At a glance
- Join us for a medical internship in Nepal and learn from doctors and nurses in hospitals and rehabilitation centres.
- Gain practical experience by doing basic health checks and administering medication on community outreach days.
- Based either in Kathmandu or Chitwan District, you are bound to enjoy a memorable and immersive experience in the midst of the majestic Himalaya mountain range.
Is this Medical Internship in Nepal right for me?
This Medical internship in Nepal is open to all ages and ideal for those with a keen interest in pursuing a career in medicine.
It’s a great opportunity to gain some practical experience while working alongside doctors and nurses in Nepal.
Whether you’re a high school student preparing for university applications, or already enrolled in a medical degree, this project is sure to add value.
It’s also an excellent opportunity to gain invaluable insight into the healthcare system of a developing country. This is what will give your CV an extra edge.
What will I do on this international medical internship in Nepal?
You'll be working in either a hospital or rehabilitation centre. In both cases, there's a massive scope of work for medical interns in Nepal. Here are some of the tasks you can expect to do during your placement:
Your work will be split in four main areas:
Observation
Shadowing and observation are a huge part of this project. You’ll follow local doctors and nurses as they go about their daily tasks. While doing this, you will learn about the area’s common diseases, their diagnoses, and treatment.
We aim to create a platform for a true cultural exchange, with you learning from local staff and then sharing your experiences with fellow interns.
Outreach Work
We also organise outreach days to give you some practical medical work experience in Nepal. You'll take time out from your regular schedule and join other interns together as a group.
During these outreaches, you will assist doctors and nurses with free health checks and administering basic medication in the suburban or remote communities of Kathmandu. This could include:
- Blood pressure checks
- Weighing
- Heart rate monitoring
Hygiene workshops
From time to time we arrange health and hygiene classes at local schools. Here you will help teach local children a few basics, such as:
- Dental/oral hygiene
- Hand washing techniques
- Personal hygiene
First Aid
Nepal is particularly vulnerable to natural disasters, such as earthquakes. Because of this, you’ll help us run basic first aid workshops for care centre staff, parents, and community members. By doing this, you equip them with the necessary skills to help out during a disaster.
Please note that your role as a medical intern in Nepal is strictly observational, as the government does not permit practical involvement in hospitals from those who are not licensed medical professionals.
Types of placements available
During your international medical internship in Nepal, you will be able to work in a number of different departments, such as:
- General health services
- Orthopaedics
- Paediatrics
- Dental services
- ENT
- X-ray
- Ultrasound
- Ophthalmology
If you’re interested in a specific department, please feel free to contact us and we can help advise you.
Where you will be working in Nepal
Depending on your fields of interest and/or skills we will place you at either a hospital or a rehabilitation centre for disabled children.
These placements will be located in either Kathmandu or Chitwan.
Kathmandu
A sprawling city where Himalayan adventurers rub shoulders with ascetic holy men, Kathmandu truly is a feast for the senses.
With an estimated population of 3 million living in the Kathmandu Valley, health services are often stretched thin, especially in rural areas.
Bharatpur
Bharatpur is the medical centre for Nepal and is the third largest city in the country. About a five hour drive from the capital Kathmandu, Bharatpur is famous for its access to Chitwan National Park, a World Heritage Site and biodiversity hotspot.
With a subtropical climate, the area around Bharatpur is home to crocodiles, rhinos, and Bengal Tigers, which you may even see on a safari. If you'd rather explore within the city, you'll find charming local shops, temples, and the vast Bishazari Tal lake.
What your typical day will be like
On any given day, you will work shifts alongside your professional supervisors.
Whether you start early in the morning or sign up for an evening shift, you will be shadowing local doctors and nurses closely as they make their rounds.
At least once during your placement, you’ll get the opportunity to join an outreach for a day or two, which will take you to rural communities or local schools.
During the hours you aren’t working, you’ll have ample free time to explore with your fellow interns, taking in Nepal’s rich cultural heritage and spectacular natural beauty. Visit one of the many temples in the old city centre of Kathmandu, sample the delicious local food or go for a hike in the mountains.
Since you will be living with a local host family, use any opportunity during free time to get to know them better, and fully immerse yourself in their way of life.
What are the aims and impact of this project?
The main aim of this project is to give you the opportunity to expand your medical knowledge and give you insight into healthcare practices in a developing country.
With up to 25% of the population in Nepal falling under the poverty line, access to basic healthcare does remain a challenge for certain vulnerable groups. We arrange for you to provide free basic healthcare to some of these groups. This is done through our outreach programmes, under the supervision of local professionals. We also enable you to help raise awareness about some of the more pressing health issues facing the country.
To ensure that we stay true to our long-term vision, we have committed to four goals as outlined in our Medical Management Plan:
- Encourage an understanding of medical practices and promote an exchange of medical knowledge
- Improve hygiene standards
- Promote awareness of non-communicable diseases
- Improve access to basic healthcare for disadvantaged groups
Gain medical work experience in Nepal while helping us achieve these goals.
Medical electives for students
This project is also perfect for university medical and healthcare elective students. The real-world insight and knowledge you gain will help shape you as a future medical professional. You will also learn to work with different people and get a broader perspective of global healthcare systems and issues. This benefits your career for years to come. We can organise a placement that meets all of your university's requirements.
Management plans
We set out the aims and objectives of our projects in documents called Management Plans. We use them to properly plan the work you’ll do. They also help us measure and evaluate our achievements and impact each year.
Ultimately, our Management Plans help us make our projects better. This in turn means you get to be part of something that makes a real impact where it’s needed. Read more about our Management Plans.
Measuring our impact
Our projects work towards clear long-term goals, with specific annual objectives. Every volunteer and intern we send to these projects helps us work towards these goals, no matter how long they spend on our projects.
Every year we take a step back and look at how much progress we've made towards these goals. We put together a Global Impact Report, which documents our achievements. Find out more about the impact our global community of volunteers, interns and staff make, and read the latest report.
Food and accommodation
You'll stay with a host family in Nepal. They will welcome you into their home, eager to share their customs and have you teach them about your own culture. We believe that this is the best way to immerse yourself in the culture of Nepal and have a truly unique experience.
We will always try to let you live alongside at least one other Projects Abroad volunteer or intern at the same host family. Your room will be modest, but comfortable, clean, and safe.
Your programme fee includes three meals a day.
Find out more about our accommodation.
Leisure activities and free time
When you think of Nepal, the first thing that comes to mind is the majestic Himalayan Mountain Range. This is just one example of the country’s extraordinary natural beauty. Combined with rich cultures, this makes it a unique country to volunteer in and explore.
There are a whole host of ways you can explore the stunning and incredibly varied landscapes of Nepal. You can drive off-road through Chitwan National Park, go biking through Kathmandu Valley, or trek in the foothills of Annapurna.
In the evenings and over weekends, it’s worth taking some time to see the sights in Kathmandu. This includes Durbar Square, where you can stand in the midst of an ancient palace. The towering spectacle of the Boudhanath Stupa is also a must-see.
Nepal is one of our most popular destinations, so there will be many other volunteers in the country with you during your trip. This gives you the freedom to spend your leisure time either exploring alone or in a group.
Safety and staff support
Your safety and security is our prime concern. We have many procedures and systems to ensure you have the support you need to enjoy your trip with peace of mind. Our Projects Abroad staff are available 24 hours a day to help, and will be on hand to make sure you settle in well at your accommodation and placement. If you encounter any problems, they will be available to help at any time.
Find out more about safety and backup.
This placement is fully researched, safety audited, and risk assessed in accordance with the British Standard BS8848 for the Adventure Travel Sector.
Meet the team in Nepal
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