Everything You Need to Find Medical Internships in Africa

Composed of 54 countries, each with their own cultural heritage Africa is filled with many incredible opportunities for one to work, live and relax. Travelling to any African country will expose you to encounters beyond what you would consider normal in your native country. This makes it interesting for people interested in undertaking a medical internship here.

Medical internships in Africa are ideal opportunities for getting holistic experiences. The blend of the diverse cultures, heritage and interaction with the local community offers one an experience  that is life changing. If you are considering a medical internship in Africa, the following insights will help you to settle for Africa:

Medical internships in Africa FAQs

Why intern in medicine in Africa?

Africa is one of the hottest destinations for internships abroad, and it’s particularly great for aspiring medical professionals because of the sheer variety of work—and impact—you can have while there.

The clinical facilities across different African countries provide you with a unique opportunity for extensive hands-on experience and educative shadowing for those in pre-health training (highly dependent on your level of study). Hospital rotations allow participants to spend time in different departments and learn about various specializations and what delivery of care in them entails. The presence of tropical diseases and other communicable diseases, as well as inadequate resources, are key attributes that present unique opportunity for you to be exposed to. 

Beyond the hospital, there’s variety of cultural immersion opportunities and adventure treks to experience—yummy foods to try, animals to ogle, people to befriend. If you’ve ever dreamt of learning KiSwahili or learning more about Africa’s colonialist past, now’s your chance. To see a developing country’s medical system at work will give you a lot to think about and hopefully inspire you to build a career that focuses on helping those with less access to services than you.

How much does it cost?

The journey to travel abroad for a medical internship requires significant amount of planning. Getting your finances right makes it possible for you to make every aspect of your trip successful. These aspects include flights, accommodation and meals, transport, your program fees local excursions and safari expeditions just to mention a few. Depending on how you choose to organize for your program—either on your own or through a placement organization (the hassle free option)—the costs will vary. 

Program costs and packages also vary from one organization to another, ranging from US ~$2000 when using a provider in an all-inclusive package, to US ~$500 in partial packages (such as placement only, with no community, airport pick ups, 24/7 help, etc.).

What are the requirements for interning in medicine in Africa?

To undertake an internship in Africa, you will need to be enrolled to a healthcare training course if you are seeking to undertake a healthcare elective e.g Medical Elective, Nursing Elective among others and for those seeking to undertake a healthcare shadowing internship you will need to be undertaking a Pre-health related undergraduate training program. You may be required, as part of your application to the various programs, to submit a recommendation letter from your school and your resume.

Can you find healthcare internships in Africa without a degree?

Different programs and organizations have different requirements, however it is possible to find a healthcare internship without a degree. Those who have graduated in high school with majors in one of the sciences are also eligible to undertake pre health shadowing programs while those in undergrad or graduate studies can participate prior their attaining a degree with a proper proof of student status. 

What types of projects will I work as a medical intern?

You will spend your time shadowing medical staff, sitting in on patient consultations and getting to experience the life of a local healthcare professional. Most hospitals have different setup in terms of facilities and equipment. You will get first-hand experience on how doctors and other healthcare staff members handle challenging situations and the improvisation that comes into play. 

You will get to see different medical procedures and learn how to diagnose and administer treatment to different diseases.  Other duties that will perform as you shadow a healthcare practitioner will include carrying out health checks, like measuring blood sugar and blood pressure levels, dressing wounds, and dealing with communicable diseases.

To enrich your experience abroad, try to participate in medical outreach and education opportunities, which may entail hosting oral hygiene clinics, teaching school children reproductive health, and running diagnostic clinics to the communities. 

You may also attend global health lectures conducted by the local healthcare staff. The healthcare tutorials will help you learn valuable knowledge on worldwide health areas such as HIV/AIDS, Malaria, factors affecting health in the community and much more.

Where can I find vetted medical internships in Africa?

Numerous placement organizations provide hassle-free healthcare internships in Africa in collaboration with various healthcare institutions across different African countries. To find your ideal travel destination for your medical internship abroad, browse dozens of options in our directory of medical internship programs in Africa.

[Browse ALL Medical & Healthcare Internships Abroad in Africa]

Be sure to read reviews from past healthcare interns to get the inside scoop on what the overall experience is like. You’ll increase your odds of finding the right program for you if you have already determined your personal goals for the experience. Do you care about comfort? Access to amenities? An immersive internship experience? Using English at work? Think hard about what you want to accomplish to find the program that can help you get there.

Is it safe to intern in Africa?

It is very safe to intern in Africa, but you need to be street smart.

This is one of the best perks of interning in Africa through a program provider, as they will have specific systems and protocols for any unfortunate situations that arise.

As a visitor, you must be respectful when interacting with the local cultures. This may mean covering up knees and shoulders, or accepting generous offers of hospitality. Use your sensibilities when determining the safety level of a given activity—only use vetted vendors for things like white water rafting the Nile, and avoid staying out by yourself after dark.

When researching a placement organizer for your medical internship programs, keep safety top of mind and only choose to travel with reputable organizations that emphasize participant safety—always. 

Next steps to intern in medicine in Africa

Don't pack your mosquito net juuuust yet. There are a few items on your internship to do list you should check off first.

• Where will you intern in Africa? There are plenty of different regions to explore while interning in Africa. Do you seek the Indian-influenced spices of the East? The braii of South Africa? Something Frenchy in Ghana or Senegal? Choose a place that’s right for you and your goals.
• Decide when to go. Give your calendar a good-hard look and figure out what time of year—and how long—you want to live in Africa as an intern.
• Choose from the best intern abroad programs. Pay attention to past participants’ reviews, program/job reputation, location, and your ease of getting settled. Some providers may even provide contact info for past interns if you want the REAL dirt. Here's more advice on how to find the perfect program provider for you. Pro tip: You can use MyGoAbroad to compare programs side-by-side.
• Plan your finances. Sort out your on-going funding before you go to afford daily essentials and splurge in travel (in addition to program costs and airfare). Do your research to have an idea of how much your day-to-day life in Africa will cost, and get to work on learning how to pay for your international internship.
• Get prepared. Preparing to intern abroad is as fun as it sounds. With the days til departure number dwindling and your excitement boiling, it can be easy to overlook the details. Lean on us to help guide you through your pre-departure process—that's what we're here for.

Now’s your chance to find medical internships in Africa!

Africa is an amazing continent for you to visit. If you’re interested in completing medical internships in Africa, then nothing should stop you. To this end there is a uniquely flavored culture and an unparalleled adventure feel for your experience. Come and dive-deep into the clinical opportunities that are custom-tailored to meet your objectives and present for you a lifetime adventure!

Get Matched with 5 Medical Internships in Africa for FREE

Elective Africa is renowned for offering healthcare internships abroad in Africa with over 16 years of experience. They operate in Kenya and Tanzania, offering you the opportunity to complete your medical internship abroad in one of Africa's most vibrant regions.