At a glance
- Shadow experienced doctors on their daily rounds, rotating through various hospital departments.
- Learn how the doctors work and how they diagnose and treat different diseases and conditions.
- Observe local experts and participate in medical seminars, learn to measure vital signs, and contribute to a community health education programme
- Delve into Sri Lankan history and culture through visits to Galle fort, Unawatuna Peace Temple, a traditional spice garden, and a tea factory.
- Organise medical camps, providing basic healthcare checks and first-aid training to disadvantaged communities that lack easy access to healthcare.
- Forge lifelong friendships with fellow volunteers while sharing cultural experiences, social activities, and leaping out of your comfort zone.
- Clinical Shadowing Hours: 25
- Volunteer Service Hours: 15
- Download a sample itinerary for this project.
Is a Medicine internship in Sri Lanka for teenagers right for me?
- Are you an ambitious high school student hoping to start a career in medicine one day?
- Would you like to gain some practical experience to see if medicine is right for you?
- Do you dream of travelling and making new friends from all over the globe?
If you answered yes to all of these questions, this project is definitely for you! You’ll learn about medicine from experienced doctors and help disadvantaged communities through outreach work. This will help add valuable medical experience to your CV and demonstrate your commitment to helping others.
This medical internship in Sri Lanka is designed by our staff exclusively for teenagers. All activities will take place in groups, follow a set itinerary, and you will be fully supervised throughout. This means you can relax, learn, and have fun throughout your trip without worrying about logistics, meals, and other details.
What will I do on a Medical internship in Sri Lanka for teenagers?
During your time as a medical intern in Sri Lanka, you will have many opportunities to learn, help, and explore.
You will:
- Observe doctors and nurses as they work with patients who suffer from a range of conditions
- Help doctors and nurses perform basic health checks on medical outreaches
- Attend workshops on medical practices in Sri Lanka
- Expand your horizons by exploring a new country and learning about its culture (all during your school break!)
Your work will mainly focus on the following:
Shadow doctors and nurses as they work
As a teenage intern in Sri Lanka, your role is strictly to observe. This means that you’ll shadow doctors and nurses on their rounds and learn by watching as they conduct patient consultations, work on diagnoses and deliver treatments.
You can expect to rotate through various hospital settings, including:
- Emergency Treatment Unit
- Neurosurgery ward and operating theatre observation
- Palliative care unit
- Occupational Therapy department
- Haemodialysis centre
To maximise your experience, you will:
- Compile a daily journal of cases observed
- Request and review individual case histories
- Research unfamiliar medical terms and conditions encountered on the wards
- Discuss cases and clinical observations with your assigned supervisor
You will also gain a unique perspective on the country’s healthcare system by visiting a hospital that specialises in traditional Ayurvedic medicine.
Attend workshops on medical practices in Sri Lanka
Get hands-on training in fundamental medical skills, including blood pressure and vital sign monitoring.
Help with medical outreach programmes
You will also get some more practical work experience during your medical internship in Sri Lanka. Join doctors and nurses for a two-day medical outreach at a community center. You’ll assist with basic health checks. This could involve measuring blood pressure and weighing people.
All of your work during the outreach will be supervised.
Expand your horizons
Finally, as you live and work in Sri Lanka with other teenagers, you will enjoy a range of new experiences. This will include the medical work you’ll be involved in, as well as a range of cultural activities in the evenings.
Over one weekend, you will visit the Udawalawe National Park, where you can observe elephants and other species in their natural habitat during a safari, followed by a hike to Little Adam's Peak, where you'll enjoy panoramic views.
Sri Lanka is the third largest tea exporter, so the following day, you'll get the chance to tour a tea plantation and factory before visiting Nine Arch Bridge, a popular photo spot.
You’ll live with a host family, which means you will be able to immerse yourself in the Sri Lankan way of life and eat authentic local food.
Where will I be working in Sri Lanka?
Galle
Galle is a major Sri Lankan city, located at the southwestern tip of the country. It is situated 119 km from Colombo. Here you will have the chance to work at a major teaching hospital, or at a private one.
The old part of the town is a designated UNESCO heritage site due to its historic fortifications and blend of European and South Asian architecture. It’s a charming city to explore in your time off, with a variety of beautiful buildings, museums, cafes, and small shops.
Colombo
Colombo is the executive and judicial centre of Sri Lanka, and the major commercial city. It sits on the west coast of the island where history, culture, and modern life intertwine. This city of over 750,000 residents experiences a tropical climate with warm temperatures year-round.
With a mix of architectural styles, Buddhist temples, cultivated parks, and winding canals, the city is varied and interesting to explore. You’ll find floating markets, beautiful waterfronts, and incredible people as you do!
What are the aims and impact of this project?
The aim of this project is to offer you the opportunity to gain medical experience in a different economic and cultural context.
You will spend time learning directly from doctors and nurses and gain insight into the healthcare challenges people in Sri Lanka face. This will add valuable work experience to your CV, and give you solid talking points in interviews and applications. The outreach work you do will also demonstrate your dedication to helping those in need.
While Sri Lanka does provide free healthcare services to all its citizens, these can sometimes be limited or inconsistent. You’ll work alongside medical staff to provide important basic medical services in disadvantaged, rural areas.
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
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 comfortable bed, three delicious meals a day filled with local flavours, 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.
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.
Meet the team in Sri Lanka
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