Sri Lanka Pre-Medical Internship

If you want to enhance your professional development and gain medical experience overseas, this is the programme for you. It provides you with real world insight into the field of medicine, and Sri Lanka's healthcare system, through an observation-based learning style. On this programme you will gain broad knowledge across a variety of different wards and units, whilst also engaging with the community through local projects.

Here to support you at every stage is our experienced, friendly local team. They will provide you with all the training, assistance and boost of confidence you need across all responsibilities, whether it's project-related or operational.

Sri Lanka is one of the world's most beautiful travel destinations, with stunning beaches, emerald jungles, awe-inspiring temples and incredible food all waiting to be discovered. And that's not all it has to offer, either!

Sri Lanka is the only country in South Asia able to offer free healthcare to all of its citizens. Despite resources sometimes being limited, Sri Lanka's public health sector has achieved extraordinary success, such as a steady increase of life expectancy.

Undertaking a medical observership in Sri Lanka is the opportunity of a lifetime. From immersing yourself in another culture to learning about traditional practices such as Ayurvedic Medicine, the knowledge, skills and experiences that this programme will provide you with are immense.

Please note that this programme is observation-based. The medical professionals main priority is to deliver the best possible duty of care to their patients, whilst you observe. This is still a fantastic opportunity to gain insight and experience that will aid your professional development and / or future studies.

Certain areas on this programme, such as physiotherapy and community based activities, may allow for some hands-on work. This is subject to availability and can change.

On this programme, you will be working four to five hours each day, from Mondays to Fridays. The following locations are available to participants:

• National Hospital Galle: Sri Lanka's third largest hospital with a capacity of 2000 beds. It has 54 wards, several other specialised units and a national status.
• Government Ayurveda Institute: hospital specialising in the traditional, holistic practice of Ayurveda Medicine.
• Community projects: various local schools and community organisations, with the option to spend some time working with children and the elderly.

All of the above institutions are located within 20-40 minutes from the volunteer house where you will be staying.

Pre-medical participants will gain broad-based rotational exposure across a variety of wards, units and institutions on this programme. Below is a taster of the facilities and tasks involved on this project:

Please note that the exact day-to-day cannot be predicted as this project is based in a real, working environment. Participants generally need to be assigned at least one week in the following units / wards in the main hospital.

• Emergency Trauma Care (ETC) / Surgical Casualty Ward: bedside teaching regarding the management of patients, ward class with ward rounds, observing how local staff check vital signs and perform wound dressing.
• General Surgical Wards: joining the ward rounds with the consultant and medical staff, observing how local staff monitor vital signs and perform wound dressings, observing pre operative and post operative care of the patients who go through surgeries such as Cholecystectomy, Appendectomy, Hernia repair or Thyroidectomy.
• General Paediatric Ward: studying the history of the patients with the support of medical/nursing staff, joining the ward rounds, performing activities to socialise with children (with parental consent).
• Physiotherapy & Rehabilitation Unit: supporting patients to carry out their daily physiotherapy and occupational therapy exercises, carrying out group activities to support the patient's mental wellbeing and other similar activities. Participants will get to work closely with a physiotherapist and occupational therapist on a regular basis.
• Outdoor Patient Department: students are able to rotate between medical examining rooms, wound dressing room and vaccination rooms and observe how the outdoor department works in Sri Lanka.
• Oncology Surgical Ward: studying the history of the patients with the support of medical / nursing staff, joining the ward rounds, observing how local staff monitor vital signs and perform wound dressings of patients, observing pre-operative and post-operative care of the patients who go through surgeries.

Participants will also receive a special introductory session on Ayurvedic Medicine. This is one of the world's oldest medical systems and is highly popular and respected in Sri Lanka. It uses a natural and holistic approach to physical and mental health.

Participants will also get involved with community-based activities. This can be working at local schools, villages and community groups.

• Disability Care: medical interns are encouraged to engage with differently-abled people that need extra affection and care. They are able to help them with motor and cognitive skill activities.
• Children: educate and train local children on first aid and basic hygiene practices in schools, kindergartens and community groups under the guidance of coordinators.
• Elderly Care: support elderly people at care homes while improving their gross motor skills and cognitive skills, engaging in activities such as crafting and mobility exercises.
• General Public: attend medical campaigns and health awareness programmes under the guidance of medical professionals where they can assist with health checkups and educate people on different health conditions and issues.

Additionally, medical interns can also choose to do Community Weeks as part of this programme. This provides a more hands-on experience engaging with various members of the public (see above) through community related activities.This also includes a special one day session on Ayurvedic Medicine. 

Please note that community week allocation is subject to availability.

A detailed orientation and training programme will be provided on arrival. This includes health and safety training, culture training and an area orientation tour around Galle.

Our medical project coordinator will also provide project-specific training. You will receive an overview of the Sri Lankan medical industry, common practices, customs, code of conduct and rules.

Your coordinator is there to monitor your day-to-day development on this programme, ensuring you feel fully confident and supported with regular reviews and project task sheet assignments that are tailored to your experience level.

Daily transportation to and from the project is provided as part of your set hours on Mondays to Fridays.

If you are enrolled in or have recently completed a medical degree at a recognised university, you could be eligible for our Sri Lanka medical internship programme.

If you do not have a medical background but are still interested in volunteering in Sri Lanka, we have other programmes available such as turtle conservation and volunteer teaching. Chat to one of our travel advisors for more details.

The volunteer house offers a variety of optional activities for you to enjoy, including weekly yoga classes, movie nights, and monthly guided bike tours and BBQs.

Your weekends are completely free for you to chill out on the beaches, explore the local area or plan mini trips around Sri Lanka! Our volunteer house is located in the Unawatuna district of Galle, a stunning coastal town filled with historic architecture and a lighthouse walk, as well as lots of shops, cafes and restaurants. There's amazing access to Sri Lanka's golden sandy stretches dotted along the South Coast, including the iconic Mirissa and Jungle Beaches!

If you're keen to travel, some of the most popular activities that people do are hiking, bicycle and whale watching trips!