet the nation continues to advance, embracing peace-building and innovation. Major cities such as Bogotá, Cali, and Medellín offer modern healthcare facilities and economic growth. However, the scars of violence linger, especially in rural and indigenous communities, where barriers to healthcare and education remain high.
Over six million Colombians are registered as displaced, many living in urban peripheries or remote areas where health services are scarce. Humanitarian efforts—led by the UN, local NGOs, and government agencies—focus on reaching these populations with medical care, education, and psychosocial support. The influx of Venezuelan migrants in recent years has also posed new public health challenges, from vaccination to nutrition and maternal health.
Amidst these complexities, Colombia’s spirit endures. Communities come together to heal, celebrate their heritage, and build a brighter future. As an IMA intern, you will witness both the resilience and vulnerability of Colombia, learning lessons that will shape your approach to medicine and public health for years to come.
Why Colombia with IMA?
Imagine collaborating with Colombian doctors as you conduct mobile health outreach in the Andes, or counseling children affected by displacement in coastal villages. IMA’s Colombia programs offer more than shadowing—they immerse you in direct care, health education, and community advocacy.
You’ll engage with people from all walks of life: families uprooted by conflict, Afro-Colombian and indigenous groups, and vibrant urban youth navigating the pressures of modern society. Guided by in-country Medical Directors and Patient Coordinators, you’ll gain practical skills in cross-cultural medicine, learn about public health responses to migration and violence, and contribute to programs that make a lasting difference.
When you’re not in clinic, Colombia’s warmth and energy will fill your days: salsa dancing in Cali, sampling arepas in a street market, or exploring the wonders of Tayrona National Park. Every experience deepens your understanding, not only of medicine, but of humanity.
Key Statistics
Sources:
World Bank, WHO, UNESCO, UNICEF, UNDP, washdata.org
Internship Opportunities
IMA’s Colombia programs offer a comprehensive range of hands-on internships in both clinical and public health fields:
Interns can choose placements based on career goals and interests. Flexible 2- to 12-week programs are available year-round, each offering cultural immersion and the opportunity to build language and advocacy skills.
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 and Stories of Change
Since launching operations in South America, IMA has worked alongside local partners to serve the most vulnerable. Our mobile clinics reach displaced families in urban neighborhoods, our hygiene and health education initiatives empower rural schools, and our nutrition programs combat childhood malnutrition and anemia. In partnership with grassroots organizations, we expand mental health services and work to destigmatize trauma care for survivors of conflict.
Consider a mother in the Amazon Basin who found hope and support through IMA’s maternal health program. Her story is echoed by thousands: children who receive dental screenings for the first time, young adults who find safe spaces for mental health support, and migrant families whose children are vaccinated through outreach initiatives.
Colombian healthcare providers, tribal leaders, and community advocates co-create each initiative with IMA, ensuring cultural relevance and long-term sustainability. As an intern, your work will echo through these communities, helping to close the health gap and build lasting bridges of trust.
Support
Our Mission
A Day in the Life
of an IMA Intern
Every contribution to IMA helps expand our reach in Colombia’s most vulnerable communities. Donor support funds free clinics, health education programs, and maternal-child health initiatives that transform lives. Whether you give $25 or $2,500, your generosity brings real change and hope to families and children who need it most. Join us in building a healthier Colombia—your impact lasts far beyond your gift.
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
IMA’s work in Colombia is rooted in practical, community-driven programs. Our mobile health clinics deliver care to remote and underserved areas, addressing acute and chronic illnesses. Sanitation education campaigns help prevent disease by teaching effective hygiene in schools and villages. Mental health programs provide counseling and reduce stigma among those affected by trauma, conflict, and displacement. Nutrition and food security projects improve child health and support new mothers. Every initiative is designed in partnership with Colombian leaders, ensuring they are culturally relevant and built to last.
For Our Donors: Fueling a Healthier Kenya
Every contribution to IMA is a spark that ignites change. Your support funds mobile clinics that reach thousands, providing free HIV testing and malaria treatment. It equips schools with hygiene resources, empowers communities through mental health care, and ensures children grow strong with proper nutrition. Since 2013, donors like you have helped us serve countless lives, addressing Kenya's 3.5% HIV prevalence and 260 per 1,000 malaria incidence (2023).
Your tax-deductible gift—whether $50 or $5,000—creates a ripple effect, building a sustainable healthcare future. Join us in this mission and see your impact in action.
Your Journey with IMA
Your path to Colombia starts with an online application. Submit your personal statement and academic documents, and if selected, take part in an interview to ensure a strong fit. Once accepted, you will receive a comprehensive pre-departure guide with advice on travel, safety, and cultural adaptation. When you arrive, you’ll be welcomed into secure housing, with support from local staff and fellow interns. Throughout your experience, you’ll work in clinics, engage in outreach, and immerse yourself in Colombia’s vibrant communities. On completion, you’ll earn a certificate, potential academic credit, and letters of recommendation to help open doors for your next steps.
Medical Internships in Colombia
IMA offers 13 specialty tracks, including Medicine, Nursing, Mental Health, Nutrition, Dentistry, and more. Each program blends direct patient care, public health projects, and cultural immersion. Flexible options from 2 to 12 weeks mean you can find a fit that meets your schedule and goals. For more information, visit our Program Overview | Dates & Fees | Safety & Security | Program Residences pages.
What You Will Gain
Interns in Colombia will deepen their understanding of healthcare access in rapidly changing societies, learning firsthand about the barriers faced by migrants, rural communities, and indigenous populations. You’ll develop clinical skills, cultural competence, and advocacy abilities that are invaluable for future careers in medicine, public health, and human services.
Your time with IMA will help you:
- Gain direct patient care and public health experience in diverse environments
- Build cross-cultural communication and empathy
- Learn about migration health, regional disease patterns, and humanitarian response
- Receive academic credit (where eligible), a certificate of completion, and personalized recommendations to support medical or graduate school applications
- Forge professional connections and lasting friendships with colleagues, mentors, and community members
Safety & Support
IMA is dedicated to your safety and success. Our regional coordinators provide ongoing support, pre-departure briefings, and on-site guidance throughout your placement. Secure housing, vetted transport, and emergency protocols are in place to ensure your well-being. For comprehensive information, refer to our Safety & Security page.
