15 Medical Programs for High School Students Abroad
Medical programs are solid (and accessible) opportunities for high school students interested in exploring careers in healthcare. You can gain experience in medical roles across research and clinical care. These programs allow you to learn medical concepts, observe healthcare settings, and learn from professionals. Many opportunities for high schoolers are offered by top universities, hospitals, and reputable organizations, making them reliable options.
Why should I participate in a medical program abroad in high school?
Medical programs abroad, such as internships and volunteer programs, give you a unique experience that can help you stand out in college admissions. You can shadow licensed medical professionals across specialties such as pediatrics, surgery, and emergency medicine, working in countries like Nepal, Tanzania, and Peru. Medical programs abroad allow you to observe different healthcare systems and learn essential skills like measuring vital signs and assisting in community outreach. Beyond clinical skills, you will build valuable connections with international healthcare experts, which can broaden your perspective on medicine.
To make the search easier for you, we’ve curated a list of the top 15 medical programs for high school students abroad, highlighting those that combine practical learning with mentorship.
1. Immerse Education’s Medicine Track
Location: London, New York, San Francisco, and Tokyo
Cost: Varies according to program; financial aid is available
Dates: 2 weeks during the summer
Application Deadline: Multiple summer cohorts with rolling admissions
Eligibility: High school students aged 15-18
The Career Insights Program lets high school students explore careers in major global industry hubs. The medicine track based in London and Tokyo is designed to help you gain a global perspective in the field of medical science with respect to the UK and Asia. Participants engage in project-based learning with established companies, attend interactive workshops, and visit offices, factories, and headquarters. The program also includes in-person weekly 1:1 career coaching sessions and sessions where you will receive personalized feedback on your resume and overall profile. You’ll also present your findings to industry experts at the end of the program. You can find more details about the application here!
2. Medicine Summer School Cambridge
Location: Oxford Royale Academy, Cambridge, UK
Cost: £6,995
Dates: July 5 – 18; July 19 – August 1
Application Deadline: Rolling basis
Eligibility: Students aged either 12 – 15 years old, or 16 – 18 years old who have an English level of C1 or above on the CEFR (or equivalent, such as IELTS 6.5 or higher)
The Medicine Summer School at Oxford Royale serves as an early, immersive introduction to medicine, anatomy, and health sciences for high school students. Hosted on the historic campus of the University of Cambridge, you will participate in lectures, medical-simulation labs, anatomy & physiology studies, and case study workshops. You will explore lessons on how the human body works and what it takes to diagnose and treat illnesses. There are hands-on experiences like practical simulations, physical exams, first-aid exercises, and doctor-role scenarios. Overall, a prestigious two-week pre-college experience for students who want a meaningful preview of medical studies.
3. Lite Regal Education – Medical School Preparation
Location: Multiple sites in Cambridge, Oxford, or London, UK
Cost: Varies per duration, ranges from £5,995 to £14,325; scholarships are available
Dates: Multiple 2, 4, and 6-week sessions between July and August
Application Deadline: Rolling admissions
Eligibility: High school students aged 15 to 18 who demonstrate a good level of English
This is a rigorous pre-college medical experience held in historic university settings like the University of Cambridge, University of Oxford, or other London-based institutions. Over the multiple weeks of the course, you will dive into core pre-med topics like anatomy, physiology, medical ethics, and diagnostic reasoning. Alongside these sessions, you will take workshops on topics like basic life support, suturing, and simulated clinical scenarios. Beyond the academics, the program also offers support for medical school applications and provides ample exposure to the lifestyle of prospective medical students.
4. Richer Education Face-to-Face Pre-Medicine Summer Camps
Location: Imperial College London, London, UK
Cost: £995
Dates: June 29 – August 14
Application Deadline: Rolling admissions
Eligibility: Students aged 13 – 17
Richer Education’s Pre-Medicine Summer Camps offer adolescents a structured, classroom-based introduction to medicine and health sciences. Held at Imperial College London, you will participate in daily sessions that cover foundational topics like human anatomy, physiology, genetics, microbiology, public health, and basic clinical thinking. These sessions are guided by medical school professionals, guiding you as you learn through interactive lessons, group discussions, and problem-solving tasks. This program emphasizes simulating medical school-style learning. Groups are kept in small tutor-to-student ratios to encourage engagement and personalized attention.
