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International Medical Aid - IMA

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International Medical Aid - IMA

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International Medical Aid provides students and institutions community-based global health education. What if the necessary medicine isn't available?

Founded by Johns Hopkins alumni, International Medical Aid works with pre-health students across multiple disciplines, including medicine, nursing, dentistry, mental health and physical therapy, to provide experiences that will further your preparation for medical school and graduate healthcare programs. IMA partners with leading academic institutions in the United States, Canada, and Europe to facilitate study abroad trips and internship opportunities. Our healthcare internship programs provide pre-health students hands-on experience through intensive clinical shadowing, service learning, didactic experiences, and expert admissions support. Combined, these elements build the foundation that medical and related healthcare programs are looking for in applicants. International Medical Aid works with underserved communities in East Africa, South America, and the Caribbean. We bring healthcare where it otherwise might not go, improving lives and providing valuable shadowing experiences to pre-health students. We focus our efforts in areas where there is the greatest need. Our programs impact the lives of everyone involved--patients, providers and students. Early exposure to these settings is critical for students who might not otherwise consider providing medicine to rural communities. Plus, opportunities like this are once-in-a-lifetime and will provide content for your medical school essays and a competitive edge for some of the best medical programs in the country. You'll also form lifelong friendships and connections that can prove vital to your long-term success in the medical field. IMA also partners with local communities and professionals to develop grass-roots initiatives that are led by individuals in the community. Through local engagement, IMA helps improve the quality of the healthcare that is provided to specific regions. Our Global Health Lecture Series helps pre-med students understand the differences that run throughout the healthcare system and affect how treatments are delivered to patients. Our Clinical Simulation Sessions teach interns basic healthcare through simulated experiences. Interns practice suturing, drawing blood, managing airways, and injecting medications on mannequins. Normally, this kind of experience doesn't come until much later during a medical student's education. Finally, our Community Outreach Program educates and gives resources to members of the community, allowing individuals to take better control of their health. This includes field medical clinics and hygiene education sessions that cover topics like hand and oral hygiene. Providing medicine to remote areas and underserved communities has allowed IMA, our doctors, and our pre-health students to make an impact in the lives of individuals who need medical treatment or who need to improve their health through simple measures. You'll have first-hand experiences with conditions that most doctors don't get to treat in remote areas. You'll work in settings where instruments need to be sterilized before surgery. Having experience in the developing world will prepare you for a career in medicine like nothing else. Getting into medical school is a difficult and complex process. You're competing with other highly qualified candidates who have the same dreams you do. Displaying your passion for science through working with IMA will prove just how much you love medicine. While EMTs, nurse's aids and ER techs gain valuable experience that will help them in medical school, IMA interns get more. Remote medicine stretches you and allows you to grow in ways you wouldn't otherwise experience. What if a clinic runs out of a life-saving medicine before treatment has been completed? What if the right tests can't be run to confirm a suspected diagnosis? These are issues that medical doctors face on a daily basis. Your unique experiences will put you in a very small group of applicants that stand out to medical schools and other graduate healthcare programs. Our alumni have been accepted to programs at Harvard University, Stanford University, UCSF, and the Mayo Clinic. So, are you looking for a one-of-a-kind, once-in-a-lifetime experience shadowing doctors in remote areas of the world? Consider going on an internship with International Medical Aid.

10/15/2026

“I had a unique experience in Kenya that I believe was very different from the usual intern with IMA. My background is critical care nursing, with plans to pursue a career in nurse anesthesia. I worked through the COVID-19 pandemic while my fellow interns were deciding what college to attend. My experience in Kenya was really interesting due to my comfortability in the hospital setting.

I was attached to the anesthesia teams in the surgical theatre, learning how each anesthesia provider approached their cases. After a few days, I was able to interact with staff on a first-name basis and compare the differences between the United States and Kenya through the lens of the operating room.

