Summer Internships in Bolivia

Pediatric Health Summer Abroad Internship provides students interested in healthcare with an immersive experience grounded in cultural exchange, ethical global health, and global citizenship. Based in La Paz, Bolivia, students observe clinical care within local health systems while learning about the social, economic, and cultural factors that shape health outcomes. Participants rotate through pediatric clinics and hospitals, including Bolivia's largest children's hospital, gaining exposure to specialties such as obstetrics, oncology, infectious disease, nephrology, and inpatient pediatrics. Work alongside local physicians, nurses, residents, and medical students serving Indigenous communities in resource-limited settings while exploring approaches to maternal and child health. Spanish language instruction, cultural activities, and homestays with local families deepen your understanding of Bolivian culture and healthcare. The program is provided by Child Family Health International (CFHI).

Program Contacts

• Program Coordinator – Brooke Paynter
• Instructor – Elisabeth Lore

Program Highlights

• Provides observational clinical rotation experience while being immersed in a local community.
• Opportunity to hone and apply concepts learned in classrooms in real-world, global contexts.
• Exciting opportunity to grow professionally and personally.
• Résumé line item and interview talking point.
• Opportunity to make cultural, professional, and geographic discoveries.

What Students Are Saying

• “Incredible experience that I wouldn’t trade for the world… This greatly added to my understanding and added confidence in myself to be successful in this field.”  
• “The internship experience is very valuable because the opportunity to observe the medical environment in another country is not available to many people.”
• “The on-site team is absolutely incredible. They go above and beyond to ensure that everyone is healthy and thriving.” 

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