15 International Medical Internships for Undergraduates
- Stephen Turban
- Nov 2
- 13 min read
For college students, internships are one of the most effective ways to gain practical experience, reinforce academic learning, and expand their professional network. They not only help you apply classroom knowledge in real-world settings but also demonstrate initiative and skills.
For those interested in medicine, pursuing international medical internships for undergraduates can be a particularly valuable experience. These programs expose students to healthcare systems around the world, offering opportunities to shadow professionals, contribute to ongoing research, and gain insight into the challenges of global medicine. The combination of hands-on experience, professional rigor, and cross-cultural learning makes them an excellent stepping stone toward a medical or public health career.
In this guide, we’ve curated 15 international medical internships for undergraduates, selected for their academic rigor, mentorship opportunities, and global impact. Whether you want to explore clinical research, contribute to community health initiatives, or assist in pharmaceutical development, these international medical internships for undergraduates offer impactful professional exposure and networking opportunities.
If you’re looking for additional selective opportunities, check out our related guides here.
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
Cost/Stipend: Some interns may receive a living allowance based on financial eligibility | Additional travel funding is provided for some interns from least developed and middle-income countries
Dates: 6 – 24 weeks | Exact dates vary by regional locations and offices; check their site for regular updates
Application Deadline: Rolling
Eligibility: Students who have completed at least three years of full-time study at a post-secondary institution prior to beginning the internship; undergraduate, graduate and postgraduate students are eligible | Applicants should be studying a field relevant to their chosen internship and WHO’s work | Students must be at least 20 years old | For international placements, you must have fluency in at least one of the office’s working languages (mostly English)
The World Health Organisation offers international internship opportunities for undergraduates to combine their interests in medicine and public health on a global scale. You’ll apply to a specialized posting at WHO’s Headquarters or a Regional Office, each entailing unique project focuses and tasks centered around global medicine from health emergencies to policy. Interns are expected to contribute to professional-level work, assisting global health professionals and policy specialists with research, administrative, and communications projects. Assignments could include contributing to international healthcare policy campaigns, researching medical outcomes in your placement region, or studying the implications of environmental changes for global health.
Location: Public Health Research Institute of India, Mysore, India (and other field sites)
Cost/Stipend: Unpaid
Dates: 12 weeks (typically in May - July)
Application Deadline: Varies | Check the institute’s website for current deadlines
Eligibility: Undergraduate, graduate, and professional students | Relevant experience to planned research project is preferred
The Public Health Research Institute of India offers research-focused medical internships for undergraduates interested in improving public health conditions in economically disadvantaged regions of the country. You will collaborate with a public health research team to undertake a project aimed at enhancing medical outcomes in India. Your work will span the project lifecycle from designing the scope and approach of your study to collecting data from residents and analyzing your findings. Projects are highly personalized, past topics have included studying birth outcomes in rural pregnant women, evaluating cervical screening programs, and HPV prevalence. Professional development opportunities may include attending global health conferences, meeting leaders from global health NGOs, and receiving guidance on pursuing medical and graduate studies. You will build skills in research methodology, cross-cultural communication and gain direct exposure to global health challenges in emerging economies.
Location: Multiple universities and research institutions across Germany
Cost/Stipend: Monthly scholarship of €992 for full months + travel allowance (~ €160) for the RISE conference
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 | Knowledge of German is not required, but may be helpful
Germany’s RISE program, hosted through the broader German Academic Exchange Service, pairs undergraduate students interested in science and medicine with international internship opportunities across Germany. Each year, RISE develops a list of up to 300 research project placements across STEM for applicants to choose from. Undergraduates seeking medical experience can pursue options in neuroscience, immunology, or biomedicine. You will then be paired with doctoral students, who will provide mentorship and guidance throughout the research process. You will engage in hands-on experiments, data analysis, weekly lab meetings and often present your work at a culminating RISE conference. The programme also offers cultural immersion and networking with a broad international peer cohort.
