Public Health Internship in Cambodia

Gain practical healthcare experience and help improve the overall health of people in disadvantaged communities

Destination

Cambodia

Age

16+ y/o

Minimum Stay

1 week

Start Date

Anytime

Accommodation

Apartment

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 £1,545 for 1 weeks

Flexible 0% Interest payments

Risk Free Booking Guarantee

1200+ verified Trustpilot reviews

Trip Overview

Gain valuable public health experience

Work alongside our dedicated team of local healthcare professionals and contribute to their vital public health initiatives.

Develop your skills

Enhance your knowledge of public health issues, gain practical experience, and build your professional network. Use this to enhance your CV!

Explore Cambodia’s wonders

Discover the outstanding beauty of Cambodia, including ancient temples, stunning natural landscapes, and exciting modern cities.

Immerse yourself in a new culture

Live in a shared house with other volunteers and experience the rich culture of Cambodia together, fostering deep connections that last a lifetime.

Meet like-minded volunteers

Connect with other volunteers from around the world, growing your skills, sharing experiences, and creating lasting friendships.

What you need to know

Overview

This project is ideal for anyone looking to pursue a career in healthcare. It’s also great experience for students interested in studying medicine.

As a Public Health intern in Cambodia, you’ll gain gain hands-on experience doing basic health checks . You’ll work alongside medical professionals on a daily basis, and they’ll supervise your work.

You can use this placement to add some practical work experience to your CV. Talking about what you learned during your internship in interviews will also give you an extra edge. This kind of internship also helps demonstrate your commitment to helping others.

A Day in the Life

A typical day will normally run from about 8am to 4:30pm, with an hour and a half set aside for lunch.

You will normally start your day by meeting your fellow interns, supervisor, and the coordinators at the Projects Abroad office. From there, you will set out for your morning outreach work. Since this falls during school hours, you will head out to care centres, schools, and kindergartens. You’ll do basic health checks and educational activities.

If you’re working close to your shared apartment, you can head home for lunch and a bit of a rest. On days you’re working in communities further away, you will get a packed lunch.

Afternoon shifts are normally dedicated to house visits, where you’ll conduct basic health checks for adults.

Once per week you won’t head out for community work. Instead, you will spend the day recording, analysing, and reporting information you’ve gathered throughout the week.

We set aside time for working on presentations and campaigns, and attending skill workshops. Our staff will take time to ensure you are well prepared for outreach activities and to lead awareness campaigns. All Public Health coordinators have a medical background, speak Khmer and have good English skills. This will makes it easier for you to communicate with locals.

Aims & Impact

The main aim of this project is to help provide disadvantaged and vulnerable Cambodian people with the healthcare services they need.

In Cambodia, many people don’t have regular access to healthcare. They either can’t afford to see a doctor, or they live to far away from clinics and hospitals. You’ll help us provide these services, and you’ll share knowledge about disease prevention. All of your work is supervised.

The secondary aim of this project is to help you gain practical experience with community healthcare. You’ll learn basic medical skills and learn directly from healthcare professionals. We encourage you to ask questions and take notes to make the most of your internship.

We have identified four long-term, sustainable goals in our Medical Management Plan for Cambodia. These are to:

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 invaluable public health work experience in Cambodia, while helping us achieve these long-term goals.

Activities

During this internship, you’ll get practical experience in basic healthcare outside of a hospital environment. Here are some of the tasks you’ll help out with:

Conduct home visits to screen local people for various diseases

Interns with school children in Cambodia

Teach children about healthcare, nutrition, and hygiene

Support physiotherapists treating patients at rehabilitation centres

A Medical intern checks data in Cambodia

Record, analyse, and report on data to help track progress

At your Public Health placement in Cambodia, your work will focus on the following areas:

Conduct basic medical checks during home visits

During home visits, you will conduct non-invasive tests. These tests establish how well organs are functioning and whether any treatment is needed. You’ll also measure blood pressure, blood sugar levels, and weight.

If patients need further treatment, the supervising nurse or doctor will refer the case to the closest government-funded clinic. Most of the cases we end up referring are patients with high blood pressure, high blood sugar, arthritis, or symptoms like lethargy and loss of appetite.

Do health checks for children in care centres

You will also have the opportunity to provide basic health services for children at kindergarten centres and schools. These visits tie in with our Care Project and our goal of supporting early childhood development and improving hygiene.

We work closely with a local NGO, Khemara. This organisation support vulnerable people, including women, children, and disadvantaged families. The tests we conduct for children include:

Skin disorders
Anaemia (through physical symptoms)
Chest problems
Basic teeth checks
Common colds and flu
Cuts and infections

Teach children about healthcare, nutrition, and hygiene

During visits to care centres, you’ll also have an opportunity to teach children about basic healthcare, hygiene, and good nutrition. You can keep it fun by brainstorming educational games, songs, and stories with your fellow interns. It’s always a good idea to combine this with posters and flyers that we can use again in the future.

Support physiotherapists treating patients at rehabilitation centres

Learn basic exercises and stretches used in physiotherapy. Provide an extra set of hands once a week at an understaffed rehabilitation centre. Professional staff can advise you on how to support different patients requiring assistance with mobility.

Record, analyse, and report data

Recording, analysing, and reporting on your findings with your supervisor is an important part of your internship.

You will use various tools to record all patient details, which can then be used to refer back to information collected at previous consultations. A follow-up and evaluation of intervention is completed after each visit. This helps us track and monitor patients and long-term outcomes.

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.