14 Medical Internships Abroad for Undergraduates
College internships play a critical role in shaping how employers and graduate schools view your academic profile. By applying classroom knowledge in professional settings, you build practical skills, demonstrate initiative, and strengthen your resume with experience that signals career readiness. Internships also help clarify whether a field aligns with your long-term goals, which is particularly valuable in demanding disciplines like medicine. For students considering healthcare pathways, early exposure to research labs, public health systems, and medical organizations can provide context that coursework alone cannot.
Why should I do a medical internship abroad as an undergraduate?
A medical internship abroad allows you to gain firsthand experience with healthcare systems that operate under different resources, policies, and patient needs than those at home. You develop adaptability, cross-cultural communication skills, and a broader understanding of global health challenges. These are qualities that medical schools, public health programs, and employers value. Working internationally also strengthens your professional profile by signaling independence, problem-solving ability, and comfort in unfamiliar environments. Many programs are centered on applied research, community health, or international policy, giving you experience that stands out in competitive applicant pools. Exposure to global medical settings can also help you identify specific interests within medicine, from laboratory research to population health.
With this in mind, we’ve curated a list of the 14 best medical internships abroad for undergraduates. Let’s dive in!
1. Research Internships in Science and Engineering (RISE) Germany
Location: Multiple universities and research institutions across Germany
Stipend: Paid, amount not specified
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Competitive; ~300 placements available each year
Dates: Start dates between May 15 and July 15; Duration from around 10 weeks up to 3 months
Application Deadline: November 30
Eligibility: Rising undergraduate juniors and seniors enrolled at universities in North America, the UK, or Ireland in fields such as biology, chemistry, computer science, physics, earth sciences, or engineering; completed at least 2 years of study
This medical internship for undergraduates allows you to spend a summer conducting research at a German university or research institute in fields that intersect with medicine, including neuroscience, immunology, and biomedicine. You select from a curated list of research projects and are matched with a doctoral student mentor who guides your work throughout the placement. Daily responsibilities typically include laboratory experiments, data analysis, and participation in group meetings within the host lab. Many students also prepare a formal presentation of their research for the concluding RISE conference. Participants receive a monthly stipend for three months, along with housing assistance from the host institution.
2. World Health Organization (WHO) Internship Programme
Location: WHO Headquarters, Geneva, Switzerland | Regional offices across the WHO African Region, WHO South-East Asia Region, WHO Region of the Americas, WHO Eastern Mediterranean Region, and WHO Western Pacific Region
Stipend: Some interns may receive a living allowance based on financial eligibility; Additional travel funding is provided for some interns from the least developed and middle-income countries
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Very competitive; ~50–100 interns at HQ at any given time
Dates: 6 – 24 weeks (Exact dates vary by regional locations and offices; Check website for regular updates)
Application Deadline: Rolling basis
Eligibility: Undergraduate, graduate, and postgraduate students who have completed at least three years of full-time study at a post-secondary institution prior to beginning the internship; at least 20 years old
The WHO Internship Programme places you within a headquarters or regional office to support ongoing work in global medicine and public health. You’ll apply to a specific posting, each with defined responsibilities that may focus on health emergencies, disease prevention, environmental health, or healthcare policy. You contribute to professional-level tasks such as research support, data review, communications, and administrative coordination. Depending on the role, you may assist with policy development, analyze regional health outcomes, or support public health campaigns. Through focused placements, you gain firsthand exposure to how global health initiatives are designed and implemented.
