Whether you’re a pre-med student laying the foundation or a medical student seeking specialized experience, internships are at the heart of your career. You might be asking yourself: ‘Where can I find an internship that aligns with my specific medical interests?’ Naturally, many countries may pop up, but which one’s the best fit?
This is one situation where what’s best for one individual is not necessarily best for you. You’ve got to make a decision based on your expected outcomes and practical experiences.
Here are some countries you can look into.
Kenya
Kenya is a lower middle-class economy located in East Africa. Data from the World Bank shows that the country spends around 4.5% of its GDP on health.
Kenya, like many other African countries, has its wins, but the medical field has its fair share of challenges. One thing that you may find glaring is the inequalities.
The best healthcare options in Kenya are in private hospitals. However, getting treatment in these institutions can be expensive for many uninsured citizens. This cost barrier often leaves individuals with no choice but to seek treatment at public health facilities. Unfortunately, these facilities frequently face challenges such as underfunding and shortages of critical equipment and life-saving treatments.
If you find yourself interning in one of these facilities, you’ll have your work cut out for you. But you’ll also get to work with a team of medical professionals that’s well-versed in making do with the prevailing situation. They can teach you how to adapt and use the available resources to provide the best care possible for the patients. The flexibility and adaptability you get here can also take you a long way in your medical career.
Peru
Peru is another great country to complete your internship in. As per 2022 data from the World Bank, about 7 in 10 people seeking medical care in this South American country don’t receive it. By exploring opportunities here, you can simultaneously hone your clinical skills while making a difference in communities that need healthcare support.
Another thing about Peru is that it has the 4th-largest malaria caseload in Latin America, behind Colombia, Venezuela, and Brazil. That said, this country presents a unique setting for pre-med and medical students to gain hands-on experience assisting in plenty of these cases.
One thing to keep in mind before making your decision, though, is that Peruvians predominantly speak Spanish. It may do you some good to have at least basic knowledge of the language.
Also, with Peru being a middle-income economy, you can expect some challenges in medical tech, higher patient volumes, and a relatively overwhelmed medical system.
United Kingdom
About 11% of the UK’s GDP goes to healthcare. In 2023, that amounted to about GBP£292 billion (roughly $377 billion). This level of investment makes the UK healthcare system one of the best in the world.
What separates it from its peers, though, is the legendary National Health Service (NHS). If you choose the UK for your internship, you will work within this publicly funded universal healthcare system that guarantees access to medical care for everyone legally residing in the country.
With millions of people under its care, you’ll likely not be short of opportunities to learn and medical fields to explore. If pediatrics interests you, for example, you can immerse yourself in that specialized department. If you prefer public health, there are opportunities for that, too.
Working with top-notch tech and healthcare professionals in the field also allows pre-med and medical students to gain valuable learning experience. However, this also translates to tough competition for available slots.
There’s the visa aspect to prepare for, too. Also, cities like London can promise you a lot of action but are also not too friendly on the pocket. So, if you’re looking for something budget-friendly, it would be worth looking into cities like Manchester or Glasgow.
India
Completing your international internship in India comes with its fair share of challenges and also highlights. For starters, due to the sheer number of people in the country, you can expect to deal with high patient volumes and a broad range of medical conditions. This may mean overcrowding in healthcare facilities as well as minimal supervision.
An internship in India can also teach pre-med and medical students how to make do with limited resources. There are times when supplies won’t be available. You would need to think outside the box. These skills will be of great value somewhere down the road, no matter where you end up practicing.
How about the language barrier? It’s not too much of a concern if you’re within major cities. English is widely spoken there. However, things could be entirely different when you’re in more rural areas. Here, you may have to deal with local dialects.
When it comes to the cost of living, India is significantly lower than that of most Western countries. That puts you at a great advantage if your budget is tight.
Final Thoughts
As a pre-med or medical student, your internship experience is a vital part of your growth and development. The country you select plays a key role in that process. Whatever decision you make, we at International Medical Aid are here to support you.
We’ve got the resources to help you get the best possible experience during your medical internships abroad. Browse through what we offer. If you find something that fits what you want, get in touch with us, and let us take you a step further in your medical career.
