Physician Assistant Internships Abroad
Physician Assistant Internships Abroad
Are you a physician assistant student or professional looking to enhance your clinical knowledge? GE’s PA program provides students with valuable practical clinical training experience in resource-deprived public, private, and or remote community health facilities in East Africa.
The program is open to undergraduates, PA students, graduate students, residents, healthcare professionals, physician associates, and licensed physician assistants. We also have customized pre-PA programs for high school students..
Why Undertake a Physician Assistant Internship Abroad?
Go Elective understands that students often face budget constraints. To address this, we offer an affordable program that allows you to tailor your experience to your needs. Our flexibility in scheduling, coupled with adhering to university requirements (if any), ensures that our programs align with your education and personal objectives.
By participating in our physician assistant internship program abroad, you'll immerse yourself in local cultures and interact with experienced clinical officers, physicians, and healthcare professionals. Gain a deep understanding of healthcare challenges in underserved regions and develop skills in adaptability, communication, and teamwork. You will also help make a meaningful impact, however minimal, by contributing to the well-being of disadvantaged populations in Kenya and Tanzania.
Program Duration & Schedule
The duration of our physician assistant placements abroad is flexible, ranging from 2 to 12 weeks. You have the freedom to choose the program's start and end dates to align with your academic commitments and personal availability.
On weekdays, your schedule will include hospital rotations from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m., allowing your afternoons to be free for various activities, such as attending our global health seminars, language lessons, or relaxation at the residence. If you're looking to get additional clinical hours, you are free to take on extra hospital shifts.
During weekends, you'll have the opportunity to unwind, engage in safaris, spend time with local schoolchildren, or participate in volunteer work that may involve offering preventive health education.
What’s Included in the GE PA Program
Go-Elective offers a comprehensive physician assistant internship abroad package.
We provide pre-trip support; airport transfers; 24/7 assistance; safe, spacious, and comfortable housing; private transport; chef-prepared meals tailored to personal dietary preferences; hospital fees; orientation; mentorship/training; weekly global health seminars in the residence; language lessons; recommendation letter/certificate of participation; volunteering opportunities as well as a chance to explore the destination, hike Mt. Kilimanjaro or go on a safari.
Why Choose Go-Elective for Your Physician Assistant Internship Abroad?
In today's interconnected world, gaining an international perspective is essential for healthcare professionals. Our physician assistant internship programs abroad offer.
Flexible Program Durations and Dates
You can tailor your experience to your schedule. Our program durations range from 2 to 12 weeks, allowing you to choose dates that work best for your educational and professional commitments.
Clinical Experience
During your time with us, you'll work closely with certified physicians in government hospitals and community health facilities. This supervised hands-on training complements the theoretical aspects of your physician assistant education. Imagine diagnosing and treating conditions without the advanced lab services and equipment you're used to at home.
Diverse Specialties
These residence-based seminars give a unique perspective on healthcare in resource-limited settings. You'll gain an understanding of how poverty, socio-cultural traditions, and limited resources affect patient care.
Global Health Seminars
We pride ourselves in being one of the few organizations that offer split placements. You can placed in two different hospitals in the same location, within two different cities or countries to enhance your experience!
Personalized Experiences
We understand that each student has their own interests and career goals. We work closely with our applicants to meet their individual needs or those of their respective schools.
Safety and Support
Your well-being is our top priority. We ensure your safety with secure accommodations and provide 24/7 support through designated mentors and other staff.
Safaris & Cultural Immersion
Why travel so far and miss out on exploring your placement destination? Consider a safari in the Maasai Mara or Serengeti, or, for hikers, the chance to conquer Africa's tallest peak, Mt. Kilimanjaro. These opportunities await when you open yourself to exploring beyond your familiar borders. Picture yourself immersed in a new country, navigating vibrant markets, and sampling exotic cuisines.
Unique Program Highlights
Our programs are located in regions with unique healthcare challenges. Kenya, for instance, grapples with a shortage of doctors, resulting in a distinct doctor-to-patient ratio. Limited resources lead to different approaches to healthcare delivery, such as prescribing medication when resources are scarce. Traditional medicine is also practiced in some hospitals, and research into its effectiveness is ongoing.
Resources are often limited, and emergencies can be challenging due to a lack of equipment. Patients and their families are typically expected to pay for treatment unless they have health insurance, which many cannot afford. Patients may present with advanced conditions, and you'll have the opportunity to contribute to research on diseases like TB and Malaria.
Beyond medicine, these regions offer remarkable experiences, from unwinding on palm-lined beaches to encountering elephants, lions, and giraffes on safari.
Featured Hospitals in Our PA Program
One of our highlighted medical facilities is the Coast General Teaching and Referral Hospital. It has a history dating back to 1908 and is now the second-largest public hospital in Kenya, serving more than a million people as their primary healthcare provider, and about 3 million as a secondary option. People from all over Kenya and East Africa come here for high-quality care.
We also work with other hospitals in Mombasa, Malindi, Nairobi, Kakamega, and Arusha, Tanzania.
Program Supervision & Mentorship
Upon your arrival, our staff will meet you at the airport and drive you to our residence, allowing you to relax after your journey. The following day, you will receive a local area orientation, followed by a hospital induction.