3. US/France International Research Experience in Chemistry: Forming Global Scientists for the 21st Century
Location: French partner institutions, includingthe University of Toulouse (Toulouse), the University of Strasbourg (Strasbourg), Sorbonne Université (Paris), and AgroParisTech (Reims)
Stipend: $6,000 + $1,000 travel allowance + up to $1,000 additional funding to attend the National Meeting of the American Chemical Society in the following year
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Extremely competitive; ~8–12 students per year
Dates: 11–12 weeks in May–August
Application Deadline: January 15
Eligibility: Current undergraduate students studying Chemistry, Biochemistry, or another relevant STEM field; Must be U.S. citizens or permanent residents (DACA students are eligible for some sites)
This international research experience places you in a French laboratory for approximately 11 to 12 weeks to work on a chemistry-based research project with medical relevance. You’ll get to collaborate with faculty members, postdoctoral researchers, and graduate students on topics such as biochemistry, organic chemistry, or materials science. The medical internship abroad for undergraduates is research-intensive, requiring prior laboratory experience and active engagement in a research plan. Many participants contribute to work that results in conference presentations or co-authored publications. Alongside lab work, you attend lectures and workshops covering advanced scientific methods and professional development. Students from underrepresented backgrounds in science are encouraged to apply.
4. United Nations Refugee Agency Internships – Healthcare Focus
Location: Internships at UNHCR Headquarters (Geneva, Switzerland); Global Service Centres (Amman, Jordan; Budapest, Hungary; Copenhagen, Denmark); and field country offices worldwide
Stipend: Paid for transportation and living expenses
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Very competitive; no fixed cohorts
Dates: Up to eight months for full-time or up to 12 months for part-time internships
Application Deadline: Rolling basis
Eligibility: Rising undergraduate juniors and seniors, graduate students, and recent graduates (up to 2 years post-graduation); Must study a field relevant to their intended placement; B2 level English proficiency required
UNHCR’s internship program allows you to support refugee health initiatives through placements that vary by location and department. You apply to individual postings, some of which focus specifically on medical care, disease prevention, or public health infrastructure. Depending on the assignment, your work may involve public health research, data analysis, communications support, or development of educational materials. Healthcare-focused interns may contribute to efforts addressing communicable disease prevention, immunization planning, or access to clean water and sanitation. The scope of responsibilities depends on the operational needs of the hosting office.
5. Public Health Research Institute of India Internships
Location: Public Health Research Institute of India, Mysore, India (and other field sites)
Cost/Stipend: Fee-Based / No stipend
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Moderately selective; typically 5–10 interns on-site at a time
Dates: 12 weeks in the summer (Typically May – July)
Application Deadline: Rolling basis
Eligibility: Undergraduates and postgraduates with a background in public health, biology, sociology, or medicine
PHRII offers 12-week internships that allow you to participate in public health and medical research addressing healthcare challenges in India. You work alongside research teams on projects that may involve clinical studies, laboratory research, or field-based public health investigations. You might get to contribute to project design, data collection, and analysis, depending on the scope of the study. Past research areas have included maternal health, cancer screening, and infectious disease prevalence. Opportunities are available in both in-person and virtual formats, accommodating international participants.
6. Minority Health and Health Disparities Research Training (MHRT) Program
Location: Multiple international research sites in Latin America and the Caribbean (Bolivia, Brazil, Colombia, Costa Rica, Dominican Republic, Jamaica, Mexico, Peru) via the University of Miami School of Nursing & Health Studies
Stipend: Paid, amount not specified
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Competitive; approximately 10–15 students per university hub
Dates: 10–12 weeks (Late May – August)
Application Deadline: November 30
Eligibility: Undergraduate (rising juniors and seniors), graduate, or professional students studying nursing, public health, medicine, or other health sciences; minimum GPA of 3.0
The MHRT Program combines domestic training with international research focused on health disparities affecting minority populations. You’ll begin with a two-week research institute at the University of Miami, followed by 10 weeks of mentored research at one of several international partner sites. Research topics often include cancer outcomes, behavioral health, migrant family health, and healthcare access. After completing the international placement, you return for a final seminar week focused on research dissemination and career planning. Participants continue working with mentors beyond the program to pursue publications and conference presentations.
