Veterinary Medicine Internship in Sri Lanka

Gain veterinary medicine work experience to boost your CV and pursue your passion for animal care

Destination

Sri Lanka

Age

16+ y/o

Minimum Stay

1 week

Start Date

Anytime

Accommodation

Homestay

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 £1,420 for 1 weeks

Flexible 0% Interest payments

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Trip Overview

Gain real veterinary experience

Work alongside experienced vets in Sri Lanka, assisting with consultations, treatments, and minor procedures in a veterinary clinic.

Learn about animal care

Gain practical skills in animal care, disease prevention, and treatment, contributing to animal welfare in Sri Lanka and supporting your career.

Experience Sri Lankan hospitality

Live with a host family, enjoy traditional Sri Lankan cuisine, and experience the rich culture and diverse landscapes of this beautiful island nation.

Discover Sri Lanka

Explore the charming town of Kuliyapitiya, with easy access to the capital Colombo, and discover the natural beauty and heritage of Sri Lanka.

Grow as a person

Improve your adaptability, problem-solving, and teamwork skills while gaining confidence and broadening your global perspective.

What you need to know

Overview

Are you a student studying veterinary medicine? Or perhaps you’re a recent graduate looking for work experience? If so, this is the internship for you.

You will have the chance to learn directly from experienced vets. They’ll explain the illnesses and conditions you see, and walk you through their treatment methods. You’ll gain a deeper insight into how animals are cared for in developing countries. This will boost your CV, and give you interesting points to talk about in interviews and applications.

In addition to the guidance from your supervisor, you will also receive a thorough induction upon arrival. Our staff will make sure you’re prepared for the experience. Please note that the amount of hands-on work you can take part in depends on your experience and level of related studies.

This project is available year-round. Our start and end dates are flexible, so you can choose a time that suits you.

A Day in the Life

A typical day on this internship runs from 8am – 1pm, if you’re based at a government clinic, and from 8am – 2pm at a private clinic, Monday to Friday. The private clinics also have an evening shift from 6pm – 9pm, usually for surgeries.

Your specific schedule and daily activities will vary according to the clinic you are placed at. The clinics mainly treat domestic animals on the premises. You will often travel with the vet out to farms to attend to animals such as cows, chickens, pigs, and goats.

Working under the supervision of qualified local vets, you’ll assist with a range of tasks during the day. These include spaying and neutering animals, giving injections and dispensing medication, and treating injured pets. The amount of hands-on work you will be given depends on your level of knowledge and experience.

Once you’re done for the day, you can soak in the atmosphere of the town. Spend time getting to know your host family over a delicious Sri Lankan style dinner. We run regular socials for our interns, where you can meet new people and take part in cultural activities. Or you can try out some of the local restaurants and visit nearby historic temples.

Aims & Impact

The aim of this project is to provide you with a practical and educational experience.

Many of the people who join us on this placement are looking for hands-on experience which will prepare them for a career working with animals. You’ll get the chance to learn from skilled local professionals and take part in hands-on work in an entirely different environment.

There is also an altruistic dimension to this aspect. You’ll be treating domestic and farm animals, assisting in their recovery. Whether furry or feathered, you can play a vital role in their care. Furthermore, the government veterinary clinics provide their services for free. This means that many people who otherwise could not pay for treatment can now have their animals cared for.

Join us on a Veterinary Medicine Internship in Sri Lanka and build your skills in this field while enhancing your CV.

Activities

During this internship, you’ll be able to work with both domestic and farm animals. You can get involved in:

Observe local vets and veterinary staff as they go about their daily tasks
Assist with minor procedures such as vaccinations or tests
Take part in fieldwork and travel to farms

Your work will focus on the following areas:

Observe local vets and veterinary staff as they go about their daily tasks

You’ll observe vets and other staff going about their day. You will observe procedures, and we encourage you to ask questions and learn as much as you can from them. It’s a great way to broaden your knowledge of practical veterinary medicine.

Assist with minor procedures such as vaccinations or tests

Once you have settled in, you may have the chance to take part in more hands-on activities. This will depend on your previous experience and knowledge. You can assist with sterilising pets, giving vaccinations, testing for disease, and other minor procedures.

Take part in fieldwork and travel to farms

Sometimes, you may need to accompany vets on farm visits to treat goats, chickens, pigs, and cows. This is a great opportunity to gain field experience outside of the clinic environment. You might help vets to correct low cholesterol in the farm animals, check for infections, or administer injections.

Map & Location

Ayubowan! That’s “may you live long” in Sinhala, the language of Sri Lanka, a beautiful island nation in the Indian Ocean. Experience a culture and tradition dating back thousands of years and try the exotic flavours of Sri Lankan cuisine.

Did you know Sri Lanka is thought to have world’s oldest wildlife sanctuary? While exploring, you’ll find ancient cities with distinct architectural styles, vast tea plantations in mist-covered hills, and the warm hospitality of its people.

Kuliyapitiya

About two hours north east of the capital, Colombo, Kuliyapatiya is a semi-rural town with deep farming roots. About 14,000 people call it home, though the winding layout of nearby settlements makes it hard to know the exact number.

Its location north of the capital means it is slightly cooler and more temperate than much of the tropical island, In the surrounding area, you’ll find ancient Buddhist temples and ruins, excellent family-run restaurants, and a warm, welcoming community spirit.

Food & Accommodation

Experience the warmth of Sri Lankan hospitality and settle into your home away from home. We provide everything you need for a comfortable and enriching stay, including a cosy bed, three delicious meals a day filled with local flavors, and access to clean drinking water.

You’ll be welcomed into the home of a carefully vetted Sri Lankan family, offering a unique opportunity to immerse yourself in the local culture. We’ll take care of your daily transport to and from your placement, making your experience even smoother.

Your host family home will be a safe and comfortable space, and if you share a room, it will be with someone of the same gender and similar age. This allows you to connect with fellow travellers, share your experiences, and create lasting memories.

Free Time and Leisure

Sri Lanka is well-known for its diverse landscapes. From beaches to tropical jungles, there’s something for everyone in this fascinating country.

The buzzing Pettah Market is a must-see. You can chat to friendly vendors, buy handmade products, and enjoy the electric atmosphere around you. For cultural enrichment, you can spend an afternoon in the National Museum of Colombo. The Gangaramaya Buddhist Temple is also a highlight, with its vast collection of artefacts.

The town of Galle is a sea port with a strong Dutch heritage and plenty of old colonial buildings to explore. You can also venture inland to hike in the hills, swim in the cool waterfalls, and visit traditional hill towns.

Sri Lanka’s national parks include safari parks where you can spot wildlife like leopards and elephants, or spend an early morning bird-watching in one of the wetland sanctuaries. There are also rainforest reserves crammed full of tropical biodiversity.

You’ll be sharing this unique experience with many other volunteers. This means you can travel solo or spend your free time with the friends you make during your trip.

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 Sri Lanka Arrival Procedures page.