Medical Gap Year Programs

Expand your horizons with a medical volunteer experience or internship abroad! Our programs are ideal for students of nursing, medicine, dentistry and public health. Our wide variety of programs allows for students in all years, with all levels of experience, to get the most out of the experience. In addition to helping those in need and lending a hand at understaffed hospitals and clinics, our volunteers and interns can receive academic credit for their time and work. We offer medical and health care placements in Costa Rica, Peru, Guatemala, India, Vietnam, Cambodia, Bali, South Africa, Zimbabwe, Malawi and Zambia! Many of these programs offer specific placements for students in a specific specialty and may be tailored to fit academic requirements.

At International Volunteer HQ (IVHQ), we unite people from over 96 countries who want to make a meaningful difference while exploring the world. With 300+ projects in 40+ destinations, IVHQ offers the widest selection of volunteer programs globally—from Teaching and Childcare to Wildlife Conservation, Medical Outreach, and Environmental Sustainability. Since 2007, IVHQ has supported over 147,000 volunteers on life-changing journeys. We specialize in fully-hosted volunteer trips that are safe, affordable, and accessible—starting from just $20 per day. Your experience includes airport pick-up, accommodation, meals, and round-the-clock support from our local teams. With flexible booking options and no change fees, planning your volunteer adventure has never been easier. Our programs run year-round and are available for 1 to 24 weeks across Africa, Asia, Europe, the Pacific, South and Central America, North America, the Caribbean, and the Middle East. Volunteering with IVHQ is about more than giving back—it’s about growing, learning, and building genuine global connections.

Discover a new environment and a new ‘you’ in this 24-week gap year program offered by Maximo Nivel. Stay in Costa Rica, starting in the capital San Jose and then to other stunning locations including Manuel Antonio Beach. Totally customizable, thanks to a pre-planned itinerary, our gap year in Costa Rica includes: – 12 weeks of Spanish language classes – 8 weeks volunteer—Working with Kids – 8 weeks volunteer—Teaching English – 4 weeks volunteer—Sea Turtle Conservation – 1 week Surf School – 1 week Scuba certification – 2-week break with housing Maximo Nivel partners directly with an official School of Record in the US allowing us to provide university credit through Spanish language studies and volunteer work.

The VACorps Gap Year Program is a transformative experience that will prepare you for the world that awaits after you finish high school. Our program will help you identify your personal goals, values, and passions and incorporate them into your career and life plan. You will gain real-world work experience, make new friends from all over the globe, and have the time of your life as you explore the most beautiful city in the world. As a participant of our program, you will join a community that feels like a family. When you arrive in South Africa, we make it incredibly easy for you to adjust to life in Cape Town and call this city your home. From your very first day in the country, we will guide you through a comprehensive orientation that ensures you will take full advantage of every moment in South Africa. You'll be immediately networked with other participants, forming a peer group to relate to as you quickly adapt to life in a new city that you'll soon call home. Gap year students live together in the Gap Year House, which is another highlight of the VACorps Gap Year Program experience.

Discover China Through Language & Culture. Founded in 2003, Go Abroad China (GAC) offers immersive Mandarin programs for international high school students. This program combines intensive classroom learning with real-world practice, cultural workshops, and social activities. Program Types: Short-Term (2-8 weeks): Summer/Winter camps. Long-Term (Semester/Year): Study at top Chinese schools. Customized Programs: Tailored to individual needs. What’s Included: Mandarin instruction at leading schools. Homestays, shared apartments, or dorms. One-on-one tutoring and language exchange. Cultural tours, networking, and excursions. 24/7 support for safety and guidance. Why Choose GAC? Achieve Mandarin fluency with certification. Gain cultural fluency and global exposure. Enhance college applications and career prospects. Build lifelong friendships and professional networks.

