UTC RAVE Alert

Study Abroad Opportunities for Pre-Health Students

School for International Training

A wide range of programs for students interested in: medical school, physician’s assistant, public health, nursing, dental school, and working in healthcare in diverse communities.

Current Programs

Argentina: Epidemiology & Healthcare Management 

Examine urban epidemiology, health inequalities, and the challenges of managing health services and policies to expand access to healthcare in Buenos Aires.

  • Duration: 6 weeks
  • Credits: 6
  • Program Base: Buenos Aires, Argentina
  • Language of Instruction: Spanish
  • Homestay for 6 weeks in Buenos Aires

Argentina: Public Health in Urban Environments

  • Duration: 15 weeks
  • Credits: 16
  • Program Base: Buenos Aires
  • Language of Instruction: Spanish
  • Homestay: Buenos Aires, 12 weeks
  • Other Accommodations: Small hotels or hostels
  • Prerequisites: Previous college level courses in the health and social sciences, 3 recent semesters of Spanish and the ability to follow assignments in Spanish.

Chile: Public Health, Traditional Medicine, and Community Empowerment

  • Duration: 15 weeks
  • Credits: 16
  • Program Base: Arica
  • Language of Instruction: Spanish
  • Homestay: Arica, 12 weeks
  • Other Accommodations: Small hotels or hostels
  • Prerequisites: Previous college level courses in the health and social sciences, 4 recent semesters of Spanish and the ability to follow lectures, coursework, and readings in Spanish.

China: Community Health and Traditional Chinese Medicine

Shadow Traditional Chinese Medicine practitioners and work with health professionals in urban and rural communities

  • Duration: 6 weeks

  • Credits: 8
  • Program Base: Kunming
  • Language of Instruction: English
  • Language of Study: Chinese
  • Housing: Hotels and guest houses

Ghana: Traditional Medicine and Healthcare System

Examine how history, geography, biodiversity, and demographics shape traditional and allopathic healthcare, and explore plant-based and traditional medicine.

India: Traditional Medicine and Healthcare Practices

  • Duration: 6 weeks
  • Credits: 8
  • Program Base: New Delhi
  • Language of Instruction: English
  • Homestay: New Delhi, 7 weeks
  • Rural Homestay: Nainital, 10 days

Italy: Food Security and Nutrition

Delve into sustainable agriculture on a Tuscan estate and explore how experts in the international community are confronting challenges of food security, nutrition, and health

  • Duration: 6 weeks
  • Credits: 6
  • Program Base: Montespertoli, Tuscany
  • Language of Instruction: English

Jordan: Counseling and Humanitarian Action Internship

  • Duration: 7 weeks
  • Credits: 7
  • Program Base: Amman
  • Language of Instruction: English
  • Homestay: Amman, 2-7 weeks
  • Other Accommodations: Housing for internships outside of Amman
  • Prerequisites: None

Jordan: Psychology, Well-being & Mental Health

Explore approaches to mental health and well-being in Jordan and the Middle East, focusing on human resilience and self-care in conflict and post-conflict environments.

  • Duration: 6 weeks
  • Credits: 16
  • Program Duration: 16 weeks
  • Language of study: Arabic
  • Language of Instruction: English
  • Program countries: Jordan and Turkey
  • Program Base: Amman, Jordan

 

Jordan: Refugees, Health, and Humanitarian Action

  • Duration: 15 weeks
  • Credits: 16
  • Program Base: Amman
  • Language of Instruction: English
  • Homestay: Amman, 12 weeks
  • Other Accommodations: Hostels, research institutions, or small hotels
  • Prerequisites: None

Kenya: Global Health and Human Rights

Understand some of Kenya’s most pressing contemporary and societal challenges, including rapid urbanization, access to healthcare, and human rights.

  • Credits: 16
  • Duration: 16 weeks
  • Language of Study: Kiswahili
  • Language of Instruction: English
  • Program countries: Kenya
  • Program Base: Kisumu

Kenya: Virtual Internship in Public Health & the Covid-19 Pandemic in the Tropics

Intern with organizations working to bolster health systems in the tropics despite resource constraints and the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic. You will be expected to devote approximately 12-15 hours a week both on synchronous and asynchronous course activities. Synchronous activities may include orientation sessions, seminar country and theme specific lectures, initial meetings with your internship advisor, group reflection sessions, and project presentations

  • Credits: 4
  • Program Duration: 16 weeks
  • Language of Instruction: English
  • Program countries: Kenya
  • Program Base: Online

Kenya: Virtual Internship in Public Health in the Tropics

Gain professional experience working remotely with research organizations, hospitals, and nonprofit organizations and learn about the dynamics of public health in western Kenya. You will be expected to devote approximately 37.5 hours a week both on synchronous and asynchronous course activities.

