A Land of Beauty and Barriers
Ecuador is a nation of breathtaking contrasts, where the Andes’ rugged peaks meet the Pacific’s gentle waves, and the Amazon’s lush canopy shelters vibrant communities. Quito’s colonial charm contrasts with the tranquil traditions of indigenous villages. Yet, beneath this beauty, Ecuador faces stark healthcare challenges. Rural and indigenous populations, far from urban centers, struggle with limited access to care, battling chronic malnutrition, infectious diseases, and cultural barriers. Socio-economic disparities and geographic isolation leave women, children, and elders most vulnerable, despite a universal healthcare system.
Since 2012, International Medical Aid has partnered with Ecuadorian communities to bridge these gaps. Our mobile clinics reach remote regions, our hygiene programs empower schools, and our mental health initiatives heal unseen wounds. Rooted in the academic excellence of Johns Hopkins University, we collaborate with local healthcare providers, community leaders, and families to create sustainable solutions. As an IMA intern, you’ll join this mission, gaining real clinical experience while helping Ecuador forge a healthier, more equitable future.
Why Ecuador with IMA?
Picture yourself in a Quito hospital, learning from seasoned Ecuadorian physicians as you assist with a patient’s care. Or imagine teaching hygiene in an Amazonian village, the children’s curiosity sparking change. IMA’s Ecuador internships offer a rare blend of clinical immersion, cultural exploration, and global health impact. You’ll play an active role in care delivery, building skills in resource-limited settings that help set you apart in medical or graduate school applications.
Our in-country Medical Director and Patient Coordinators support you every step of the way, ensuring you thrive both clinically and culturally. Interns live in secure, modern residences with Wi-Fi, enjoy chef-prepared Ecuadorian dishes, and have access to 24/7 support. Beyond the clinic, Ecuador’s vibrant culture awaits—join indigenous festivals, hike Andean trails, or learn Kichwa phrases. With flexible 2- to 12-week programs starting every Saturday, IMA aligns your internship with your academic and career goals, offering academic credit, a certificate of completion, and personalized letters of recommendation.
Key Statistics
Sources:
World Bank, WHO, UNESCO, UNICEF, UNDP, washdata.org
Internship Opportunities in Ecuador
International Medical Aid’s Ecuador programs provide a wide array of hands-on, specialty-specific internships. Each placement is designed to immerse you in real clinical environments and public health initiatives, allowing you to make meaningful contributions while advancing your own skills. Whether you’re a pre-med student, a future nurse, or interested in public health, you’ll find a program suited to your career goals:
Interns can select placements tailored to their academic interests and professional aspirations. Programs are available from 2 to 12 weeks throughout the year, and each is enriched by cultural immersion, mentorship, and language exposure.
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 & Stories of Change
Since 2012, IMA has brought tangible improvements to Ecuadorian health and wellness. Our mobile clinics deliver care to remote communities, supporting maternal health, immunizations, and preventive medicine. Hygiene education programs in schools foster healthier daily habits, while our mental health clinics provide support for underserved communities. Nutrition initiatives combat chronic malnutrition, giving children a stronger foundation for the future.
Meet Ana, an indigenous mother who received free prenatal care through IMA. With education and ongoing support, she safely welcomed her daughter, now thriving.
Sofia, a 2023 pre-med intern, reflects, “Ecuador shaped my perspective. The skills I gained and the bonds I formed will guide my career.”
These stories are the heart of IMA’s mission. As an intern, you’ll help write the next chapter.
Support
Our Mission
A Day in the Life
of an IMA Intern
Every donation fuels IMA’s work in Ecuador, helping us reach thousands with medical care, vaccinations, and vital health education. Your support equips schools, strengthens mental health programs, and provides nutrition for children in need. Since 2012, donors like you have made it possible to achieve 87% measles vaccine coverage and expand sanitation access to 86.5%. Your tax-deductible gift, of any size, creates lasting change in Ecuador’s most vulnerable communities.
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 initiatives in Ecuador are designed to break down barriers to health and build up strong, sustainable systems. Our mobile medical clinics bring care to remote regions, supporting maternal health, vaccination, and treatment of chronic conditions. Sanitation and hygiene education help prevent disease before it starts. Our mental health support services provide counseling and reduce stigma, while nutrition programs target malnutrition with locally adapted solutions. All efforts are co-designed with Ecuadorian healthcare providers and community leaders, ensuring programs are relevant and lasting.
For Our Donors and Partners
At International Medical Aid, we believe collaboration is the key to creating lasting change in global health. Since 2012, our work in Ecuador has been strengthened by partnerships with local healthcare providers, community leaders, and families who co-design our programs to address critical needs—supporting maternal health (66 per 100,000 mortality ratio, 2020), improving sanitation access (86.5%, 2023), and achieving 87% measles vaccine coverage (2023).
Now, we’re seeking partners to amplify this impact even further. Whether you’re an academic institution looking to offer your students unparalleled global health experience, a healthcare organization aiming to expand access to care, or an NGO passionate about sustainable development, partnering with IMA offers a unique opportunity to make a difference in Ecuador.
Collaborate with us to develop new initiatives, provide resources for mobile clinics, or support training programs for local healthcare workers. Together, we can reach more of Ecuador’s 18.4 million people, ensuring that every community—from Quito to the Amazon—has the tools to thrive. Let’s unite in this mission to build a healthier, more equitable future for Ecuador.
Contact Us to Partner at [email protected].
Your Journey with IMA
Begin your Ecuador adventure by completing our online application. Submit your personal statement and academic documents, then take part in a virtual interview if selected. Once accepted, you’ll receive a comprehensive pre-departure guide covering vaccinations, visa requirements, and travel details. In Ecuador, our team welcomes you to secure housing with Wi-Fi and chef-prepared meals. Throughout your 2- to 12-week internship, you’ll participate in clinical rotations, outreach programs, and cultural excursions. After completion, you’ll receive a certificate, potential academic credit, and recommendation letters for your next steps.
Medical Internships in Ecuador
IMA’s Ecuador internships offer 13 clinical specialties, each built to maximize both professional and personal growth. From Medicine and Nursing to Mental Health, Nutrition, Dentistry, and beyond, every placement combines patient care, public health projects, and cultural immersion. Programs are available year-round, from 2 to 12 weeks, and are designed for students and graduates from diverse backgrounds.
Program Overview | Dates & Fees | Safety & Security | Program Residences
What You Will Gain
As an intern, you’ll develop hands-on clinical skills and a deep understanding of global health in resource-limited settings. You’ll build cultural fluency, strengthen public health competencies, and forge lasting relationships with local professionals and peers from around the world. Your resume will reflect practical experience, cross-cultural awareness, and a genuine commitment to service. Many participants also earn academic credit, a certificate of completion, and personalized recommendation letters.
Safety & Support - Your Home in Ecuador
IMA prioritizes intern safety, offering comprehensive pre-departure briefings, secure housing, and 24/7 support from our in-country Medical Director and Patient Coordinators. Detailed orientation covers health documentation, travel planning, and emergency protocols. Our commitment to your well-being ensures you can focus on learning and service. Read more on our Safety & Security page.