Dive into this hands-on, personalized internship and gain experience while helping low-income, indigenous communities live healthier lives through education and medical interventions. The challenge: Rural Guaranda faces numerous health challenges, including malnutrition (48%) caused by poor diet and contaminated drinking water, and a lack of knowledge increases issues, such as teenage pregnancy (26%). A small health center serves 17 communities and 5,300 people, mostly from more than an hour away on dirt roads. It also lacks various medicines needed to care for the population, as 40% suffer from poverty and cannot afford private treatment. The solution: The understaffed center is looking for help from those working or training to work in healthcare to meet the needs of these disadvantaged communities. You will support their services and visit remote communities so everyone can access free healthcare services and education. Work alongside professionals and develop your skills while making a meaningful difference in rural communities in the Ecuadorian Andes. Particular specialists requested: Pediatrician Gynecologist Geriatrician Physiotherapist Psychologist

It is said that Ireland, once visited, is never forgotten. The Irish landscape has a mythic resonance, and the country’s history is almost tangible. In terms of Ireland’s landscape, the gentle rainfall, called “soft weather” by the locals, really creates 40 shades of green and quite a few rainbows, too. Ancient moss-covered ring forts crouch in lush valleys, while stone-strewn monastic ruins and lone castle turrets brave the wind on nearby hilltops. Many come to Ireland with high expectations of its romantic scenery, a blend of the raw and rugged with mist-covered verdancy, and seldom return home disillusioned. Dublin is arguably the most well-known Irish city, famous for its pubs and beautiful scenery. As a student in Dublin, you will have access to all aspects of Irish culture and community.

ARCC’s Western U.S. Gap Semester provides access to some of America’s most beautiful and remote landscapes ranging from the jagged peaks of the Grand Tetons to the depths of Utah’s most spectacular canyons to the expansive deserts of Arizona and the dazzling turquoise waters of Hawaii. Explore some of the most pristine wilderness of the West and partner with local conservationists to understand threats to native species, ecological systems, and our waterways. Building upon our 40-year history of running domestic programs in the U.S., this semester provides hands-on opportunities and access to areas usually unavailable to the everyday traveler. The newfound insights gained from this in-depth look at some of the most famous landmarks of the American West leave our perspectives and appreciation for our own backyard changed forever.

If you're seeking international career experience while immersing yourself in a vibrant new culture, Cape Town in South Africa is an ideal internship destination. Intern Abroad HQ offers flexible, affordable, and highly valuable internships in Cape Town, with programs starting from just 4 weeks. Choose from 14 unique internship placements based in Cape Town, across diverse fields such as Business, Tourism, Marketing, Journalism, Occupational Therapy, Psychology, Social Work, and more. Each internship is tailored to align with your academic major, course credit requirements, or career goals. Our flexible programs, ranging from 4 to 24 weeks, are designed to help you unlock your potential, build essential professional skills, and form meaningful industry connections. While gaining hands-on experience, you'll also immerse yourself in Cape Town's dynamic culture and develop a global perspective that will set you apart in your field. Earn up to 16 U.S. academic credits through our School of Record, or receive support arranging credit with your home university. Program fees include a guaranteed placement, airport pickup, quality housing, orientation, and 24/7 in-country support.

Whether you want to support vulnerable communities in developing countries, help conserve the Great Barrier Reef in Australia, or protect animals in the Amazon, Love Volunteers has a program for you. With over 200 projects in 40 countries there's something for everyone! For over 7 years Love Volunteers has provided safe, affordable and ethical volunteering and gap year projects. Join a program today for a life-changing experience.

Looking to apply your talent and expertise to a good cause? Find a program that matches your interests and skills through Volunteer World! We are the largest volunteer abroad comparison platform around the globe, enabling you to seek and compare offers from major travel agencies as well as smaller grassroots NGOs and local specialists in more than 80 countries. All these with just one click! Find projects in wildlife, teaching, community development, and several other areas. Simply choose your desired destination and desired travel date, and our search engine will compare the best volunteer abroad programs on your behalf. Whether you wish to gain experience at a wildlife sanctuary in South Africa or teach English at a monastery in Nepal, we've got you covered. Volunteer World guarantees a quick and easy application. We will guide you through this process, as well as help plan your next meaningful trip. We provide free access to quality-checked projects and flexible options. And if anything goes wrong, we've got your back with our qualified support team and our refund guarantee.

