Summer Health Sciences Internships Abroad

FutureforAfrica is a reliable NGO, with coordinators who love what they do and everything collected goes to the people in full, Ghana is a beautiful country, with very happy and pleasant people, would return a thousand times.I have done several volunteers during my life, but this has been one of the best, starting from the beginning with the organization, the coordinators who have been a support before and during the trip, had a little doubt about the food, the water we could consume in the house, but everything has been clean and packaged. Every day it was planned and on weekends we could go somewhere to meet, Ghana is a beautiful country, it would return again.

My experience in Ghana was truly rewarding. I had the opportunity to participate in projects focused on education, access to clean water, and sustainable housing adapted to the local climate. The association was very welcoming and ensured that I felt comfortable throughout my stay. I was impressed by the kindness of the local people and their appreciation of our work. This experience allowed me to discover a new culture, gain valuable knowledge, and contribute to meaningful initiatives. I would highly recommend it!

Wow. what an amazing opportunity to take part in a wonderful work environment, with amazing colleagues, I learnt so much in my internship and had the opportunity to expand my knowledge and experience. Specifically to beyond academy, the team was so helpful, supportive and very interesting. From community engagement, to exploring different parts for london and taking part in a vast variety of events. A very active group chat where one can connect with both the team and fellow interns. Guidance on career progression, London culture and way of life and even wonder day to day Hacks and ideas. Amazing accommodation, close to transport facilities. Great communication and insight on multiple experiences, ideas and perspectives.

Hi, I’m Morgan, I am from California, I go to San Diego State University. I came to Greece to learn more about the medical profession and to get some shadowing experience. The hospital has been really great, all the doctors are super eager to help you learn and I got to see a lot of cool procedures and surgeries and explore the city of Athens as well. There’s a lot to do here. The friends I’ve made through the other Cerca Abroad programs have been amazing. Pretty well coordinated, I would say.

I only had about 3 weeks to plan my trip to Africa, so I honestly wasn't sure if I could make it happen. Almost immediately after applying online, I was connected with someone from the Go Elective team who was really friendly and helped me figure out which hospital departments would best suit my interests, especially with the limited time I had. They were also incredibly helpful with my visa application, vaccination requirements, packing checklist, and even flight suggestions. They made the whole process so much easier, and I went from being a little stressed to genuinely excited about the trip! The experience itself definitely exceeded my expectations. Spending time in the hospital and seeing the work doctors and nurses do every day made me appreciate just how much of an impact healthcare can have on people's lives. I learned so much in such a short time, and I honestly wish I could have stayed longer. I'm about to start my Master's in Clinical Neuroscience, and this experience has made me even more excited about the next chapter of my studies. Hopefully, I'll get the chance to come back again!

One thing I particularly enjoyed was getting to experience everyday life in Mombasa alongside my hospital placement. We spent our mornings at the hospital, where I got to observe different cases and learn from the doctors, and still had plenty of time to explore in the afternoons. I also met some lovely students from the United States, and we became friends so quickly. It was really fun getting to know people from different backgrounds, sharing stories about our universities, and spending time together outside the hospital. I especially enjoyed visiting Old Town and learning more about the local culture. The Go Elective staff were also so kind and always made sure we were comfortable and had everything we needed. I honestly didn't expect to make so many friends during my time in Kenya, and saying goodbye was probably the hardest part!

Hi, my name is Brianna, I am from Toronto, Canada. I decided to join Cerca Abroad, specifically their dental shadowing program, to gain more experience in the dental profession. I also decided to choose this program because of my Greek heritage roots. This opportunity has not only allowed me to connect with the Greek community, but also to explore many different areas of Athens, including trying different ethnic foods as well as exploring historic sites of Athens. The last couple of weeks I have been in the dental clinic shadowing many different procedures, including tooth extractions and root canal treatments as well as getting hands-on experience with the actual dentists themselves, practicing some surgical techniques as well as my own, personal canal treatment. Overall, I highly recommend this program to any students who are interested in pursuing dentistry in the future. The Cerca team has made this transition to Athens very smooth and they’re always willing to help you when you have questions. I also want to say I’m grateful to the staff and patients here who have come to the clinic here. Dr Costas has made this experience very memorable for us and he always answered our dental-related questions. For that reason, I highly recommend this program to anyone.

Hello, my name is Cassidy, I come from Denver, Colorado, USA and I go to Whitman College. I chose to intern this summer because I wanted to experience other cultures outside the United States. I also wanted to gain some more experience in the physiotherapy world. During this internship I have learned so many different things, whether that was electrotherapy, stone therapy or how to move or maneuver somebody who is in a coma. I’ve learned so many different things and I am really grateful that I’ve been able to experience so much within this internship and learn so much from my peers and those around me. I am very happy with my internship experience with Cerca Abroad. It truly has been a life-altering experience and I hope to take what I learned here in this program and apply it back to America and my practice in the future. I one hundred percent enjoyed my stay in the country. Thessaloniki is a beautiful city. The food is amazing. There’s so much to do. All the people have been so much more than welcoming to me and my friends. It’s been a very great time. Hopefully I will come back when I’m older and visit again.

