Overview
IMA's High School Healthcare Internship Program offers placements in unique global destinations such as East Africa (with our flagship site in Kenya), South America (with our flagship site in Peru), and other international locations.
These programs last two to twelve weeks, with most participants completing at least four-week experiences. They are available during summer and gap year periods. Students choose their destination and receive structured rotations, including hospital shadowing, community health outreach, and cultural learning opportunities.
Program Philosophy
IMA’s high school programs reflect the following three pillars, providing experiences that go far beyond traditional volunteering:
Clinical Exposure
High school interns shadow doctors and medical teams in real hospital and clinical settings. They are introduced to patient interactions, medical procedures, clinical documentation, and public health campaigns through non-invasive tasks within their initial scope of practice.
Cultural Competency
Interns develop cultural awareness through direct exposure to diverse patient populations, faculty-led global health lectures, peer exchange events, and guided reflections. By exploring how cultural values shape healthcare access, patient beliefs, and treatment choices, students develop empathy and grow into more thoughtful, inclusive future providers. Cultural competency is at the core to every IMA program—from understanding responses to public health messaging to recognizing how religious practices influence care.
Global Health Awareness
High school students attend weekly seminars and workshops exploring global health disparities, infectious disease management, chronic disease burden, healthcare infrastructure, maternal-child health, climate change, and policy. These sessions equip students with a broader understanding of medicine and the ethical issues inherent in global health practice.
What Sets IMA Apart from Other High School Medical Internships
Real Clinical Environments
Interns spend time in hospitals, clinics, and outreach programs—observing consultations, assisting with noninvasive tasks, and joining health education efforts under licensed supervision. This level of clinical exposure istypically reserved for medical students. IMA provides the most intensive clinical exposure available to high-school students through its partnerships with the largest and most important teaching and referral hospitals in our target regions.
Global Health Curriculum
All students participate in our structured Global Health Lecture Series, led by U.S. and internationally trained medical professionals.
Personalized Mentorship
Each student is assigned a mentor to guide them, provide clinical insight, offer career advice, and help students process and reflect on their experiences. Many mentors support students even after the program ends.
Cultural and Language Immersion
Internships go beyond medicine. They're about people, community, and communication. Students receive daily language instruction (Spanish in Peru, Swahili in Kenya) to aid clinical communication and cultural understanding.
Travel and Gap Year Opportunities
IMA's summer medical internships abroad for teens and gap year medical programs for high school students are available year-round, offering immersive learning experiences beyond the traditional classroom.
How IMA Aligns with AAMC Core Competencies
Our high school internships support the development of AAMC’s 15 Core Competencies for Entering Medical Students, including:
Service Orientation
Interns engage in community health campaigns and volunteer projects.
Social Skills and Teamwork
Students collaborate across cultures in healthcare teams.
Cultural Competence
Language immersion and cultural programming deepen empathy.
Ethical Responsibility to Self and Others
Interns reflect on ethical challenges and patient confidentiality, and participate in supervised care.
Oral Communication and Professionalism
Students improve communication with healthcare professionals, mentors, and patients, building confidence in medical environments.
East Africa and South America Program Highlights
East Africa - Kenya
Interns in Kenya work in public and private hospitals across Mombasa and Nairobi, focusing on pediatrics, internal medicine, maternal and reproductive health, infectious disease, and emergency care. They also join outreach teams for malaria prevention, nutrition education, and maternal care in underserved communities.
South America - Peru
In Peru, students are placed in hospitals and clinics in the Cusco region, addressing both urban and rural health challenges. Focus areas include chronic disease management, adolescent and women’s health, and public health promotion. Interns work in regional teaching hospitals.
Healthcare and Pre-Med Internships for High School Students
International Medical Aid offers structured Healthcare and Pre-Med Internship Programs. High school students who excel may be invited to continue training through IMA’s pre-med internships, featuring:
Clinical Rotations in Major Hospitals
Mentorship From Licensed Physicians
Harvard HMX Course Access *Additional Fee
Weekly Cultural Treks and Excursions
These internships are ideal for students building their medical resume, applying to BS/MD programs, or seeking clinical experience in areas like pediatrics, cardiology, surgery, or tropical medicine. Interns are placed in departments aligned with their goals and attend daily clinical rotations, simulation clinics, and global health lectures with support from local and U.S.-based coordinators. Each program includes:
Shared Housing in Gated Communities
Three Daily Meals and Filtered Water
24/7 Staff Support and Transportation
Cultural Immersion and Weekend Exploration
To further support their academic and professional growth, students also receive:
Personalized Recommendation Letters
Certificates of Completion
Ongoing Access to IMA’s Advising Network
Impact on College and Medical School Applications
Admissions committees seek applicants with real-world exposure, clarity of purpose, and service orientation. IMA internships provide students with all three. Interns gain:
A meaningful story to tell in college essays
Enhanced interview readiness through deeper understanding of healthcare
Recommendation letters from U.S.-licensed physicians who supervised their performance
Access to admissions advising including reviews of personal statements + mock interview coaching; large team of experience college advisors available to alumni
Our high school alumni have been accepted into top universities and competitive undergraduate pre-health programs.
