Medical Volunteer in Nepal
Quick Overview
Join us in our amazing medical journey and help us make a measurable difference in the poor, underdeveloped areas of Nepal. Our medical elective program is designed for motivated individuals at all skill levels and medical students or qualified career breakers working across all areas of medicine and healthcare. Our work has an observable positive impact on the local community and you will be able to see the people that you help along the way. Every year, thousands of people suffer unnecessarily due to the lack of basic healthcare and although we know that can’t change the world at a click of a finger, we also know that every little helps and if we all did our bit to contribute, we believe that we can really make a difference. Here at Volunteering Journeys, we do not accept conditions as they exist and as citizens of the world, we take responsibility in changing them. So if like us, you want to give back whilst travelling, learning and expanding your horizons, come join our medical team in Nepal on our next program.
Our medical programs are suitable for medical students or qualified healthcare professionals working in all areas of medicine, including OPD services, Pediatrics, Chemotherapy, Radiotherapy and Imaging, Pathology, Endoscopy, General Nursing, Ambulance Service, Medical Library Assistance or Dental. This volunteering program will allow you to gain medical experience in a real environment, learn more about healthcare in a developing country, and work under the supervision of experts whilst helping those who need it the most. Not only will our medical volunteer program be a fantastic career boost or career break, but you will learn so much and meet some fantastic people along the way. All this whilst still having an opportunity to travel, soak up new cultures and see new places.
What’s Involved
Our medical volunteering program is designed to enhance your medical work experience whilst allowing you to take part in responsible travel across a period of 2 weeks to 12 weeks, depending on your availability and personal travel plans. With program availability across the whole year, this medical work experience offers a lot of flexibility to fit around your clinical areas and during your time in Nepal, you will be placed with one of our carefully selected host families and be made to feel like one of the locals.
Your volunteer base will be Kathmandu, the nation’s capital and home to a medical teaching college and a number of hospitals where you will be working and contributing to the ongoing work. Volunteers are required to be over 18 years of age, have good mental and physical health, and be interested in medicine and healthcare. Other than that, we just ask that our medical volunteers are motivated, positive thinkers and possess a desire to help other people. If this sounds like you, our volunteering experience based in the beautiful capital of Kathmandu throughout the year could be the perfect career step for you.
You will be given a choice of medical field or area that you may want to volunteer for and will be working in private hospitals. If you are not sure on what area you would like your placement in we will put you on a general rotation. All the local doctors can speak in English and you will be expected to volunteer from Monday to Friday. Weekends are free for you to explore Nepal further. Our local project coordinators will be available for your support at all times.
Living and working in Kathamandu is an experience of a lifetime. This amazing country is truly epic with 9 UNESCO heritage sites within Kathmandu itself. Beyond there is Chitwan Jungles (also a UNESCO site) and the mighty Everest where you can go trekking upto the base camp.
All The Details
Kathmandu, Nepal
| 2019 | 2020 | |||
| 3rd November | 5th January | 5th April | 26th July | 25th October |
| 10th November | 12th January | 12th April | 2nd August | 1st November |
| 17th November | 19th January | 19th April | 9th August | 8th November |
| 24th November | 26th January | 26th April | 16th August | 15th November |
| 1st December | 2nd February | 3rd May | 23rd August | 22nd November |
| 8th December | 9th February | 10th May | 30th August | 29th November |
| 15th December | 16th February | 17th May | 6th September | 6th December |
| 22nd December | 23rd February | 24th May | 13th September | 13th December |
| 29th December | 1st March | 31st May | 20th September | 20th December |
| 8th March | 7th June | 27th September | 27th December | |
| 15th March | 5th July | 4th October | ||
| 22nd March | 12th July | 11th October | ||
| 29th March | 19th July | 18th October |
For this program please email hello@volunteeringjourneys.com for the rates.
What’s Included?
- Pre-departure support and materials – to prepare you for your trip
- Accommodation in a homestay
- Experienced bilingual local staff team
- Daily breakfast and dinner – local Nepali food
- Kathmandu area tour
- Project training with the local Program Manager
- 24 hour support in your location
- Medical Placement Fees
Whats Not Included in your program fee :
- Flights to the program destination
- Airport Transfers
- Project Travel Cost
- Daily Lunch
- Medical and travel insurance (compulsory)
- Visa costs
- Vaccinations
- Personal shopping and gratuities
- Local excursions
Local Team On Ground
Anish Neupane, Program Manager Nepal
Anish has more than 14 years of experience working on social development projects, having different roles in Project Management, Planning & Development, Management Information Systems and Qualitative Research. Currently he is leading our programs in Nepal, where his role is mainly to coordinate and manage partners and ensuring having the appropriate volunteer programs and social projects are in place. He’s so awesome at what he does and knows Nepal really well which means you will be in great hands and get the most out of your time in Nepal.
Getting There
- The nearest airport for this program is Kathmandu Airport ( KTM )
- If you wish to book flights to Kathmandu fill in this form
- Visas are on arrival in Nepal.
- Packing lists and other bits of information will be in your Nepal Guide book (You will receive this once you book with us)
- Travel Insurance is compulsory on this program.
- We have partnered with the Foreign & Commonwealth Office for travel guidance. 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.
- For support on any of the above email us hello@volunteeringjourneys.com
Your first few days:
Day 1: Volunteers are welcomed by a Volunteering Journeys representative at the airport in Kathmandu before being guided to your homestay where you can meet your friendly family and relax.
Day 2 : You will be shown around the local sights and get acquainted with the area. You will also have personal meetings with the representative to determine how to best utilise your skills, time and experience.
Day 3: You will be starting your medical volunteer placement and be taken to your placement by our team on your first day.
Weekends :
Kathmandu is a bustling and beautiful capital, bursting with culture, history and amazing sights. So when it comes to the weekends, you will find plenty of things to do nearby. Points of interest include beautiful temples and monasteries including Boudhanath, Pashupatinath Temple, Swayambhunath, Durbar Square and the Old Palaces, Kopan Monastery and Dakshinkali Temple. For shopping and nightlife, it’s also worth checking out the Thamel neighbourhood and for hiking and wildlife including pandas, Langtang National Park is highly recommended.
What Happens When I Arrive?
Living Arrangements for Volunteers in Nepal:
During your time in Nepal, you will be placed with one of our carefully selected hosts. Your host family will provide you with a clean, comfortable and spacious room to stay in across the course of the program and meals will be provided daily. The food will be delicious, home cooked dishes which are authentically local and true to Nepalese cuisine. So travellers can enjoy a truly authentic experience and live and eat just like the local people of Nepal. Your volunteering package will also include airport reception and transfers, induction and any necessary training, plus project travel to and from your accommodation if you are not located close to your placement hospital or medical centre.
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 projects and in the community. We protect the safety of children and vulnerable adults by police verification checks on all participants. Please read our Child Protection Policy for more details.
Volunteering Journeys Foundation:
Through our commitment to responsible tourism we have developed the Volunteering Journey’s Foundation, a non-profit organization dedicated to making a positive difference in the lives of people and communitie. Go to our Donation page if you want to support or fundraise for Nepal.
Volunteers Love Us!
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‘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
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‘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
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‘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
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“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
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‘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
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‘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
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‘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
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‘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
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“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
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‘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
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‘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
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