Medicine Internship in Mexico

Get medical work experience by learning directly from doctors and doing outreach work

Destination

Mexico

Age

18+ y/o

Minimum Stay

1 week

Start Date

Anytime

Accommodation

Homestay

Requirements

You need to speak basic Spanish.

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 £1,520 for 1 weeks

Flexible 0% Interest payments

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Trip Overview

Gain real medical experience

Shadow doctors and nurses in hospitals and clinics, observing their daily routines and procedures in a variety of departments and specialisations.

Learn vital medical skills

Acquire practical knowledge and skills in areas like disease prevention, patient assessment, and first aid to set you up for career success.

Take part in medical outreach

Participate in outreach programmes, providing basic healthcare and education to rural and disadvantaged populations without healthcare access.

Lose yourself in Mexican culture

Live with a host family, explore vibrant cities, learn Spanish, and experience the unique customs and traditions of Mexico.

Expand your global perspective

Gain a deeper understanding of medical systems and cultural differences around the world while developing independence and confidence.

What you need to know

Overview

If you’re looking to add practical medical experience to your CV, this internship is for you. It’s perfect for medical students and students who haven’t attended university yet.

This project can have an immensely positive impact on your CV. Working in an international environment demonstrates your adaptability, and doing outreach work shows your commitment to helping others. Your internship will also provide useful talking points during interviews.

In addition, getting to spend time in different hospital departments is also great for career exploration. The experience can help you decide on a specialisation. The longer you stay, the more departments you can spend time in, and the more you can learn.

Your role at the hospital is observational. However, if you’re in your third year of medical studies or above, you may be permitted to assist with more practical work. Please note that you will only be allowed to do hands-on work once you’ve proven your capability to staff. You will also work under strict supervision.

Please note that you must speak basic Spanish to join. Although the doctors speak English quite well, most nurses, local students, and patients aren’t as fluent.

This internship is available throughout the year and you can join at any time.

A Day in the Life

On a typical work day, your hours will run from 8am – 2pm or 3pm – 8pm. You can also extend these hours if you wish, all you need to do is speak to your supervisor.

You will spend most of your time at the hospital shadowing doctors on their rounds. You’ll observe their interactions with patients, and see how different illnesses or conditions are treated. You’re likely to see diseases that are quite different to those back home. We encourage you to ask questions and take notes as much as possible. The doctors are happy to share their knowledge and advice with you, and will appreciate your interest in their work.

There will also be days when you do outreach work instead of being at the hospital. On these days, you’ll travel with medical staff to different locations in and around Guadalajara.

When you are not clocking in hours at your placement, your evenings and weekends will be free to explore and relax. You can hike the local canyons or wander down to Paseo Chapultepec to experience the unique display of restaurants and shops. You can also sharpen your Spanish skills by chatting with locals during your adventures.

Aims & Impact

The aim of this project is to give you the opportunity to expand your medical knowledge and gain insight into a developing country’s healthcare practices.

Inequalities in access to healthcare services in Mexico remains a prevalent issue. Despite an abundance of high-quality medical services and facilities, many people can only afford basic care. A lack of education and prevention campaigns limit the scope and reach of new initiatives. Our outreach programmes aim to provide basic healthcare to some of these vulnerable groups.

We’re also working to raise awareness about some of the more pressing health issues facing the country. Obesity in Mexico has been increasing drastically. This has a serious impact on the overall health of the population, causing high rates of diabetes and hypertension. Part of your work will involve raising awareness about these diseases during campaigns, and promoting healthier lifestyle choices.

We have outlined several goals in our Medicine Management Plan for Mexico. These goals are:

Encouraging an understanding of medical practices and promote an exchange of
medical knowledge
Promoting awareness of non-communicable diseases like diabetes and high blood pressure
Improving access to basic healthcare for disadvantaged groups
Improving hygiene standards

Join us on a medical internship in Mexico to kickstart your career in medicine today.

Activities

There are a range of different tasks you can get involved in to expand your medical knowledge:

Shadow and observe staff on their daily routines
Rotate throughout many different departments
Assist in outreaches to local communities
Provide basic health care and education at day care centres

Your work will focus on the following areas:

Shadow doctors and nurses on their rounds

You will shadow qualified doctors and nurses in hospitals and clinics, and see what the daily life of a doctor is like. Your observations will be a great way to gain medical work experience while you’re in Mexico.

