We understand that getting clinical experience as a high school student can be extremely difficult. We offer young people like you a safe, guided experience into the world of medicine through our international High School Special programs.
Our summer medical internships for high school students focus on experiential education, so you learn by doing. You can expect to:
- Shadow doctors and other medical professionals in busy hospitals and clinics
- Attend medical workshops and seminars
- Get an insight into the healthcare challenges people face everyday
- Participate in community healthcare outreaches that serve people in need
- Learn essential medical skills like measuring blood pressure and blood sugar levels
You’ll be part of an ethical medical program for high school students that benefits local communities. Furthermore, you’ll actively demonstrate your commitment to healthcare and helping people, which will help your college or medical school application stand out from the crowd!
“I’ve always wanted to be a doctor, but hands-on experience in the US is hard to come by. So when I heard about Projects Abroad, I was ecstatic. I love travelling and experiencing new cultures, and Ghana seemed like a great place to do just that.” - Medicine High School Special in Ghana by Victoria G
Want to know everything about our medical internships?
Read our blog about the A-Z of our Medical Internships for High School Students to answer all your questions.
How old do you have to be to be an intern at a hospital?
Our hospital volunteer opportunities for high school students are open to people between the ages of 15-18.
High School Specials are designed specifically for young people by our qualified staff, and all activities are age-appropriate and safe. In addition, we ask all students to follow our code of conduct for medical volunteering. This policy helps us ensure that our programs are ethical, and that we really help the local people we work with.
What kind of medical internship can I do as a student?
For high school students interested in medicine, we have two kinds of summer programs:
- Medicine High School Specials
- Public Health High School Specials
Medicine
Medicine High School Specials mainly focus on clinical experience. Here are the program highlights:
- Observe doctors in different hospital departments, like General Medicine or Pediatrics
- The departments you work with vary between destinations. For example, in Mongolia, you can spend time working with an ambulance unit. In Tanzania, you may view surgery!
- As many of you already know, treatment is just one of many aspects involved in healthcare. So you also focus on preventative care through outreach and education. This element is not only deeply rewarding, but crucial to providing communities with effective healthcare
This program is like a pre-med internship, which makes it ideal for young people interested in becoming doctors and nurses. It may also help inform your decision that pursuing a career in medicine is right for you.
We also offer medical projects for high school students in Argentina where you can experience Spanish immersion. When you’re not shadowing doctors or working at an outreach, you’ll have regular Spanish classes. We’ll teach you according to your level, and you’ll learn relevant medical words and phrases to use at your project.
Public Health
During Public Health High School Specials, most of your time will be spent out in the field. Here are the program highlights:
- Help medical professionals provide healthcare services through community outreaches
- Assist with education, and help spread awareness around relevant topics. For example, you may educate communities about nutrition in an effort to prevent diabetes
- Have opportunities to practice healthcare in a clinical setting. We offer this to better inform your approach to preventative care
Public Health programs are a great option for people interested in Healthcare, Advocacy, and Social Work.
“Before one ENT surgery to repair the eardrum, called a tympanoplasty, the surgeon actually took us through the anatomy of the ear and explained exactly what she was going to do to repair the hole. Going into surgery with this knowledge made the surgery so interesting as I actually knew what was going on and why.” - Medicine High School Special in Mongolia by Kimberley M
Our Project Experts would be happy to discuss these options in order to determine the program that best meets your needs and goals. Please reach out by email or phone to speak with a representative today!
![Sri Lankan children have their blood pressure checked by high school students on a summer medical internship. A group of high school students do basic health checks under supervision during their medical internship in Sri Lanka.](jpg/product-5dadbc9c9cdf6.%5b1090%5d.jpg)
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Last year our volunteers helped local healthcare staff screen over 7,650 people around the world.
![A local child in Peru undergoes a basic health check with a teenage volunteer working under supervision in Peru. A high school student doing a summer medical internship abroad in Peru checks a child's blood sugar levels.](jpg/product-5dadbc181e8be.%5b1090%5d.jpg)
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Thanks to regular screenings, our volunteers help detect symptoms before they become severe, making sure community members can seek early treatment.
![Interns on a Projects Abroad Medicine High School Special in Nanyuki, Kenya. A group of high school students doing a medicine internship take a break between shifts at a clinic in Kenya.](jpg/product-5dadbdf319d7a.%5b1090%5d.jpg)
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More than 1750 volunteers from around the world contributed to our High School Specials last summer.
![A local woman signs up for a medical check at an outreach run by teenage volunteers and a supervising doctor in Mexico. A group of high school students and a local doctor work together at a community healthcare outreach in Mexico.](jpg/product-5dadbd4ac3517.%5b1090%5d.jpg)
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During awareness campaigns, our volunteers share their knowledge about causes, symptoms and treatments to protect the communities we serve.
![High School Special volunteers and staff pose for a photo before an outreach at a school in Kenya Volunteers and local staff before a medicine outreach in Kenya](jpg/high-school-special-volunteers-staff-group-photo-kenya-product-5e4e857a636b9.%5b1090%5d.jpg)
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With volunteers and staff from around the world, our high school travel programs create lasting impact and lasting memories.
Choose a High School Internship
1-3 of 10 Projects
![An intern works with a young patient on Projects Abroad's Medical internship for teenagers in Peru A high school student takes a child's blood sugar measure on our medical internship in Peru](jpg/product-5b586e392c4ac.%5b414%5d.jpg)
Medical Internship in Peru for Teenagers
See this project- Price: $3,175 USD for 2 weeks
- Extra Weeks: $600 USD
- Start Date: Summer/Winter Break
- Minimum Duration: 2 weeks
- Ages: 15-18
![Teenagers learn from a local doctor on Projects Abroad's medical internship in Tanzania A doctor explains how to take healthcare measures on our medical internship for high school students in Tanzania](jpg/product-5b5864ca81d46.%5b414%5d.jpg)
Medical Internship for High School Students in Tanzania
See this project- Price: $3,175 USD for 2 weeks
- Extra Weeks: $600 USD
- Start Date: Summer/Winter Break
- Minimum Duration: 2 weeks
- Ages: 15-18
![Teenagers gain medical work experience during a worshop organised by Projects Abroad in Argentina. A workshop on suturing during our Medicine internship for teenagers in Argentina.](jpg/product-5b6460139c039.%5b414%5d.jpg)
Medicine Internships with Spanish in Argentina for Teenagers
See this project- Price: $3,275 USD for 2 weeks
- Extra Weeks: $650 USD
- Start Date: Summer/Winter Break
- Minimum Duration: 2 weeks
- Ages: 15-18
Need more help?
Most of our staff have been volunteers themselves, so they’re ready to answer your questions, big or small.
or
Request Infoto start planning your project
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