In terms of the logistical and outside-the-hospital experience as an intern, I thought IMA ran a very curated, professional, and educational experience. Beyond theatre, I was able to participate in health clinics in local schools due to the relationship IMA fosters with the local community. I applied to IMA because of my past global experience with Johns Hopkins and Nursing Heart Inc., which foster relationships with communities in Guatemala that otherwise do not have access to healthcare. I witnessed how genuine, long-lasting relationships create community initiatives to reach goals identified by the communities themselves. This is not a short-lived intervention, but rather a relationship between communities, empowered by the people who live there. As an intern and medical professional, I was a catalyst used to help continue this relationship. I believe this model is one of the best ways to develop community engagement with current healthcare and can even be applied to patient care at the bedside. I try to meet patients where they are, establish rapport early to identify what they need beyond medical treatment, and foster a relationship based on mutual trust rather than short-term intervention.

Thank you to all the Program Staff and Program Mentors! You all are amazing at personable interaction and demonstrate your dedication to your job every day. Every interaction was so friendly and welcoming, everyone truly did their best, and you can see it every day. Thank you also for helping tailor my experience to my unique situation of already being a nurse. Being recognized by the government to practice in the hospital was above and beyond, and helping me get additional hours in the surgical theatre was exactly what I needed.”

— 𝐉𝐮𝐬𝐭𝐮𝐬 𝐍𝐨𝐰𝐚𝐤, 𝐒𝐮𝐦𝐦𝐞𝐫 𝟐𝟎𝟐𝟔 𝐀𝐥𝐮𝐦
𝘑𝘰𝘩𝘯𝘴 𝘏𝘰𝘱𝘬𝘪𝘯𝘴 𝘚𝘤𝘩𝘰𝘰𝘭 𝘰𝘧 𝘕𝘶𝘳𝘴𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝟸𝟶𝟸𝟶

10/13/2026

“My experience was incredible; to say I'm grateful is an understatement. Beginning with my clinical experience, my Clinical Mentors were very kind, attentive, and educational. The clinical experience working with them was outstanding. I also appreciated the team in the Maternity Department so much. Their leadership and teaching were great. From working with them at Coast General Teaching and Referral Hospital and at Community Medical Clinics, I found them to be an incredible resource.

With the IMA Program, I also have a deep appreciation for the staff. The Community Outreach Coordinator was deeply involved in the community integration and Outreach Activities for us. He helped me coordinate care for a student during one of the Women's Health Education Sessions. The tour of the Informal Settlement was a huge learning experience during my time there. In the Program Residence, the House Matron was a joy every single day. Her positivity and loving personality helped me feel welcomed and at home right away.

Additionally, the Program Mentors were incredible advisors and always diligent to resolve any issues we had. They were an amazing resource and not only listened to our feedback but also found ways to implement change. They encouraged us to use the resources available to voice our opinions. The lectures, Clinical Debriefs, and Skills Labs were all beneficial in my learning and understanding of the community. The Program Residence always felt very safe to the Cultural Treks, Safaris, and me, and Community Outreach Activities felt like I was able to experience Kenyan Culture outside of just healthcare. Without IMA's resources, my experience would not have been the same.”

— 𝐃𝐲𝐥𝐚𝐧 𝐂𝐥𝐚𝐫𝐤, 𝐒𝐮𝐦𝐦𝐞𝐫 𝟐𝟎𝟐𝟔 𝐀𝐥𝐮𝐦
𝘔𝘰𝘯𝘵𝘢𝘯𝘢 𝘚𝘵𝘢𝘵𝘦 𝘜𝘯𝘪𝘷𝘦𝘳𝘴𝘪𝘵𝘺 2026

10/12/2026

“My International Medical Aid internship in Mombasa, Kenya, was one of the most meaningful experiences I have had during high school. From the moment I arrived, I felt welcomed and supported by the IMA staff, making it easier to adjust to a new environment. The program balanced structured learning with opportunities to experience the local community, allowing me to grow personally and academically.

My Clinical Mentor made the hospital experience especially meaningful. He was patient and generous with his time, teaching us about patients and helping us understand the reasoning behind diagnoses and treatments. He encouraged our curiosity and treated us as students eager to learn. His guidance made me more comfortable in the hospital and deepened my understanding of medicine. The Program Mentors and staff also made a huge difference. They ensured everyone felt comfortable, included, and supported. Whether we had questions or needed help adjusting to something unfamiliar, they were always approachable and willing to help.

