Medicine in Sri Lanka with Projects Abroad

  Sri Lanka

• Other Cities in Sri Lanka: 
Galle,  Kandy,  Colombo Central,  Negombo,  Ratnapura

Term: Throughout the year 
Durations of Program: 2-4 weeks, 5-8 weeks, 9-12 weeks, 3-6 months and 7-12 months
Typical Duration of Program: 5-8 weeks
Dates: All Year Round (you set the start and end date)

Description: Volunteering on a Medicine & Healthcare project in Sri Lanka is an eye-opening experience. As a Medicine & Healthcare volunteer you will gain a great deal of valuable work experience in a variety of departments. The facilities are generally of a basic standard.

We have Medical & Healthcare placements based in the coastal towns of Panadura and Kalutara (about 45km south of Colombo) and also in Galle (115km south of Colombo). Volunteers normally work in a variety of departments on a two week rotation system, with common departments being General Medicine, Obstetrics and Gynecology, Maternity, ENT and Pediatrics. It is also possible to spend a few days working in Neurology, the mortuary, Rheumatology and the chest clinic. If you let us know your particular interests, we can usually arrange for you to work within your areas of preference.

The amount of hands-on experience that you, as a Medicine & Healthcare volunteer, can gain depends on your level of knowledge and experience, but also your level of enthusiasm and commitment. Many volunteers do receive the chance to get much more involved in the procedures than would be possible in your local hospital at home. For example, one high school volunteer helped deliver five babies on just one day!

There are also opportunities to spend time in some specialized clinics, usually including some traditional Ayurvedic experience. This will give you a well-rounded understanding of medicine and healthcare in Sri Lanka and in the developing world in general.

Medical Elective Opportunities

If you are currently enrolled in medical school and wish to do your elective in Sri Lanka, you will most likely be working in a large hospital, an hour outside of Colombo. You will shadow one of our supervising doctors who are all very experienced at working with medical and healthcare students, as they always have a large number of native students in training there. They will be eager to test out your knowledge, as well as give you the benefit of their training and experience.

Outside of the hospital you will live with a local host family, who will provide you with all your meals outside of your normal working hours. When you arent at work there is plenty to do in the local area, including visits some of the most beautiful beaches in Asia, and there is always a substantial Projects Abroad community of volunteers available to spend time with.

Highlights: Sri Lanka, Emerald Isle of the Indian Ocean, is home to heavy warm air, sweet fruit scents and incense and bright colours pouring out of every nook and cranny. From the extraordinarily lush foliage and bright offerings of flowers outside temples, to orange robed monks under their umbrellas and glamorous Sari's whizzing past on the back of motorbikes (normally with the limbs of their child peeping out between the mother and the driver!), there are many fascinating and beautiful sights to be enjoyed.

All accommodation is organized, paid for, and monitored by Projects Abroad. All project placements are regularly visited and checked. We require high standards of supervision and accommodation, which are verified before you arrive in Sri Lanka.

This project offers the opportunity to become fully immersed in the culture in a manner which even the most hardened of backpackers could never hope to do.

Qualifications: no qualifications or experience required

Cost in US$: From USD 2,745 and up

Experience Required: no

Typical Volunteer: Open minded with a desire to travel.

Age Range: 16-70

This Program is open to Worldwide Participants. This Program is also open to Families, Couples and Individuals

Participants Travel to Sri Lanka Independently or in Groups

Typically Participants Work Independently or in Groups

Application Process Involves:

• Letters of Reference
• Written Application

Post-Program Services Include:

• Exit Debriefing Abroad
• Re-Entry Debriefing at Home

Projects Abroad's Mission Statement: As part of the global economy, Projects Abroad helps create local employment wherever we send volunteers. Employing local staff overseas and using their talents and knowledge is important to us. This local knowledge and support enables the organization to channel the skills of the volunteers from more affluent countries to regions around the world where they are needed. Volunteers also learn from their placements and the people they meet, and they gain experience in a chosen field. In the 21st century, we believe this mutual respect is what cultural exchange is all about.

Year Founded: 1992