Medical Internship in Sri Lanka

Overview

The Medical Internship in Sri Lanka caters to interns who are currently enrolled in, or have recently completed, a medical degree from a recognized university in their home country. A prior background and/or experience in the medical field is mandatory to participate in this internship.

This is the main criteria to qualify for the medical internship program. Participants who have work experience in the medical field but are not enrolled in a medical university will not qualify for the medical internship and will have to join the pre-medical program instead.

Medical interns have the option to rotate between a range of wards and units at the public hospital as per their interest. They can also gain invaluable practical learning experiences in a clinic setting, as well as through select community projects. They get to understand how the medical system of a developing country like Sri Lanka works and learn first-hand from local doctors, as well as contribute in the day-to-day running of the facilities. They also get to learn about various tropical diseases that are prevalent in this part of the world.

Sri Lanka is the only country in South Asia which offers free healthcare to all its citizens, which is remarkable for the region. As such, the public sector here is vast and constitutes the vast majority of the medical system. Interns have access to a larger and wider network of professionals, volume of patients and exposure to a comprehensive set of wards and special units. There is also a greater need for participants to assist in the public sector as the sheer volume of patients they get is overwhelming and from lower socio-economic classes.

Medical Interns are allotted to work in the largest public hospital in Southern Province of Sri Lanka, Govt Ayurveda Institute or in community projects.

Sample Placement Profile

National Hospital Galle – this is the largest public hospital in the Southern Province of Sri Lanka, and the 3rd largest hospital in all of Sri Lanka. Capacity of ~2,000 beds. It has a total of 54 wards and several other specialized units. It was previously known as “Teaching Hospital Karapitiya” and “Teaching Hospital Mahamodara” but has now been all grouped under “National Hospital Galle” as the Sri Lankan government has recently elevated its status from a regional hospital to a national one.

Government Ayurveda Institute – this hospital specializes in the traditional medicinal practice of Ayurveda

Medical Electives Placements

Volunteering Solutions provides a variety of elective placements tailored to the specific needs of students training in the medical field. These include:

Medical Electives for aspiring doctors and medical students
Nursing Electives for future nurses and healthcare practitioners

These electives are specifically designed to meet the learning objectives of students in the medical field. Whether you are still in training or a recent graduate looking to broaden your skills, this program offers valuable hands-on experience in a real-world setting.

Volunteering Solutions team in the UK as well as the in-country team in Sri Lanka can help complete any paperwork required, provide risk assessments and sign off on hours to ensure the placement complies with your university requirements.

Intern Work Schedule

Saturday: Arrival in Colombo airport - transfer to Galle included

Sunday: Orientation + neighborhood familiarization tour. The orientation session will be conducted by the local coordinator, covering topic areas; such as safety, culture, language, places to visit, behavior, food, and other suggestions over things to do in and around Galle.

On arrival, a detailed orientation & training program is provided, including health and safety training, culture training and an area orientation tour around Galle. Our project coordinator provides project-specific training, which includes an overview of the Sri Lankan medical industry, common practices, customs, code of conduct, rules, etc. The coordinator also monitors day-to-day development of the participants and reviews and assigns project task sheets to each participant based on their experience level.

Mon to Fri: Medical Internship placement at appropriate medical institution (schedules can be somewhat flexible by an hour or two either way, based on ground realities at the time)

• Breakfast - 06:30 to 8:30 am

• Working hours at the placement - 09:00 am to 1pm (Hours can vary)

• Lunch - 12:00-2:30 pm (Provided at the accommodation)

• Dinner - 6:30-7:30 pm onwards (Provided at the accommodation)

The same schedule continues from the second week onwards

Weekends: Free to explore the city, all the nearby beaches and also travel around Sri Lanka. Being a small island with a very good public transportation system (buses, trains), it is easy to take a weekend trip to the mountains, tea plantations, rainforests, cultural sites and various beach towns.

Note: The schedule may vary depending on the particular placement the intern is allocated to.

Intern Roles & Responsibilities

Medical Interns have the opportunity to get broad-based rotational exposure across various wards, units and institutions, including:

Emergency Trauma Care (ETC) / Surgical Casualty Ward – tasks include bedside teaching regarding the management of patients, ward class with ward rounds, observing how local staff check vital signs and perform wound dressing.

