Medicine Internship

location
2 - 12 weeks  ·  Age 16 - 50+

rating  Outstanding 5  · 
  Verified by Volunteer World
  Excellent response rate

Highlights

  • We offer you the option of spending time in different hospital departments, which allows you to learn about various specialisations
  • Learn basic medical skills and do health checks during our community outreaches
  • Shadow doctors and nurses on their rounds, and see first-hand what daily life at a hospital is like
  • A trip to Tanzania is the chance to experience life in the heart of Africa
  • See the beautiful wildlife of Tanzania, like elephants, rhinos, and lions or explore the highest mountain in Africa, Mount Kilimanjaro


Especially good for

Age 16+
Singles
Couples
50+
Wheel Chairs

About the program

Learn directly from doctors and do health checks during outreaches in this vibrant African country

This internship is all about broadening your medical knowledge. So we’ve partnered with local hospitals to give you the opportunity to spend time in many different departments.

In all of our medical placements, these are some of the departments you can intern in:

  • Maternity
  • General medicine

About the program

This internship is all about broadening your medical knowledge. So we’ve partnered with local hospitals to give you the opportunity to spend time in many different departments.

In all of our medical placements, these are some of the departments you can intern in:

  • Maternity
  • General medicine
  • Paediatrics
  • Surgery
  • Laboratory
  • Dental unit
  • Palliative care

The number of different departments you can work in will depend on how long your internship is. We recommend spending at least one week in a department before moving to another department. If you’re interested in a specific department, feel free to contact us and we can help advise you.


This is a chance for you to gain medical work experience, by learning from doctors and doing outreach work. Here are the different tasks you will do:

  • Observe professional doctors in a hospital or clinic
  • Spend time in several hospital departments
  • Learn about healthcare and gain practical skills during medical workshops
  • Participate in medical outreaches and practise taking health measures

These are the different areas your work will focus on:

Learn from qualified doctors

You’ll spend your days shadowing medical staff, sitting in on patient consultations and getting to experience the life of a doctor in Tanzania. You’ll get to see first-hand how doctors cope with challenging circumstances and lack of funding and resources. You’ll get to see different medical procedures and learn how to diagnose and treat different diseases.

Work in different departments

Depending on how long you intern for, you might get to spend time in different departments, giving you the chance to see what specialisation stands out for you.

Attend medical workshops

As part of your learning experience, you’ll also get to learn from medical professionals during workshops. These are held about once every two weeks. Local doctors will take this time to teach you practical skills, like how to measure blood pressure or administer first aid. They’ll also talk you through the symptoms, prevention, and treatment of tropical diseases, like malaria.

Help local communities

You’ll also be helping people in local communities during medical outreaches. We'll teach you everything you need to know, and your work will be supervised by medical professionals.

You’ll give talks on healthy eating to help with heart disease prevention. You can also gain experience measuring the blood sugar and blood pressure levels of people who can’t seek formal medical treatment. Medical outreaches provide basic medical care and diagnoses to people who can’t afford regular check-ups.


Typical day

Your day will start with breakfast with your host family. You’ll sit down for a tasty meal before getting ready, picking up your notebook, and catching a dalla dalla, which will zip you off to a local hospital.

Your typical work day will start at about 7.30am, because Tanzanian hospitals are ...

Typical day

Your day will start with breakfast with your host family. You’ll sit down for a tasty meal before getting ready, picking up your notebook, and catching a dalla dalla, which will zip you off to a local hospital.

Your typical work day will start at about 7.30am, because Tanzanian hospitals are particularly busy in the mornings. You’ll usually finish work at around 3pm.

You’ll be assigned a supervising doctor, who will lead you through different consultations and procedures. Take notes, ask questions, and take this opportunity to learn as much as you can. You might have the chance to learn how to take X-rays or practise working with medical equipment.

You’ll help out at medical outreaches about once every two weeks. During outreaches, you’ll set up a healthcare station at a local school or community centre, and take measurements like blood pressure, blood sugar, height, and weight. This is tiring work and you’ll probably screen many different people in one day. But it’s also a chance to have direct contact with patients and provide them with early medical screening.

Once every two weeks, you’ll also attend a medical workshop given by a local doctor. At these workshops, you’ll learn valuable skills like how to administer first aid or practise suturing.

Your evenings will be free, giving you the chance to explore your surroundings and get to know your fellow interns.


Free-time activities

A trip to Tanzania is the chance to experience life in the heart of Africa. There’s plenty to see and do here during your free time on your project.

A project in Tanzania wouldn’t be complete without a safari! This is a chance to see the beautiful wildlife of this country, like elephants, rhinos, ...

Free-time activities

A trip to Tanzania is the chance to experience life in the heart of Africa. There’s plenty to see and do here during your free time on your project.

A project in Tanzania wouldn’t be complete without a safari! This is a chance to see the beautiful wildlife of this country, like elephants, rhinos, and lions.

What’s more, Tanzania is home to the highest mountain in Africa, Mount Kilimanjaro. Hiking around the base through lush vegetation is a peaceful way to spend an afternoon.

Browsing through a vibrant, local market is a must while you’re there. You can also spend time in a Maasai village, getting to know a completely different way of life.

There will likely be many other volunteers in Tanzania with you. This means you have the option to explore the country independently or with a group of like-minded volunteers from different projects. 


Requirements

Requirements

Minimum Age: 16 years

In order to join the program you need to be at least 16 years old on the program start date.

Language Skills

You need to speak English (basic level)

Nationality Restrictions

No restrictions. Helping hands from all over the world are welcome.

