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Medical Internship in Cambodia

Gain medical experience by learning directly from doctors in Phnom Penh, Cambodia

Destination

Cambodia

Age

18+ y/o

Minimum Stay

2 weeks

Start Date

Anytime

Accommodation

Apartment

Requirements

You should have completed at least one year of medical related studies or training.

What’s Included

24/7 Support

Round-the-clock support on the ground and 24/7 back up from our global teams.

Accommodation & Amenities

Clean, safe, and welcoming accommodation. A home away from home with comfortable amenities.

Activities, Training & Equipment

All programme activities and equipment, including training and workshops from experienced professionals.

Certification

Certified record of service hours, workshops, and activities for your CV.

Request Info

Starting at £1,550 for 2 weeks

Flexible 0% Interest payments

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Trip Overview

Develop an international healthcare perspective

Gain a deeper understanding of a different healthcare system and the challenges faced by both patients and providers.

Learn from medical professionals

Shadow medical professionals for insights into delivery across departments and assist with medical outreach in a community context.

Unlock new medical knowledge

Hone your abilities and expand your skill set through hands-on workshops designed to enhance your practical medical knowledge and techniques.

Immerse in Cambodian culture

Live and work in Phnom Penh. Enjoy the scenic beauty of the Mekong River, visit the archeological marvel of Angkor Wat, and explore bustling markets.

Grow your global mindset

Gain a deeper understanding of global health issues, cultural diversity, and learn how to navigate life in a totally unfamiliar environment.

What you need to know

Overview

If you’re studying towards a career in medicine and looking for clinical work experience, this Medicine internship in Cambodia is for you.

The experience of shadowing doctors and doing outreach work will add a lot of value to your CV. It will also give you great points to talk about in interviews. You can talk about what you saw, the skills you learned, and how you overcame any challenges you faced. The outreach work you do will also show your commitment to helping others.

The project runs throughout the year, and you can join at any time. The longer you stay, the more you learn.

A Day in the Life

You’ll wake up each morning in your shared apartment before tucking into egg fried rice, banana pancakes and fresh fruit with the other volunteers. You’ll hop onto the tuk tuk waiting at your door that will take you to your internship at one of the city hospitals.

A typical day will start around 8am and end at 12pm when the doctors head home. At this point, you can spend the afternoon producing educational campaigns or you can head back to the apartment.

You’ll begin each day by shadowing a doctor as they check on their patients during rounds. After rounds, you can sit in on consultations. Some days, you may assist the doctors on outreaches, where they treat patients who cannot afford basic healthcare. You can help them measure blood pressure, glucose levels, heart rates, and temperatures.

At the end of the day, you can go back to the apartment for dinner or head out to experience local cuisine at one of the many side street restaurants. The nightlife in Cambodia is something you cannot miss!

You can explore more of the stunning city of Phnom Penh during your free time. You should make time to visit the Royal Palace, the Killing Fields and S21 museum. Over the weekends, you can expand your exploration and visit ancient temples in Siem Reap, or soak up the sun at the beach.

Aims & Impact

The aim of our medical internship in Cambodia is to expand your medical knowledge and promote cultural exchange. We want you to learn from practising doctors, get insight into a developing country, and share experiences with one another.

Cambodia is a country with a complex history, and it is still recovering from the devastating effects of the Khmer Rouge era. Although the war has long since ended, you will see the effects as you drive through the more rural areas. Poverty still affects many communities and the locals often cannot afford healthcare. This is why you’ll assist qualified medical staff in providing these communities with free basic health checks.

We are working towards the achievement of four goals that we have laid out in our Medical Management Plan:

Improve access to basic healthcare for disadvantaged groups
Improve the quality of specialised or alternative healthcare provided
Encourage an understanding of medical practices and promote an exchange of medical knowledge
Improve hygiene standards

Gain medical work experience and help us work towards these goals by joining our Medicine Internship in Cambodia.