General Medical Ward – typical tasks include bedside teaching regarding the management of patients, ward rounds with the consultant and the medical staff, attending lectures with the local medical students, etc.

General Surgical Wards – tasks include joining the ward rounds with the consultant and medical staff, observing how local staff monitor vital signs and perform wound dressings of patients and observing pre operative and post operative care of the patients who go through surgeries such as Cholecystectomy, Appendectomy, Hernia repair, Thyroidectomy, etc.

General Pediatric Ward – typical tasks include studying the history of the patients with the support of medical/ nursing staff, joining the ward rounds, performing activities to socialize with children (with parental consent), etc.

Pediatric Cardiology Unit – typical activities include attending pediatric cardiac catheter lab on diagnosing heart defects, its severity, observing live pediatric cardiac surgeries and attending clinical sessions with the consultants.

Oncology Surgical Ward – typical tasks include 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 and observing pre operative and post operative care of the patients.Electives will be given explanation by the surgeon based on the type of the surgery and the ground emergency situation.

Neurosurgical Unit – available only for advanced medical students (3rd year or above in their medical studies). Tasks include studying the history of the patients with the support of medical / nursing staff, joining the ward rounds, observing live neurosurgeries with the consultant / surgeon.

Nephrology Unit – available only for advanced medical students (3rd year or above in their medical studies). Tasks include studying the history of the patients with the support of medical / nursing staff, joining the ward rounds, observing patients with various kidney malfunctions and or diseases with the consultant/ surgeon.

Psychiatry Ward – available only for advanced medical students (3rd year or above in their medical studies). Assist local team that specializes in the treatment of mental disorders.

Rheumatology Department – available only for advanced medical students (3rd year or above in their medical studies). Assist in the treatment and care to patients with diseases of the musculoskeletal system – bone, joint and connective tissue disease.

Observation of Special Surgeries - Surgery observation weeks will be available ONLY for the medical students who have the prior clinical/ hospital experience. Depending on the availability, the electives will get the access to observe surgeries on a rotational basis. Surgeries include vascular surgeries, plastic surgeries, urology related surgeries, neuro surgeries, casualty, oncology surgeries, etc

Physiotherapy & Rehabilitation Unit – tasks include supporting patients to carry out their daily physiotherapy and occupational therapy exercises, carrying out group activities to support the patient's mental well-being and other similar activities. Students will get to closely shadow a physiotherapist and occupational therapist on a regular basis.

Ayurvedic Medicine – A special introductory session on the traditional eastern medicinal practice of Ayurveda, which is based on a natural and holistic approach to physical and mental health. Ayurvedic medicine is one of the world’s oldest medical systems and remains one of Sri Lanka’s most popular and respected traditional health care systems.

Community Based Activities – this involves 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 activities that enhance their motor and cognitive skills.
Children: Educate and train the local children on first aid and basic hygiene practices in schools, kindergartens and community groups under the guidance of the coordinators.
Elderly Care: Support and cheer up elderly people at elderly homes while improving their gross motor skills and cognitive skills engaging in crafting, mobility exercises and other fun activities.
General Public: attend medical campaigns and health awareness programs under the guidance of medical professionals where they can assist with health checkups and educate people on different health conditions and issues.

Students generally need to be assigned for a minimum of one week in the units/wards in the main hospital.

In addition to the wards/ units described above, medical electives also have the option to choose Community Weeks as part of their program which provides a more hands on experience dealing with various members of the local public (as described above) through community-based activities. This also includes a special one-day session on Ayurvedic medicine so a typical community week will comprise of Ayurvedic medicine and community based activities. Community week allocation is dependent on ground availability.

The range of tasks are more sophisticated compared to Pre-Medical participants and can vary based on the experience level of the student. It is important to emphasize that the experience in the hospital is largely observation-based although certain units are known to offer more hands-on work than others. As this is a real-world project which involves dealing with real doctors, nurses and patients in a busy hospital, one cannot predict how a typical day or week will go. We have found that participants who show respect, capability, humility and eagerness to learn tend to win the confidence and support of the local medical team more often than not, and as such, they get more out of their experience than those who do not.

