You know your path—you’re interested in medicine and ready to buckle down for the long hours of study. But does an intense educational experience have to mean all work and no play? Absolutely not!

Maybe a summer internship or clinical rotation is the right fit, or maybe you want the ultimate adventure of earning your entire degree abroad. Whatever your interests, there are endless opportunities to study medicine overseas. Take your education on the road and explore the best countries to study medicine in the world. 

Studying medicine is hard work—why not make it a bit easier with adventure?

No matter where you end up practicing, you’ll be working with patients from different cultural and ethnic backgrounds. What better way to embrace and prepare for that diversity than to study medicine abroad?

From Africa to South America and everywhere in between, you can experience global health practices while improving your communication skills and ability to adapt to new situations. If approached with humility and curiosity, you’ll get much-needed hands-on experience while contributing to the local community!

Keep reading to find out more about the best countries to study medicine in the world—you won’t regret it.

What makes these the best countries to study medicine?

Before jumping on a plane, you’ll want to do your research to figure out the place for you to study medicine abroad!

Do you want to learn more about traditional medicine and healing practices, cutting edge technological approaches, or public health policy? Depending on the country, you can shadow doctors, participate in active research studies, and even meet with local community health practitioners.

Pick a location where you’re sure to gain tons of experience.

There are so many unique opportunities to use your language skills, develop particular areas of expertise, and explore new areas of interest! A bit of discernment on the front end will enhance your in-country experience beyond measure.

Getting clear on your goals will help you decide where the best place to study medicine abroad is for you!

9 top destinations to study medicine overseas

1. Argentina

From the rugged Andes to the sterling waters of the Atlantic teeming with penguins, Argentina has everything you need for a stellar study abroad experience. There is a little bit of everything: bustling cities, stunning landscapes, remote communities, and a vibrant arts and culture scene. So, make sure to peek up from the books once in a while to take advantage of your amazing surroundings. 

In addition to enhancing your technical skills, why not brush up on your Spanish while you study medicine overseas? Whether you head to the vibrant capital city of Buenos Aires, settle in Mendoza for a slower tempo in the heart of wine country, or land somewhere in between, Argentina will offer the adventure of a lifetime for the most curious travelers. Just bring your open heart and a willingness to explore.  

Recommended programs in Argentina:

2. Belize

Keep stress levels low in Belize!

Located in Central America along the Caribbean coast, Belize is so much more than pristine beaches and the UNESCO protected Belize Barrier Reef...not that you’ll want to skip either of those! When you study medicine abroad in Belize you’ll be surrounded by a mix of thriving cultures rooted in ancient Mayan traditions, British colonial practices, and modern global interconnectedness. 

With English as the main language, communication may feel like a breeze, but don’t get complacent. Almost half the population speaks Kriol! Learning to communicate with your patients, colleagues, and friends in the local language will enhance your understanding of how medicine functions in the unique cultural context of Belize. 

Don’t be afraid to expand your horizons beyond “modern” medicine. You might be surprised by the healing power of traditional practices and wisdom! This opportunity might just make Belize the best place to study medicine abroad.

Recommended program in Belize:

3. Chile

Like Argentina, Chile offers great access to world-class education, vibrant cities, and unparalleled adventures in the natural world, just on a different coast. With seemingly endless miles of beaches and oceanside towns dotting the Pacific Coast, you can enjoy the pleasant weather and geographical extremes that Chile has to offer.

From jungly volcano trekking to skiing down a glacier, and from surfing in the ocean to sandboarding in the desert, you’ll never run into a shortage of activities to try out when you’re not hitting the books. Its cultural diversity and biodiversity definitely make it one of the best countries to study medicine in the world.

Not to mention, if you study medicine abroad in Chile, you’ll have the chance to practice the Spanish you haven’t used since high school. You’ll be making friends and sharing asados (barbecues) in no time, given Chileans’ friendly vibe and welcoming culture.

Be sure to explore beyond Santiago; you won’t want to miss the coastal towns and mountain escapes populating the length of this impressively diverse country.

Recommended programs in Chile:

4. Kenya

Kenya is an affordable, beneficial, and interesting place to study medicine abroad.

Known for its prolific wildlife, you won’t want to miss going on safari in Kenya. Lions, giraffes, and elephants, oh my! Stunned by the majesty of Kenya’s landscape, there will be days when it might be hard to get back to studying when what you really want to do is revel in the majestic sunset over the Savannah. But you’re here to study medicine overseas—and Kenya offers one of the best opportunities on the African continent to learn about global health!

You can choose your own adventure when deciding the best place to study medicine abroad. Kenya offers the intensity of life in the capital city of Nairobi, the coastal retreat of Mombasa on the Indian Ocean, and even rural areas far from the hustle of city life. No matter where you choose to live, work, and play, life in Kenya will offer endless opportunities to connect in the community and build relationships that will transform the way you think about the world.

Recommended programs in Kenya:

5. Netherlands

The Netherlands is so much more than windmills, bicycles, and Van Gogh (not to mention its more infamous red lights and special brownies). A small but mighty country, the Netherlands serve as a gateway to the rest of Europe through a high speed and ridiculously efficient rail system and massive airport with global connections.

