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IMA Cross-Cultural Care Mental Health Internships Abroad

by: International Medical Aid (IMA)

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International Medical Aid (IMA) pioneers impactful mental health internships worldwide for undergraduates, graduates, and licensed mental health professionals. Through these programs, developed at Johns Hopkins University, participants provide vital mental health services in underserved regions of East Africa, South America, and the Caribbean. Focused on bridging the gap in mental health access...

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Program Highlights

Join programs developed at Johns Hopkins and gain clinical experience in an immersive, structured hospital shadowing experience in the developing world.

Contribute meaningfully to the communities that we work with through our ongoing, socially responsible, and sustainable medical outreach programs.

Guarantee your safety and security, as our team takes into consideration various measures – 24/7 U.S.-based and in-country support as well as basic accident and travel insurance.

Have access to our admissions consulting services and distinguish your application to graduate schools by participating in our competitive healthcare internship.

Explore your host country through a range of weekend activities, including a safari trip, thanks to our partnerships with reputable guides.

Quick Details

Locations
  • Bogota, Colombia
  • Guayaquil, Ecuador
  • Jacmel, Haiti
  • Mombasa, Kenya
  • Cusco, Peru
  • See more
Availability
Year(s) OfferedYear RoundDuration:
  • 1-2 Weeks
  • 2-4 Weeks
  • 5-8 Weeks
  • 3-6 Months
  • 9-12 Weeks
Age Requirement:Varies
Types & Subjects:
  • Counseling
  • Drug & Alcohol Recovery
  • Health Care
  • Health Education
  • Hospital
  • See more
Guidelines:
  • All Nationalities
See all program details

Recognitions

Top Rated Provider 2023 - Notable MentionAmerican Medical Student Association (AMSA) - International Medical Aid (IMA)GoAbroad Top Rated Adventure Travel - 2022Top Rated Organization 2021 - Adventure TravelAIEA Logo

Program Reviews

Hear what past participants have to say about the programs

Overall Rating

9.97

Total Reviews

5

Life-Changing and Empowering Experience With IMA in Kenya

by: Morgan Christopher - United StatesProgram: IMA Cross-Cultural Care Mental Health Internships Abroad
10

My time spent in Kenya was a life-changing experience, to say the least. I set out on this experience promising myself to step out of my comfort zone. I’m not very good at learning languages, but learning Kiswahili made locals so excited when I would use the few words I learned. I’m a picky eater, but I got to try and enjoy so many new, traditional Kenyan meals. I have never liked talking in front of groups, but I decided to assert myself in clinics and debriefings. With the help of mentors, gui...

Medical CertificateCertificationMedical Celebration

Cultural Competence and Mental Health Insights: My Transformative Internship Experience with IMA in Kenya

by: Kelechi Matthias - United StatesProgram: IMA Cross-Cultural Care Mental Health Internships Abroad
10

My internship in Kenya truly helped me understand what it means to be culturally competent, and the skills it requires and offered me the chance to appreciate the differences between individual cultures. It challenged me and allowed me to assess whether I was truly culturally competent beyond working with my community. I could practice adapting to cultures different than my own by subtly changing psychological techniques or advice I’d usually offer as I had to decide whether they were suitable a...

Awarding CertificateMembers of my cohortHygiene Education Session

My experience in Kenya is one that I will never forget

by: Taaha Adamji - United StatesProgram: IMA Cross-Cultural Care Mental Health Internships Abroad
10

My time in Kenya was incredibly transformative in so many ways. My cultural understanding, medical knowledge, and awareness of disease burden, politics, and healthcare quality all upgraded more than I could have ever imagined in 4 short weeks. From the moment I was greeted by the IMA staff at the Mombasa airport to my very last day, I was always comforted by the immense kindness and hospitality of the IMA staff and Kenyan people. I never had a moment where I felt unsafe, in fact, I would always ...

Program Details

Learn all the nitty gritty details you need to know

Locations

  • Bogota, Colombia
  • Guayaquil, Ecuador
  • Jacmel, Haiti
  • Mombasa, Kenya

Types & Subjects

  • Counseling
  • Counseling
  • Counseling
  • Drug & Alcohol Recovery

Availability

Years Offered: Year Round

Intern Duration:
  • 1-2 Weeks
  • 1-3 Months
  • 2-4 Weeks

Age Requirement

Age Requirement Varies

Guidelines

  • All Nationalities

Program Cost Includes

  • Tuition & Fees
  • Accommodation / Housing for Program Duration
  • Internship Placement

Accomodation Options

  • Apartment/Flat
  • Guest House

Qualifications & Experience

  • University Freshman (1st Year)
  • University Sophomore (2nd Year)
  • University Junior (3rd Year)
  • University Senior (4th Year)

Application Procedures

  • Phone/Video Interview
  • Online Application
  • Resume
  • Transcript

Frequently Asked Questions

Interviews

Read interviews from alumni or staff

Selina Hiller

Participated in 2022

Alumni

During my semester break, I knew I wanted to do something meaningful. A friend of mine also spent time at a hospital abroad, and while he shared some experiences with me, I knew I wanted to do something similar.

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Briana Robinson

Participated in 2022

Alumni

I have always wanted to travel to another country and I knew that this would be a great opportunity to not only get to travel, but also get the experience of learning from a different healthcare system. I knew that I wanted to go to Africa, not only because of the differences in culture, but also because their healthcare system is vastly different from my own in the states.

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Kelechi Matthias

Participated in 2022

Alumni

I really wanted to get more experience within the psychology field and I read about other people going abroad and really enjoying their time away. I hadn't had much experience within the mental health field by that point and wanted to learn outside the classroom. I was finding it difficult to get volunteering opportunities within the UK and thought by interning abroad I'd be able to learn directly from professionals in a new environment and in a new context.

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