All electives are supported by our medical project coordinator who provides regular guidance and support to further enhance their learning and knowledge development.

Project Requirement

Participants in the Medical Internship Program must be enrolled in a recognized medical university in their home country. Further, the following documents are needed to apply:

Current CV or Resume
Motivation statement or intent letter describing personal background and rationale for pursuing this internship
University reference letter
Police background check
Copy of passport
Reference letter issued by the University to confirm the medical studies of the elective
Duly completed Elective information sheet provided by the hospital
Duly completed Clinical Observership Trainee Assessment form provided by the hospital
Clinical or university documents that need to be attested by the hospital to certify the program completion.

Students should have a sufficient level of conversational/ verbal knowledge of English.

All the medical interns should submit the above required documents five weeks prior to their start date. If a medical intern needs the certification for a certain number of days, they have to complete the below number of weeks minimum in the hospital.

30 days certification - 5 weeks
60 days certificate - 9 weeks
90 days certificate - 13 weeks

The regular start day at the hospital is a Monday which will be recorded as the start date in all the documents that are certified by the hospital. The end date can be the last Saturday of the project period. Weekly intervals taken by the students during their program period will be mentioned in their documents.

Additionally, participants must understand the special circumstances when working in a country like Sri Lanka where the medical standards differs greatly from what they might have experienced in their home country. They should be open-minded, respectful to the local staff and eager to learn.

Interns must adhere to a professional attire while at the hospital. Clothing should be smart and professional with medical scrubs with long trousers (preferably white) being mandatory. Electives are responsible for bringing their own clothing and crocs ensuring these guidelines are met every day they are on the project.

As per the code of conduct of the hospital and the Healthcare project, accessories such as large earrings, piercings, rings and necklaces should not be worn during the project hours when they are in the hospitals.

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Medical and Nursing Internship - Sri Lanka

Living

Airport Transfers
Volunteers are picked up from the Colombo Bandaranaike International Airport Airport by a representative of the local coordinating team on the program start date during scheduled airport pickup hours. Participants are also dropped off to the airport upon completion of the program during the scheduled airport drop hours (At extra charges).Charges for the return airport drop can be paid by the participants when they are in Sri Lanka.

Note : Arrival transfer (shared) within pre-defined time windows on Saturdays included in the program price (non-transferable).There will be 2 shared airport transfers every Saturday (Morning and afternoon/evening) from airport to Galle. A private transfer is also available for USD 65 and can be arranged on Saturday or for participants arriving on any date other than the start date.

Orientation
A detailed program Orientation will be provided before you start your volunteering program.All volunteers on arrival get a welcome presentation including health and safety training, culture presentation, project specific presentation and area orientation tour. Our staff will also assist you with the lessons and planning the curriculum, as and when required. You will also have access to our in-house teaching library consisting of manuals, books, and various teaching materials to help with lesson planning and providing general guidance.

Accommodation
Volunteers joining the programs in Galle, Sri Lanka, will get to stay in the quaint Unawatuna neighbourhood, overlooking the famous Unawatuna Beach and the turquoise waters of the Indian Ocean. Our participants stay in two volunteer houses which are located near to each other.

The Beachside house is located right across the road from Unawatuna Beach and about 100 metres from the other volunteer house. It has 12 spacious bedrooms of varying sizes with attached en suite bathrooms each with air-conditioning facilities (most rooms also have attached outdoor balconies). There is also a separate dining area, small garden, lounge, terrace and a large office with permanent staff onsite. The property is safeguarded by multiple CCTV cameras and an onsite night security team.

The other larger volunteer house has 13 bedrooms with ensuite bathrooms.Most of these rooms have ocean views! There's a private 40-foot outdoor swimming pool surrounded by tropical greenery. The house also has 3 kitchens as well as 3 living/common rooms (one each per floor), a prominent dining area, and a private outdoor garden with seating/lounging areas.