During the hospital induction, you will be assigned a doctor mentor who will guide you throughout the program. We maintain daily communication with your supervisor to ensure your learning experience stays on track and aligns with your objectives.
GE PA Programs Health & Safety
Our program residences are located in the safest areas of the cities we operate in. Each residence is within a gated community with round-the-clock security personnel. Depending on the number of participants at any given time, accommodations may include shared rooms with one other person.
The residences are equipped with a TV, Wi-Fi, kitchen, dining area, and access to a swimming pool. Furthermore, we provide private transportation to our destinations to guarantee your safety and convenience.
Specialties Available
Specialties available for the physician assistant program include accidents and emergency, pediatrics, general surgery, internal medicine, obstetrics and gynecology, oncology, radiology, cardiology, psychiatry, tropical medicine, general medicine, orthopedics, respiratory medicine, trauma, intensive care, laboratory work, among others.
Please note that there are limited openings in each department, so we recommend securing your spot as early as possible. We maintain a controlled number of participants per department to uphold the quality of our healthcare internships.
Scope, Task & Responsibilities in Your PA Internships Abroad
Is it possible for PA students to engage in hands-on experience during their PA internship abroad? Your supervisor determines assignments after adequate orientation and evaluation. You will have access to the clinical area, as well as direct patient contact but with supervision.
Possible tasks that you might help with in some departments may include:
- Outpatient Department
Welcoming and registering patients, monitoring vital signs, aiding in patient histories and treatment administration, supporting lab and pharmacy activities, and conducting clinics addressing topics such as HIV and diabetes. - Surgical Department
Duties may involve preparing patients for both major and minor surgeries, providing
assistance in operating rooms, following up with post-surgery patients, and engaging in
morning rounds with the medical staff. - Gynecology
Assisting in prenatal clinics, aiding in deliveries and C-sections, providing support in postnatal clinics, and joining the medical staff during their rounds. - Pediatrics
Tasks could entail assisting with pediatric treatments and vaccinations, offering support in pediatric wards, and participating in morning rounds with the medical staff. - HIV Care and Treatment:
Participants may contribute by offering counseling and check-ups to individuals living
with HIV. - Community Health Services
Volunteers have the opportunity to take part in preventive workshops when they are organized in collaboration with the hospital or local NGOs.
Adventure Beyond Medicine
We recognize the significance of immersing yourself in the local culture and attractions during your experience. During your leisure time, you'll have the chance to go on safaris, and excursions, or even embark on adventurous activities such as hiking Mount Kilimanjaro, the tallest mountain in Africa.
These extra activities provide you with the opportunity to deeply engage with the beauty and culture of the locations where you'll be placed.
Preparing for Your PA Internship Abroad
Before embarking on your physician assistant program, we recommend familiarizing yourself with your designated placement location. Learning about the language, climate, local customs, and culture will enrich your experience and facilitate a smooth transition. We normally discuss these essential aspects in our pre-trip sessions.
Don't Leave Your Friends Behind!
Most applications are solo trips that then join other participants in the program. However,
you are free to travel with a group of friends or classmates. Moreover, you have the option
of extending your experience by inviting your family to join you for a memorable safari at
the program's conclusion.
Note that there may be group discounts available for those who choose to travel with friends
or classmates.
Other Placement Options
Besides healthcare, other work placement options available are Teaching, Community Development, Business Treks, HIV work, Orphanage Work, Agriculture, Environmental Protection, and more.
Our programs revolve around volunteering, studying abroad, career exploration, cultural immersion, language study, and gap year programs. Which can all be used for school credit.
2026 & Summer 2027 Electives Applications Ongoing
Ready to embark on this transformative journey with Go-Elective? We're here to support you every step of the way, from liaising with university staff to handling paperwork, visas, and flights. If you're seeking specific advice or more information about our physician assistant internships in 2026 or the summer of 2027 before applying, don't hesitate to reach out. You can email us or click here to schedule a virtual meeting or call.
It's your chance to scrub up and hit the ground running. Join Go-Elective and expand your horizons in the world of healthcare. It's an experience that will enhance your skills, broaden your perspective, and empower you to make a difference.
Success Stories from Our Alumni Network
Go Elective surpassed my expectations. From the moment I arrived, the GE staff made me feel at ease. The shadowing experience I got from the rural clinics in Mombasa was incredible, allowing me to see things I don't think I would have seen anywhere else.
Kayla Foord, Premed Internship
Success Stories from Our Alumni Network
Working with a skilled surgeon was incredible, but the real highlight was the eye-opening experience at the Coast General Hospital. It humbled me and showed me the impact that the medical profession can have worldwide.
Matthew O'Donnell, Medical Elective
Go Elective surpassed my expectations. From the moment I arrived, the GE staff made me feel at ease. The shadowing experience I got from the rural clinics in Mombasa was incredible, allowing me to see things I don't think I would have seen anywhere else.
Kayla Foord, Premed Internship
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Go Elective offers immersive opportunities for medical students, pre-med undergraduates, residents, nursing practitioners, and PAs to gain guided invaluable experience in busy hospitals abroad. Discover the power of study, travel, and impact.
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