Skip to content

Pre-Health Education Abroad Guide

Student taking a photograph on a river in India by Sarah Kate Hartt
CU Boulder Education Abroad offers over 400 programs in over 60 countries! You can go abroad for a semester, year, and/or 2-12 weeks in the summer. Going abroad is a great way for pre-health students to learn about health care systems abroad, to get experience in a new culture and language, and to take courses for your major, minor ot certificate. Use the following information as a general guideline to plan your time abroad, and connect with your academic advisor as well. Work with Education Abroad advisors to get more details on how to get started, discuss your program options, and next steps.

Quick Facts

  • Health-themed programs can provide fantastic real world experience and insight into health beyond the U.S. 
  • Use the Course Approvals List to find programs that offer courses approved for the credit you need

General Advice for Pre-Health Students Going Abroad

  • Spending a semester abroad takes some good planning with your advisor, but is absolutely possible for pre-health students.
  • You should avoid taking pre-reqs for medical school or any other health-related graduate/professional program abroad.
  • Students doing the Certificate in Public Health can apply a maximum of 3 credits from an education abroad program towards the certificate elective requirements.
  • If you are considering applying to med school or another health program, discuss the timing of education abroad with both your major advisor and health professions advisor.
  • See the other Major Guides for more specific advice about your exact major.
  • Pre-health students have four primary options for education abroad:
    1. A health-themed program (see below), which can provide fantastic real world experience and insight into health beyond the U.S. (along with useful classes). 
    2. Studying at a university abroad with traditional classes that fulfill major requirements. There are many options with classes taught in English.
    3. Saving gen eds and non-major electives and planning a “break” from your major abroad!
    4. Participating on a summer program, which can include options 1 or 3 above.

What Kind of Credit Can You Earn Abroad?

Usually Doable Tricky Probably Not
General Electives  A&S Gen Ed Pre-Health A&S Gen Ed Pre-Health A&S Gen Ed Pre-Health
Overall credit hours  Arts and Humanities, Natural Science (Non-Lab), Social Sciences General (non-major) electives; major credits (depending on your major); Public Health Certificate elective (3 credit maximum)
 		 Global Diversity Major credits (depending on your major)
 		 Natural Science (Lab), Written Communication Pre-reqs for medical school or any other health-related graduate/professional program

Suggested Programs

Use these links to find programs that may be a good match for you and your course needs.
   

Additional Resources

Last Updated June 2024