The office is located on the ground floor of the house near the main entrance – this is where the local team operate from every day. The house is located in a peaceful, nature-filled neighbourhood adjacent to a small Buddhist temple (nestled away from the main tourist areas). To ensure the safety and security of the participants, there are CCTV cameras installed, and an in-house security guard for night-time surveillance. Hot water and high-speed Wi-Fi are there and you can opt for air-conditioning and laundry facilities at an additional charge.

Private (single and double) room upgrades are available at additional charges. During busy months participants are also provided accommodation in nearby guesthouses in case of low capacity in the volunteer houses or non availability of private rooms. Private rooms are provided in guesthouses within walking distance to the volunteer house. Volunteers stay in the private guesthouses and walk over to the volunteer house and have meals with the other volunteers.

All participants aged 40 years and older will be provided with a private room only and will not be provided accommodation in shared dorm rooms . Additional charges for private room upgrade shall be applicable.

Meals
We provide 3 freshly cooked meals per day all week long (Monday to Sunday): Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner. Fresh ingredients are purchased from local markets to prepare these meals. The volunteer homes have cooks from the local community who come daily to cook fresh, homely and tasty local meals for the volunteers. We can cater to a range of special diets including vegan, gluten free, nut free and lactose-intolerant diets. If there are any other allergy or food requirements mentioned to us beforehand, we always do our best to accommodate those needs. Those volunteers staying in private guesthouse rooms near the volunteer house, usually have breakfast at the guest house and walk down to the volunteer house for their lunch and dinner.

Local Transportation
Local transportation to and from the project is included every day.

During Free Time
There is plenty to do during the free time and weekends for the volunteers.The following activities are provided free of charge and included in your program fee:

Evening Rooftop Yoga Session (weekly)
Movie nights on large screen projector at the house (weekly)
Bike tour across paddy fields and local villages (monthly)
BBQ for volunteers and staff in the garden (monthly)
Night Fishing for anyone into fishing (on demand)

The following are popular weekend (or even daily) activities which our volunteers love to do around the area (at an additional charge):

Surfing lessons
Elephant safari
Whale watching(during season)
Rainforest hiking
Beach hopping
Local cooking class
Galle Walking Tour
Local spice market visit
Galle Fort visit

We also encourage you to join our specially curated 7D/6N Sri Lanka Culture & Adventure Tour which packs the best of the island’s beauty and diversity within a week.The tour can be added to your program itinerary before or after the volunteer program.

Dates

November

December

January

February

March

April

May

June

July

August

September

October

November

December

Available

Filling Fast

Booked Out

Costs

Duration	Program Fee	Choose your currency
1 Week	$854
2 Weeks	$1074
3 Weeks	$1294
4 Weeks	$1514
5 Weeks	$1734
6 Weeks	$1951
7 Weeks	$2150
8 Weeks	$2350
Extra Week	$260

Please Note: An application fee of is charged over and above the program fee as an application payment.

What are you Paying for?

24 hrs Assistance and support from Staff
Comprehensive Pre- Departure Information
Airport Transfers on Scheduled Days
Dedicated volunteer housing with WiFi (shared rooms)
Shared airport transfer on arrival at designated time windows in the morning or afternoon
Orientation and training on arrival
Breakfast, lunch and dinner all days
Guaranteed project placement
Local transportation to projects in private AC van or tuk-tuk
Experienced bilingual operations team on the ground
Dedicated staff support from 6 am to 8 pm every day
24/7 local emergency support
Weekly yoga class on a rooftop terrace
Weekly movie nights on large screen projector
Monthly bike tour around paddy fields and local villages
Monthly special BBQ dinner
Travel & Medical Insurance (Available at an extra cost)
Certificate of Program Completion(On Request)

What's NOT included?

Visa Fee
Return Airport Drop Charges
International Airfare
Vaccinations
Any personal expenses
Additional Local Excursions and Trips
Private Room Upgrade charges
Charges for additional nights at the accommodation

FAQ's

Application and Program Details

How long will it take to process my application? Will my application be accepted?: After you complete your application, your personalized ‘My Account’ will be activated.You will need to upload your CV/Resume along with your photo in the same. Our backend team and the placement site takes around 10-12 days to review your application. After we review your CV and documents, your booking is confirmed and booking confirmation is updated in your ‘My Account’. Some projects need a mandatory criminal background check and the same is mentioned in the project info of your program. Approval of your application depends on your qualification and eligibility criteria for each project.
When do I need to arrive in Sri Lanka for my program? What will happen once I arrive in the country ?: All volunteers need to arrive at Bandaranaike International Airport (CMB) in Colombo, Sri Lanka, on the starting date of their project. Volunteers are picked from the airport by the local coordinator or representative and are transferred to their accommodations. Accommodation will be provided in the volunteer house located near your placements.