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
Cost/Stipend: Stipend provided (exact amount varies by year)
Dates: 13 weeks over the summer
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 | Students from underrepresented groups in healthcare or biomedical sciences are prioritized
The Minority Health and Health Disparities Research Training Program hosts undergraduate researchers for international internships focused on medical and healthcare disparities of minority populations. After completing a 2-week Intensive Global Health Disparities Summer Research Institute at the University of Miami, you will travel to one of MHRT’s partner sites across eight potential country placements. You will complete 10 weeks of intensive research under the guidance of a mentor, with topics including cancer diagnosis, hospital-home transitional care, and behavioural health in migrant families. You will then return to Miami for the final week, where you will present your research and attend programming on planning a career in the field. You will have additional professional development opportunities, including extended contact with your mentor, where you will be supported in publishing your research, presenting at conferences, and identifying future research opportunities.
Location: University of Puerto Rico - Río Piedras, Río Piedras, PR
Cost/Stipend: ~$7,000 stipend + free housing + additional funding for travel and meals
Dates: May 25 - August 1
Application Deadline: February 28
Eligibility: Current undergraduate students at 2- or 4-year U.S. or Puerto Rico colleges majoring in chemistry or related fields | Must be U.S. citizens or permanent residents | Students attending minority-serving institutions or schools with limited research opportunities are particularly encouraged
The Chemical Learning Integrated in Materials and Biomolecular Applications program brings students to Puerto Rico for two months of hands-on research under the guidance of researchers from the University of Puerto Rico. Undergraduates interested in the development of medical treatment technologies can pursue projects in drug discovery and delivery through biomolecular engineering synthesis and assessment. You will additionally take on coursework in research ethics, designing and delivering research presentations, and preparing applications for research funding. Career development support includes networking with professional researchers and industry professionals to learn about pathways in the field of biotechnology and molecular engineering, as well as guidance on preparing for and applying to graduate school.
Location: French partner institutions including University of Toulouse (Toulouse), University of Strasbourg (Strasbourg), Sorbonne Université (Paris) and AgroParisTech (Reims)
Cost/Stipend: $6,000 stipend + $1,000 travel allowance + free housing and up to $1,000 additional funding to attend the National Meeting of the American Chemical Society in the following year
Dates: 11-12 weeks over the summer, usually in May-August
Application Deadline: January 20
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) | Applicants should have some prior research experience | Students from traditionally underserved/underrepresented backgrounds are encouraged to apply
Undergraduates looking for international medical research opportunities can consider the International Research Experience in Chemistry, where you’ll travel to France for a three-month internship experience. You will be placed at one of the program’s partner institutions in France to work with a team of professors, postdocs, and graduate students on a chemistry research project. Medicine-focused opportunities are available through specializations in biochemistry, organic chemistry, and materials science. As a highly intensive program, many former students have been listed as co-authors on publications resulting from their research team’s work. Outside of your research, you will network with professional researchers, attend lectures and workshops on advanced topics in chemistry, and participate in social activities.
Location: Multiple global sites across pharmaceutical, diagnostics and medical devices operations (in Asia, Europe, Americas)
Cost/Stipend: Paid internships | Compensation varies by country/local role
Dates: Typical duration ~12 weeks (timelines vary by country/role)
Application Deadline: Varies by site
Eligibility: Current undergraduates with a GPA of 3.0 or above | Quality Assurance & Manufacturing internships require a major in biology, chemistry, or a highly related field
Abbott Laboratories offers international medical internship opportunities for undergraduate students interested in pursuing a career in the pharmaceutical industry. Through placements in Research & Development or Quality Assurance, you will get to contribute to drug discovery and evaluation, with assignments ranging from engineering novel pharmaceutical products to testing new drugs against quality regulations. You will track your assignments throughout the internship, which typically culminate in a presentation to senior leadership. You will also attend career preparation workshops and networking events with Abbott management and industry professionals. If you perform well during the internship, you will be considered for full-time employment at Abbott through the post-graduate Professional Development Program.
