Gaining hands-on experience before embarking on your new journey into medical school is incredibly worthwhile and important. Volunteering abroad isn’t just a once-in-a-lifetime experience for medical students–it’s often a critical addition to medical school and residency program applications.
If you’re currently writing your personal statement and wondering how you can make yourself stand out among other applicants, there’s no better solution than participating in a medical internship abroad. You’ll get the rare opportunity to explore healthcare systems in diverse cultural contexts, shadow the best doctors around the world, and return home with a deeper understanding of global medicine.
Keep reading to discover five amazing medical internships to apply for when planning your 2026 summer break.
The Medical Elective in Cusco, Peru, is perfect for undergraduates currently studying for their undergraduate degree. Gain hands-on experience in a private practice or public medical centre, furthering your studies as you explore Medical, Pharmacy, and Radiology avenues.
This placement will have you shadowing specialists and providing a better understanding of Peru’s free public healthcare system. Build your confidence in medical settings to take with you into your next year of study, and build a support network from all over the world.
During your downtime, summer in Peru is divine. May to October is actually the country’s winter, letting you explore the Amazon rainforest and Andes mountains in dry, mild temperatures. This is an excellent time to explore the white-sand beaches, too, offering some much-needed R&R after your intern responsibilities.
Take part in a medical internship in Arusha, Tanzania, and make a meaningful difference and memories to last a lifetime. Work alongside experienced doctors and nurses in hospitals and community clinics, connecting with a diverse group of people from around the world.
You’ll get the opportunity to shadow doctors and rotate across different hospital departments, including Midwifery, Pre-Med, Medical, Nursing, and Radiology specialties. This is a particularly great placement for people looking for international hands-on experience to include in their future residency program applications.
Tanzania’s winter runs from June to October, so you’ll be able to make the most of your African excursion without extreme heat or humidity. The weather is much milder, with less rain and more pleasant temperatures, so you can make the most of authentic safaris and exploring Mount Kilimanjaro in your free time.
Completing your medical internship in Greece is an incredible learning opportunity, providing international exposure and guidance under professionals working in hospitals and clinics around Athens. Learn valuable skills and knowledge by shadowing medical professionals and network with like-minded interns to create amazing memories.
Choosing an internship in Europe is a good option for undergraduate students who don’t have a basic understanding of another language. The majority of doctors and surgeons you’ll meet on your placement will speak English, helping you communicate more effectively with patients.
Spending summer in Greece is guaranteed to be a hot and sunny one, with temperatures often exceeding 95°F. The lovely sea breeze will offset this while you’re working, and keep you comfortable while exploring ancient sites, miles of beaches and charming neighborhoods.
If you’ve always wanted to explore Southeast Asia, make 2026 your summer and apply for a medical internship in Cambodia! You’ll intern at a local hospital in Phnom Penh, known for its vibrant art and food culture, while gaining valuable experience in an international medical setting and shadowing some of the best healthcare professionals in the world.
The healthcare system in Cambodia continues to face significant challenges and limitations, without enough equipment and infrastructure to accommodate patients. Whether you’re interested in Pre-Med, Nursing, Medical, Pharmacy, or Radiology, your experience will leave a lasting impression on locals and the community.
Don’t be put off by the idea of June to August being Cambodia's ‘wet season’–this often means rain for an hour or two most afternoons, which will often be occupied by intern responsibilities anyway. During your downtime, enjoy the glorious heat and explore all this country has to offer. Angkor Wat (Cambodia’s most iconic temple) is beautiful this time of year!
A medical elective placement in Morocco is the ideal opportunity to intern at local hospitals and clinics around Rabat. All medical students are invited to apply as early as their first-year summer! Rabat’s multidisciplinary hospitals provide comprehensive medical and surgical care in a number of specialities, including Medical, Nursing, Midwifery, and Radiology.
Interns can rotate across several departments to earn a broad understanding of Morocco’s healthcare system, leaving you feeling much more experienced and excited about the prospect of medicine going forward. You’ll get the chance to work on your French, too!
Summers in Morocco are dry, hot and wonderfully sunny, so you can explore during your free time without worrying about wind or rain. Rabat is positioned on the coast, so you’ll also get the added benefit of a steady Atlantic breeze, making the summer heat less intense and more enjoyable as you explore the cultural sights.
Why Choose Med Trips for Your Medical Internship
When looking for a medical placement abroad, there are several important factors to consider. Travelling alone is not to be taken lightly, which is why Med Trips provides assistance and advice every step of the way. From packing lists to visa applications, we’re on hand to make sure your summer internship is stress-free, educational, and most importantly, fun.
Our opportunities are collaborative efforts. You’ll choose your flights while we handle airport pickup, accommodation and meals, orientation, and in-country support. Whatever you need, one of our friendly advisors is on hand to help.
The best part? Med Trips internship opportunities run between two and 24 weeks, so you can choose the length of your trip. Take a fortnight out of your summer break to learn the basics and offer a helping hand where needed, or intern right up until the fresh semester to fully immerse yourself in what this experience has to offer.
Ready to Plan Your Summer Medical Internship Experience?
Spending your summer interning abroad isn’t just meaningful to both you and the country you choose–it’s also an irreplaceable opportunity for many. Once school starts up again and residency programs edge closer, you won’t have as much time to volunteer abroad. There has never been a better time to spend your summer volunteering, so what are you waiting for?
The internship programs we’ve looked at today are just the tip of the iceberg for what Med Trip has to offer. Check out our other medical internship opportunities to get your 2026 summer plans sorted.
