Healthcare internships in Asia and beyond
Observe and assist health staff in hospitals and clinics.
Overview
What the internship is about
Healthcare interns join hospitals, private clinics, community health programs and public health NGOs. You shadow doctors and nurses on ward rounds and in outpatient departments, help with patient records and intake, and support health education projects in schools or villages. Public health placements add survey work and data entry for research. You observe and assist under supervision but never do licensed clinical work.
Hospital days often start early with rounds and end with case discussions or research time. Thailand, Singapore and South Africa are our strongest destinations, with India and Nepal close behind. Pre-med, nursing and public health students all fit well.
Why do it
What you'll get out of it
Observe and support healthcare professionals in hospitals and clinics. You see how patient care works in a different country, from the waiting room to the ward.
Support research projects by collecting data, reviewing studies and helping with reports. You learn how clinical and public health research is planned, run and written up.
See how healthcare is delivered in a different country and culture. You come away with a wider view of global health challenges.
Your role
Help clinical teams with patient care, within the limits set for interns, and learn how staff talk with patients.
Help organize and analyze medical data, and learn how it supports diagnosis, treatment and planning.
Help with health education and prevention campaigns in the community, from preparing materials to running events.
Where to go
This is where we have the most host companies in this field, but you can do it in any of our destinations. See all destinations
Where you can do this
Prices
How much it costs
FAQ
Your questions, answered
What will I do on a healthcare internship?
You'll observe and support doctors, nurses and other health staff in hospitals and clinics. Most of the learning comes from shadowing and helping with tasks that suit your level, always under supervision.
Do I need experience to get a healthcare internship?
No. Pre-med, medical, nursing and public health students can all join. You won't do anything that needs a license, and patient privacy rules always apply.
What skills and tools will I use?
You'll learn how hospitals and clinics work day to day. Tell us which department interests you, and we'll try to match it.
Where can I do a healthcare internship?
Popular destinations for healthcare internships include Thailand, Singapore, South Africa, India and Nepal. Tell us where you'd like to go and we'll check what's possible.
Can I get university credit for my internship?
Yes, if your university accepts it: we provide the documents it needs (internship agreement, placement confirmation, supervisor evaluation and a host certificate of completion). Your university decides whether to give credit, and how much.
How much does it cost, and is it paid?
Programs start from $2,050 for 6 weeks on Explorer, depending on where you go. Most internships are unpaid.
In depth
- Shadow doctors, nurses and other health staff on their rounds.
- Help with tasks that suit your level, always under supervision.
- See how departments such as outpatients or emergency are run.
- Help with patient records and admin.
- Support health education or community health projects.
- Go over what you saw and learned with your supervisor.
- How hospitals and clinics run day to day.
- Talking with patients and staff across a language and culture gap.
- Hygiene, safety and patient privacy routines.
- Seeing a health system that works differently from the one at home.
- Staying calm and useful in a busy clinical team.
- A clearer idea of which department or specialty suits you.
- Thailand: our team is based in Bangkok, so help is close by.
- Singapore: regional offices, banks and startups in the CBD, Marina Bay and one-north.
- South Africa: placements in Cape Town and Johannesburg.
- India: healthcare is one of our main fields there.
- Nepal: healthcare is one of our main fields, with most placements in Kathmandu.
Intern stories
Hear it from our interns
Applications open all year
Your field, somewhere new.
It's free to apply, and you only pay a deposit once you're accepted.