The hospital experience was eye-opening. Observing healthcare in a setting with fewer resources than I was accustomed to challenged my understanding of quality medical care. I watched healthcare professionals find creative ways to care for patients despite limited supplies and equipment. This made me reflect on healthcare accessibility and the need for affordable, practical solutions in underserved communities.

Outside the hospital, I loved experiencing Kenyan culture, especially the food. Chapati quickly became one of my favorite things to eat, and sharing meals was a memorable way to connect with the culture.

Overall, my IMA experience gave me much more than clinical exposure. It taught me to be adaptable, open-minded, and willing to learn from others. I left Mombasa with a deeper understanding of global healthcare and a stronger desire to make healthcare more accessible through my future career.”

— 𝐇𝐚𝐢𝐥𝐞𝐲 𝐁𝐮𝐧𝐝𝐲, 𝐒𝐮𝐦𝐦𝐞𝐫 𝟐𝟎𝟐𝟔 𝐀𝐥𝐮𝐦
𝘔𝘢𝘯𝘴𝘧𝘪𝘦𝘭𝘥 𝘍𝘳𝘰𝘯𝘵𝘪𝘦𝘳 𝘚𝘛𝘌𝘔 𝘈𝘤𝘢𝘥𝘦𝘮𝘺 2027

10/09/2026

“I felt welcomed from the beginning, especially because this was my first time traveling alone and I did not know anyone in the program. The Program Mentors took great care of me, and I was supported even before the trip to make sure I had everything I needed. I always felt safe because of the precautions IMA took, and I felt comfortable throughout my stay. I really enjoyed having a balance of planned activities and free time. Being able to explore with my friends made me feel more independent while still having the support of the Program Mentors.

I also loved the Community Outreach Activities, especially visiting an orphanage and teaching the children about personal hygiene and Menstrual Health. These experiences gave me the opportunity to connect with the community outside of the hospital and made my time in Kenya even more meaningful.

The hospital was definitely a culture shock, but it became one of the most meaningful parts of my experience. I was able to shadow doctors in Pediatrics, Cardiology, the Emergency Department, Internal Medicine, Maternity, and the Newborn Unit, which gave me a glimpse into my future in medicine. Seeing sick children in the Pediatric ward was difficult, but it helped me grow and made me even more interested in becoming a doctor.

I also met so many kind people who shared my interests and made the experience even better. Overall, I am very grateful for this experience and for everyone at IMA who made me feel supported, safe, and excited to learn.”

— 𝐃𝐚𝐧𝐢𝐞𝐥𝐥𝐞 𝐊𝐮𝐜𝐡𝐧𝐢𝐚, 𝐒𝐮𝐦𝐦𝐞𝐫 𝟐𝟎𝟐𝟔 𝐀𝐥𝐮𝐦
𝘎𝘳𝘦𝘦𝘯 𝘏𝘰𝘱𝘦 𝘏𝘪𝘨𝘩 𝘚𝘤𝘩𝘰𝘰𝘭 2027

10/07/2026

The IMA experience extends beyond the clinical setting. Our internships abroad provide students with opportunities to engage with local communities, learn about cultural traditions, and better understand the social and cultural context in which healthcare is delivered.

These experiences are an important part of developing a broader understanding of global health. Language, traditions, values, history, and community can all influence how healthcare is understood, accessed, and experienced. Engaging with these aspects alongside clinical rotations provides valuable context for interns’ experiences within hospitals, clinics, and other healthcare environments.

Throughout their time with IMA, interns participate in cultural and educational experiences designed to encourage meaningful engagement with their host communities. Language classes introduce interns to commonly used words and phrases, while visits to cultural and historical sites provide greater insight into the history, traditions, and everyday life of the communities in which they are living and learning.

Whether experiencing the culture and traditions of Peru, exploring local life in Kenya, learning a new language, or engaging with communities across IMA’s international program destinations, these experiences complement clinical exposure and encourage interns to approach unfamiliar environments with curiosity, openness, cultural humility, and respect.

For many interns, participating in an IMA program is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to combine clinical exposure, cultural immersion, and meaningful engagement with communities abroad.

