Medical internships are amazing opportunities to get your foot in the door of your chosen field, or even help you figure out which avenue of medicine you’re passionate about. Choosing an internship in a different country gives you the opportunity to learn from some of the best in the world, immerse yourself in different healthcare systems and communities, and improve your global perspective.
To make the most of your internship and offer as much help as possible to those who need it, strive to do your best and stand out from the rest of your fellow interns. In this guide, we’ll explore how you can make a lasting impact during your time abroad.
1. Prepare, Prepare, Prepare!
It always pays to prepare beforehand so that you can hit the ground running as soon as you touch down in your chosen country. Even researching your chosen elective and country can make a huge difference, as you’ll feel much more comfortable and confident heading into the experience.
At Med Trips, we provide language resources to help you learn the basics of your chosen country, enabling smoother communication between you and patients. However, if you want to be the best and prevent the language barrier from getting in the way of your learning, we suggest immersing yourself in the language and going above our basic training. Not only will this help you get stuck in straight away, but you’ll definitely impress your superiors and other professionals!
2. Meet Your Fellow Interns and Supervisors
Once your internship is underway, make sure you introduce yourself to everyone in your department. Try to get a sense of what everyone does and how you can assist each other, as this will help should you have an emergent situation that you’re not sure how to handle. Introducing yourself to supervisors encourages them to remember you, opening doors later in the internship and ensuring they give you a good recommendation at the end.
Also, we highly recommend that you get to know your fellow interns. A medical elective isn’t a walk in the park, and taking the time to befriend other interns means you can lean on each other for support. Plus, you’ll be able to explore the country’s amazing sites together and create lifelong connections.
3. Set Realistic but Meaningful Goals
Setting goals is one of the most rewarding ways to make the most of your medical internship. You can set up a meeting with your supervisor and work through what you want to get from your experience, their expectations of you, and how you can work together to make the biggest difference.
When setting your goals, consider:
- What am I expected to accomplish every day?
- What specific clinical skills do I want to develop or strengthen?
- Which areas of medicine am I most interested in?
- How can I connect what I’ve studied in textbooks with real patient care?
- What professional qualities do I want to practice (e.g., communication, empathy, teamwork, adaptability)?
These questions will help you determine what you want to get out of your internship to best support your future career in medicine. Discuss your interests with your supervisor and volunteer for opportunities in those areas to get the most worthwhile experience.
4. Watch and Learn
When starting a new position abroad, it’s important to fit into the normal way of working. We highly recommend stepping back and observing for a while before getting stuck in, so you can understand and act like qualified professionals in your placement. This makes sure you’re respecting the culture and organization without overstepping boundaries.
Most organizations provide resources, policies and procedure documents, and other helpful materials to give you a better understanding of what’s expected of you. Read these and ask questions to earn a deeper understanding of the work you’re contributing to.
5. Always Find Something to Do
The best interns take initiative and always find something to work on when things are slow. Your supervisor may be too busy to assign work at times, but this doesn’t give you an excuse to sit out and wait for instructions. You could ask another intern if they need help, brush up on your knowledge of procedures you’ve seen, or see if there are any shadow opportunities with other doctors in your department.
If you’re struggling to find something to do, consider pitching a long-term project to fill time throughout the duration of your internship. Your supervisor will appreciate the initiative and notice your enthusiasm, which will help you stand out from the rest of your peers.
6. Be Professional and Organized
Consider how you’re presenting yourself to your fellow interns, supervisors and department heads. Keeping a professional appearance and manner ensures that you remain respectful at all times, so doctors and surgeons want to continue working with you. Always remain courteous, too - say thank you, remain punctual, and follow through with what’s expected of you.
Interns who pride themselves on remaining organized throughout the duration of their placement really stand out to supervisors and peers. Take notes during rounds and meetings, keep to-do lists for your deadlines, and keep your workspace neat. Remember, outside perceptions are just as important as one-on-one interactions.
7. Manage Your Time Wisely
Never allow tasks to go over deadlines that have been set by superiors. If you feel that you can’t complete a task on time, consider asking another intern for help or notify your supervisor in advance so they can plan accordingly. If you’re feeling overwhelmed, ask them how you can prioritize work to make sure the most important things are completed before other, less important tasks.
8. Go Above and Beyond
It goes without saying, but the best interns are those who exceed expectations and help out as much as they can. As an intern in a new country, your work is incredibly important - so get stuck in with as much as you can! Arrive early, find new ways to assist your superiors and colleagues, and look for opportunities to learn everywhere.
If you’re unsure whether you’re truly going above and beyond, ask yourself this: ‘Am I exceeding my job requirements?’. Not only will you look much more impressive to people in your department, but you’ll also get the most out of your internship by learning more and immersing yourself fully into the experience.
9. Build Your Network
Medical internships can be hectic at times, but there are also several opportunities to work with other professionals and get to know them. Building quality relationships in your chosen country expands your network from your home country all over the world. Don’t just network within your elective, either - branch out and make as many connections as you can.
The stronger your network, the more people you’ll have who can teach you valuable skills in the future, share their experiences, and advise you on career goals. During your placement, a good network will also help you earn the best opportunities for learning.
10. Actively Seek Feedback and Self-Reflect
Feedback may sound intimidating, but it’s certainly not something to shy away from! Feedback helps you stay on track, improve your performance, and teach you how to become a better doctor.
Often ask your supervisor for feedback on your performance, and utilize their comments to reflect on your journey so far. Some questions to ask include:
- What are my strengths within this internship, and how do I want to use them?
- What weaknesses or gaps do I need to address?
- How will I seek feedback, and how will I act on it?
- How will I know I’ve grown at the end of the internship? What signs of progress should I look for?
Constantly checking in with yourself and making sure you’re on track to complete your goals is an excellent way to become the best medical intern in a different country.
Ready to Plan Your Abroad Medical Internship?
Internships are a valuable way to hone your skills while building new ones, network with other professionals, and gain real-world experience that will help your resume stand out during job opportunities. The better you succeed during your internship, the more insight, experience, and opportunities you’ll receive.
Ready to take the leap and become the best medical intern you can be? Take a look at our medical electives abroad to find your most exciting adventure yet.