A short orientation is given after arrival about the city and placements. The volunteers are also taken for a short tour of Colombo before they start with their program. However, the tour depends on the arrival time of your flight.
Are there any necessary requirements to participate in the Sri Lankan volunteer programs?: Below are the necessary requirements to participate in the Sri Lankan volunteer projects:

The minimum age requirement for the programs in Sri Lanka is 17 years.

Volunteers participating in the Medical Program should be at least 18-year-old.

Volunteers need to have an open mind and flexible attitude for working in a new and different environment. They should bring energy and enthusiasm to make a difference.

The participant must be in good health.
Does VolSol provides discount if I choose more than one program or if I am a returning volunteer?: If you are planning to come for multiple programs in your trip, you will have to pay the application fees just once. Your application fee is valid for a year's time ( from the date of application). You will not have to pay the application fees again if you come within the mentioned time frame.

For our returning volunteers, $50 discount is provided for the application fee for their next VolSol program.
Can I volunteer as part of a group?: We encourage our participants to volunteer in a group. We take special care in providing you a placement and also customize your itinerary to make sure you get exactly what you are looking for. Also, we can design special group programs for groups of 5 or more. Our programs are designed to be safe, affordable and offer a great group volunteering experience to the volunteers.

In our experience of more than 12+ years, we have enabled and facilitated volunteer program placements for college groups, university groups, high school groups, group of families, group of couples as well as groups of colleagues.
When should I apply for the volunteer programs in Sri Lanka?: As we have limited spots available in our programs and we serve on first come first basis, it is recommended that potential volunteers book their programs well in advance to get confirmed placements. You can book your slot by filling the application form online and pay the application fee. You can pay your program fee later and also, in installments. However, the complete payment should be made 45 days prior to the starting of the program. If you are volunteering in a group, you can also fill a group application form.
Does VolSol provides with a reference or a certificate after program completion?: Yes, we will provide you with the Certificate after successful completion of your program. The certificate is provided on request.
For how many hours will I volunteer every day?: Volunteers usually work for 5 to 6 hours a day depending on their program. However, volunteers need to be flexible, open minded and understand that work requirements can alter at times.

Health and Safety

How safe is Sri Lanka in general ?: Sri Lanka is one of the popular tropical destination in Asia and attracts travelers from all around the world. The locals are friendly and helpful as well, however, it is recommended to consult your in-country coordinators before you step out alone or go to any other locations in Sri Lanka. Also, it is recommended to be with your group whenever you venture out or stay out late in the night. It is strongly recommended to follow the safety rules and regulations provided by the in-country coordinator.
What immunizations/vaccinations will I need?: We recommend you to consult your physician or travel doctor before traveling to Sri Lanka. However, we recommend you take general vaccinations such as:

Hepatitis A and B

Typhoid
Do I need to buy a health insurance?: Yes, for all volunteers it is mandatory to have a travel medical insurance. To provide the best option to our participants, we offer comprehensive insurance coverage in collaboration with a leading insurance provider.
Are there any other things that I need to be careful about?: Considering the fact that Sri Lanka is a tropical country, the weather is mostly hot and humid. For people traveling from European and North American countries, it might seem to extremely hot during the days and sultry at night. We would advise you to consume a lot of water and protect yourself from the sun in whichever way possible. Carry an umbrella.

You can consult your doctor once, before traveling to Sri Lanka.

Accommodation and Living

Can I know more about accommodation and food arrangements?: Volunteers joining the programs in Galle, Sri Lanka, get to stay in the quaint Unawatuna neighborhood, overlooking the famous Unawatuna Beach and the turquoise waters of the Indian Ocean. Participants stay in one of the two volunteer homes located in close proximity to each other. The larger volunteer house has 13 bedrooms with ensuite bathrooms.Most of these rooms have ocean views! There's a private 40-foot outdoor swimming pool surrounded by tropical greenery. The house also has 3 kitchens as well as 3 living/common rooms (one each per floor), a prominent dining area, and a private outdoor garden with seating/lounging areas.