Location: Internships at UNHCR Headquarters (Geneva, Switzerland); Global Service Centres (Amman, Jordan; Budapest, Hungary; Copenhagen, Denmark); and field country offices worldwide
Cost/Stipend: Students receive an allowance to support transportation and living expenses (amount varies by placement) | Students receiving external funding from their school or another organization will not receive a stipend
Dates: Varies | Generally 2 - 6 months for full-time internships | Extensions for up to 2 additional months available
Application Deadline: Varies by internship
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 | Proficiency in English required; knowledge of Arabic/Chinese/French/Russian/Spanish or other languages desirable | Specific internships may have additional academic or language requirements
UNHCR’s internship program offers international placement opportunities for undergraduates seeking to support refugee populations, including options in the medical and public health fields. You will apply to an individual internship posting; each has its own office placement and subject area focus, so it’s important to review postings closely to ensure you can pursue your interest in medicine. You might contribute to initiatives that ensure clean water access to combat outbreaks of cholera or dysentery, provide medical care to refugees, or collaborate with government partners to develop immunisation and communicable disease prevention programs. Tasks vary based on your assignment and department needs, but common intern tasks include data analysis, communications support, public health research, and developing educational materials.
Location: Placements are available at UNICEF offices worldwide
Cost/Stipend: Monthly stipend plus one-time sum to support travel and visa costs
Dates: Varies | Typically 6 to 26 weeks
Application Deadline: Varies by location and posting
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 | Specific internship placements may have additional language or academic requirements
Through UNICEF’s international Medical & Health internship offerings, undergraduates can undertake humanitarian projects supporting children’s well-being on a global scale. Each internship has a specific location and focus, so you’ll apply directly to your preferred choices. Medical & Health internships include creating online resources for UNICEF’s Health Technology Centre in Denmark, managing communication for the Pakistan Polio Eradication Initiative, or aiding in program implementation for Health and Nutrition initiatives in Morocco. You’ll be expected to contribute professional-level work, directly assisting large-scale initiatives to design, communicate, and implement humanitarian programs.
Location: Iganga District, Uganda
Cost: $2,500 | Students encouraged to seek funding
Dates: 8 weeks over the summer
Application Deadline: February 1
Eligibility: Undergraduate and graduate students studying international development, public health, medicine or allied fields
The Uganda Village Project’s Global Public Health Internship is based in one of Uganda’s most impoverished regions, providing undergraduates with the opportunity to support essential healthcare infrastructure and medical resources. You will work in a four- to six-person team on initiatives like training village leaders to support community health, leading educational sessions for the local population, and developing informational resources on preventing diseases like malaria and AIDS. Tasks include training village health leaders, facilitating educational sessions, developing information resources and monitoring program implementation. Through this hands-on exposure, interns develop experience in cross-cultural communication, grassroots public health advocacy, and project management in global health settings.
Location: Dublin, IE | Domestic placements in Carlsbad, CA or Boston, MA, as well as remote work
Cost/Stipend: Paid ($18-$23/hour) | Housing and travel assistance are also provided
Dates: Approximately 2 months over the summer
Application Deadline: April 30 (Application review begins in advance of deadline)
Eligibility: Current undergraduate and graduate students
Ionis Pharmaceuticals’ international internship placements for undergraduates provide medical research opportunities in the field of pharmacology. You will work on targeted projects in topics across biochemistry research, drug discovery, and developing novel therapeutic pharmaceuticals with a designated company mentor to guide your work. You will have access to extensive networking opportunities, including social events and activities, and will be encouraged to build connections within the company for future career opportunities. You will complete the program by presenting your summer work to company executives, Ionis mentors, and your peers.
Location: Multiple locations in the U.S. and worldwide
Cost/Stipend: Paid; includes housing stipend
Dates: 10-12 weeks over the summer
Application Deadline: Recruitment begins in the preceding summer/fall
Eligibility: Current undergraduate Freshmen - Juniors| Students interested in pharmaceutical research placements should be majoring in Biology, Chemistry, Biochemistry, Engineering, or a related discipline
Research & Development internships at Lilly’s international sites give undergraduates professional exposure to medical development and pharmaceuticals. You will work alongside Lilly’s Drug Discovery and Drug Development teams on drug design and delivery research, developing skills in product manufacturing, bioassays and peptide synthesis, and mechanisms for testing drug compounds. Career development programming includes networking events, lunch-and-learns, group activities with your cohort, and access to a personal employee mentor. Interns are considered for post-graduation return offers, making the internship a potential pathway to a full-time career.
