At a glance
- Get a head start with your medical career by taking part in this exciting Medical Internship in Peru for teenagers. You will work with experienced doctors and nurses in clinical settings. This will give you an insight into healthcare practice in developing countries.
- You will work in disadvantaged communities, do health checks, and raise awareness about diseases.
- You will live with a local host family in Cusco and attend a High School Special designed for teenagers. Our staff will be there to provide constant support and guidance.
- Clinical Shadowing Hours: 15 to 35
- Volunteer Service Hours: 10 to 25
- Download an itinerary for this project.
Is this Medical Internship in Peru for teenagers right for me?
Are you considering studying medicine? Or, perhaps you want to find out if it is the right career for you. This internship will give you a deeper insight into the reality of day-to-day work as a medical professional, which could help your decision.
The experience you gain will also boost your resume, giving you an extra edge. You can also talk about what you did and learned during interviews and application essays. The outreach work you take part in will also demonstrate your commitment to helping others.
This internship is specially designed for teenagers aged 15 to 18 years old. You’ll work in a group with teenagers your age from around the world. This is an amazing opportunity to build connections and make friends across the globe.
Because this work is for teenagers, you don’t need previous experience to join. We’ll teach you everything you need to know, and all of your work is supervised.
This High School Special runs over fixed dates in the summer. All your activities, from your project work to your weekend activities, are supervised by Projects Abroad staff.
What will I do on this project?
We have put together an itinerary filled with medical observation and outreach work, along with exciting social and weekend activities. These are some of the main activities you’ll take part in:
- Shadow and observe doctors and nurses in a medical facility
- Take part in medical outreaches to provide healthcare to those in need
- Attend medical workshops to learn more about healthcare in Peru
- Experience Peruvian culture and visit some amazing places
Your project activities will mainly focus on the following:
Shadow and observe doctors and nurses in a medical facility
Your role at the hospital or clinic is strictly observational. You’ll focus on learning by shadowing doctors and nurses on their rounds at a medical facility. You’ll have the opportunity to ask questions and discuss different patient’s cases. Your time will be spent in various wards, including the emergency unit. You’ll even get to observe surgeries.
Attend medical workshops to learn more about healthcare in Peru
You’ll attend workshops to build your knowledge of healthcare in Peru. Workshops focus on themes like:
- Common diseases in Peru
- First aid
- Traditional medicine
- Nutritional cooking
If you join us for four-weeks, we have organised one or two Spanish lessons per week for you to learn key phrases relating to medicine.
Take part in medical outreaches to provide healthcare to those in need
Many communities in Peru do not have access to basic healthcare services. We want to bring healthcare to these communities, and we do this through regular outreaches. You’ll join these outreaches, and do basic health checks.
You’ll also raise awareness around important health issues with those you visit. In addition, you can promote the importance of good nutrition, and educate people during fluoride campaigns. The outreaches will be at places like an elderly home or in rural communities around Cusco.
Experience Peruvian culture and visit some amazing places
Peru is a fascinating country, rich in culture and heritage. We’ll make sure that you absorb a lot of of it during your trip!
In the evenings, we’ll organise events like salsa dance classes and visits to local restaurants and museums. Over the weekend, you’ll visit Machu Picchu, and bathe in the hot springs of Aguas Calientes. There will be plenty of time to buy all souvenirs, and shop till you drop at colourful markets. All your activities will be supervised by our staff in Peru.
Where will I work in Peru?
You will be placed in Arequipa once Cusco reaches capacity.
Cusco
You'll be based in the bustling city of Cusco. Cusco was once the capital of the ancient Incan Empire. You'll see countless reminders of this as you walk through the city today.
You’ll work in busy hospitals and medical clinics, and do outreach work in disadvantaged communities.
Peru has huge problems with infectious diseases, and non-communicable diseases like diabetes and heart disease. This means that there will be plenty of practical cases for you to observe and learn from.
Arequipa
Arequipa, the second-largest city in Peru, will be your base during this placement. Arequipa is known as the "White City" due to the prevalence of sillar, a white volcanic stone used to construct many of its historic buildings.
You’ll work in busy hospitals and medical clinics to do outreach work in disadvantaged communities.
Aims and Impact of the Medicine Project in Peru for teenagers
The main aim of this project is to give you the opportunity to expand your practical medical knowledge. We also teach you basic medical skills that you can use to help others during outreaches in disadvantaged communities.
Peru currently suffers from a double burden of disease. Infectious disease remains prominent in underprivileged communities, and respiratory diseases remain Peru’s leading causes of death. Non-communicable diseases like diabetes are also on the rise, and malnutrition amongst babies and children remains a serious issue.
Through our medical outreach program, we aim to provide basic healthcare to some of these vulnerable groups. We also work to raise awareness about some of the more pressing health issues facing the country.
We have set several long-term goals for our medical work in Peru. We hope interns will expand their knowledge of medical practices in a different country. Through continued efforts, we hope to improve healthcare services in disadvantaged communities.
Join our Medical Internship for teenagers in Peru to help us achieve these goals, and gain invaluable work experience in healthcare.
Management plans
We set out the aims and objectives of our projects in documents called Management Plans. We use them to properly plan the work you’ll do. They also help us measure and evaluate our achievements and impact each year.
Ultimately, our Management Plans help us make our projects better. This in turn means you get to be part of something that makes a real impact where it’s needed. Read more about our Management Plans.
Measuring our impact
Every year, thousands of High School Special volunteers and interns actively make a difference around the world. During their time abroad, they contribute towards achieving long-term goals and make a long-lasting positive impact on the communities where they work.
We produce an annual High School Specials Impact Report, which documents some of these achievements. Find out more about the impact of these projects, and read the latest report.
Food and accommodation
You'll stay with a host family in Cusco. They will welcome you into their home, eager to share their customs and have you teach them about your own culture. We believe that this is the best way to immerse yourself in the culture of Peru and have a truly unique experience.
On our High School Specials, we will always try to have you share a room with at least one volunteer or intern of the same gender and approximate age. Your room will be modest, but comfortable, clean, and safe.
Your program fee includes three meals a day.
Find out more about our accommodation.
Safety and staff support
Your safety and security is our prime concern. We have many procedures and systems to ensure you have all the extra support you need as a young person travelling abroad. Our Projects Abroad staff are there for you 24 hours a day during the week and over weekends to provide constant support and guidance. Our staff also make sure you feel comfortable and safe at your placement and accommodation. If you encounter any problems, they will be available to help at any time.
Find out more about safety and backup.
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