  • Credits: 5
  • Program Duration: 6 weeks
  • Language of Instruction: English
  • Program countries: Kenya
  • Program Base: Online

South Africa: Community Health and Social Policy

Examine community-based health in South Africa, exploring the roles of the state, the media, and nongovernmental organizations in mobilizing community assets.

  • Credits: 16
  • Program Duration: 16 weeks

  • Language of Study: isiZulu

  • Language of Instruction: English

  • Program countries: South Africa

Switzerland: Global Health and Development Policy (Semester)

Learn about global health and comparative public health systems within the framework of international and sustainable development, humanitarian action, human rights, and social justice, and compare the distinct public health systems of Switzerland and Morocco.

  • Credits: 16
  • Program Duration: 16 weeks

  • Language of Study: French

  • Language of Instruction: English

  • Program countries: Switzerland

  • Program Excursion Countries: Morocco

Switzerland: Global Health and Development Policy (Summer) 

  • Duration: 6 weeks
  • Credits: 6
  • Program Base: Geneva
  • Language of Instruction: English
  • Language of Study: French
  • Homestay: Vaud, 5 weeks
  • Other Accommodations: Hostels
  • Prerequisites: None required, but students with at least basic French proficiency will be at a linguistic advantage.

Uganda: Public Health in the Tropics Internship

Explore the complexities of public health promotion and practice in Uganda and the tropics while gaining practical professional experience in public health.

  • Credits: 7

  • Program Duration: 6 weeks

  • Language of Study: Kiswahili

  • Language of Instruction: English

  • Program countries: Uganda

 

The School for Field Studies

While any student can participate in these programs, students hoping to enter veterinary medicine will find them the most beneficial.

Current Programs

Bhutan: Big Cats of the Himalayas – Tracking and Conservation

Using camera traps and radio telemetry, study the conservation of and preservation of the country’s tigers, snow leopards, and other wild cats. Learn how adaptation and management strategies can ensure their survival in a changing world.

  • Duration: 4 weeks
  • Credits: 4

Cambodia: Elephants of the Cambodian Highlands

Spend your summer in the lush Keo Seima Wildlife Sanctuary, studying the behavior and ecology of the endangered Asian elephant. Examine human-wildlife conflict and conservation pressures and discuss elephant welfare and management practices. Visit the vibrant city of Phnom Penh and the ancient temples of Angkor to explore the history and culture of Cambodia.

  • Duration: 4 weeks
  • Credits: 4

Kenya: Wildlife, Water, and Climate Resilience

Spend your semester in the world-famous national parks and stunning landscapes of Kenya, studying the country’s diverse wildlife – from colossal elephants to the endangered black rhinoceros – and approaches to conservation. Here, in the heart of the Great Rift Valley, climate change and land use changes are negatively affecting Kenya’s ecosystems and those living in them. Research the root causes of these changes and how different conservation strategies can benefit both humans and wildlife.

  • Duration: 15 weeks
  • Credits: 18

Kenya: Fundamentals of Wildlife Management

In this two-country fundamentals course, the world-famous national parks and reserves of Kenya and Tanzania are your classrooms. Through safari drives and field excursions, study wildlife found nowhere else on the planet – in person. Discuss different approaches to wildlife management and conservation, and learn about traditional knowledge and culture from Maasai and other community groups.

  • Duration: 4 weeks
  • Credits: 4

Kenya: Primates of the African Savanna

Venture into Kenya’s national parks to study these complex, social creatures. Through field observations and research, learn about the ecology and behavior of Syke’s, colobus, and vervet monkeys, bush babies, and yellow and olive baboons as well as human-wildlife conflict and conservation issues.

  • Duration: 4 weeks
  • Credits: 4

Tanzania: Wildlife Management Studies

Explore the iconic landscapes of Tanzania. Meet the country’s charismatic wildlife – from magnificent lions and elephants to thunderous herds of wildebeest and zebras – as you learn about their ecology and behavior. Experience the rich culture and traditions of Tanzania’s Maasai, Iraqw, and Hadzabe tribal communities while collaborating on issues of human-wildlife conflict and climate change. Finish the semester with an in-depth field research project.

  • Duration: 15 weeks
  • Credits: 18

Tanzania: Carnivores of the African Plains

Study the behavioral ecology and conservation challenges facing the African lion, cheetah, leopard, and wild dog – all of which are on the IUCN Red List, while observing some of Africa’s largest remaining carnivore guilds up close.

  • Duration: 15 weeks
  • Credits: 18

ISA Internships and Service Learning

 

Ireland: Business, Liberal Arts, and Nursing

The Business, Liberal Arts, & Nursing program is offered through the University of Limerick (UL). This program offers a wide variety of courses in many fields of study, including the Arts, Social Sciences, Business, Engineering, Health Sciences, and Nursing. Popular subject areas include Business, Irish Studies, Health Sciences, and Engineering. Unique offerings include UL's Service-Learning course and UL's traditional Irish music and dance courses, which are available through the Irish World Academy of Music and Dance. Courses are taught in English by UL faculty with local and international students.