Dutch culture is equal parts orderly and fun, modern and historic. This constant balancing act makes it a lively and constantly intriguing place to study abroad and its robust educational system makes it one of best countries to study medicine in the world.

Amsterdam is this small and densely populated country’s capital city. It serves as the hub of economic and political power along with the heart of cultural and creative life. The vibrant city is brimming with countless museums celebrating every facet of life and connected by more canals than Venice.

As great as Amsterdam is, you’ll regret leaving the Netherlands if you don’t take time to explore any other areas. Be sure to visit the Hague in Rotterdam, the epicenter of academic life in Utrecht, and of course don’t miss seeing some windmills and tulips on a visit to the countryside.

Get ready for an unforgettable experience when you choose the Netherlands as your home to study medicine abroad!

Recommended programs in the Netherlands:

Medical student during the week, adventurer on the weekends.

6. Peru

If budget is top of mind for you and you’ve been asking yourself which is the cheapest country to study medicine, Peru might be your answer. As long as you avoid the tourist traps and plan ahead for that once in a lifetime trip to Machu Picchu, Peru tops the list of study abroad locations that won’t break the bank.

Peru offers the best of both worlds—sandy Pacific ocean beaches and Andean mountain peaks that will have you feeling like you live on the set of an epic movie. A blend of indigenous ways of life and Spanish colonial traditions, modern Peruvian culture is dynamic and complex.

When you choose to study medicine overseas in Peru, you’ll be able to take advantage of this by studying medical techniques with natural medicine. This balancing act will take your educational experience to a new level!

Recommended programs in Peru:

7. Portugal

Although Europe is generally considered an expensive place to study abroad, Portugal may just be the cheapest country to study medicine in western Europe. With the extra pennies (or Euros) in your pocket, you can plan excursions to help you relax and unwind after long days studying.

Maximize beachtime on the Algarve coast and explore the windy medieval cobblestone streets of Lisbon and Porto, both with their unique architectures and thriving cultures. Of course, you won’t want to miss the castles tucked away in the countryside or the Sagres Fortress seemingly at the end of the world either.

Whether you make a city your home base, settle down in a seaside port, or head inland toward the Spanish border, the living history of Portugal will practically transport you back to another time and place. Take time to appreciate the past while living in the moment and making the most of your opportunity to study medicine overseas!

Recommended programs in Portugal:

8. Spain

Midday siesta is gonna come in handy as a pre-med student abroad.

Lively Spanish culture that welcomes guests with a whole heart and an immediate invitation into the family makes Spain an ideal home away from home. Here, you’ll be able to learn Spanish and practice it over late-night tapas as you soak in the sun, history, and culture!

If you’re looking for the best place to study medicine abroad and you want to be able to move between urban and rural, mountain and beach, all while knowing it will be easy to make friends wherever you go, then Spain is the place for you.

There’s no end to the cultural and natural sites you can visit. Follow the pilgrimage route of Santiago de Compostela in the Northwest. Then head to the Northeast to marvel at Gaudi’s architecture in Barcelona before exploring all the rugged landscapes and beautiful coast in the Andalucia region of the South. And of course you won’t want to miss all that Madrid, in the figurative and literal center of the country, has to offer!

What are you waiting for? It’s time to pick your program so you can head out on your adventure to study medicine abroad in Spain!

Recommended programs in Spain:

9. United Kingdom

If you’re looking for one of the best countries to study medicine in the world, you don’t have to look much further than the United Kingdom. Between Scotland, Wales, Northern Ireland, and England, you have so many options (and cultures) to choose from...all within one English-speaking country.

Housed under the National Healthcare Services (the umbrella universal healthcare system of the UK), each region has a unique perspective to offer that you can explore when you study medicine overseas.

On your time off you can visit the Scottish Highlands, hike the mountains and seaside cliffs of Wales, delve into the politics of Northern Ireland, wander the streets of London, or relax in England’s Lake District.

With world class education available around every corner and no shortage of cultural and natural playgrounds to explore, you’ll definitely be a believer that the United Kingdom is the best place to study medicine abroad!

Recommended programs in the United Kingdom:

Get matched with 5 medicine study abroad programs for FREE

Did you find the best place to study medicine abroad?

The best countries to study medicine abroad are waiting!

Are you ready to book your tickets and spend the summer, a semester, or even a few years to study medicine abroad? Before you commit to a program, be sure to check in with your school to see how your experience fits into your overall schedule.

The best times to go (e.g., before your first semester, during the summer, or during your 3rd or 4th year rotation) and credit transferability will vary widely. You’ll definitely want to iron out those details before heading out on your adventure to one of the best countries to study medicine in the world.

Getting to know your patients by immersing yourself in the cultures that matter to them will not only improve your bedside manner, it may even save lives! Health disparities based on racial and cultural differences are a very real problem. Medical professionals who are unfamiliar with their patients’ cultural background or unconsciously influenced by implicit bias can have major consequences for the well-being of whole communities.

Taking the time to study medicine overseas may help you avoid these dangerous traps and serve your patients with the care and attention they deserve!

Explore ALL Medicine Study Abroad Programs on GoAbroad.com