Finding the right career in medicine isn’t always straightforward, and can often be a process of elimination. For most high school students, knowing you want to work in medicine can be daunting, and might feel like a long, winding road toward a white coat.

But medicine is actually a collection of highly specific fields, from general practice to emergency response and physiotherapy. If you’re wondering how to become a doctor, the first step isn’t memorizing organic chemistry, it’s figuring out where you want to fit in.

Read on to find out how you could gain high-intent medical experience that helps you narrow down exactly what you want to do.

Shadowing can help identify your passions early

The competition in medical school admissions is at an all-time high. In Ireland, admissions officers are now looking for more than just good grades, they want clinical exposure and reflective practice.

The problem is that most local shadowing opportunities are limited. You might spend two weeks in a local doctor’s surgery filing paperwork, but that barely scratches the surface of the medical specialty you might actually love.

Not having access to a more involved experience is why many students enter medical school with a narrow view of the field, only to realize later they would have preferred to specialize in dentistry, midwifery, or occupational therapy.

In fact, 88% of our medical interns believe the clinical experience they had with Projects Abroad simply could not be accessed at home. Why not join them?

“I would strongly recommend this project for any teenagers, especially those in, or entering, years 11/12, who are interested in pursuing a medical career in the future as it is truly motivating and teaches you a lot. Honestly, one of the best experiences of my life.” – Trish from Australia on Trustpilot

Rotation helps find your fit

When you join a Medical Internship for Teenagers with Projects Abroad, you aren’t stuck in one corner of a hospital. You’ll get real exposure to a whole host of different departments. Think of it like tapas… just for medicine, rather than Spanish food.

If you aren’t yet sure exactly where you belong, our medical High School Programmes allow you to rotate through a huge variety of departments. One day you might be in maternity observing a birth, and the next you’re in orthopaedics or ophthalmology.

These projects are purpose-built for teen participants and are perfect for students who enjoy biology but aren’t sure how it applies to a real career. They’ll give you real medical work experience in clinical environments around the world.

The different departments you will be able to work in varies depending on your chosen destination. For example, dentistry, ENT, maternity, and orthopaedics are available in most of our destinations, while things like acupuncture, pharmacy, and psychotherapy are limited to just a few.

Whether you have an idea of what you’d like to try or not, our Project Experts are on hand to guide you to the perfect medical internship for you.

Find out more about our medical High School Programmes >

“This trip has helped me gain a deeper understanding of the field of medicine that interests me the most, confirming that the field I initially wanted to pursue is one I am willing to undertake and capable of handling.” – Zara from Australia on Trustpilot

Boosting your medical school application

Our survey results speak for themselves: 93% of our participants reported that their internship directly improved their medical school application.

Why? Because they weren’t sitting on the sidelines watching, they got stuck in and developed a global perspective on healthcare challenges.

Our projects provide vital clinical hours and time to reflect on your experiences. You will be able to identify and discuss the differences between healthcare in your home country and your chosen destination. You’ll also work toward the essential clinical experience required for competitive pre-med paths.

The shadowing and clinical hours you will have under your belt are vital in creating a truly standout application. Most applicants will have good grades, only a few will have real experience.

91% of our interns feel more confident in handling life’s challenges after their placement. That confidence is exactly what carries an applicant through high-pressure college interviews.

Safety, supervision, and support

We know that for teenagers (and their parents), medical experience abroad feels like a big leap. That’s why our High School Programmes are designed with safety at their core:

24/7 supervision: Your group will be supervised by our staff 24/7.
End-to-end logistics: Trust us to handle your airport transfers, domestic transport, food, accommodation, and all social activities.
Professional guidance: Work alongside experienced, local professionals while following a structured itinerary designed to maximize your clinical exposure.
Comprehensive pre-departure support: Get matched with an experienced Destination Expert who will help ensure you are fully prepared for your trip.

Read more: Our approach to safety and backup

“My daughter had such a great experience with Projects Abroad! She felt safe, made new friends, and received tremendously valuable exposure to the medical field, with hands-on learning in several different specialties.” – Kathleen from the US on Trustpilot

The alternative: join a specialised flexible programme

If you already feel a strong pull toward a certain industry, or you are over 18 and already at college, you may be able to choose a specific project to build deep, technical expertise.

However, these projects often have an age requirement of 16+ or 18+ and are not specifically designed for teenagers.

We offer dedicated internships in:

Nursing
Midwifery
Physiotherapy
Public Health
Nutrition
Occupational Therapy
Speech Therapy
Dentistry
Pharmacy

The benefits of a flexible volunteer programme mean that you can travel at almost any time throughout the year and for any length of time. They are designed to fit around you and your needs!

If you aren’t sure which project is best for you, reach out to a Project Expert who can help talk you through your options.

Don’t guess your future

Your medical career is too long and too expensive to leave your speciality to chance.

Whether you’re looking to boost your med school application or simply want to see if you have the stomach for surgery, an internship abroad gives you the “real-world” experience you need.

“Best month of my life so far, hands down. I was lucky enough to spend 4 weeks in Tanzania on a medical internship, and never have I been more heartbroken to leave a place. Those 4 weeks reminded me why it is I want to study medicine, they gave me a true ‘why’ for the career I want to follow. Because I have every intention to come back, where instead of just observing, I can actually help.” – Nina from Germany on Trustpilot

Ready to find your niche?

Complete the form below to connect to your Project Expert and kickstart your career in medicine.

How to find your niche in medicine