At International Medical Aid, we believe global health education extends beyond clinical shadowing. By combining clinical exposure, cultural immersion, and community engagement, IMA programs help interns develop a more comprehensive understanding of global health and the diverse communities they encounter.

10/03/2026

"This program far exceeded my expectations in the food, hospitality, organization, accommodations, tours, and cultural enrichment. I felt constantly supported by the Program Mentors and learned so much more about Kenya than I ever would have if I had just visited on my own. I truly felt welcomed and was able to call Kenya my home for an entire month, which was the biggest blessing of my life. Everyone was incredibly friendly and eager to help or support you.⁣⁣⁣
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The other interns were so social, kind, and friendly as well, and we all developed such close relationships with each other and unforgettable memories. You were never made to feel silly by anyone for learning the local customs or culture, and instead were always encouraged by locals and interns to get out of your comfort zone in the best ways. The Community Outreach Activities were so much fun, getting to meet and connect with the local kids and see their day-to-day life was priceless. Despite the obvious things that are hard to see in the hospital, my time in Kenya was one of the best months of my life, and I miss it constantly. I hope to be back again one day very soon."
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— 𝐒𝐨𝐩𝐡𝐢𝐚 𝐃𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐧𝐞, 𝐒𝐮𝐦𝐦𝐞𝐫 𝟐𝟎𝟐𝟔 𝐀𝐥𝐮𝐦⁣⁣⁣
𝘕𝘰𝘳𝘵𝘩𝘦𝘢𝘴𝘵𝘦𝘳𝘯 𝘜𝘯𝘪𝘷𝘦𝘳𝘴𝘪𝘵𝘺 𝟸𝟶𝟸𝟼⁣⁣ ⁣
⁣

09/27/2026

“My experience in Kenya was incredible overall. As someone with a genuine passion for medicine, I found that my time there, particularly my rotations at Coast General, only reinforced my desire to pursue a career in healthcare.⁣
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Experiencing the day-to-day dynamics of a hospital firsthand and observing a range of medical procedures further motivated me to contribute as a healthcare professional in the future.⁣
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As someone who had never traveled to a country with such a different cultural and socioeconomic context, engaging with the local community was particularly eye-opening. It helped me understand how educational systems, healthcare, and everyday life can vary significantly across countries.⁣
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I learned directly from the people I met, broadened my perspective, and developed a greater appreciation for the importance of cultural awareness and adaptability.⁣
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Overall, this experience allowed me to grow both personally and professionally, and it is one that I will always remember.”⁣
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— 𝐀𝐧𝐚 𝐀𝐥𝐨𝐧𝐬𝐨, 𝐒𝐮𝐦𝐦𝐞𝐫 𝟐𝟎𝟐𝟔 𝐀𝐥𝐮𝐦⁣
𝘒𝘦𝘯𝘴𝘪𝘯𝘨𝘵𝘰𝘯 𝘚𝘤𝘩𝘰𝘰𝘭 𝟸𝟶𝟸𝟽⁣
⁣

09/26/2026

“My experience with the IMA program in Kenya was incredibly meaningful, and I left with a much deeper understanding of psychology, healthcare, and what it means to be immersed in another culture. The cultural treks were especially meaningful, allowing me to experience Kenya beyond the hospital and learn directly from communities.

The IMA staff were a huge part of what made the experience special. I felt welcomed and supported from the beginning. My clinical experience was another major highlight. The psychology interns and clinical staff mentors made my time at Coast General wonderful. The Kenyan psychology interns welcomed me, allowed me to shadow them, explained their work, translated conversations, answered my questions, and helped me become more comfortable speaking with patients. I felt genuinely included.

One of the biggest lessons I took away was how universal human connection is. Although healthcare systems, resources, languages, and cultural practices may differ, the need to feel heard, supported, and understood does not. I expected to focus primarily on the differences between healthcare in Kenya and the United States, but I found myself focusing just as much on the similarities. I came away realizing that ‘people are people’ and that human connection is central to psychology.

