I’m torn between going home for the summer or seeking an international experience as a hospital intern. What would you recommend?
Spending time abroad through global seminars, semester study abroad, international internships, postgrad fellowships, or other opportunities can have benefits for all students, premed or not—you gain new perspectives on other cultures and communities, develop adaptability, and get out of your “bubble.”
An international internship in a healthcare setting can be valuable if you’re interested in global health or want to see how healthcare operates in different countries with different health systems.
It will also benefit you to have familiarity with the way that healthcare is organized and delivered in the US since you’ll go to medical school and practice here. You can gain some of this through classes, reading on your own, following the news, etc., but your own expectations for what it means to be a doctor or to work with a healthcare team are often best informed by what you have seen/experienced through shadowing and patient-facing volunteering.
Finally, if you do spend time in a healthcare setting abroad, we recommend doing so through a Princeton-sponsored program. These programs have been vetted by the university and will provide more support for you while you’re abroad. If you participate in an independent program, be aware of the guidelines set by the medical and dental education associations regarding clinical experiences abroad; there are some abroad programs that can do more harm than good (see “Additional perspectives about international opportunities” on our website).
Feel free to schedule an appointment or stop by HPA Drop-In Hours on Friday morning to discuss this further.
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