The office is located on the ground floor of the house near the main entrance – this is where the local team operate from every day. The house is located in a peaceful, nature-filled neighborhood adjacent to a small Buddhist temple (nestled away from the main tourist areas). To ensure the safety and security of the participants, there are CCTV cameras installed, and an in-house security guard for night-time surveillance. Hot water and high-speed Wi-Fi are there and you can opt for air-conditioning and laundry facilities at an additional charge.

Other than that, we also provide single/double/family private room upgrades at extra charges. The beach is just about 5 minutes walk from the stay and you can reach the Galle Fort in about 15 minutes.

If you have special dietary requirements, please mention the same in your application form.
Are there more expenses once I arrive in Sri Lanka ?: Your program fee covers your accommodation, airport pick-up, orientation, pre-departure booklet, and 24x7 in country staff support. You will need to cover your personal expenses, such as traveling, telephone, the internet, shopping, sightseeing, return airport drop, weekend tours etc. You should carry around $50 - $60 per week for your basic personal expenses, such as water, local transport, phone etc.
Would I have free time during my program ? Can I do sightseeing during my program ?: Depending on your project placement, you will get free evenings and weekends to explore in and around the city. You can utilize the evening time to visit local markets and other places around your project location. Make the most of your weekends by exploring Sri Lanka to the fullest.

We encourage our volunteers to travel. We have designed various weekend tours which can be booked under the ‘Add-on Tours’ section in your ‘My Account’. Your in-country coordinator will also help you book and organize the tours once you are in Sri Lanka.
Where can I change my money in Sri Lanka ? Are there ATMs in Sri Lankan cities?: You can change money at any bank or at the airport by showing your passport. There are ATMs located all around the city (Galle, Kandy, Ambalangoda and Kegalle) as well.
Which all places can I explore during my trip?: Places like Sinharaja Forest Reserve, Rumassala Mountain, and Galle fort are major attractions in Galle, and Kegalle is a city of ancient architecture and natural beauty. Volunteers are free to plan quick getaways and explore Sri Lanka during the weekends.You can also relax at the beachside and enjoy the taste of the delicious seafood.
How do I get to the accommodation and the program location?: Your coordinator will meet you at the airport and will take you to your accommodation and introduce you to our team and other volunteers. You will then be provided with the orientation covering areas like culture, customs, safety, locations, placement, greetings, local transportation etc.

On the first day of work, the coordinator will guide you to your project site.

Flights and Visa

Will Volunteering Solutions help with Visa?: Volunteers traveling to Sri Lanka need to obtain an Electronic Travel Authorization (ETA) prior to their arrival or on their arrival in Sri Lanka. You can then obtain a Visa on Arrival in Sri Lanka for 30 days.

Volunteers can apply for ETA online and the approval of the same will be communicated via email.

Volunteers can be provided with the supporting documents if needed. More information will be provided once you enroll for the program.
What are the recommended airlines to fly to Sri Lanka ?: The Bandaranaike International Airport (CMB) in Colombo is well connected with all major airports across the globe and flights are easily available. The recommended airlines are:

Srilankan Airlines

Air India

Mihin Lanka

Spicejet

Emirates

There are frequent in-country flights from Colombo to Galle and Kegalle as well.

Connect with Past Volunteers

How can I connect with past Volunteering Solutions Sri Lankan alumni as well as other former and current volunteers ?: We encourage volunteers to connect with former Volunteering Solutions participants and also other program participants joining our projects. You are recommended to join the Volunteering">https://www.facebook.com/VolunteeringSolutions/">Volunteering Solutions Facebook Page or Facebook">https://www.facebook.com/groups/volunteeringsolutions/">Facebook Group to connect with other participants and our team.

To read alumni interviews from past participants, visit the Meet">https://www.volunteeringsolutions.com/meet-a-volunteer">Meet a Volunteer section on our website