A Land of Resilience
and Opportunity
Kenya is a land of striking contrasts, where the turquoise waves of the Indian Ocean meet the sweeping plains of the Serengeti and Nairobi’s skyscrapers rise beside rural villages. This nation is moving forward, powered by a growing middle class and a spirit of innovation. However, many challenges remain. More than half the population lives below the poverty line, and the healthcare system is stretched thin as it confronts HIV, malaria, and maternal health concerns.
In rural settlements and arid northern regions, women and children are especially vulnerable, often lacking reliable access to clinics, clean water, or proper sanitation. Ongoing regional tensions, including instability spilling over from neighboring Somalia, make these disparities even more pronounced.
Since 2013, International Medical Aid has been a beacon of hope in Kenya. Our mobile clinics deliver care to the farthest reaches, our hygiene programs empower communities, and our mental health initiatives foster healing. Rooted in the academic excellence of Johns Hopkins University, we partner with Kenyan physicians, tribal leaders, and families to build sustainable solutions. As an IMA intern, you’ll join this mission, gaining hands-on clinical experience while leaving a lasting impact on Kenya’s future.
Why Kenya
with IMA?
Picture yourself assisting in a Kenyan hospital, stethoscope in hand, as a local physician mentors you through a complex diagnosis. Visualize the impact of teaching handwashing techniques in a rural school, with children’s laughter filling the classroom. IMA’s Kenya internships deliver immersive clinical training and cultural engagement, offering hands-on experiences that strengthen your medical or graduate school application. Established at Johns Hopkins, our programs provide the preparation and unique perspective valued by top admissions committees.
Unlike passive shadowing experiences, IMA places you at the forefront of care delivery, working in resource-limited settings to hone skills that resonate globally. Our in-country Medical Director and Patient Coordinators provide unwavering support, ensuring you thrive both professionally and personally.
You’ll live in secure, gated residences with Wi-Fi, savor meals crafted by an in-house chef, and explore Kenya’s soul through market tours, medical-based Swahili language lessons, and visits with tribal leaders. With flexible 2- to 12-week programs starting every Saturday, IMA tailors your internship to your dreams, offering academic credit, a certificate of completion, and letters of recommendation to propel your career.
Key Statistics
Sources:
World Bank, WHO, UNESCO, UNICEF, UNDP, washdata.org
International Medical Aid Specialties and Internship Opportunities
Our internship programs 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 and
Stories of Change
Since 2013, IMA has made a lasting difference in Kenya through practical, community-based healthcare. Our mobile clinics have reached thousands, delivering essential care to address HIV (3.5% prevalence in 2023) and malaria (260 cases per 1,000 in 2023).
Hygiene education programs in schools and villages have improved daily health practices, targeting the challenge of limited sanitation access, with only 33.1% of the population covered in 2023. Mental health clinics provide support for individuals in need, and our nutrition initiatives help combat childhood malnutrition in high-risk areas. Each program is developed alongside Kenyan partners, focusing on long-term sustainability and empowering communities to drive their own health improvements.
Consider Amina, a mother in a coastal village, who found hope through IMA’s mobile clinic. Free HIV testing and education changed her life, and now she advocates for her community, breaking stigma with every conversation.
Or meet Sarah, a 2023 pre-med intern, who recalls, “Kenya reshaped my path. The clinical skills and cultural insights I gained are my foundation for medical school.” These stories are the heartbeat of IMA’s mission, and as an intern, you’ll write the next chapter.
