Psychology Internship in Mongolia

Learn from psychologists in a mental health centre and take part in community outreach work

Destination

Mongolia

Age

16+ y/o

Minimum Stay

2 weeks

Start Date

Anytime

Accommodation

Homestay

Requirements

You should be studying psychology or similar at university.

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.

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Starting at £1,675 for 2 weeks

Flexible 0% Interest payments

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Trip Overview

Gain global experience

Shadow psychologists, conduct research, and exchange knowledge on mental health. Conduct outreach programmes to help disadvantaged communities.

Learn from local experts

Work alongside and learn as much as you can from local psychology professionals, sitting in on patient sessions and growing your knowledge.

Embrace a new way of life

Immerse yourself in Mongolian culture by living with a welcoming host family in Ulaanbaatar, exploring the city and local landmarks in your free time.

Boost your CV

Gain valuable experience and a global perspective on psychology to stand out on an application, whether for higher education or your dream job.

Push past your comfort zone

Who says learning can’t be fun? Get stuck in to a brand new experience, giving you new skills, developing old ones, and building your confidence.

What you need to know

Overview

This internship is perfect for anyone currently studying psychology. You’ll learn directly from an experienced psychologist, which will add valuable experience to your CV. We also run community outreaches where you can learn basic medical skills and use them to help people.

You’ll also have the chance put your theoretical knowledge into practice through observations and research. This will expand your practical knowledge of psychology and give you an understanding of the challenges people with mental illness face.

Please note that due to government regulations in Mongolia, our interns are not permitted to treat or consult with patients directly.

Everyone is able to shadow and learn from general psychologists with this internship. However, you need to have completed at least two years of psychology at university (or related studies) to intern in a clinical setting.

Our start and end dates are flexible, however, and the project runs throughout the year. So you can choose a time that suits you.

At all times, there will be a qualified supervisor with you. Projects Abroad staff are also available to help you and ensure that you have a memorable and productive time abroad.

A Day in the Life

You will eat breakfast with your host family, before heading out of the door to your psychology placement in Mongolia. Make sure to pack a white lab coat to wear at your placement if you have one! Or purchase one in Mongolia if your placement requires you to wear one. You can take a bus, walk, or use a trolleybus to get there. During your induction on your first day, we’ll show you the easiest way to get to work.

A typical day on this internship runs from 9am – 3pm, Monday to Friday. Your daily hours and activities will vary, depending on the placement you choose and their requirements.

You will work with a supervisor who guides your tasks, teaches you, and assists you when needed. We recommend that you ask questions, and learn as much as you can from your supervisor. You’ll do research, prepare training, or prepare consulting materials. Depending on your experience, other tasks include giving presentations to the local staff about psychology related topics.

During your free time, you can explore, plan a trip to see the nomads, visit a Mongolian monastery, meet volunteers and interns from around the world, or relax at your host family home.

Aims & Impact

There are two main aims to this internship: to provide you with an educational experience and to support those with mental illness.

There is a lack of mental health professionals in Mongolia and there is a need for psychiatrists, psychologists, and occupational therapists. With so few mental health workers available to work with the population, extra hands and a sharing of knowledge are encouraged.

Our programme mission is to enable an exchange of medical knowledge and facilitate a greater understanding of global healthcare practices. By empowering local communities, we aim to improve standards of health through awareness, prevention, and treatment. You will exchange knowledge with psychologists from a different culture, environment, and background. You’ll also gain experience in preparing training materials, and be part of medical outreaches.

Your psychology work experience in Mongolia will give your CV a boost and give you a global perspective on mental health awareness.

Join us on a Psychology Internship in Mongolia, which provides you with observational work experience and benefits the local community.

