6 Best Places for Pre Med High School Summer Programs

Summer opportunities for high school students interested in medicine offer a great chance to gain experience prior to starting their medical program. If you’re in high school, looking forward to starting studies in the medical field, what better way to get a head start (and see the world)?

New connections await with medical summer programs abroad! (Photo Credit: International Medical Aid)

A pre-medical (pre-med) high school summer program will make you stand out from your peers and prepare you for future studies and work. It will also give you a sneak peek at what to expect from a pre-med university experience.

Are pre-med high school summer programs worth it?

Not only do the best pre-med summer programs for high school students offer hands-on medical experience, they often do so while giving you insight from real-life healthcare professionals. You’ll be able to observe and learn from them in an active medical office, clinic, or hospital.

Medical study abroad programs in high school add a unique, invaluable piece to your pre-med resume. With an international sojourn under your belt, you’ll start your medical career with a global perspective and skillset to match!

6 best places for medical summer programs for high school students

If you’re raring to go for your medical education abroad, naturally you’ll be wondering where you can find the best pre med high school summer programs abroad. Check out some of our top picks!

1. Kenya

You can’t go wrong choosing Kenya as your destination. (Photo Credit: International Medical Aid)

• Take a safari (“journey” in Swahili) to East Africa and absorb the majestic wildlife, stunning landscapes, and rich culture of the Masaai people. In a pre-med program like those offered by International Medical Aid, you’ll learn more about the healthcare issues Kenyans face and how you can assist in addressing urgent needs and participate in longer term projects. Local and international guides ensure a sustainable, educational, and worthwhile program.
• In your free time or through your program, explore all that Kenya has to offer! You’ll enjoy world-renowned natural wonders like Masai Mara National Reserve (home to animal life including African big cats, elephants, rhinoceros, zebras, and giraffes) to Mount Kenya, the second-highest mountain in Africa. Kenya offers diverse and exciting opportunities to learn, and meaningful experiences you’ll be talking about for years to come.
• By participating in a medical study abroad high school experience you’ll build your cross-cultural competency while having the adventure of a lifetime!
• Recommended program: International Medical Aid (IMA) Programs

2. Costa Rica

• Known as the land of Pura Vida (literally “pure life” and used by Costa Ricans frequently to show an appreciation for life), Costa Rica is the perfect place for a pre-med high school summer program. You’ll shadow local medical professionals, participate in meaningful medical-based community service projects, and learn about sustainable global health initiatives.
• Daily activities could include assisting in a mobile clinic, organizing a health education meeting, or collecting patient vitals. In your free time, experience a tropical paradise! Hiking to hidden waterfalls, learning to surf, and ziplining through the rainforest are just a few of the adventures you can expect in Costa Rica.
• Recommended program: Costa Rica: Healthcare Education & Medical Outreach

3. Ghana

Ghana has a lot to offer for both your personal and professional lives.

• Immerse yourself in daily Ghanaian life by living with a local host family and participating in community outreach activities alongside a local health professional. You’ll have the opportunity to assist with general health tests, eye screening, malaria testing and treatment, and educational campaigns.
• In your free time, visit Boabeng Monkey Village and Mole National Park, where you’re guaranteed to see elephants in their natural habitat! You’ll also be able to experience the popular beaches, great for activities and relaxation after a busy week practicing your newly acquired medical skills.
• Ghana is known as the “gateway to Africa” and is a great place to spend your summer. You’ll get to try Fufu, plantain and cassava mixed into a ball and dipped in stew, as well as waakye, a rice and beans dish. Plus, you’re sure to be invited to eat with many local Ghanaians, happy to share their meal with you.
• It’s important to take time to learn about Ghana’s colonial past and struggle for independence, which you can do easily in Accra, but should also research prior to your trip.
• Recommended program: Public Health Internship in Ghana with Projects Abroad

4. England

• If you’re looking to jump right into the medical research field, a biology-focused summer program abroad may be the best fit for you! England offers some of the best pre-med summer programs for high school students while offering a unique international experience.
• You’ll make friends from around the world and be tutored by experienced professionals. Discover a country with an enthralling history while getting to know what practicing medicine or participating in medical research is like.
• Great for teens 13-18 years old, this may be a good option for those who would like to travel but prefer to be in a primarily English-speaking country with a culture similar to their own.
• Recommended program: Biology Summer Program in Cambridge

5. Ecuador

Pick up Spanish skills in addition to medical experience while studying in Ecuador.

• Ecuador, home to the Andean Highlands, is known for its biodiversity, astounding scenery, mix of indigenous, mestizo or Montubio, and other populations, and historical colonial towns.
• Pre-med high school summer programs in Ecuador will provide you with first-hand experience running a mobile clinic, offering free healthcare to poor rural communities. You’ll have the opportunity to work directly with, and in support of, indigenous people. Learn from locals and gain a greater understanding of public health initiatives being developed and implemented in the Sierra Region.
• Plus, you could have the chance to discover the UNESCO World Heritage Centre of Quito, take a whitewater rafting excursion, or go river tubing down the Mindo River! Need community service hours? This is a great opportunity to participate in meaningful volunteer work and make a positive impact in the world.
• Recommended program: Ecuador: Medical Assistance

6. Czech Republic

• East meets West in the Czech Republic, a beautiful European country that is known for a tumultuous past turned peaceful present. Prague is an artistic and dynamic capital city surrounded by the countryside of Bohemia, full of farms and fairytale villages. You’ll find yourself feeling at home with the friendly Czech people, interested in sharing their culture with you!
• By participating in a program at a Czech medical facility, you’ll be learning from the very best, especially if you’re interested in specializing in a particular field and are interested in experiencing a real clinical environment. In many cases, you’ll get to work with both adults and children, a great opportunity to see the differences when evaluating and treating both.
• Choose a summer medical program in the Czech Republic to discover majestic gothic castles, hearty traditional cuisine, joyful festivals, and become a true citizen of the world!
• Recommended program: Medical Shadowing in Neurosurgery in English

Talk to our Online Advisor and get matched with 5 summer programs abroad for FREE

Why not go abroad for pre-med prep in high school?

The best place to get pre-med experience in high school is abroad! (Photo Credit: International Medical Aid)

Going abroad in high school provides you with international context, cross-cultural communication skills, language acquisition, and an open-mindedness that will be apparent to your instructors, peers, and patients later on.

There are many types of medical summer programs for high school students to choose from, all of which will offer an opportunity to learn from experienced professionals around the world. Plus, you’ll get to immerse yourself in another culture and community, experiencing the world in a way not everyone gets to in their lifetime.

You’ll also create a network among the people you meet, work with, and create lasting friendships with. Start your pre-med journey abroad today!

This article was written with help from International Medical Aid. IMA is a not-for-profit organization that offers medical programs for students in places like East Africa, South America, and the Caribbean through an ethics-based approach to care. They offer summer, fall, and winter programs.