  • Location: University of Limerick, Ireland
  • Credits: 24-30
  • Program Duration: 16 weeks

Australia: Sport and Exercise Science, Business & Liberal Arts

  • Location: La Trobe University, Melbourne, Australia

  • Duration: 16 weeks

  • Housing not included in program costs

 

Spain: Health and Natural Sciences

Alongside a variety of courses strongly focused on health, sciences, business, and humanities that are taught in English, you could have the opportunity to get hands-on experience in a field of choice by participating in the host university internship course or other service-learning courses.

  • Duration: varied based on term and optional service weeks
  • Credits: 12
  • Requirements: minimum 2.5 GPA, there is no language requirement but at least one semester is recommended
  • Students with advanced level of Spanish conversation/comprehension can be placed in UCV Health Clinics, Oncology Hospitals, Education, Speech Therapy, Special Education and Psychology, Podiatry, and Physiotherapy. A lot of these placements also have internships available in English, those which are bolded.

 

Council on International Educational Exchange

While any student can participate in these programs, students hoping to enter veterinary medicine will find them the most beneficial.

Botswana: Wildlife Ecology and Conservation

  • Duration: 18 weeks
  • Credits: 17
  • Program Base: Gaborone
  • Language of Instruction: English*
  • Homestay with host families in Gaborone
  • Other Accommodations: Dorms at the Okavango Research Station
  • Program Requirements
    • 2.5 Overall GPA
    • 2 semesters of college level Biology, Environmental Science or equivalent
*Setswana Language and culture courses are taught in Setswana

CIS Abroad 

 

Pre-Veterinary Virtual Internship

The Pre-Veterinary Virtual Internships are ideal for students who are pre-vet or animal science majors, looking for relevant training that will help you build the skills you need to be a competitive vet school applicant. The Pre-Vet Virtual Internships provide exclusive opportunities to engage with unique animals and highly qualified vets around the world. You can choose an option based in Chiang Mai, Thailand working with dogs and cats, or an option with varied learning experiences in a conference call setting from Belize to South Africa. In both options you will be part of a special group that will be observing medical procedures of all kinds while making connections with peers and animal experts that will help inform and shape your career path.

  • Location: Online
  • Language of Instruction: English
  • Average Course load: 40-60 hours of vet shadowing per 3 week session
  • Credit: No academic credit available

Applied Science Research Virtual Internships

This is truly a virtual experience unlike any other. Through your Applied Science Research Virtual Internship, you will join peers in weekly scheduled sessions where you will be able to learn through observation, analysis, and connection with local veterinarians, animal, scientists, and conservation professionals working to learn more about and protect different species around the world.

  • Under each placement description, you will find more information about the specific skills you will be developing, in addition to the organizations, animal species, and instructors that you will be observing.  You’ll also see a detailed schedule of the class times and any other pertinent information.
  • No matter which project you choose, you are sure to gain valuable field research techniques, data analysis skills, and research presentation experience to help further your career in animal science, biology, pre-veterinary medicine, wildlife conservation, or a whole host of applied science fields.
  • Location: Online
  • Language of Instruction: English

Veterinary Science Semester in Thailand

This once-in-a-lifetime experience for pre-vet students does not waste a moment of your semester. With your cohort, you will gain over 250 hours working with veterinarians as you explore different parts of Thailand including the mountains and jungles around Chiang Mai, the metropolis of Bangkok, and the island of Koh Tao. This program is designed to provide you with technical knowledge and animal handling experience while building your cultural and communication skills as you work with amazing experts in incredible locations. The courses that are built into the program will provide you with experience in different areas of veterinary medicine and veterinarian-supervised training, including work with small animals, exotic animals, aquatic animals, wildlife, and zoological medicine.

  • Thinking about a career in veterinary medicine and applying to vet school? This program is ideal for gaining practical skills, building relationships with animal experts around the world, and gaining an insight into the life of a practicing veterinarian. Not to mention the hundreds of hours of unique experience that will give you a competitive edge applying to vet schools and in the field. Join us for animal experiences that you can’t get anywhere else on the planet while developing hands-on veterinary skills, building your resume, and having an amazing guided adventure in Thailand. Not planning to apply to vet school but interested in hands on-learning of animal and marine science? This is still the program for you!
  • Location: Thailand
  • Language of Instruction: English
  • Credits: 20
  • Duration of Program: 14 weeks
  • SSI Open Water or Advanced SCUBA certification included

UTC Study Abroad Office: Learn More

For more information on Studying Abroad Click Here to chat with the UTC Study Abroad Office

Pre-Health Care Careers

Pre-Health Professions Advising