5. Oxford Medicine Summer School
Location: University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
Cost: £6,995
Dates: July 5 – 18; July 19 – August 1; August 2 – 15
Application Deadline: Rolling admissions
Eligibility: High school students aged 16 – 18 with English language requirements: B1 or EFL courses | B2 or IELTS level 5.5 – 6.5 for IELTS Preparation | C1 or IELTS level 6.5 or higher for all academic courses
The Oxford Medicine Summer School offers an immersive introduction to biology, anatomy, genetics, neuroscience, and emergency medicine. You will sit through lectures, simulations, and workshops led by experienced tutors and lecturers. Through their instruction, you will learn how medical knowledge is applied in practice. You will also learn about the different roles in the healthcare profession, and receive guidance on applying to future medical schools. The program fosters leadership, communication, and confidence, all while navigating fundamental topics in the medical field.
6. Imperial College Medicine and Life Sciences Summer School
Location: Imperial College London, London, UK
Cost: £7,695
Dates: Session 1: June 29 – July 10; Session 2: August 3 – August 14
Application Deadline: Rolling admissions
Eligibility: High school students aged 16 to 17 with a strong academic record and proficiency in English (in line with the college's Standard Level for undergraduate programmes)
In this program, you will engage with subject-specific learning to work towards a collaborative project for two weeks. In the first week, St. Mary’s Hospital staff and experts will teach you clinical skills such as the ABCDE assessment, CPR, blood pressure, glucose measurement, urine dipstick analysis, genetic experiments, diagnosing kidney disorders, and more. Alongside these, you will take part in medicine sessions to learn about life science from professional instructors. In the second week, you will join your peers from other academic streams to take part in the “Innovation Challenge.” Here, you will apply your learnings in a team setting, with the guidance of industry experts.
7. International Medical Aid – Global Healthcare Internships
Location: Various international sites in Kenya, Peru, Uganda, Tanzania, India, and others
Cost: Varies by session; merit-based scholarships and financial assistance are available
Dates: Year–round sessions between 2 – 12 weeks
Application Deadline: Rolling admissions
Eligibility: High school students who are 16 and above by program start
IAM’s high school medical internships for high school students give teens a rare opportunity to step into real clinical settings abroad. You will be shadowing doctors and healthcare teams rotating through departments like general medicine, pediatrics, emergency care, and women’s health. Alongside hospital shadowing, you will also participate in global health seminars, community outreach, and public health campaigns. You also receive language instruction in your chosen area as you engage with local communities. Overall, this experience makes for a worldly opportunity with an emphasis on global health awareness.
8. MedLife Volunteer Abroad Program
Location: Various international locations like Peru, Ecuador, Costa Rica, Tanzania, Guatemala
Cost: Varies per destination; fundraising support, discounts, rewards, and scholarships are available
Dates: Typically structured around summer or school-break periods
Application Deadline: Rolling admissions
Eligibility: All high school students
MedLife offers high school and teen volunteers an opportunity to go abroad to experience medical service in underserved communities. You will take part in medical outreach, mobile clinics, infrastructure, and public health projects. As volunteers, you will work alongside local health professionals and community members to provide patient care. Activities include mobile clinics, assisting with community health initiatives, helping with infrastructure or educational support, and engaging in public health and social impact efforts. Overall, MedLife offers a good way to gain exposure to global health issues, learn about healthcare delivery in low-resource settings, and develop empathy, cultural awareness, and service-oriented skills.
9. Projects Abroad - Medical Internship for Teenagers in Sri Lanka
Location: Sri Lanka
Cost: $3,075
Dates: July 5 – 18; July 19 – August 1
Application Deadline: Rolling admissions
Eligibility: High school students aged 15 – 18
In this program, you will shadow doctors and nurses inside the hospital and community clinics, gaining exposure in general medicine, pediatrics, and traditional care. Apart from hospital observation, you will also participate in community health outreach programs where you will conduct basic health checks and teach health education to under-resourced communities. This program combines real-world medical exposure with cultural immersion, as you’ll also live with local host families, explore Sri Lankan history and culture, and participate in local excursions. It is a strong choice for any student interested in exploring medicine and public health with global health pathways.
10. Costa Rica Healthcare Education and Medical Outreach
Location: Costa Rica
Cost: $4,795 + airfare; scholarships are available
Dates: July 10 – 20
Application Deadline: Rolling admissions
Eligibility: High school students finishing grades 9 – 12, aged 14 – 18
In the Travel for Teens’ Costa Rica outreach program, you will engage in public health and medical service work in a tropical, low-resource setting. You will assist local clinics and outreach initiatives via tasks including taking patient vitals, organizing pharmaceuticals, supporting adult-disability support groups, and helping with health education or wellness programs under supervision. This program is a good mix of healthcare service, community outreach, and global awareness. As you live with peers in supervised accommodation, you get to explore Costa Rica’s nature and culture and learn more about the public health challenges that underserved communities face.
