A Land of Wonder and Resilience
Tanzania is a nation of breathtaking contrasts. The Serengeti teems with wildlife, Mount Kilimanjaro rises above lush forests, and Zanzibar’s turquoise shores welcome travelers from across the globe. In Dar es Salaam, city markets bustle with energy, while rural villages hold on to centuries-old traditions. Yet, beneath this beauty, Tanzania faces profound challenges. Over half the population lives below the poverty line, and a strained healthcare system struggles with HIV (4.4% prevalence), malaria, and high maternal mortality. Rural communities—especially women and children—are often the most affected, with limited access to clinics, clean water, or sanitation.
Since 2013, International Medical Aid has worked hand in hand with Tanzanian communities to close these gaps. Our mobile clinics bring essential healthcare to remote areas, hygiene programs empower students and families, and our mental health initiatives offer solace in places where such support is often unavailable. Every initiative is built on partnership—with local healthcare providers, tribal leaders, and families—ensuring programs are both sustainable and deeply rooted in the community.
Why Tanzania with IMA?
Imagine standing in a rural clinic, the hum of Swahili in the air, as you assist a Tanzanian physician with a patient’s diagnosis. Or picture yourself in a Maasai village, teaching children about hygiene, their smiles lighting up the savanna. IMA’s Tanzania internships, founded with Johns Hopkins expertise, blend high-impact clinical training with cultural immersion, offering hands-on experience that will set you apart in your career or academic pursuits.
Our in-country Medical Director and Patient Coordinators provide constant support, helping you thrive both professionally and personally. Interns live in secure, gated residences with Wi-Fi, enjoy chef-prepared Tanzanian meals, and experience 24/7 security. Beyond the clinic, you’ll dive into Tanzanian culture—joining traditional dances, exploring the Serengeti on safari, or learning Swahili from local guides. With flexible 2- to 12-week programs starting every Saturday, IMA tailors your experience to your interests, offering academic credit, a certificate of completion, and letters of recommendation.
Key Statistics
Sources:
World Bank, WHO, UNESCO, UNICEF, UNDP, washdata.org
Internship Opportunities: Shape Your Path
IMA’s Tanzania internships span 13 clinical specialties, each offering a powerful mix of observation, mentorship, and active participation.
Each program provides real responsibility: taking vital signs, assisting with care, teaching, and outreach, always with expert supervision. Interns are matched to specialties based on background and goals. Group programs and custom faculty-led tracks are also available.
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 Transformation
Since 2013, IMA has brought healthcare to thousands across Tanzania’s cities, towns, and rural villages. Our mobile clinics reach families who would otherwise travel hours for care, delivering treatment for HIV, malaria, and maternal health challenges. Our hygiene education programs promote healthier habits in schools and communities, vital in a country where only 31.2% have sanitation access. Our mental health services break down stigma, and our nutrition programs combat childhood malnutrition and food insecurity.
Consider Fatuma, a mother in a remote village, who received free prenatal care and education through an IMA clinic—ensuring a safe pregnancy and a healthy child. Or David, a pre-med intern, who shares, “Tanzania reshaped my perspective. The clinical skills and cultural bonds I formed are my foundation for medical school.” These are the voices of IMA’s impact, and as an intern, you’ll add your own story to this legacy.
Support
Our Mission
A Day in the Life
of an IMA Intern
Begin your day in a secure residence, enjoying Tanzanian tea and conversation with fellow interns. By 8 AM, you’re at a mobile clinic, screening patients or teaching hygiene at a local school. Lunch is a feast of nyama choma and chapati, shared with colleagues in laughter and learning. Afternoons bring hospital rotations, field visits, or hands-on workshops in nearby villages. As evening falls, you might join a Maasai dance or stroll the beaches of Zanzibar. Each day is filled with clinical learning, cultural discovery, and opportunities to make a real difference.
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 Tanzania includes:
- Mobile Medical and Hygiene Clinics: Delivering medical care to underserved communities.
- Sanitation and Hygiene Education: Teaching sustainable practices that prevent disease.
- Mental Health Initiatives: Counseling and support to reduce stigma and promote wellness.
- Nutrition and Food Security Projects: Fighting malnutrition and supporting child development.
Every initiative is co-designed with local professionals and leaders, ensuring long-term success. Interns help deliver care, educate communities, and build sustainable health programs.
For Our Donors - Building a Healthier Tanzania
Your support is essential to our mission. Every donation helps fund mobile clinics, provide free HIV testing and malaria treatment, equip schools with hygiene resources, and deliver mental health and nutrition services to those who need them most. Since 2013, donors have powered IMA’s impact—reaching thousands of lives, improving access to care, and building a healthier future for Tanzania. Every gift, large or small, helps build a stronger healthcare system for generations to come.
Your Journey with IMA
Your path to Tanzania begins with an online application. Submit your materials and, if selected, participate in a personal interview to ensure the best fit. Once accepted, you’ll receive a comprehensive pre-departure guide covering vaccinations, visas, travel insurance, and what to pack. Upon arrival, our team welcomes you to secure accommodations with chef-prepared meals and round-the-clock support. Your internship—ranging from 2 to 12 weeks—will include clinical rotations, outreach, and cultural immersion. At completion, you’ll earn a certificate, academic credit if eligible, and letters of recommendation to support your next steps.
Voices from Tanzania
In a sunlit clinic near Kilimanjaro, David K., a 2023 pre-med intern, reflects, “Working with Tanzanian physicians, I learned to care with empathy and ingenuity. This experience gave me more than clinical skills—it changed my understanding of global health.” Fatuma, a mother from a rural village, adds, “IMA’s clinic gave me prenatal care and hope. My son is healthy because of the care and education I received.” These stories—of growth, resilience, and hope—are the heartbeat of IMA’s work.
What You’ll Gain: A Legacy of Growth
Interning in Tanzania with IMA provides more than clinical skills. You’ll gain cross-cultural communication expertise, public health and program management experience, and a global perspective that sets you apart. Your resume will shine with practical achievements, and the friendships you form will last a lifetime. The lessons of resilience, community, and purpose you learn here will travel with you, shaping your career and your outlook.
Safety & Support: Your Home in Tanzania
IMA prioritizes your safety. Our Medical Director and Patient Coordinators are available 24/7 to provide guidance, mentorship, and support. You’ll stay in secure, comfortable residences with reliable internet and chef-prepared meals. Robust security protocols, detailed briefings, and medical oversight ensure your well-being from the moment you arrive. All logistics, including in-country transportation and emergency support, are expertly managed.
