WHAT IS AN OVERSEAS PHARMACY INTERNSHIP WITH WORK THE WORLD?

Pharmacy internships abroad are clinical placements undertaken in fast-paced, under-resourced hospitals in the developing world.

You’ll immediately see how different the healthcare system is from your own. The systems, the patients, even some the drugs themselves may be totally unfamiliar to you.

You can choose to spend time in main pharmacies, stock rooms, and specialist satellite pharmacies in places like oncology or the ED. It’s entirely customizable.

While pharmacy volunteering overseas, you'll see unfamiliar (often unbranded) medicines, learn how old-fashioned pen and paper stock systems work, and see how departments are affected when they can’t get hold of the drugs they need.

"The patient was lucky if the hospital stocked something even similar to what was prescribed." Anne, University of Tennessee

WHAT ARE THE BENEFITS OF A PHARMACY INTERNSHIP ABROAD

Our internships for pharmacy students help you (and your resumé) stand apart from the high volume of pharmacy students who leave university every year.

On an pharmacy internship abroad, you’ll:

Expand your clinical knowledge and skill set
Develop your confidence and resourcefulness
Build your personal and professional network
Sharpen your verbal and non-verbal communication
Become more attractive to employers

Internships are Monday to Friday. That means you can enjoy your evenings and weekends exploring an incredible destination you might not get another chance to see while you're volunteering abroad.

Who are we?

We're Work the World — Experts at planning, customizing, and building internships for pharmacy students. We've created internships for 18,000+ students from 400+ universities worldwide since 2005.

Our service is end-to-end, and it includes:

Internship customization (choose your destination and departments) | Comprehensive pre-trip support | 24/7 in-country support team | Private, catered accommodation

We operate 52 weeks a year and arrivals are every single Sunday. The minimum internship duration is one week, with no maximum.

For more detail about how our service works click here.

WHAT ARE THE REQUIREMENTS?

As long as you have started your professional pharmacy degree you are eligible.

You can also travel if you are already graduated. However, please note that our pharmacy opportunities abroad are educational in their nature and designed to give you experience in a low resource hospital setting under the supervision of local qualified professionals.

STEP 1. SUBMIT AN INQUIRY

First, submit an inquiry using the form at the bottom of the page. Tell us where, when and why you want to travel as well as your current level of study.

STEP 2. WE'LL GET IN TOUCH

Next, a member of our consultation team will review your inquiry then call you to discuss your eligibility. They will also answer any questions you may have.

STEP 3. APPROVAL AND CONFIRMATION

Once we have confirmed your eligibility, you need to submit your application form and pay your registration fee. We will then confirm your placement and availability within 48 hours.

DESTINATIONS

Ghana - Takoradi

Ghana’s welcoming and energetic atmosphere spills from its lively markets, friendly local people, bars, and traditional restaurants. Add to that chances to visit places of fascinating history such as old slave forts, go on safari, hike to jungle waterfalls, and visit local villages.

On your hospital internship you’ll join professional Pharmacists on ward rounds across a range of different departments in our partner hospital. These include Pediatrics, Surgery, and the HIV Clinic. Time spent in the dispensary, and observing drug synthesis will open your eyes to the creativity needed to treat a wide range of pathologies. This placement in Ghana is the best pharmacy internship in Africa. Read stories from those who’ve already travelled with us to Takoradi.

Explore Takoradi

Sri Lanka - Kandy

Undertake a pharmacy internship in Sri Lanka and get exposure to various hospital areas, including the outpatient department, emergency, operating theatres, and dispensary. You’ll learn how local pharmacists deal with a lack of availability of medications, how modern drugs are supplemented with traditional medicine, the role of pharmacists in general, the use of generic drugs, and the regulation and licensing of pharmacies in Sri Lanka. This will make for a varied placement with rich personal and professional growth opportunities.

Explore Kandy

Vietnam - Hue

A bustling hub of Southeast Asian culture and popular with backpackers. Busy markets, popular bars and delicious street food across the city. Nearby, find tropical beaches, rainforests, and ancient temples and pagodas.

Poor funding has a significant impact on the delivery of effective treatment. This is especially true of pharmacy. Many of even the most common drugs have a limited supply, some being entirely unavailable. Local pharmacists often have to dispense lesser alternatives, directly impacting the quality of care patients receive. Unique to our internship program in Hue, you could also learn about Vietnamese traditional medicine.

Explore Hue

Nepal - Kathmandu

Kathmandu’s history spans back millennia, yet it adopts modernity with impressive vigor. Amble through markets filled with traditional handmade curiosities, tour bejewelled temples, or go to the cinema and paraglide through the Himalayas.

Pharmacists here regularly assist doctors in explaining prescription drugs and their side effects. During your internship you could be assisting on these ward rounds with local specialists, and gain insight into the role pharmacy plays in the ongoing development of Nepali healthcare. If you're looking for pharmacy opportunities abroad, put Kathmandu on your list. Read stories from those who’ve already travelled with us to Kathmandu.

Explore Kathmandu

The Philippines - Iloilo

Although its many bars and restaurants lend a modernizing feel to the city, Iloilo is a tropical haven. Join in on a local festivals, visit the white beaches of Boracay for a full moon party, and visit Guimeras island to get a feel for traditional Filipino life.

Demonstrate enthusiasm on your pharmacy internship abroad in Iloilo and you could rotate through 6 outlets, including satellite pharmacies in Emergency, Neonatal, the Operating Room, and OBG. Spend time in any of these and you’ll witness firsthand the everyday challenges Pharmacists face in the developing world. Iloilo is the choice if you're interested in a pharmacy internship in the Philippines. Read stories from those who’ve already travelled with us to Iloilo.

Explore Iloilo

"To anyone considering doing a Work the World placement, I cannot recommend it enough"

George Hart, University of Sheffield, 2026

"The staff are so warm and welcoming, the food was amazing, and the whole house felt very cosy."

Amber Rollier, Ghent University, 2026

"All of the in-country team are so supportive and kind... you can talk to them about anything."

Rachael Jamieson, Edinburgh Napier University, 2026

"It was amazing to spend time with such lovely people and we created many memories together"

Anya Willsea, University of Brighton, 2026

"The Work the World house is incredible, the best part is the rooftop terrace offering stunning views at sunset of Kathmandu city."

Ella Magner, James Cook University, 2026

From our blog

Ghana’s Fight to Preserve Traditional Medicine

By Carol

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By Joe Jamieson
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Read about the two main benefits you'll miss if you register late...

What is a pharmacy internship?

A pharmacy internship is a clinical rotation pharmacy students can undertake in low-resource hospitals overseas. To create your own customized pharmacy internship overseas, learn more here.

How old do you have to be for an internship?

You have to be at least 18 years old to undertake a hospital internship with Work the World. Apart from age, you need to be a college student enrolled in or accepted on a professional pharmacy degree.

How long is a Work the World pharmacy internship?

A pharmacy internship is as long as you want it to be. Our minimum placement duration is one week with a maximum duration of 12 weeks. Costs vary depending on location and duration.