Medical Elective Placement in Cambodia

In Cambodia, accommodation is provided in the intern house, a family run guest house in central Phnom Penh or with a Cambodian host family depending on your preference, availability and the final project allocation. Staying with a local host family is exciting and a very good opportunity for the volunteers to get to know the traditional customs, culture and ‘way of living’ of Cambodians. Our interns usually stay with middle-class families.

All host families are carefully selected and approved by the local staff and have past experience of hosting international volunteers. All accommodations have running water and electricity available.

At guest house accommodation, 2-3 interns share a room, on same gender basis. Each room has its own bathroom with western-style facilities and showers. All rooms have fans and a separate bathroom is attached to every room. Air-conditioning is also available for an additional cost.Interns can have the opportunity to relax, to eat and to socialize with other volunteers on the second floor of the guest house.

The communal area for the participants is set up there.The guest house has a very family friendly atmosphere and participants enjoy their stay there.The house is a great place to meet and interact with other like-minded volunteers from different parts of the world. The accommodation has Wifi service available and laundry service is also available at an additional charge.

Interns are provided with three meals a day. Cambodian food is light and healthy and is not very spicy and hot. It is a fusion of different Southeast Asian cuisines and meals usually comprise of Rice, Vegetables, Chicken, Beef, and noodles. 

Yes –  please do ensure that you inform the local team about your food preference and they can ensure that you are able to order the best food! Also, please do mention your specific food preference in the application form as well.

Interns must be 18 years or older at the beginning of the program. Pre Medical students, Medical and Nursing students can apply for this internship/elective. Participants joining the Medical internship program need to provide additional documents such as Resume/CV, Passport copy etc, details of which will be provided. You must be physically fit and in good health at the time of joining the program. 

Yes, students should consult their doctor or travel clinic for recommended vaccinations before travel.

Placements are primarily observation-based but tailored to student level (pre-med, nursing, or medical). Students shadow professionals in departments such as surgery, pediatrics, emergency, physiotherapy, OBGYN, and more. All students need to give preference of 3-4 departments of their choice. Depending on the preference and internship/elective duration department allocation shall be done.

Due to local regulations and ethical standards, students will not perform hands-on procedures. However, they will observe, learn, and gain insight into patient care, local health systems, and medical practices. Depending on level of experience and skills, students in Cambodia do sometimes do basic assisting work with the doctors depending on the department allocated.

Some major benefits include:

• Meeting other interns and participants from all around the world
• Get international exposure by observing and shadowing in major hospitals of Cambodia
• Being able to work with patients of different cultures and understand cultural dynamics of a new city or country
• Being able to travel during weekends and in the evenings to explore your destination

You’ll have full in-country support from our local team in Phnom Penh. In case of any emergencies or problems, the staff will be there to support you and assist you always. 

We partner with modern hospitals where English-speaking staff are available. All students are required to have travel insurance that covers medical care abroad.In case of any emergency, the local team will provide all necessary support and assistance to you.

Phnom Penh is a safe and welcoming city for international students. Violent crime is rare, though like in any large city, petty theft can occur in busy areas, so normal travel precautions are encouraged. Students are supported with in-country staff, airport transfer, and a full safety orientation to ensure a secure and comfortable stay.

Visa requirements depend on your nationality and destination. We provide guidance during the pre-departure process.

The programs in Cambodia start on 1st and 3rd Monday of every month and participants need to arrive on the Sunday prior to that. 

Interns are picked up from the Phnom Penh International Airport (PNH) by the in-country coordinator or representative. Those interns who are arriving overland or are already in Cambodia will be picked up from the bus station or at a meeting point decided beforehand. Please do inform the in-country coordinator if your? flight is arriving late. 

Interns in Phnom Penh use local public transport such as taxis for commuting between the accommodation and hospital placement.

Phnom Penh International Airport (Airport Code: PNH) is well connected with flights from major Asian and Middle Eastern destinations.Most participants coming from Europe and North America have a layover in South Korea, Qatar, Vietnam or Thailand and then take a connecting flight to Phnom Penh. The following carriers operate regular flights to Phnom Penh – 
Thai Airways, Bangkok Airways, Tigerair, Dragon Air, Bangkok Airways, Korean Air, Cathay Pacific, Qatar Airways, Singapore Airlines, Air China flights, Thai AirAsia and  SilkAir.