11. Our Generation Voluntary Organisation – International Health Internship
Location: Multiple cities in Ghana
Cost: $250 – $300 per week, depending on duration
Dates: Year–round, can last from 1 week to 6 months
Application Deadline: Rolling admissions
Eligibility: All high school students
OGVO’s International Health Internship gives high school students the opportunity to observe and engage with healthcare work in real clinics and hospitals in Ghana. Under the supervision of local doctors and nurses, you’ll experience a variety of medical departments like general care, pediatrics, maternity, mental health, and emergency care. Commonly, you will assist with basic healthcare tasks, participate in community outreach, and help out in public health education campaigns. Overall, this is a decent way for students interested in medicine to get meaningful exposure to healthcare in the context of a developing country.
12. International Volunteer HQ – Medical Campaign in Nepal
Location: Multiple sites in Kathmandu, Pokhara, and Chitwan, Nepal
Cost: $485 per week + $329 registration fee
Dates: 1-week programs often coinciding with the first and third Monday of the month
Application Deadline: Rolling admissions
Eligibility: High school students who are 18 years or older
The Nepal Medical Campaign allows students to witness and support healthcare delivery in rural and underserved communities across Nepal. You will volunteer in hospitals, clinics, and outreach campaigns. You will also visit several communities or hospital sites during the week. You will help with tasks such as basic health checks, general patient support, health education outreach, and observing medical staff. This program is a good choice for students seriously considering medicine or global health, since it provides an early, firsthand exposure to healthcare contexts in a global perspective.
13. Projects Abroad – Medical Internship in Spain for Teenagers
Location: Valencia, Spain
Cost: $4,835
Dates: June 28 – July 11; July 19 – August 1; December 6 – 19
Application Deadline: Rolling basis
Eligibility: High school students aged 15 – 18
This internship offers high school students an opportunity to explore medicine abroad by shadowing doctors and medical staff in hospitals and clinics in Valencia, Spain. As an intern, you will observe different medical specialties and attend workshops tailored for teens. Workshop topics include basic medical skills and patient interaction. This program balances clinical observation and community health service, having you participate in public health outreach in local communities. The fee also covers accommodation, meals, supervised placement, and activities. This program provides decent early exposure and a unique cross-cultural experience that you can bring to the table in your future studies.
14. The Friends for Asia Foundation - Medical Internship in Thailand
Location: Bangkok or Chiang Mai, Thailand
Cost: $850 – $2,096 depending on the duration (One to six weeks)
Dates: Flexible start dates
Application Deadline: Rolling admissions
Eligibility: High school students aged 14 – 18
Volunteer Thailand offers an international medical internship open to high school students abroad, where you will shadow doctors and nurses in hospitals in Bangkok or Chiang Mai, giving you valuable exposure to clinical settings in an Asian healthcare context. You will follow experienced medical professionals on daily rounds. This program provides exposure to patient consultations, treatments, surgeries, and hospital workflows. Though the role is primarily observational, the program offers you the chance to see medical practices firsthand and gain cross-cultural awareness. This is ideal for high school students or gap year students exploring pre-med paths, offering a meaningful introduction to medicine beyond what you can get from textbooks.
15. Masaryk University Medical Summer School
Location: Masaryk University, Brno, Czechia
Cost: €1,000
Dates: Session 1: July 6 – 11; Session 2: August 19 – 22
Application Deadline: Typically, July/August
Eligibility: All high school students
Masaryk University’s Medical Summer School allows high schoolers to enter a university-level medical environment for a week. You will get hands-on exposure to anatomy, biomedical labs, and simulated clinical education settings. You will explore what it feels like to study medicine. Program activities include attending lectures, working in simulation center labs, and using real medical education facilities. You will also live for a week in student dorms and experience medical school student lifestyles in Europe. The program is a compact but meaningful preview of medical study, offering you a chance to test your interest and gain knowledge useful for future applications.
Looking for an immersive internship experience? Check out Ladder Internships!
Ladder Internships is a selective, virtual internship program where students work with startups and nonprofits from around the world! The startups range across a variety of industries. As part of their internship, each student will work on a real-world project that is of genuine need to the startup they are working with, and present their work at the end of their internship. Apply now!
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