Why bother going on a medical internship abroad, you might think. No matter your background you should always carefully consider the pros and cons concerning a medical internship abroad compared to a medical internship in your home country.
Ask yourself the following:
Why am I even considering a medical internship abroad? Is it because of the travel experience or the work experience? You can have both, no doubt about that, but if you value the work experience higher, then it might worth looking for medical internships in your own country before going abroad. Ask yourself what you want to learn and if you can gain that knowledge at home.
What do I get out of a medical internship abroad? If you are looking to combine traveling with valuable work experience then you should definitely go abroad. Medical internships abroad guarantee learning – about healthcare practices, about work environment and about culture. However, you have to make an effort as well. Be open-minded, ask questions (a lot!) and be ready to help out with even the most basic (or boring) tasks.
Will I learn more about medicine if I go abroad? Not necessarily, no. Although you will definitely learn about how medicine is practiced in the country you intern in, it does not necessarily mean that you will be better qualified than yours peers who intern in your home country. Again, consider what you want to learn. It is your career and your future and you should do what is best for you.
If I do not intern in a country with higher standards than my home country, then why should I go abroad? It’s back to basics! You will learn how medicine is practiced when doctors don’t necessarily have access to same equipment as you normally do. You will learn how to diagnose, treat and follow up on patients in clinics and hospitals where expensive equipment as MRI and CT are not possible.
Am I willing to pay for a medical internship abroad? There are a lot of different options. Some offer paid internships where you get paid a modest fee to cover food and accommodation. Others charge you a fee to arrange the internship (and often the logistics such as food and accommodation) for you. Ask yourself if and what you are willing to “sacrifice” to get the medical internship you want.
What if I do not want to pay any expenses? If you are not interested in having any expenses at all, we advise you to look for internships at home. Even paid internships don’t cover flights, visa, work permit, vaccinations, etc. so you will always have some expenses when going abroad.
What now? Contact us for free advice about your options!