Hi, my name is Paxton, I go to UC Berkeley. I came to the Athens Metropolitan Hospital for a two-week program. I got to see a lot of different stuff at the hospital. I got to see the clinic as well as the OR. In the clinic I got to see cardiology and neurology and in the OR I got to see orthopedic surgery and plastic surgery. I think this program has been very valuable for me as a premed student. I would say that I actually gained a lot of insight during this experience. I got to see some medical fields that I otherwise wouldn’t have gotten to. The program itself has been super amazing and the staff has been super accommodating, especially on helping me get all my documents in order and navigate Athens. Being in Athens has also been absolutely amazing, beautiful city, lots of great landmarks. I was able to see Hadrian’s Library, the Acropolis, and many great things. So, I definitely enjoyed my time here.

One thing I really liked about Go Elective was the Global Health sessions. We got to discuss some of the things we'd seen at the hospital and learn more about the challenges facing healthcare in Kenya. I also really enjoyed visits to a local orphanage, where we spent time playing and interacting with the children. It was nice getting to experience another side of Kenya outside the hospital. I loved the balance between clinical learning and community activities.

I had a really positive experience with Beyond Academy. I think you get out of the program what you put into it, so having an open mind, being willing to meet different people, and taking initiative makes a real difference. The coordinators were fantastic: approachable, supportive, and genuinely lovely people who made it easy to ask for help and advice whenever needed. I really appreciated how personal and welcoming they made the experience feel. Overall, the program was a great opportunity to gain professional experience abroad, expand my knowledge, and step outside my comfort zone. My biggest advice to anyone considering it would be to stay curious, be proactive, and make the most of the opportunities and connections around you. Your attitude really shapes the experience you have.

Hello, my name is Taylorann, I am from Utah and I attend Utah Tech University. Here, Athens is very safe, I feel very good traveling to the hospital every day and being here at the hospital has been really great because doctors explain everything and are very kind. I’ve had the opportunity to sub for two different placements, which is something I wouldn’t have the opportunity to do elsewhere. In terms of the program, it’s been really great. They gave us a place to stay which is very safe and they gave you places to go and recommendations. Overall, I’ve had a great experience.

Hello, my name is Elisabeth and I am from California and I study at San Diego State University. I picked this program because in the future I want to become either a nurse, surgeon or a plastic surgeon, which was solidified while doing this program. I got to witness tons of surgeries in the operating room and it really helped me along the decision of what I want to do when I am older, which is something I’ve been pondering for a little bit. With Cerca Abroad, they’ve been really responsive, so quick and great at communicating for anything I need- from directions to any issues, if there was anything with the apartment. Athens overall has been a great experience. There’s so much to do here and I would definitely recommend doing this program to anyone who is interested in healthcare. It’s extremely flexible and will help you figure out your decision on what you want to do in the future.

I really enjoyed my time in the emergency department. It was quite busy, and I got to see how doctors handled different cases and made decisions under pressure. I was a little overwhelmed at first, but everyone was welcoming, and I became more comfortable as the days went by. I also liked that we had free afternoons and weekends to explore Kenya. One of my favorite experiences was going on safari in Tsavo National Park, where I got to see elephants, lions, and even dikdiks! Overall, it was a great experience, and I'd happily recommend it to other students!

From my very first interaction with Medi Trip and speaking with Pearl about what I wanted to gain out of my trip, until my very last day in Tanzania, I felt fully supported, completely safe, and genuinely cared for. It is clear that everyone involved in Medi Trip truly wants to change the world. Day by day, they create experiences that shift your perspective on life, teach you how different people see the world, and help you learn how to be a better person in the process. Not a day goes by now where I don’t mention my trip to Arusha and the time I spent with exceptional humans who all shared the exact same goal of making a positive change. During my 3-week nursing internship, I learned multiple lifelong skills that have fundamentally shaped my practice. Immersed in a resource-limited environment, I vastly improved my clinical adaptability, cross-cultural communication, and rapid triage assessment skills, while learning to navigate complex pathologies less common back home. The staff at the hospital were extremely friendly and wanted to learn as much from us as we did from them. Every single member of staff I came across was incredibly grateful for our presence, eager to learn about our culture, and fascinated by how the healthcare world differed across borders. A definitive highlight of my trip happened on a day when I was asked to support the junior doctors with learning catheter insertion, as I was already qualified to do this back home. In return—through what I believe was full trust built by constantly asking the doctors questions and showing genuine dedication—the doctors got to know me and wanted to say thank you. They asked if I wanted to stay in on an emergency C-section. That day, I got to experience the birth of a healthy little boy. I supported the mother, handed medical equipment to the lead doctor, and took part in a clinical milestone I will absolutely never forget. Coming back from the hospital each day was pure comfort. The accommodation felt so homely, the food was absolutely tasty every single day, and the welcome home each afternoon was incredibly warm and loving. From the moment I got home, all I wanted to do was return. I am still utterly grateful for the lessons I learned. I came home a better clinician and a better person, and for that, I will be forever grateful to Medi Trip.