How Our Internships Prepare Students for College and Medical School
Students completing IMA high school programs consistently cite these experiences as formative in their educational journey. Our programs support students by helping them:
Develop clarity about a future in healthcare through sustained exposure to real medical environments
Reflect deeply on ethical, interpersonal, and global aspects of medicine
Strengthen their personal statement and college essays with authentic, compelling narratives
Earn letters of recommendation from U.S.-licensed physicians based on direct mentorship and clinical observation
Build confidence for future patient interactions, medical interviews, and academic rigor in pre-medical tracks
Post-Internship Support and College Advising
Students become part of the IMA alumni network after completing their internship. Ongoing support includes:
1-on-1 Personal Statement Editing and College Essay Coaching
Mock Admissions Interviews for BS/MD and Pre-Med Programs
Advising on Course Selection and Gap Year Planning
Mentorship From Physicians and Past Participants Currently Enrolled in Medical Programs
Alumni receive priority consideration for college-level IMA internships, and many return during their undergraduate years.
What's Included in the Program
Each IMA High School Internship offers a comprehensive package that includes:
Daily Clinical Shadowing in Hospitals and Health Centers
Volunteer work in mobile health clinics and public health campaigns
Global Health Seminar Series and Facilitated Discussions
Medical Language Instruction Tailored to Clinical Communication
Safe and Secure Accommodations With Private Dormitory-Style Rooms
Three Nutritious Meals Per Day With Dietary Accommodations Available
24/7 Local Staff and U.S.-Based Program Coordination
Ground Transportation for All Official Activities and Airport Pickup/Drop-off
Weekly Guided Excursions, Cultural Workshops, and Community Events
Completion Certificate and Personalized Physician-Authored Recommendation Letter
Types of Internships for High School Students
Safety and Security
At IMA, student safety is our highest priority. With robust safety protocols in place, we’ve maintained a 100% safety record for all high school and pre-health interns. IMA has specific and extensive experience working with high school students; currently largest, most established provider of clinical opportunities to pre-meds at both the high school and undergraduate levels. Program safety features include:
Gated residential housing with 24/7 security
On-site coordinators trained in emergency response
U.S.-based support and real-time communication
Safety briefings, medical support, and emergency protocols
Curated cultural excursions selected for safety and enrichment
To enrich the experience, IMA coordinates curated cultural excursions, trips, and safaris—each selected and organized for safety and cultural depth.
For more information, visit our Program Safety and Security page.
Application Requirements and Process
To apply, students must:
Applicants must be at least 15 years old by the start of their program. Students may apply as early as 14 years old, as long as they will meet the age requirement at the time of participation.
Complete an online application including personal statements and academic background
Participate in a virtual interview with IMA admissions staff
Submit a parent/guardian co-signature form
Once you meet the following requirements, you may now proceed with the application process:
Initial Application
Submit personal details, resume, unofficial transcripts, and written responses online.Zoom Interview
Participate in a one-hour interview to assess suitability.
Application Decision
You should receive a decision within two weeks, completing the admissions process.
Applications are accepted year-round with limited space for summer and gap year cohorts. Competitive applicants show a demonstrated interest in healthcare and a commitment to personal growth.
For more info, visit our Global Healthcare Internships for High School Students FAQs
Program Fees and Financial Aid
IMA offers transparent program pricing that includes housing, food, excursions, clinical placement, mentorship, language instruction, and medical insurance. You can view the Program Dates, Fees, and Funding Guide here.
Support options include:
Flexible payment plans
Financial aid guidance and documentation
Templates for school-based fundraising and scholarship applications
Take the next step—if you're a high school student ready to enter the world of healthcare, or a parent seeking an unparalleled opportunity for your child.