Explore our Medical Internships

Step into the world of medical internships with a grassroots organization, which will give you an insightful experience that links the field of healthcare and philanthropy. As an intern, you’ll find yourself at the intersection between gaining insight into life as a medical professional and committing to initiatives and programs that help disadvantaged communities. These internships are a valuable opportunity to dive into the important work of the medical field that is striving towards providing accessible quality health and bringing about lasting positive change.

Whether you’re a student enrolled in a medical program or have completed a degree in the medical field, these internships enable you to engage with determined healthcare professionals and volunteers. You will be working with a team that is united by a shared mission of improving the health of those most vulnerable. Medical field internships guarantee that you will gain real-world insight, expose yourself to a range of medical practices, and improve your clinical skills. Immerse yourself in initiatives like disease prevention, community outreach, and public health campaigns that enable you to have a holistic perspective of the medical field. Your role in this internship will enrich your medical knowledge and foster qualities of cultural sensitivity and compassion which are sure to shape your future career. Join the global effort to promote health equity through a medical internship abroad!

Read more about our Medical internships options

Why choose Roots Interns for Medical Internships?

Grassroots work

You’ll join an organization that works directly with their community to solve problems on the ground and make a real impact.

Matchmaking

We’ll help you find and prepare for an internship with the organization that’s right for you and your skills, background, and passions.

Academic placements

Working abroad is an experience like no other and your internship will be tailored to your studies and interests.

Browse All Medical Internship Projects

Medical interns in Malawi posing for a picture along with David the CEO.

Open for applications

Medical Internship

  • Min. 4 weeks
  • Mzuzu, Malawi
  • Community Health, Clinical Support, Health Education
Develop your medical skills through direct involvement in community healthcare projects.
Find out more
child with dentist

Open for applications

Community Public Health Internship

  • Min. 4 weeks
  • Central Highlands, Ecuador
  • Healthcare, Community Outreach, Field Work, Education
Deliver essential healthcare support to rural communities to gain hands-on public health experience in Ecuador’s Central Highlands.
Find out more
Intenr and locals singing and praying.

Open for applications

Traditional Medicine Internship

  • Min. 4 weeks
  • Archidona, Ecuador
  • Natural Medicine, Ethnobotany, Midwifery
Immerse yourself in the diverse world of traditional medicine and discover how your efforts can create lasting impacts within indigenous communities.
Find out more
Person in wheelchair

Open for applications

Rehabilitation Support Internship

  • Min. 4 weeks
  • Quito, Ecuador
  • Social Work, Therapy, Rehabilitation, Education
Contribute to the rehabilitation and care of people with disabilities, gaining hands-on experience across physical, cognitive, and psychosocial health services.
Find out more
a dentist checking a young girl's teeth in an outdoor medical mission

Open for applications

Medical Internship

  • Min. 8 weeks
  • Arequipa, Peru
  • Medical Examinations, Health Campaigns, Community Medicine
Expand your medical skills and help improve the health and nutrition of this Peruvian community to ensure an active and healthy life.
Find out more
Three smiling women wearing scrubs. Two of them have tote bags.

Open for applications

Medical Internship

  • Min. 2 weeks
  • Stone Town, Zanzibar, Tanzania
  • Healthcare, Clinical Practice, Medical Observations
Immerse yourself in hands-on nursing and medical care, working alongside experienced clinicians across diverse healthcare fields.
Find out more
doctor checking boy's heartbeat

Open for applications

Community Healthcare Internship

  • Min. 4 weeks
  • Puerto Inca, Peru
  • Medical, Healthcare, Community Outreach
Offer medical support and assistance at a local health center in the Peruvian Amazon.
Find out more

Related Academic Focus Areas

Benefits of Medical Internships

Shadowing experience

Joining a medical internship will expose you to the day-day of the medical profession, enabling you to see your academic theory put in practice.

Personal growth

Improve your qualities such as adaptability, leadership, compassion, and problem-solving skills that are significant in any healthcare environment. o

Community engagement

Participating in a healthcare internship will connect you directly with local communities to provide support and services that will contribute to the well-being of disadvantaged populations.

Make an impact

As an intern, you’ll participate in public health initiatives ranging from health education, to disease prevention, and campaigns that make a tangible difference on community health.

Resume enhancement

A medical internship will showcase your commitment to using your knowledge to improve the wellbeing of others, making you a standout applicant for future positions in the field.

Networking

Connect and build relationships with professionals and volunteers in the healthcare & NGO sectors to learn from their experiences and be inspired by their passion and dedication.

