Pre-Physician Assistant Internships

Are you a high school student aspiring to join medical school or an undergrad aspiring to be a physician assistant? Our  Pre Physician Assistant shadowing internship programs abroad give you the opportunity to shadow physicians in busy under-resourced healthcare facilities in Kenya and Tanzania. 

These internships for pre pa students and volunteer opportunities will give you insight into the daily routines of healthcare professionals in Africa and how they serve the high patient inflows despite limitations of technology, diagnostic services, and treatment options. 

While on a Pre Physician Assistant internship abroad, you will have the chance to get medical work experience abroad, build your professional network, personal development, and clinical knowledge under supervision and mentorship. 

Students in our healthcare internship programs have the opportunity to volunteer in our community outreach programs which include visiting and spending time in orphanages, teaching local communities about hygiene, participating in community health education and sensitization et cetera.

Elective Africa’s Physician Assistant/ Pre-PA Internships abroad follow AAMC’s Guidelines on student shadowing.

During your free time, feel free to savor the beauty of the destination through excursions, experience an African safari, or trek Mt. Kilimanjaro; (take a look at this Youtube video to see if it is worth the trip).

[Click here to view our physician assistant electives]

Program Mentorship/ Physician Shadowing Abroad

PA shadowing is one of the best ways to gain clinical experience as a Pre PA student. Our programs provide a minimum of 25 hours a week in a working hospital environment. 

Once you start the placement you will be introduced to the hospital by one of our staff. After which your mentor takes over responsibility for your safety and will ensure you are under professional supervision at all times. Our staff maintains daily communications with your supervisor to monitor your learning experience.

You will have a dedicated registered physician as your mentor with whom you will share your learning objectives and medical interests. He or she will help you meet the objectives and also share personal insights concerning the medical career. 

Your mentor will help you meet your objectives by educating and passing on insightful knowledge about the medical career. You’ll be inspired as you witness them perform procedures, diagnose conditions, prescribe treatment,  provide patient care, and navigate hospital life.

Quieter times between patient cases will be used to provide informal teaching of basic clinical skills, allowing you to practice with your peers in a safe, controlled setting.

During the Pre PA shadowing abroad, it is important to keep a journal and ask as many questions as you can. This not only improves your understanding but also cultivates a cordial relationship with your mentor.

Specialties Available in the Pre-Physician Assistant Internship Abroad

Participants rotate in different hospital departments including OB/GYN, Pediatrics and Child Health, General Medicine, Surgery, PsychiatryAccidents & Emergency so as to give you a well-rounded hospital experience. This is as per individual student's interests and the university requirements

As a pre pa student, other activities that you will learn in the program under supervision and mentorship include taking patients' medical history,  recording their symptoms, blood pressure readings, analyzing blood sugar levels, taking height/ weight measurements, and temperature readings for the doctor’s review.

Why Undertake Your PrePA Internship Abroad?

Pre PA programs abroad are immersive experiences that introduce you to the day-to-day challenges in the life of physicians; coupled with oversight and guidance from mentors and support staff.

Elective Africa Physician Assistant/ Pre PA internships abroad encompass interactive global health tutorials which take place weekly at students' residences. Within these sessions, you will learn from PAs about how they manage to deliver healthcare services despite inadequate resources and how the health systems differ from your home health system. 

These tutorials also help students to make educated decisions about their career choices in the medical field before embarking on years of study. 

Living with fellow peers in an international medical internship with you creates valuable shared learning experiences and lasting memories.

Enrich Your Medical Career With Elective Africa

PA shadowing abroad is the opportunity to see medical conditions you’re unlikely to see in your home country such as tropical diseases; the impact of sociocultural traditions and poverty on healthcare delivery. 

A medical internship abroad experience will help your application to stand out from the crowd and is sure to impress admissions officers at interviews. 

Program Duration

Elective Africa's Pre PA shadowing internships abroad range from 2 to 12 weeks. 

PrePA students and medical volunteers who spend more time on their programs have the scope to become better integrated over time, gaining increased insight into culture and understanding of international healthcare. 

What Is Included in the Pre-PA Shadowing Program Abroad

An international medical internship abroad ignites your inventiveness and ability to adapt to new situations and work well within a team, improves your communication skills, global health insight, and finally a chance to travel, experience diverse cultures and rich traditions. 

Our aim has always been to provide you with a memorable, adventurous, and hassle-free program. 

Here are the inclusivities of our Pre PA program abroad:

• A comprehensive pre-departure guide.
• Airport transfers as per different location guidelines.
• Designated mentors and support from local staff.
• Shadowing physicians and other medical professionals.
• Gated, safe and comfortable houses complete with in-house catering, Wi-Fi access, and support staff.
• Biweekly global health tutorials.
• One-way transport to your clinical site.
• Basic Swahili lessons twice a week.
• Certificate of participation on program completion.
• Volunteer activities as per schedule by local staff.
• A chance to explore and travel: safaris, excursions, and mountaineering as optional add-on activities.

Do you want to come with a group of friends?

You may opt to travel alone and join a group of participants or travel as a group and make memories together.

Elective Africa’s hospital internships can be tailored to accommodate groups. You might also have the opportunity to get a group discount if you tag along with your friend(s) or classmate(s). For more information on groups, contact our placements advisors at operations@electiveafrica.com or inquire here!

Preparing for your Pre Physician Assistant Internship in Kenya / Tanzania

We will provide you with a comprehensive pre-departure guide and support from our staff. However, it is advisable to read up about your preferred/ designated placement destinations i.e. Kenya or Tanzania. 

Prior knowledge of the language, climate, tribes, culture, and local customs will really enhance your trip. For more information, download a free brochure for our pre pa summer internships abroad in 2024 & summer 2025.

Click Here to APPLY and Start your Journey of Joining us for a Valuable Pre PA Shadowing Internship Abroad!