Medical Internships Peru
Quick Overview
Medical work experience abroad is suitable for medical students and professionals from any medical background or discipline, providing you with invaluable experience. Peru is a great place for medical students to learn a lot as treatment, diagnosis and infrastructure is often very different from Western medicine. Our medical placements are designed to give you structured and supervised medical work experience while also allowing you to experience Peruvian culture, so it’s the perfect immersive travel experience. We can organise medical volunteering placements for all areas of medicine, but we particularly specialise in providing great placements in midwifery, physiotherapy, doctor’s assistant and malnutrition.
Our medical volunteer program allows you to learn about healthcare and medicine on an international level. Working with local doctors and Peruvian patients in local clinics and hospitals will give you real-life experience and learning opportunities that will enhance your career while also broadening your horizons to medical problems in South America.
Our medical volunteering program is based in the vibrant and bustling city of Cusco, Peru. The experience will allow you fully immerse yourself in a whole new culture whilst gaining essential work experience to develop in your chosen medical discipline. Taking your medical elective abroad will give you the chance to work in clinics and hospitals a structured and supervised environment whilst getting the opportunity to travel, sightsee and meet new like-minded people along the way.
What’s Involved
While on your placement in Cusco, you’ll work under the supervision of experienced medical professionals with the full support of our team throughout the program. Working in local Peruvian clinics and hospitals from, you’ll work alongside doctors, nurses and medical staff to treat a variety of patients. You’ll have the opportunity to treat and interact with the local people in your designated area, really being able to make a difference within the local communities of Cusco and the surrounding area. The placements are from 8am-6pm Monday to Friday, so there is also plenty of opportunity to travel too.
We offer a variety of medical placements to suit all disciplines. These include doctor’s assistant, malnutrition reduction programs, midwifery, nursing, physiotherapy. The midwifery and nursing placements can be combined to provide a more in-depth program to suit your needs.
Our Medical Volunteer programs are suitable for professionals and med students in medical field such as Nursing, Pediatrics, Pathology, Physical Therapy, Physiotherapy, Gynecology, Ophthalmology, Orthopedics, Accident & Emergency, Anaesthetics, Biochemistry, Dentistry, ENT, General Surgery, Maternity & Midwifery.
Summer Medical Internship
For 4 weeks in June and July we offer a specialised Medical Internship especially for Medical students who want to combine an element of travel. Your internship will include a group Spanish course(for 15 hours a week and 60 hours total), Medical Placement and weekend group trips to Machu Picchu, Lake Titicaca, & The Sacred Valley of the Incas.
All The Details
Cusco, Peru
| 2017 | |||
| 9th April | 25th June | 10th September | 26th November |
| 16th April | 2nd July | 17th September | 3rd December |
| 23rd April | 9th July | 24th September | 10th December |
| 30th April | 16th July | 1st October | 17th December |
| 7th May | 23rd July | 8th October | |
| 14th May | 30th July | 15th October | |
| 21st May | 6th August | 22nd October | |
| 28th May | 13th August | 29th October | |
| 4th June | 20th August | 5th November | |
| 11th June | 27th August | 12th November | |
| 18th June | 3rd September | 19th November | |
| 2018 | |||
| 6th January | 7th April | 7th July | 6th October |
| 13th January | 14th April | 14th July | 13th October |
| 20th January | 21st April | 21st July | 20th October |
| 27th January | 28th April | 28th July | 27th October |
| 3rd February | 5th May | 4th August | 3rd November |
| 10th February | 12th May | 11th August | 10th November |
| 17th February | 19th May | 18th August | 17th November |
| 24th February | 26th May | 25th August | 24th November |
| 3rd March | 2nd June | 1st September | 1st December |
| 10th March | 9th June | 8th September | 8th December |
| 17th March | 16th June | 15th September | 15th December |
| 24th March | 23rd June | 22nd September | 22nd December |
| 31st March | 30th June | 29th September | 29th December |
All our rates are in GBP £. You can convert to USD $ or any other currency using the current exchange rates when you make payments.
| 1 Week | 2 Weeks | 3 Weeks | 4 Weeks | 5 Weeks | 6 Weeks | 7 Weeks | 8 Weeks | 9 Weeks | 10 Weeks | 11 Weeks | 12 Weeks |
| £449 | £579 | £709 | £839 | £969 | £1,099 | £1,229 | £1,359 | £1,489 | £1,619 | £1,749 | £1,879 |
Spanish Classes Basic 10 hrs a week (2 hours a day) budget USD $100 or GBP £75
Medical Spanish Course 15 hrs a week (3 hours a day) budget USD $170 or GBP £130
What’s Included?