Although our internship placement facilities are well-equipped by local standards, they might be different to hospitals you’re used to. However, this experience will give you an insight into the healthcare challenges developing countries face. You’ll also see diseases and conditions that you’re only familiar with from textbooks or television. We’ll teach you how to diagnose and treat them.

Observe throughout different departments

Your work is mostly observational. You will rotate through your choice of departments, depending on the length of your stay. We recommend spending at least a week in each department.

Conduct community outreaches

Mexico has a national health insurance programme. Unfortunately, not all communities have regular access to healthcare services. Through our outreach programmes, we provide free basic healthcare in these areas. We also work to raise awareness about important health issues, like diabetes.

These outreaches are normally done once a month at a community centre, but busier months can have up to ten outreaches. You’ll participate and do basic health checks. Your tasks include measuring blood pressure levels, weighing people, and measuring heart rates. You’ll work under supervision and we’ll teach you what you need to know.

Provide basic healthcare and education at day care centres

We also do outreach work at our partner daycare centres. This work focuses on the importance of caring for your teeth, and how good hygiene keeps you healthy. You’ll also do health checks.

Medical Departments

This internship is ideal if you want to work in various hospital departments and explore different specialisations. You can choose to spend time in some of the following departments:

Gynaecology
Paediatrics
Traumatology
Endocrinology
Internal medicine
Orthopaedics
Obstetrics
Surgery
Plastic surgery
Physiotherapy

If you’re interested in a specific department, please feel free to contact us and we can help advise you.

Map & Location

¡Hola! Get ready for a fiesta of flavours, colours, and experiences in Mexico. The birthplace of chocolate and the Day of the Dead celebrations, Mexico is a captivating nation with incredible food. people, music, and more.

It also has a rich history with Mayan ruins and colonial towns to explore, and is home to the world’s smallest volcano! Our project locations in Mexico are safe and you will be welcomed into the community like one of the locals immediately.

Guadalajara

Guadalajara, the capital of Jalisco in western Mexico, is steeped in tradition and brimming with modern energy. With a population of over 1.4 million, it’s the second-largest city in Mexico, and boasts a rich history and mild climate year round.

Famed for its mariachi music, tequila, and delicious cuisine, the city houses historic landmarks like the Guadalajara Cathedral and the Teatro Degollado. Wander along cobbled streets and experience the lively atmosphere of this enchanting city.

Food & Accommodation

You’ll have everything you need to enjoy an incredible experience in Mexico, including a clean bed, three meals a day, and fresh drinking water. You’ll stay with a caring host family, vetted by Projects Abroad, who will treat you like one of their own from the moment you arrive.

Your home away from home will be clean, safe, and secure, with Projects Abroad staff members handling your transport to and from your placement. Your host family will provide delicious home-cooked food throughout your stay and introduce you to Mexican culture.

Speak Spanish with them every day, share your experiences and culture, and make meaningful connections with people around the world. We will try to have you share your accommodation with other participants so you can experience the real Mexico together.

Free Time and Leisure

With beautiful beaches, eye-catching art galleries, and buzzing restaurants, there’s something for everyone in Mexico. You’ll have plenty to do during your free time on your project in this dynamic country.

There’s something captivating about touring through old buildings. If you’re into neo-gothic architecture, treat yourself to a trip to the Templo Expiatorio del Santisimo Sacramento. It’s a work of art with its ornate steeples and glowing stained glass windows.

There are also plenty of museums, giving you the chance to immerse yourself in the country’s rich history. For something different, you can spend the day appreciating the wildlife and lush vegetation of Las Peñas Ecological Park.

You can’t take a trip to Mexico without tasting authentic Mexican cuisine. You can spend an evening enjoying pozole or tamales at a local restaurant and watching the vivid orange-red sun melt into the horizon.

We have a host of different projects in Mexico so there’ll likely be lots of other volunteers in the area during your trip. That gives you the flexibility to choose to travel and explore in a group or on your own.

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 Mexico Arrival Procedures page.