Why You Should Study Medicine Abroad

Improve your medical knowledge, live in a different country, and grow as a doctor — these are only some reasons why studying medicine abroad is worth it. By going abroad, even if it’s for your entire degree or for a short program, you will expose yourself to a whole other way of living and working. You will learn about types of treatments, new-to-you medical conditions, and diverse healthcare practices. You’ll also meet doctors and students from all over the world, which will grow your network, improve your cultural competencies, and potentially help you communicate with your future patients.

Let’s detail all the reasons to study medicine abroad:

10 reasons why studying medicine abroad is worth it

Experience diverse medical environments and engaging work with patients.

If you’re still hesitating whether you should study medicine abroad, here are 10 good reasons to do so:

1. Studying medicine abroad is more than just classes

Whether you do a medical internship or complete your entire degree abroad, studying medicine abroad will be more than attending classes. Discussions with patients, exchanges with fellow doctors, and the observations you’ll make will improve your knowledge as a healthcare professional. Plus, the experience of living in a new country will contribute to your personal growth, as you navigate challenges and enjoy all the new experiences.

2. There are many high-quality programs

Organizations like International Medical Aid run medical internships throughout the year. These programs include shadowing doctors, helping local communities, and learning about different specialties through rotations. They usually last between 2 to 12 weeks, so you have the option to stay for a couple of weeks or a few months. For more long-term opportunities, you can research the best countries to study medicine abroad and see what they have to offer. Spoiler alert: there are university degree programs, volunteer experiences, summer internships, and more!

3. Most programs include hands-on clinical experience

As a doctor, you need to gain hands-on skills. What better way to start than as a medical student? In many international medical programs, practical training is a part of the curriculum, thanks to clinical placements, shadowing, and rotations in different branches. This way, you gain clinical experience while developing critical thinking, problem-solving, and decision-making skills.

4. You’ll learn about diverse medical conditions

Expand your medical knowledge in different global environments.

Certain diseases and medical conditions are more prevalent in some parts of the world. For example, only 50% of the population is estimated to have access to drinking water in Tanzania. This is likely to increase waterborne diseases. If you study medicine abroad, you’ll broaden your medical knowledge, be it on chronic conditions, environmental factors, or genetic disorders.

5. A new country = a new language and a new culture

Living in a new country is one of the best ways to learn a new language. And as a medical student, you’ll be in contact with local doctors and patients, which means tons of opportunities for practicing the language. This will come in handy later on in your career as it will help you interact with foreign patients, relate to different cultures, and understand people’s concerns better.

6. You’ll have the chance to build an international network

Think about the local doctors and international students you’ll meet. One day, they might write you a recommendation letter, refer you for a job, or collaborate with you on your research projects. International medical programs attract students and faculty from all over the world, and are often the first step to build an international network.

7. There are many budget-friendly countries to study medicine

If you’re planning to study medicine, you’ve probably already thought about finances. In some cases, universities abroad can be more affordable than your home country. Comparing tuition fees, accommodation, and living expenses can give you a clear understanding of the total cost of studying medicine both at home and abroad.

8. Studying abroad means personal growth and independence

Grow personally and professionally through studying medicine abroad.

By studying abroad, you’ll learn to navigate new environments, manage your finances, and adapt to different lifestyles. Overall, this experience will push you to step out of your comfort zone, and other benefits will follow: you’ll become more confident, improve new skills, meet new people, and develop different hobbies and interests.

9. International education is a CV booster.

With the clinical experience, language skills, and cultural knowledge you have, your CV will be way stronger. Employers value candidates who have the ability to adapt to new environments, communicate with different people, and have good medical knowledge.

10. You can study medicine abroad in English

While learning the local language is useful, it may be challenging to imagine doing your entire degree in a new language. Luckily, you can find many universities that have English-taught programs, and internships that only require English. This way, you can focus on your studies and clinical training rather than struggling with language barriers. Learning the language will also feel less stressful.

3 recommended medical study abroad programs

Explore top global medical study programs.

Convinced that studying medicine abroad is worth it? We thought so. But no “why study medicine abroad” list is complete without some excellent program recommendations.

Here, we have 3 programs focusing on medical internships, health sciences, and traditional and holistic medicine:

1. Global Health & Pre-Medicine Internships Abroad | IMA

• Highlights: International Medical Aid takes you to seven countries across East Africa, South America, and the Caribbean for a wide range of medical internships. In each internship, no matter if it’s focused on medicine, public health, or dentistry, you work in hospitals, get mentors to guide you, and learn on the fly. Many IMA alumni describe the experience as life-changing, as they learn a lot and contribute to the local communities in a meaningful way. Besides the clinical experience, all programs include day trips and treks, which could be safaris, hot springs, or local markets depending on where you go! Another highlight of the program is its admissions counseling, which consists of strategy sessions, primary and secondary application reviews, and interview preparation to help you get into medical school.
• Location: Kenya, Tanzania, Uganda, Haiti, Colombia, Ecuador, Peru
• Read International Medical Aid reviews

2. CIEE Psychology & Health Science in Seville, Spain

• Highlights: This 15-week program is perfect for psychology and health science students who want to earn credits as well as international experience. In addition to your classes at Universidad de Sevilla, or Centro de Estudios Universitarios School of Communications, you’ll also have plenty of time to explore Spain, thanks to the day trips offered in the program. Your base will be in Sevilla, a beautiful city known for flamenco dancing and stunning architecture. There's never a dull moment in this city, when there are Roman, Islamic, Gothic, Renaissance, and Baroque architectures surrounding you at all times. Do take the opportunity to learn Spanish — one of the best languages for medical students.
• Location: Spain
• Read CIEE reviews

3. SIT Study Abroad: India: Traditional Medicine & Healthcare

• Highlights: Health is often impacted by social, economic, and cultural circumstances. During this 10-day program, you’ll experience this firsthand. You’ll visit traditional medicine centers in Delhi, learn about holistic Indian medicine, and take Tibetan medicine lessons in Dharamsala, where the Dalai Lama lives. If you want a mix of traditional and holistic medicine, this program could be a great option.
• Location: India
• Read SIT Study Abroad reviews

Make the most of your education and study medicine abroad!

Unlock career and personal growth with international medical study.

From gaining hands-on clinical experience to learning about diverse medical conditions, studying medicine abroad gives you a wide range of useful skills for your future job. While acquiring these skills, you’ll be having the experience of a lifetime, while meeting new people and learning about a new culture. If you study medicine abroad, you’ll unlock a lot of career, personal development, and networking opportunities!