Included in our Regular Medical internship Program:
- Placement fees to medical institutions
- Supervisor for medical placement
- Accommodation in home-stays
- All Meals
- 24/7 Emergency local numbers
- Airport Pick up
- Area Orientation on arrival
- Recommendation or certificates of completion (upon request)
Included in the 4 Week Medical Internship Adventure:
- Placement fees to medical institutions
- Supervisor
- Accommodation in home-stays
- All Meals
- 24/7 Emergency local numbers
- Airport Pick up
- Area Orientation on arrival
- 3 Weekend Group Excursions – Machu Picchu, Lake Titicaca, & Sacred Valley of the Incas
- Spanish Classes (60 Hrs)
- Recommendation or certificates of completion (upon request)
Whats not Included :
- Flights to the program destination
- Medical and travel insurance
- Visa costs
- Vaccinations
- Airport Drop
- Transport to Project Sites
- Spanish Language Courses
- Excursions
Local Team
The local team is lead by Dora and Coen. Dora, has years of experience specializing in language, culture and volunteer projects. Coen helps in improving the quality of the many services on ground.
You will also interact and meet Ronald, a local from Cusco is a super friendly volunteer leader and ensures all arrangements on ground are organised and your project placement is tailored to your needs. We will put you in touch with Ronald before you come out.
Getting There
- The closest major airport to Cusco, Peru where you to arrive is Alejandro Velasco Astete International Airport (CUZ / SPZO).
- Travel Insurance is compulsory on this program. You can get in touch with our team if you need travel insurance organised.
- Vaccinations are important. We recommend you visit your local travel clinic to find out what vaccines you should take.
- We work with the Foreign & Commonwealth Office for travel to Peru. Goto www.gov.uk/knowbeforeyougo to find out how best to avoid trouble when abroad. Packed with essential travel advice and tips, the website also offers up-to-date country information.
- We understand it can be difficult to pay for your flights, program fees and other travel costs. Many fundraise for their journey. If you need ideas and a platform for fundraising ideas Click Here
- For support on any of the above email us hello@volunteeringjourneys.com
Spanish Language Courses
You can add on a Spanish course for medical purposes. The Medical Spanish course will give you a specialized vocabulary and you will develop your Spanish in a practical context. The Medical Spanish course will prepare you for meeting patients who only speak Spanish and for talking with doctors and nurses. The Medical Spanish course is your perfect preparation for a medical or health care placement in Peru.
The medical Spanish course is an individual course of 15 hours per week, 3 hours per day. The lessons are given in the mornings or afternoons. It is possible to do a Medical Spanish course and do an internship in a local medical clinic at the same time.
Please note our 4 Week Medical Internship Adventure Program include 60 hours Medical Spanish (3 hours Monday-Friday for 4 weeks)
What Happens When I Arrive?
Living Arrangements for Medical Volunteers:
In this Medical internship you’ll live in Cusco and stay at a homestay with a local Peruvian family. You will get a private room and an extremely friendly and welcoming family to live with. It’s a truly immersive, life-changing travel experience and you’ll make friends and connections for life.
All our volunteers will have access to western style bathrooms and home cooked meals will be organised on your behalf. Daily transport to your placement will be using public transport such as buses and auto rickshaws will be organised by us but you will have to pay extra for this. Don’t worry its not too expensive in Peru and you can budget $1-2 (£2) a day for this.
Health and Safety :
When you join our programs you can be assured we have carried out Risk Assessments to identify potential safety and health risks on project. We share this information with you in our pre departure documents. Our local staff are well trained and we provide 24/7 emergency numbers to all participants.
Volunteering Journeys Foundation:
Through our commitment to responsible tourism we have developed the Volunteering Journey’s Foundation, a non-profit organisation dedicated to making a positive difference in the lives of people and communities around the world. 100% of each donation goes directly to support our projects. For more details email us!
Why Volunteers Love Us!
‘My experience in India was absolutely fantastic. Having never done anything like this before, Volunteering Journeys made sure I settled in well and supported me throughout my time. Being placed with an amazing family gave me the chance to experience Indian culture first hand. I was part of the Disabled Childcare Programs for two weeks. Although short, I felt the time I spent was so valuable for the children. If this is something that you are interested in I would 100% recommend it. The memories, friendships and experiences you will develop will be ones that you will never forget.’
Fiona Kirk
Connect with Fiona via our Facebook page‘The teaching experience was second to none. I was overwhelmed by the respect and politeness all the children have, which made it some much easier to work with them, even with the language barrier. The amazing thing about the schools I visited was that all the children are like little sponges, they absorb everything you say, teach and do! It’s quite outstanding how much they gain from just a small conversation in the playground or in the class room.
So in general if you are questioning whether you want to volunteer and you don’t know what company to go with, it has the be Volunteering Journeys. You will be well looked after, gain an immense experience and make friends for life!!!’