Support
Our Mission
A Day in the Life
of an IMA Intern
Your morning begins with the scent of Kenyan coffee in your gated residence, where you share stories with fellow interns over breakfast. By 8 AM, you’re in a mobile clinic, assisting with patient screenings or teaching hygiene in a local school. Lunch brings laughter with Kenyan colleagues, savoring ugali and nyama choma. Afternoons might take you to a hospital, observing a procedure, or to a village, sharing nutrition tips with families. As dusk falls, you embark on a cultural adventure, perhaps a Mombasa market tour or a Swahili lesson under the stars. Each day is built on hands-on clinical practice, guided mentorship, measurable results in patient care, 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
IMA's work in Kenya centers on practical, community-driven healthcare solutions. Our mobile medical and hygiene clinics reach remote areas, delivering care directly to those in need. These teams address challenges such as HIV, malaria, and maternal health, responding to a maternal mortality ratio of 530 per 100,000 as of 2020. In both schools and villages, our sanitation education programs promote better health by teaching effective hygiene practices. This work is crucial in a country where only 33.1% of the population has access to adequate sanitation (2023).
Mental health clinics run by IMA provide counseling and promote open conversations, helping to reduce stigma and support those facing psychological challenges. Our nutrition and food security initiatives supply children and families with better nourishment, targeting malnutrition through local partnerships and education.
Every initiative is built in collaboration with Kenyan physicians, tribal leaders, and community advocates. By working together from the ground up, our programs reflect the unique needs of each community and achieve lasting results. As an intern, you will contribute to care delivery, health education, and outreach, becoming part of a team dedicated to improving health and opportunity throughout Kenya.
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.
Partner with IMA in Kenya
At International Medical Aid, we believe that collaboration is the key to creating lasting change in global health. Since 2013, our work in Kenya has been strengthened by partnerships with local physicians, tribal leaders, and community advocates who co-design our programs to address the nation's most pressing needs—combating HIV (3.5% prevalence, 2023), improving sanitation access (33.1%, 2023), and reducing maternal mortality (530 per 100,000 live births, 2020). 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 Kenya.
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 Kenya's 56 million people, ensuring that every community—from Nairobi to the farthest rural villages—has the tools to thrive. Let's unite in this mission to build a healthier, more equitable future for Kenya.
Your Journey with IMA
Your path to Kenya begins with a simple step: applying online. Submit your form, personal statement, and documents, and if selected, join us for an interview to ensure the perfect fit. Once accepted, you'll receive a comprehensive pre-departure guide, covering vaccinations, visas, and travel insurance.
In Kenya, our team welcomes you to secure residences, where you'll settle in with Wi-Fi, chef-prepared meals, and 24/7 support. Your internship—whether 2 or 12 weeks—unfolds with clinical rotations, community outreach, and cultural adventures. After completion, you'll return with a certificate, academic credit (if applicable), and letters of recommendation, ready to conquer your next chapter. Start today and let Kenya shape your future.
Medical Internships in Kenya
IMA's Kenya internships offer 13 clinical specialties, each a canvas for your growth. Aspiring doctors can join our Medicine or Pre-Medicine internships, mastering diagnostics in real-world settings. Nurses and pre-nursing students hone patient care skills, while those in Mental Health or Nutrition lead workshops. From Midwifery to Chiropractic, every program is hands-on, guided by expert mentors, and enriched by cultural immersion.
Explore your options, from 2- to 12-week programs, and find the perfect fit:
What You'll Gain
Participating interns gain invaluable practical experience in global health, directly contributing to healthcare delivery in resource-limited settings. Interns develop critical cross-cultural communication and problem-solving skills, acquire advanced clinical, public health, and program management competencies, and gain unique insights into international healthcare systems and policies.
You'll build cultural fluency, forging connections across borders. Your resume will glow 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. Beyond skills, you'll carry Kenya's lessons of resilience, community, and purpose into every step of your journey. The experience promotes significant personal growth through community immersion and cultural exchange activities, providing a well-rounded global health education
Your Home Away from Home
IMA prioritizes your safety and comfort. Our in-country Medical Director and Patient Coordinators offer 24/7 guidance, from clinical mentorship to cultural exploration. You'll live in secure, gated residences with modern amenities, enjoying chef-prepared meals and a supportive community. Robust security protocols and comprehensive pre-departure briefings ensure peace of mind.