Best Places for Medical Internships

Why Choose Roots Internships in Medical Internships

Find out from our previous interns how internship positions in Medical Internships can boost your professional career and grow your interpersonal skills.

Kenya was never on top of my list for tourism. Initially overlooked, but later missed, my time in Kenya was rewarding and necessary. The beautiful people, welcoming environments, unbelievable nature, and support that came with the internship made this program important. We visited medical centres, children's homes, and senior care facilities. The most rewarding part was interacting with the kids in the organizations we visited. I chose to do this internship to step into international healthcare as I would like to work as a travel nurse. This really taught me about adaptability, cultural sensitivity, and how much connection there is... See More

Preesha, Canadian – University of Alberta

Medical Internship, Kenya

A major takeaway from my experience is that while medicine in South America may lag behind, the dedication of healthcare workers is unwavering—they always strive to provide the best care possible. I was inspired by the nurses’ thoughtful ways of engaging children, picking up small but powerful techniques to help kids take their medicine. One accomplishment I’m proud of is creating new diagnosis and treatment documents for every child. I was also honored to advise the president on AI implementation, ultimately helping to ensure technology matched the current realities on the ground.

Ian, American – University of Louisville

Medical Internship, Peru

Medical FAQs

WHO CAN APPLY FOR A MEDICAL INTERNSHIP?

Our medical internships have various focuses and require different experience and skill levels. So it depends on the specific opportunity you’re interested in – check out each individual internship listing to find out if you meet the requirements. If you’re not quite sure which internship is right for you, feel free to shoot us a message, and we’ll guide you through it.

WHY SHOULD I DO MY MEDICAL INTERNSHIP ABROAD?

Doing your medical internship abroad is a great way to expose yourself to different healthcare systems, diverse patient populations, and various medical practices which will broaden your understanding of international health challenges and solutions. It will inherently foster qualities such as resilience, adaptability, and problem-solving skills which are essential in the medical field. You’ll get the opportunity to work on projects that can make a significant impact on disadvantaged communities, as many international internships focus on public healthcare initiatives. As you’ll be living and working in a foreign country, you’ll also be challenging yourself to step out of your comfort zone and develop a greater sense of independence and self-confidence. It’s the perfect way to grow your resume and passport stamp collection!

WHAT CAN I EXPECT TO LEARN DURING MY MEDICAL INTERNSHIP?

A whole lot! No matter which internship you choose, you can expect to work alongside a determined team, doing important work on a grassroots level. You’ll learn to adapt to a variety of clinical settings such as hospitals, clinics, and community healthcare centers. You might encounter various medical challenges and complex patient cases which are sure to develop your critical thinking skills. Working with an international team in a new environment will grow a plethora of hard and soft skills that are sure to benefit you in the future. Overall, you can expect to gain a wide range of knowledge and skills that are crucial for a career in the medical field. Each internship offers a different experience which is described in further detail in the individual listings.

WHAT DOES THE APPLICATION PROCESS LOOK LIKE?

AnsweAre you ready to apply for one of our medical internships? Great! Here’s what to do;

  • If you know which internship you’d like to apply for, fill out the application form, and send your resume to internship[at]rootsinterns.com. If you’re interested in a variety of internships and you’re not sure which one would suit you best, send us an email with your interests and questions so we can help find the ideal internship for you and your goals!
  • Next, we’ll set up a short online call to discuss your application, find out more about you and what you’re hoping to get out of the experience, and answer any questions you may have about the process or specific opportunities.
  • We’ll then pass your application on to the person who would be your supervisor on the ground. If they think it might be a good match, there will be a second interview, which will go into more detail about the role.
  • If everyone’s happy, you’ll receive an internship offer, and if you accept it, we’ll start the process of organizing your placement!

HOW TO APPLY

If you’re ready to apply for this internship, here’s what to do:

APPLY

Fill in the application form and share your CV with us.

GET STARTED

CONNECT

We’ll set up a call to get to know a bit more about you and your internship goals.

MATCH

Your placement manager will confirm with the host organization that you are qualified for their current projects.

CONFIRM

When your host site confirms that your application is being given strong consideration, verify your interest with a USD $250 deposit.

ENROLL

Meet with your host organization and move forward with your new role. We’re excited to help you plan your international internship!

NEED TO MAKE AN ENQUIRY FIRST?

If you’d like to ask us some questions about our internships, fill in the contact form below. We’ll be happy to assist!

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