Jemima Kershberg
Connect with Jamie via our Facebook Reviews Page‘I took a short sabbatical from work in November 2013 and decided to come to India. I was helping at a small school in Fort Kochi, teaching English, Maths, Science and the odd nursery rhyme. The school where I volunteered had amazing teachers and the kids were great. Ridhi and the team organised everything brilliantly – from cycling tours to the backwaters, to hosting me with a family that made my stay feel like home. If you’re going to volunteer in India then I highly recommend Volunteering Journeys’
Glyn Owen
Connect with Glyn via our Facebook Reviews Page“J’ai passé deux mois formidables à Kochi en travaillant comme volontaire avec Volunteering Journeys. Deux mois de ma vie que je n’oublierais jamais. J’ai rencontré des gens incroyables et participé à des projets qui me tenaient vraiment à coeur. J’ai pu voir l’aboutissement de mes efforts et le sourire sur le visage des enfants. Une expérience magique que je recommande à tous. Merci Rainbow”
Laura Prigogine
Connect with Laura via our Facebook reviews page‘I spent 3 wonderful weeks with the Volunteering Journeys team in Kerala, it marked the beginning of almost 2 months adventuring through India, and I can say without a doubt it was one of my favourite experiences of my time spent in incredible India! From the moment my plane landed and I was greeted by a friendly face and whisked away to a wonderful home, the local staff were incredibly welcoming, helpful, supportive and great fun to be around!
I spent my time volunteering in 2 local schools, assisting with English studies. The enthusiasm and joy with which the children approach their days will ensure you never want to leave!I cannot recommend Volunteering Journeys highly enough, it was such a joyful introduction to India – it’s culture, people and crazy beautiful way of life. You will leave with some fond memories and firm friendships’
Katie Parsons
Connect with Katie via our Facebook Reviews page‘I volunteered by teaching English both at a school and at an all girls’ orphanage for two months. It has been the best experience of my life so far. I really got to know the children I was teaching and seeing the children’s English improve over my time was an incredible feeling. From being introduced to yoga to tasting delicious flavoursome Indian cuisine and living in “God’s own country”, has left me eager to return. I have made friends across the World who made my time spent in Kerala unforgettable. I highly recommend volunteering with Volunteering Journeys; Kerala is beautiful and you will gain fun memories.’
Elidith Cameron
Connect with Eilidith via our Facebook Reviews Page‘I spent two weeks running an art workshop which was absolutely fantastic. The children were so enthusiastic and bustled about with paste and paint, putting together the most amazing creations. They were not used to producing collaborative work and were thrilled when their individual efforts achieved a glorious whole. Their personalities really shone through and I became very fond of them in the short time I was with them. Thank you to Volunteering Journeys for enabling me to have such a wonderful experience!’
Jane Daniell
Connect with Jane via our Facebook Reviews Page‘There is some kind of magic that happens when you’re in India. The climate, the people, the warm welcome, the happiness in every person, the culture, it’s simply inspiring. On top of that having a group of friendly, thoughtful organizers guiding me through the program made my time volunteering with Volunteering Journeys one of the most memorable moments in my life.
If anyone reading this is considering becoming a volunteer, don’t hesitate, become a volunteer. It will be the most rewarding experience and adventure of your life. I assure you that you will have a vital impact on the community, the place and the children. I would recommend Volunteering Journeys without hesitation. Well organized and hassle free adventure. You get help and guidance with everything you need. Kerala was my destination. Safe, beautiful and very friendly. Just do it and have an adventure of your life!’
Harminder Athwal
Connect with Harminder via our Facebook Reviews Page“Volunteering at the schools was one of the most incredible experiences of my life. Once again the friendships you create are irreplaceable. Admittedly, the first few days were scary, in the sense that my partner and I were only 18 & 20 yrs old and we were teaching women and children a language that was not their first. However the persistence and willingness of Indians is not to be tested. Each of our students put in 100% and naturally we became very personal with everyone and these women and children taught us much more. We came out of this experience with more than we had ever anticipated. It can’t be put into words just how much we learnt from volunteering. Ever aspect of our lives and mindset has changed.”
Aimee Chirio
Connect with Aimee via our Facebook Reviews Page‘I think it was quite an eye opening experience to kind of see how people live and enjoy their lives very differently to what we do probably in UK. Even though comparatively they didn’t have as much, the children still came to school with a smile on their face and they were really keen to learn. They were ever so happy and always had a smile on their face regardless of the circumstances that they are living in, and I think that was an amazing experience for us to take back. We have comparatively much more wealth in the UK and we have much more available at our fingertips. Yet we were quite not so happy’
Andrew Davies
Connect with Andrew via our Facebook Reviews Page‘We decided to volunteer as part of our family vacation. It was the perfect balance: making a contribution but not being asked to do too much, with Volunteering Journeys staff with us every step of the way to help, support, clarify, etc. I was also impressed that they didn’t feed us a line about how we were changing the world in a week; I knew going in that *we* would be the ones most changed, and the staff’s perspective’s was the same: we were making an impact by showing we cared and sharing experiences, which hopefully meant something to a lot of people.’
Bob Macauley & Family
Connect with Bob via our Facebook Reviews Page