Time Commitment

Your helping hand will be required on Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday and Friday from 07:30 - 15:00

What's Included

What's Included

Services by Projects Abroad

  • Accommodation

  • Food (three meals a day)

  • Airport pick-up and drop-off

  • Full induction and orientation by an experienced staff member on arrival

  • Transport to and from your work placement

  • In-country support and 24-hour back-up from our team of full-time local staff

  • Emergency assistance from our international emergency response team

  • Project equipment and materials, including access to our database with thousands of resources

  • A supervisor/mentor at your work placement

  • Training and workshops from our experienced local staff

  • Certification of project completion

  • A cultural awareness course

Airport Pickup at Kilimanjaro International Airport

Your arrival airport in Tanzania will be Kilimanjaro Airport (JRO). One of our friendly staff members will be there to greet you. They’ll be holding a Projects Abroad sign, so they’ll be easy to spot. Our team will also transfer you back to the airport for your return flight home.

Once you arrive at your host family, a staff member will introduce you and then you’ll have some time to unpack and settle in after your long journey.

Accommodation

You'll stay with a host family in Arusha. 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 Tanzania 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.


Food & Beverages

Your programme fee includes three meals a day.

Internet Access

Good access at the project site

What's NOT included?

What's NOT included?

Flight Tickets

The nearest airport is Kilimanjaro International Airport (JRO) in Kilimanjaro. We assist you to find cheap flights to Tanzania. FIND CHEAP FLIGHTS

Travel Insurance

Going abroad is an adventure and it is always best to be prepared. Sudden illness or injury, cancellation or theft - a travel insurance for Tanzania provides security and is a plus to have. GET A QUOTE

Vaccines

If you are intending to volunteer in Tanzania you should seek medical advice before starting your social journey. Check your required vaccinations for Tanzania. VACCINE CHECKER

Details on arrival

This project runs all year round so you can organise a trip whenever it suits your schedule. You can join for as long as you like, with a minimum duration of two weeks.
Availability
Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec

Program fees

2 weeks (min. stay) 2,185€
4 weeks 2,815€
8 weeks 4,075€
12 weeks (max. stay) 5,335€
Average fees 768€/week

Program fees

768€ per week 2 - 12 weeks Age 16 - 50+

Payment methods

Visa Master Card Maestro American Express PayPal

NO CREDIT CARD FEES


Duration

2 - 12 weeks

Deposit

The deposit is simply to reserve your volunteer placement. Payments are handled by PayPal, our trusted global payment provider. If you don't have a PayPal account, you can also pay using a credit card.


Final Payment

Your final payment will be agreed with Projects Abroad during the application process. Common solutions are either via bank transfer or a cash payment at the project site.


Meet your organization

Projects Abroad

Outstanding 5 rating (207 reviews)

Agency - founded in 1992

Verified by Volunteer World

  Excellent response rate

Coordinated by

Bethany

Spoken languages: English

About the project

For over 30 years, Projects Abroad has been the world's leading provider of international volunteer programs, internships, and life-changing travel experiences.

Meet your organization

For over 30 years, Projects Abroad has been the world's leading provider of international volunteer programs, internships, and life-changing travel experiences.  

We connect passionate individuals with impactful projects that contribute to the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, fostering a better future for all.

Why Choose Projects Abroad?

  • Impactful projects: Make a real difference in communities worldwide while gaining valuable skills and experience.
  • Responsible travel: We champion sustainable practices and ethical interactions, ensuring your journey is both enriching and responsible.
  • Safety first: Your well-being is our top priority. We provide comprehensive support and 24/7 assistance throughout your experience.
  • Trusted provider: Over 130,000 participants have trusted us with their transformative journeys.
  • Diverse opportunities: Choose from a wide range of projects in healthcare, conservation, education, and more.

Join Projects Abroad and embark on a transformative adventure that will broaden your horizons, deepen your understanding of the world, and empower you to create lasting change.

207 reviews · rating5

Helen Robertson rating5

2019 at Medicine Internship

My supervisor Florence was great and made the experience for me. Also the variety of medical exposure we got at different types of hospitals (health centre, dispensary etc) was amazing. The places you go to on the outreach are amazing and travelling as a tourist you wouldn’t be able to go there ...
Elisabeth Southern rating5

2019 at Medicine Internship

This was one of the best trips of my life. I’ve met so many people from around the world and i grew so close to them in such a short amount of time. I really don’t want to leave. Honestly if i didn’t have prior commitments at home i would stay the rest of the summer. The people everywhere are ...
Ainsley Hutchison rating5

2019 at Medicine Internship

I learned a lot about medicine and I loved the cultural activities! I also really liked the outreaches and the trainings for the children. I was surprised at how much I enjoyed the time I had with my group members at home, even just sitting at talking about the differences in our cultures and ...
Alex Siesel rating5

2018 at Medicine Internship

My most enjoyable experiences while here included: hanging out and getting to know people from all over the world, learning what people in Tanzania eat on a daily basis, getting to experience Tanzania and the Tanzanian culture, seeing what healthcare in Tanzania is like, doing the surgery workshop, ...
Harrison Burke rating5

2018 at Medicine Internship

The most enjoyable parts of the trip were when we did something very adventurous, went out with our bus driver, had time to ha g out with each other, or got to do something that we would not have the opportunity to do in our home ...
Phoebe Coupland rating5

2020 at Medical Intern

The most enjoyable experience in Nepal was the Chitwan safari on one of our leisure activities that went for the weekend. In CMC hosptial working in maternity and the operation theatre, we had the amazing experience of being able to watch a lot of babies being ...

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