Activities

You’ll work at one of our psychology placements in Mongolia. You’ll be placed in healthcare centres focused on helping mental health patients. Here are some of the tasks you can expect to do:

Assist psychologists by conducting research and data analysis
Shadow psychologists during their rounds and sessions with patients
Exchange medical knowledge with Mongolian healthcare staff
Take part in monthly outreaches for disadvantaged people

Your work will be split in four main areas:

Assist psychologists by conducting research and data analysis

Your main role on the project is to help psychologists with research tasks. Topics you may be asked to research include:

Depression
Anxiety
Obsessive Compulsive Disorder
Addictive behaviours.

You will also assist with preparing training and consulting materials. All of your research will focus on mental health and mental illnesses in a Mongolian context. Your supervisor will guide you and offer assistance when needed.

Shadow psychologists during their rounds and sessions with patients

You’ll learn a great deal by shadowing psychologists and psychiatrists on their rounds or during consultations with patients. We also encourage you to ask questions and take notes to learn as much as possible.

If it’s possible at your placement, you can explore different wards. You can speak to your supervisor about this.

Exchange medical knowledge with Mongolian healthcare staff

Depending on your level of experience, you may be asked to prepare and give a presentation to local staff. These topics could include stress management or doctor and patient conflict. You can also suggest new therapy methods to the local staff during these presentations. This is the perfect opportunity for you to show the similarities and differences for treating mental illness in your home country and Mongolia.

Take part in monthly outreaches for disadvantaged people

Every month, we organise a community outreach. These outreaches are held at a community centre and help people from disadvantaged areas. You will help hand out meals, assist the doctor on duty, and distribute medication to people. You’ll get some practical experience by helping to record blood pressure readings or check the weight/height of patients. The doctor on duty will supervise you, and answer any questions you have.

Map & Location

Mongolia, known as “The Land of the Eternal Blue Sky”, is a true one-off. Discover a country rich in history and culture, where one-third of people live as nomads, moving their traditional ger homes with the seasons. Witness an ancient way of life and enjoy stunning landscapes.

With 250 sunny days a year, it’s perfect for outdoor adventures. Attend the Naadam festival, a showcase of wrestling, horse racing, and archery. And don’t miss the world’s largest equestrian statue, a tribute to Genghis Khan.

Ulaanbaatar

Home to half of Mongolia’s population, the capital city of Ulaanbaatar is a fascinating blend of old and new. Located in north-central Mongolia, it is at a crossroad between it’s better known neighbours, China and Russia.

You will see skyscrapers and traditional tents side-by-side, workers in suits and monks in conversation, and surviving monasteries from pre-soviet occupation.

It is the world’s coldest capital city, but often reaches warm temperatures in the summer!

Food & Accommodation

Settle into your home away from home in Mongolia. We provide everything you need for a comfortable and enriching stay, including a clean bed, three meals a day, and access to clean drinking water. You’ll be welcomed into the home of a carefully vetted local family, hand-picked by Projects Abroad, who will introduce you to a brand new way of life.

Your host family’s house will be safe, secure, and clean, giving you somewhere to relax and rest with other Projects Abroad participants. Speak with your host family, share your culture, and experience theirs while enjoying delicious home-cooked food.

Transport to and from your placement is organised entirely by our team, so you’ll never need to stress about navigating somewhere you don’t know.

Free Time and Leisure

Mongolia is one of the most remote countries in the world. Volunteering here is a chance to experience a completely different way of life.

Our projects are based in Ulaanbaatar, the country’s capital. This city is an eclectic mix of modern and traditional. The Government Palace is a perfect example of this, with it’s old-world style architecture and glowing blue and gold lights.

Even when you’re in the city, you’re never far from the countryside. Just a quick trip can take you out to a nomad settlement, where you can meet travelling families who live in traditional gers. We recommend going on a horse ride or trek to take in the beauty of the endless countryside horizons.

The famous statue of Genghis Khan, the largest equestrian statue in the world, is a must-see. You can also learn about the country’s history at the National Museum of Mongolia.

We run a range of different projects in Mongolia so there will likely be other volunteers in the country with you. So you can travel alone or explore the country with a group of like-minded new friends.

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 Mongolia Arrival Procedures page.