7. UNICEF Internship Programme — Medical/Health Placements
Location: UNICEF offices worldwide
Stipend: Monthly stipend plus one-time sum to support travel and visa costs
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Very competitive; no fixed cohorts
Dates: 6 – 26 weeks; full-time or part-time
Application Deadline: Rolling basis
Eligibility: Students enrolled in an undergraduate, graduate, or PhD program, or recent graduates (up to 2 years post-graduation); must be at least 18 years old and have no immediate relatives working for UNICEF; proficiency in English, French, or Spanish required
UNICEF’s Medical & Health internships place you within global or regional offices working on child health and humanitarian initiatives. Each internship has a defined location and scope, requiring you to apply directly to specific postings. Health-focused roles may involve program implementation, communications, or digital resource development related to nutrition, immunization, or disease prevention. You might find yourself analyzing malnutrition data to target food aid in conflict zones, designing social media campaigns to combat vaccine hesitancy, or mapping community health resources in remote districts. You are expected to contribute professional-level work that supports large-scale health programs.
8. CNIO Summer Training Programme (Spain)
Location: Spanish National Cancer Research Centre (CNIO), Madrid, Spain
Stipend: Paid, amount not specified
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Extremely competitive; 6–8 students globally
Dates: June 23 – August 14
Application Deadline: Late March
Eligibility: Undergraduates in Life Sciences/Biomedicine who have passed 2/3 of their total credits and maintain student status during the summer
In this program, you become a junior investigator at one of Europe's premier cancer institutes. You will join a high-level research unit, such as Molecular Oncology or Structural Biology, to manage your own bench experiments. You will spend your weeks mastering complex laboratory techniques like CRISPR gene editing, protein purification, or flow cytometry, while also engaging in weekly scientific seminars with global experts. You will be required to defend your findings in a formal final presentation, simulating a professional scientific conference. By the end, you will have developed the critical reasoning skills to design medical experiments and the confidence to communicate technical data.
9. Vienna BioCenter Summer School (Austria)
Location: Vienna BioCenter, Vienna, Austria
Stipend: €1,400 after tax
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Extremely selective; typically 20–30 students globally
Dates: 9 weeks between early July and late August
Application Deadline: Late January
Eligibility: Undergraduate students who have completed at least 2 years of university study (BA/BSc/MSc) in Life Sciences, must have 3 months of prior research experience
This program introduces you to one of Europe’s biggest research hubs, where you will be assigned a faculty mentor and a research project in fields like molecular biology, neuroscience, or immunology. Your daily routine will involve designing and executing experiments, such as using CRISPR/Cas9 or advanced microscopy, analyzing your own data, and troubleshooting real-time scientific problems. Beyond the lab, you will attend a lecture series and social events, culminating in a scientific symposium where you must present your findings to the entire faculty. This program is invaluable for a medical career because it teaches you the rigorous evidence-based thinking required for diagnostics.
10. United Nations Development Programme Internships – Public Health Focus
Location: Global (170+ countries); Health teams often based in Geneva, New York, Istanbul, or Copenhagen
Stipend: Paid, amount not specified
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Highly competitive; no fixed cohorts
Dates: Internships can last up to 6 or 9 months; shorter internships are also offered
Application Deadline: Rolling basis
Eligibility: Undergraduates in the final year of a Bachelor’s degree (Rising Senior) or enrolled in a Master’s program
UNDP’s internship program places you in country offices, regional hubs, or headquarters to support development initiatives that include public health. Health-focused internships often align with UNDP’s work on disease prevention, healthcare access, and health equity. Your days might involve analyzing epidemiological data for a new report, drafting policy briefs on access to essential medicines, or coordinating stakeholders for a planetary health initiative. This internship is unique because it teaches you the "macro" side of medicine; you will learn how international funding, governance, and human rights intersect to create functioning healthcare systems.
11. CFHI Global Health in Uganda (Kabale)
Location: Kabale, Southwestern Uganda (Partnering with Kigezi Healthcare Foundation - KIHEFO)
Cost: $2,975 for 4 weeks (Fees vary by duration; excludes airfare); scholarships are available / No stipend
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Open enrollment; typically 4–10 students per month
Dates: Monthly Start Dates (E.g., March 7, August 1, September 5, and more))
Application Deadline: Rolling basis
Eligibility: Undergraduates aged 19+; open to Pre-Med, Public Health, and Nursing students.