Location: UNDP country offices, regional hubs, and Headquarters (New York City)
Cost/Stipend: Monthly stipend (Exact amount varies based on geographic placement)
Dates: Varies by posting | Internships can last up to 6 or 9 months | Shorter internships also offered
Application Deadline: Varies by office and role
Eligibility: Undergraduate seniors, master’s students, and recent college graduates (up to one year post-graduation) | Internships may have additional academic or language proficiency requirements based on placement
The UNDP’s internship program offers medical internships for undergraduates at multiple international offices, focusing on supporting public health and humanitarian causes. Medicine-focused internships will support UNDP’s initiative in Good Health and Well-Being, centered around healthcare equity in the treatment and prevention of HIV, malaria, and other diseases. Interns’ assignments typically include data collection, project management, researching local policy and public health, and communications support. Through the placement, undergraduates gain exposure to global health governance, collaborative work across countries, and professional networks within development agencies.
Location: Multiple international geographic bureaus, including Africa, East Asia and Pacific Islands, Europe and Eurasia, Near East, South and Central Asia, and Western Hemisphere locations | Students may also pursue U.S. placements in Washington, D.C. and New York City
Cost/Stipend: Prorated monthly pay of approx. $2,315 plus funding for travel and housing
Dates: Summer: May/July–August/September | Fall: September/December–December/January | Spring: January/March–April/May | Exact dates vary
Application Deadline: Exact dates vary, but deadlines fall in November (Summer Internship), March (Fall Internship), and August (Spring Internship)
Eligibility: Undergraduate juniors and seniors with a GPA of at least 3.2 and graduate students | Students must be U.S. citizens able to receive either a Public Trust, Secret, or Top Secret clearance
Undergraduates in the U.S. Department of State Student Internship Program will work under one of the State Department’s bureaus. International medical internships are available through placements in the Medical Services or Global Health departments. Your work will vary based on the needs of your host country, but will primarily focus on health and public policy research and communication. Common assignments include developing communication materials, drafting political reports, and creating educational resources on U.S. policy for citizens of your host country. You will collaborate and network with U.S. and foreign government officials, help to plan international policy meetings, and attend global conferences, building connections with world leaders in politics.
Location: Multiple locations worldwide
Cost/Stipend: Paid internships with housing support for students outside the internship region
Dates: 10-12 weeks over the summer
Application Deadline: Varies by internship
Eligibility: Current undergraduate or graduate students with a minimum GPA of 3.0 | Specific internships may have additional requirements
Johnson & Johnson’s international internship placements give undergraduates exposure to medical research and pharmaceuticals through hands-on work. You will assist chemical experimentation for drug design, develop pharmaceutical testing protocols, develop prototypes for novel drugs, and write product reports on your research. Some placements focus on areas such as infectious diseases, vaccines, immunology, or biomedical devices, offering exposure to medical research on a large scale. You will work within a team of J&J researchers, also meeting with executives and project leaders to build a network of high-level industry professionals.
Bonus Option: Ladder University Internship Program
Location: Remote
Cost: Varies depending on program type (financial aid is available)
Dates: Multiple cohorts throughout the year, including Spring, Summer, Fall, and Winter
Application Deadline: Deadlines vary by cohort: Spring (January), Summer (May), Fall (September), and Winter (November).
Eligibility: Students who can work for 10-20 hours/week for 8-12 weeks | Open to undergraduates and gap year students
Ladders University Internship Program provides online, part-time internships for undergraduates that can be coordinated around international travel or study abroad trips. During the internship, you will be paired with a startup or nonprofit to directly contribute to their development and operations. Medical internship opportunities are available through Ladder’s partnerships with health tech companies and nonprofits focused on medicine or mental health. You will be mentored by a company coach throughout your work and conclude the internship with a presentation to the company board, where you’ll share your final project. Apply now!
One other option—the Lumiere Research Scholar Program
If you’re interested in pursuing independent research, consider applying to one of the Lumiere Research Scholar Programs, selective online high school programs for students founded with researchers at Harvard and Oxford. Last year, we had over 4,000 students apply for 500 spots in the program! You can find the application form here. You can also check out students’ reviews of the program here and here.
Also check out the Lumiere Research Inclusion Foundation, a non-profit research program for talented, low-income students. Last year, we had 150 students on full need-based financial aid!
Stephen is one of the founders of Lumiere and a Harvard College graduate. He founded Lumiere as a PhD student at Harvard Business School. Lumiere is a selective research program in which students work one-on-one with a mentor to develop an independent research paper.
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