Our Volunteer programs in India are based in Kerala, Southern India. Despite a fast growing economy owing to the Dot Com revolution in the late 90’s, a large portion of the Indian people are impoverished and in need of basic human necessities. Access to clean water, sanitation facilities and quality health facilities still remain a distant dream for many – All this coupled with issues concerning women’s rights and education offers a great volunteer opportunities for you to truly make a difference in the upliftment of the country and its people. Volunteering Journeys Volunteer Programs in India are based in South India’s tropical gem Kerala, famously known as ‘God’s own Country’. The best part is mingling with an eclectic a mix of locals living in harmony mainly Catholics, Muslims and Hindus, giving you a true flavour of the myriad of culture, religion and life in India. Our most popular program is our women's empowerment and teaching children program. If you are pre-med or medical student you can also join our medical work experience. We encourage you to join us in India as this will truly be an experience of a lifetime.

Interested in taking a gap year? Do it with an organization well regarded for its responsible travel and gap year travel opportunities - Oyster Worldwide. Whether you are taking a break before pursuing higher education or taking time off from university, we have the perfect opportunity for you! Our programs and projects across 6 continents are open all year. Sign up for a program within a field that matches your skills and interests - animal welfare, child care, veterinary, medicine, conservation, etc. Go on a trekking holiday or volunteer on a project you are passionate about. No matter what you do, where you go and how long you stay, we guarantee amazing experiences you will treasure for a lifetime. UK-based Oyster Worldwide has been sending young people to take part in gap year experiences for more than 17 years. We offer over 60 volunteer and paid programs in over 20 countries around the world. We have been working with many host countries for years and have great relationships with them. Our aim is to provide happy, safe and fulfilling experiences, as well as to help participants to return home with a long-term affection for the country they have visited.

This intensive gap year course is for students aged 17 and older who would like to become doctors, nurses, or dentists, and who would like to study medicine and enter the medical profession. The course is primarily aimed at students who have graduated from and finished their secondary school or senior high school and have decided to take a gap year before applying to a medical school or university in the UK or abroad. The course runs for 6 to 10 weeks, comprising 6 weeks of medical studies. Participants may proceed with the optional two- or four-week, full-time internship that involves shadowing doctors at a clinic or hospital. The course covers all the necessary information to feel confident about applying to a top medical university. It gives an overview of the medical syllabus covered at the University – with topics from Pathology, Anatomy, Immunity, Cardiology, and Genetics. It also includes hands-on practical workshops, such as suturing techniques and patient or doctor interaction.

Crawford & Corry offers immersive professional placements in Vietnam for ambitious students and young professionals. Gain hands-on experience in high-growth sectors such as finance, law, tech, healthcare, and more — all while exploring a dynamic and culturally rich country. Each placement is personalised and designed to provide real-world insight, boost your CV, and help you stand out in university and job applications. Whether you're preparing for university, exploring career options, or looking to sharpen your direction, our programmes offer practical experience with trusted organisations. Beyond the placement, we provide full support: visa guidance, accommodation, 24/7 in-country support, and optional add-ons such as university admissions consulting and career coaching. Join Crawford & Corry to discover your path — with purpose, professionalism, and unforgettable experience in Vietnam.

Spend your gap year with Our Generation Voluntary Organisation and have the adventure of a lifetime. This program is ideal for recent high school graduates who need a change of pace, a change of scenery, new motivations, and horizons to reach into and explore. This program is as much for someone who knows exactly what they want to do in the future, but want to take some time to explore their other interests before buckling down; as it is for someone who is not sure what they want to do yet and needs some time and space to learn about themselves and try out different options. So if you wish to do volunteer work abroad, get some overseas work experience, try your hand at child care, renovate a school, teach abroad, or travel around for sightseeing to satisfy your wanderlust, we’ve got the perfect adventure travel option for you! You will be challenged to explore your potential, build on existing skills and learn new ones, develop confidence and independence, and learn about a different culture, whilst having a positive impact on your project.