In this program, you will work at the Kigezi Healthcare Foundation (KIHEFO) in rural southwestern Uganda on healthcare challenges. You will rotate through HIV/AIDS clinics and maternal health wards, observing how local physicians manage complex cases with limited diagnostics. A core component of this internship involves leaving the clinic to travel with "Village Health Teams" for home visits, where you will see firsthand how nutrition, water access, and poverty dictate patient outcomes before they ever reach a doctor. This experience forces you to better understand the social determinants of health in a deprived economy.
12. EPFL School of Life Sciences Summer Research (Switzerland)
Location: Ecole Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne (EPFL), Lausanne, Switzerland
Stipend: CHF 3,600
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Highly selective; ~20–25 students globally
Dates: July 3 – August 27
Application Deadline: November 15
Eligibility: Undergraduates who have completed at least 2 years of a Bachelor’s degree; must be an enrolled student during the program; GPA ≥ 3.75/4.0 strongly recommended
In this program, you will be part of one of the world's most advanced bioengineering ecosystems and work on biological problems. You will join a senior research group to lead a dedicated project, using cutting-edge technologies like optogenetics, varying-field nuclear magnetic resonance, or CRISPR-Cas9 gene editing. Your routine will balance laboratory work with professional development workshops every Friday, where you will refine your scientific writing and career planning. The program culminates in the Closing Symposium, where you synthesize your 8 weeks of data into a professional poster presentation and defend it before faculty and peers.
13. OIST Research Internship Program (Japan)
Location: Okinawa Institute of Science and Technology (OIST), Okinawa, Japan
Stipend: 2,400 JPY per working day
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Highly competitive; typically small cohorts per unit
Dates: Fall: October 1 – March 31
Application Deadline: Fall: April 15
Eligibility: Students in the last 2 years of an undergraduate or Master’s program, or recent graduates
In this program, you will join a specific research unit, such as the G0 Cell Unit or the Human Developmental Neurobiology Unit, to investigate the molecular and genetic roots of diseases. You might spend your days utilizing advanced imaging technology to map neuronal circuits, analyzing genomic data to understand cancer cell proliferation, or modeling pathogen spread. This program treats you like a visiting scholar rather than a student; you are expected to contribute valid data to the lab’s ongoing projects. By the end, you will have developed biomedical techniques and learned how to collaborate in a truly global, scientific community.
14. Nanyang Technological University Global Connect Fellowship (Singapore)
Location: Nanyang Technological University (NTU), Singapore
Stipend: SGD 5,000
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Moderately competitive; typically 50–100 fellows globally
Dates: July 1 – August 31
Application Deadline: February 15
Eligibility: Graduating Bachelor’s or Master’s students; open to all disciplines
In this internship, you will work under faculty mentorship at NTU or the Lee Kong Chian School of Medicine, where you will contribute to investigations in fields ranging from biomedical engineering to public health analytics. You will analyze clinical data sets, test new bioactive compounds, or develop health-tech wearables. The program features the "Global Connect" component, which pairs your lab work with professional masterclasses and social networking events designed to build bridges between future leaders from different continents. By the end, you will have gained rigorous technical skills and a professional network in Singapore’s thriving biotech ecosystem.
Bonus: Ladder University Internship Program
Location: Remote
Cost/Stipend: Cost varies depending on the program type; financial aid is available / No stipend
Acceptance rate/cohort size: 10–25%; 70–100 students
Dates: Multiple cohorts throughout the year, including Spring, Summer, Fall, and Winter
Application Deadline: Varies by cohort: Spring (January), Summer (May), Fall (September), and Winter (November)
Eligibility: Undergraduates and gap year students who can work for 10–20 hours/week for 8–12 weeks
The Ladder University Internship Program offers remote, part-time internships that can complement international study or travel. You are matched with a startup or nonprofit, including organizations working in health technology or mental health. Interns contribute directly to organizational projects while receiving mentorship from a company coach. The flexible structure allows you to balance professional work with academic or international commitments. Projects typically span several weeks and conclude with a formal presentation to organizational leadership. The internship is conducted entirely online, which provides practical experience without requiring physical relocation. Apply now!