Hi, my name is Brylee, I am from Utah in the USA and I study at Utah Tech University and I found this program online. I chose to do it because I wanted some clinical experience with physiotherapy and also I wanted to travel. I really enjoyed my experience here and getting to work with the physiotherapists. They have been so nice and welcoming and I have loved working with the patients. Even though I don’t speak any Greek, I’ve learned a few terms and it’s been really fun to interact with people here. It’s also been very fun to travel. If you get the chance, I would really recommend sightseeing if you can after the internship, when going out and having some fun. The coordination with the program has been fantastic- great communication. You can always message them anytime and it’s really a great program. I would recommend it a lot.

I went to Kenya thinking surgery would be my favorite rotation, but I actually ended up enjoying pediatrics the most. I loved seeing how the doctors interacted with the children and their parents, and I learned quite a bit just from watching and asking questions. I'm glad I got to experience different departments because it helped me figure out what I'm interested in. Overall, I had a really good time with Go Elective and would recommend it!

I spent 2 months living in London completing an internship in London for Business/Marketing, and I had the most amazing time! I had never really travelled much before with my family or anything growing up, but in 2025 I went to Europe for 3 weeks fresh out of high school with just my best friend. We started and ended the trip in London, and I knew straight away that London is a definitely a place I want to experience living in one day. I was super lucky I had such an amazing flatmate who I became super close with, and I also made another close friend at a lunch I went to on my 2nd day in London to meet some of the other interns. We all ended up hanging out together in London heaps, I went to Barcelona with one of them which was so much fun! I also got to see some friends from home (Melbourne, Australia) while I was in London which was amazing too. Towards the end of my time there, I even went to Munich, Germany for Oktoberfest with some friends from home which was incredible!! I stayed in Sheffield with my flatmate at her uni for my last weekend before going back to Australia, and got to go to Manchester with her too! Everyone at my internship was always super lovely and helpful throughout my time there, and I really learnt a lot which was amazing. Overall, I had an amazing time, and feel so much more independent and confident having to figure things out and adapt on my own. I'm really glad I did it, I had the best time and it really showed me I'm truly capable of anything I put my mind to!

Beyond Academy responded to this reviewOctober 15, 2026

Thank you for sharing your experience, Jaeda! It’s so lovely to hear how your first visit to London inspired you to come back and experience life in the city with us. From meeting a close friend at your welcome lunch to travelling with your flatmate, it sounds like you’ve left with friendships and memories that will stay with you for years to come. We’re also delighted that your internship team made you feel so welcome and helped you learn along the way. Hearing that you’ve returned home feeling more independent, confident and sure of what you’re capable of is wonderful. Thank you for being part of our London community—we can’t wait to see where you go next! Once a Beyonder, always a Beyonder!

Hi, my name is Greta and I am from Minnesota, USA. I am currently applying to a PA school position in the U.S. and I decided to come here so that I can get some experience shadowing doctors and other medical professionals to kind of engage with what interests me the most. I’ve had a really great experience not only at the hospital but in Athens too. I really loved Athens and being able to travel to the islands has been also great. Overall, in my experience I found Greece supportive not only by the program but by the medical professionals here. I have learned so much and definitely I have a better understanding of the cultural differences as well as of myself and what I want to do in the future.

Hello, my name is Jeremy, I am from Wisconsin, America, I went to the University of Wisconsin- Parkside and it is my hope that one day- hopefully- I will become a physician. I chose this program because, one, I wanted to get experience in the healthcare field in a different or foreign country and, second of all, Greece has always been one of my dream destinations to visit. So, the answer is simple, I came to Greece. Athens has been wonderful so far, actually when I first came here I was very surprised as it was different from what I thought it would be, but it was absolutely wonderful. I also had some chances to visit some of the islands, which are absolutely gorgeous. I loved my time sightseeing here, having fun. I absolutely enjoyed all the surgeries and clinics I was able to follow and watch. It has been so insightful. I sometimes go home and write some summaries for myself about the day, my feelings and experience and I think that I genuinely learned a lot. When I first got here Cerca Abroad was so helpful and very informative and I was very welcomed. I appreciate everything that I have been going through. Like I said, I absolutely loved it.