The combination of clinical work, cultural immersion, and relationships made this experience much more impactful than I expected. I came home with a stronger passion for psychology, a broader interest in women’s health and global healthcare, and a deeper appreciation for culture. Most importantly, I feel that I learned not just about Kenya, but from Kenya.”

— 𝐋𝐢𝐥𝐲 𝐃𝐮𝐛𝐢𝐧, 𝐒𝐮𝐦𝐦𝐞𝐫 𝟐𝟎𝟐𝟔 𝐀𝐥𝐮𝐦
𝘜𝘯𝘪𝘷𝘦𝘳𝘴𝘪𝘵𝘺 𝘰𝘧 𝘝𝘦𝘳𝘮𝘰𝘯𝘵 𝟸𝟶𝟸𝟹

09/25/2026

Healthcare doesn’t begin and end inside a hospital. The impact of IMA’s programs extends far beyond the clinical setting and into the communities we serve, where education, prevention, and meaningful, long-term engagement have a lasting impact on health and well-being.

IMA’s approach to community health is rooted in a model of healthcare delivery developed by our founders at Johns Hopkins University and refined over the course of the organization’s work in the communities we serve. This model recognizes that improving health requires more than clinical care alone. It requires sustained investment in health education, prevention, community engagement, and access to essential resources.

Throughout their time with IMA, interns take part in a range of Community Outreach Initiatives, including Community Medical Clinics, Hygiene Education Sessions, Women’s Health Education Sessions, and Mental Health Awareness Clinics.

Each experience provides interns with the opportunity to engage directly with local communities, support health education, promote healthy practices, and contribute to initiatives designed around important community health needs.

Over the course of IMA’s work, these initiatives have shown the meaningful impact that consistent, long-term community engagement can have. Interns see firsthand how education, prevention, and sustained outreach complement care delivered within hospitals and clinics while gaining a deeper understanding of the social and economic factors that influence access to healthcare.

Just as importantly, these experiences shape our interns themselves. Community outreach helps build empathy, cultural awareness, communication skills, and a deeper understanding of global health, qualities that stay with future healthcare professionals long after their time abroad.

At International Medical Aid, our commitment to improving health extends well beyond the walls of the hospital. Every outreach initiative is professionally guided and thoughtfully designed to be ethical, sustainable, and responsive to the communities we serve.

09/24/2026

Congratulations to our final Summer 2026 cohorts on completing their Healthcare Internship Programs at our flagship site in South America—Cusco, Peru!

Throughout their time in Cusco, our interns experienced healthcare delivery through hospital rotations, clinical education sessions, and community outreach. Each setting offered a different perspective—from observing healthcare professionals to engaging with communities through health education.

Interns also explored the relationship between traditional and complementary healing practices and modern evidence-based medicine, gaining insight into how cultural beliefs, traditions, and contemporary clinical care can intersect within a healthcare system.

Across these experiences, our interns demonstrated curiosity, responsibility, respect, and a willingness to learn. They encountered different clinical environments, patient populations, and approaches to care while developing a broader understanding of the social, cultural, and public health factors that influence health outcomes.

Their experience in Peru also extended beyond the clinical setting. Living and learning in Cusco offered the opportunity to experience its history, traditions, culture, and communities while reinforcing the importance of cultural awareness in healthcare.

Our cohorts also developed meaningful connections with one another, making those relationships an important part of the experience.

This year’s interns were selected from the largest and most competitive applicant pool in IMA’s history, making this milestone especially meaningful.

As we conclude our Summer 2026 season in South America, we extend our congratulations and appreciation to every member of our Cusco cohorts. We are grateful for the commitment, curiosity, and enthusiasm each intern brought to their program, peers, clinical partners, and the communities from whom they had the opportunity to learn.

Congratulations once again to our final Summer 2026 cohorts in Cusco, Peru. We are proud of all you accomplished and look forward to seeing where your journeys take you next!

Address

1629 K Street NW Suite 300
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Monday	9am - 5pm
Tuesday	9am - 5pm
Wednesday	9am - 5pm
Thursday	9am - 5pm
Friday	9am - 5pm
Saturday	8am - 5pm
Sunday	8am - 5pm

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https://www.medicalaid.org/

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