At a glance
- A tailor-made internship that balances learning, impact, and adventure
- Shadow medical professionals to gain valuable insights
- Complete 40 hours of direct observation in a South American hospital setting
- Contribute to the community through 16 hours of impactful medical outreach
- Plus, join medical-based workshops and lectures
- Rotate through different hospital departments to discover your area of interest
- Live and work with local people and meet other medical students from around the world
- Explore the best that Peru has to offer, including Machu Picchu
Is an Undergrad Medical Internship in Peru right for me?
Calling all future doctors! Are you ready to combine medical work experience with an unforgettable adventure? This Medical Internship in Peru is just what you’re looking for.
Use your summer holiday to elevate your academics. Shadow medical professionals, perform community outreach, and forge connections with passionate students who share your dream.
This internship has it all — medical learning, community impact, adventure, and friendship! Give yourself a head start and get set up for success in your postgraduate training and beyond!
This Undergrad Medical Internship guarantees:
- Experience: Shadow medical professionals and participate in community outreach programmes, putting your classroom knowledge into action.
- Exposure: Discover your passion as you rotate between departments and learn if you would like to specialise or go into general practice.
- Access: Our curated itineraries give you structured access to the daily realities of a medical professional.
- Skills: Develop valuable skills like cross-cultural communication, teamwork, and problem-solving — essential for your medical future.
This internship is for you if:
- You want to make a real difference, contributing to the wellbeing of local communities while getting practical experience.
- You believe you should experience a range of medical departments to uncover your calling.
- You want to showcase your adaptability and resilience by challenging yourself in a South American healthcare environment.
- You want to discover Peruvian culture, living and working alongside local people.
Although not compulsory, intermediate Spanish skills will help you communicate with local staff and patients.
Please note that this internship takes place on fixed dates, rotating through a variety of departments. As such, it may not fulfil the requirements of your medical elective.
What will I do on this Undergrad Medical Internship?
This Undergrad Medical Internship provides unmatched opportunities to take your medical knowledge to the next level!
Here’s what to expect:
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Dive deep into Peruvian healthcare: Immerse yourself in a real-world hospital setting and see how doctors handle challenges in a developing country.
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Learn from the best: Shadow experienced doctors, observe their patient interactions, and witness medicine in action.
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Develop your bedside manner: Hone your communication skills by talking with patients and participating in community outreach programmes.
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Unlock hidden knowledge: Attend workshops and lectures on Peruvian healthcare issues, gaining insights beyond your textbooks.
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Build your medical arsenal: Explore diverse healthcare practices and build a strong foundation for your future medical career.
But wait, there's more! This internship isn't just about medicine. Live with a host family, visit Machu Picchu (a UNESCO World Heritage Site), see the Sacred Valley, and immerse yourself in a vibrant new culture.
Where in Peru will I work?
Cusco
You'll be based in the vibrant, ancient city of Cusco. This was once the capital of the Incan Empire and you'll see countless reminders of this as you explore.
Cusco is also the gateway to Machu Picchu, one of the New Seven Wonders of the World. Don’t miss this chance to combine medical work experience with the adventure of a lifetime.
In Cusco, you'll find busy hospitals and medical clinics. Peru has problems with many diseases rarely found in the UK, such as tuberculosis and leishmaniasis.
There will be plenty of practical cases for you to observe, such as:
- Cleaning wounds
- Suturing
- Administering injections
- Paediatric treatment at a children’s rehabilitation centre
By travelling to Peru, you’ll see how these tasks are carried out in a different cultural setting. You’ll develop a new kind of bedside manner, tailored to a diverse range of patients.
What are the aims and impact of this Undergrad Medical Internship in Peru?
The aims of this internship for undergraduate students are to:
- Facilitate first-class medical experience, setting you up for your postgraduate training and beyond.
- Complement your academic studies with real-world medical experience.
- Develop your bedside manner as you interact with patients and learn to communicate across cultures.
- Exposure to how healthcare is managed and delivered in a low-resource environment.
At the same time, you’ll visit Peru to leave a positive impact, treating disadvantaged community members.
The health concerns facing Peru include:
- Infectious diseases, like dengue and Zika.
- Respiratory diseases, which are the leading cause of death in Peru.
- Non-communicable diseases like diabetes in poorer regions.
- Malnutrition, which continues to seriously affect children and babies.
- Underfunded and low-quality healthcare, which many rural residents cannot access.
- A lack of education surrounding health and hygiene.
Your presence in Peru will be part of our long-term efforts to improve global health outcomes.
Food & accommodation
Accommodation
Where you’ll stay: You’ll stay with a local host family in Cusco. This offers an immersive experience as they welcome you into their home, eager to share their culture and learn about yours. The accommodation will be close to the hospital or clinic where you’ll work. Our staff will show you how to get to your placement during your induction.
Comfort level: Your home will be modest, but comfortable. It’ll be in a safe area and regularly cleaned by your host. You’ll have access to Wi-Fi and hot showers for the duration of your stay.
Who you’ll live with: We’ll try to ensure you share a room with at least one other volunteer or intern, who may even be a medical student themselves. The number of people you live with depends on when you travel. Whoever you meet, they’ll become a friend to explore Peru with.
Learn more about our accommodation.
Food
Daily meals: Three meals a day are included in the fee. Your host family will cook for you, giving you the energy you need to focus on your Undergrad Medical Internship. They’ll ensure you eat well while tasting the best that Peru has to offer.
Dietary requirements: Our projects cater to a range of dietary preferences. We can provide vegetarian, vegan, and halal food. We’ll do our best to ensure you have a wide variety of delicious food, no matter what diet you follow.
Peruvian cuisine: You’ll eat like a local as you sample traditional food from Peru. The national dish of Peru is ceviche, comprising a flavoursome mix of fish, corn, onions, and sweet potatoes. Corn, potatoes, and beans are staples that local people love. Peru has also embraced many European dishes, brought over by the Spanish.
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
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