As part of this Medical or Nursing Electives Program in India, you’ll live in the charming town of Fort Kochi (Cochin), while your hospital placement takes place in a leading private hospital in Ernakulam.
University students and nursing participants will gain exposure across multiple hospital wards.
You’ll be assigned to observe in wards such as General Medicine, Pediatrics & Neonatology, Radiology, Emergency, Anesthesiology, Oncology, Cardiology, Neurosurgery, Gastroenterology, Urology, Gynecology, Orthopedics, among others.
Your hospital placement runs 5–7 hours a day, Monday to Friday, with clinical schedules shared by our medical coordinator on arrival.
Most of the experience is observation-based, where you’ll shadow doctors, nurses, and consultants, gaining exposure to a wide range of patient cases. In some instances, students may be invited to take on limited hands-on tasks, but this is always at the discretion of supervising staff and based on your skill level.
Because many medical staff in Kerala are fluent in English, language is less of a barrier—you’ll be able to discuss cases and interact in English
Throughout your placement, you’ll be supported by consultants and hospital mentors across departments, who not only provide guidance but also take time to explain cases and broaden your understanding of clinical practice in India.
Outside of your placement, you’ll be free to explore Kerala — one of India’s most culturally rich and scenic states.
Evenings can include a Kathakali dance performance, a yoga session, or a walk through Fort Kochi’s historic streets. On weekends, volunteers often:
- Relax on Kerala’s golden beaches
- Take a traditional houseboat cruise on the Kerala backwaters
- Visit the tea plantations of Munnar for trekking and mountain views
Explore local temples, spice markets, and cultural sites
This balance of medical or nursing work experience and cultural immersion makes your time in Kerala both professionally rewarding and personally enriching.