Activities

During your medical internship in Cambodia, you’ll be involved in the following activities:

Observe medical procedures while interning in Cambodia

Shadow medical staff as they consult and treat patients in a state hospital

Provide free basic healthcare in underprivileged areas of Phnom Penh

Work with local communities to spread health awareness

Raise awareness about the prevention and treatment of common illnesses

Your work will be split in the following main areas:

Shadow doctors at the hospital

During your internship, you’ll observe experienced doctors during their hospital rounds. You’ll also sit in on their consultations as they talk with and assess their patients. This will help give you insight into the types of illnesses prevalent in Cambodia. From the doctor, you’ll learn how to diagnose and treat the diseases you see. We encourage you to ask questions and take notes.

Throughout your stay, you will have the chance to work in different medical departments. Your level of involvement within the hospital will also depend on your initiative and the trust you build with the medical staff.

Medical outreaches

Many of the disadvantaged communities in Cambodia cannot afford access to healthcare. As part of your internship, you’ll participate in community outreaches. Most of our outreaches take place in childcare centres. You’ll do health checks, and monitor heart rate, blood pressure, blood sugar levels, and temperature. All of your work is done under supervision.

Run awareness and prevention campaigns

Due to the conditions in disadvantaged communities and the lack of education, many of the locals are susceptible to disease and illness. You’ll help us raise awareness on how to prevent diseases like HIV, tuberculosis, and parasitic infections. You’ll also share knowledge about how to spot the signs and symptoms.

Map & Location

Uncover the magic of Cambodia, a Southeast Asian gem with ancient wonders and modern marvels. Here, the legendary Angkor Wat stands as a testament to the Khmer Empire’s power, but it’s more than just temples. Beautiful beaches, stunning skyscrapers, and roaring rivers can be found everywhere you look.

It’s a country on the rise, with tourism and agriculture driving its economy. Though marked by a complex past, Cambodia is developing as a tourist destination and offers an unforgettable experience.

Phnom Penh

Phnom Penh, the capital of Cambodia, lies where the Mekong and Tonle Sap rivers meet. This busy city blends French colonial architecture with ornate Buddhist temples and is home to 2.5 million people. It has a tropical wet and dry climate, meaning it can be hot all year.

Filled with artisan markets, excellent Khmer cuisine, and historic landmarks, Phnom Penh has something for everyone. It is also well connected, offering easy access to the countryside and the wonders of Angkor Wat.

Food & Accommodation

You’ll have everything you need to enjoy an incredible experience in Cambodia, including a clean bed, three meals a day, and fresh drinking water. We’ll also organise your transport (usually a traditional Tuk Tuk!) to and from your placement every day.

You’ll stay in clean, comfortable, and convenient shared apartments in the heart of Phnom Penh. You will have basic Wi-Fi, air conditioning, and large communal areas, giving you the chance to build bonds with other Projects Abroad participants.

Immerse yourself in the local culture, pick up basic Khmer phrases, and enjoy traditional dishes prepared for you by our cook. Explore the fascinating city with new friends, seeing sights like the Royal Palace and the Killing Fields, or organise a weekend trip to Angkor Wat in your free time.

Meet your team

Free Time and Leisure

Explore Cambodia and you will be amazed by the juxtaposition of vibrant cities, achingly beautiful scenery, and famous historical landmarks. This country has a lot to offer during your free time.

The world-famous gathering of temples near Siem Reap is a must for all visitors, especially the magnificent Angkor Wat. Climbing over huge tree roots to temple doorways shrouded by vines is guaranteed to bring out your inner Indiana Jones!

However, Cambodia offers far more than ancient temples. You can go trekking in the jungles or try snorkelling and dolphin-spotting in the seas surrounding Sihanoukville. For a more relaxed afternoon, you can spend time on one of the beautiful beaches.

What’s more, with a network of international volunteers in Cambodia with you, you can decide if you want to spend your free time exploring independently or in a group.

Your Arrival Made Easy

When you arrive at your respective airport, a member of Projects Abroad staff will be there to meet you. You can find more detailed information on arrival airports, orientation, and visas on our Cambodia Arrival Procedures page.