Overview
The healthcare system in Cambodia faces significant limitations in terms of equipment and infrastructure. While there are several private hospitals in urban areas, many low income patients are unable to afford the treatment and services there. Consequently, public hospitals become the primary option for those that need medical attention.
Our local partner team in Cambodia have cooperated with public hospitals for healthcare placements. This offers a variety of different experiences and perspectives of the medical care system in Cambodia from other countries.
The Medical Elective Placement in Cambodia is suitable for medical and nursing students looking to gain valuable exposure in an international hospital environment.
In addition to working with doctors, interns will also encounter nurses and nursing students across different departments. To maximise your learning experience, it is important for the students to be proactive during their placements. Interns are encouraged to engage actively with the hospital staff and seek opportunities to learn and understand the hospital environment.
Participants in the Medical Elective Placement in Cambodia can give a preference of 3-4 departments from the following departments :–
- Outpatient Department
- Emergency Department
- Medical Intensive Care- Unit
- Intensive Care-Unit for Surgery
- Abdominal and Thoracic Surgery
- Traumatology and Neurological surgery
- Plastic Reconstruction surgery
- Urology Surgery
- Internal Medical Department
- Gastro-enterology Department
- Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery and Dentistry
- Imaging Department
- Pharmacy Department
- Laboratory Department
- Opthalmology Department
- Maternity Department
- Gynecology Department
- Oncology Department
- Neurology
- Pediatric Department
Sample Placement Profile - Pediatric Hospital
The largest pediatric hospital was established in 1974 and is run by the government. The hospital offers the following services -
- General and specialized consultations (Neonatology, hematology / Pulmonology, Nephrology / Gastroenterology / Diarrhea and malnutrition / Infectious diseases and dengue fever / Stomatology / Physiotherapy / Dermatology / Endocrinology)
- Surgery (Abdomen, Urology / Traumatology, Orthopedics / Neurology / Plastic Surgery / Maxillofacial Surgery)
- Paraclinical (Laboratory / Radiography and ultrasound)
- Immunization (BCG / Polio / DPT (Diphtheria, pertussis, tetanus) / Measles / Hepatitis B / PCV)
- Maternity and Gynecology
Note: Students joining the Medical Elective Placement in Cambodia will have to devote a minimum of 2 weeks for the program. Departmental allocation shall depend on the discretion of the hospital, program duration and availability in the hospital. Participants doing the program for 2 weeks will be allotted to shadow in one department only. Final placement allocation is at the discretion of the local team. The above mentioned placement is a sample placement profile and final placement can be at a different hospital too depending on the local circumstances.
Intern Roles & Responsibilities
Intern Roles & Responsibilities
- The major tasks for interns in the medical program in Cambodia is to shadow the professionals and assist them whenever needed. Depending on your skills, you'll be assigned tasks. You can shadow and observe the doctors and nursing staff in treatments and procedures.
- Interns are encouraged to be proactive and take keen interest in the procedures and treatments so as to get the best out of the experience.
- As a short-term intern, do not expect to participate in the work as a professional or staff member would.
- All interns are encouraged to be open minded and flexible and note that language barriers within the team can pose challenges in communication and task completion.
- Some tasks may be reserved exclusively for healthcare professionals, limiting you to observing and providing assistance with small and specific tasks.
- Participants can choose their department preference but the amount of work may vary from department to department and depending on the needs of the moment.
Placement Requirements
Placement Requirements
Interns must be 18 years or older at the beginning of the program. Interns need to have an open mind and flexible attitude for working in a new and different environment. Medical and Nursing students as well as Pre Medical students can apply for this program. Participants joining the Medical program need to provide additional documents such as Resume/CV, Passport copy etc, details of which will be provided.
Participants must be physically fit and in good health at the time of joining the program. Participants should have no criminal convictions and should provide a clean criminal background check before joining the project.
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Living
Living
Airport Transfer
Interns are picked up from the Phnom Penh International Airport by a local representative of the team in Cambodia.Upon arrival, you will be greeted at the airport by a member of the local team and taken to the intern accommodation in Phnom Penh. Your accommodation is covered by your Program Fee and includes the Sunday night before your program orientation.
Orientation
The program orientation begins on the first and third Monday of the month and interns need to arrive in Phnom Penh on the Sunday before orientation.
Your orientation and briefing is conducted by our local team in Cambodia team at the accommodation or team office. During the orientation information is provided about Cambodia history, safety, culture differences, expectations, working conditions, your project placement as well as weekend travel opportunities in and around Phnom Penh.
After the orientation interns are given a local tour of Phnom Penh city and also taken for a welcome meal.
Accommodation
Interns in Phnom Penh are provided accommodation in the shared intern house, host family or in a family operated centrally located guesthouse in Phnom Penh.
The house is conveniently located in the heart of Phnom Penh City near the Russian Market and Boeung Trabek market. The house provides volunteers with a comfortable, simple and relaxing place to live. Presently, the house can accommodate more than twenty volunteers in five rooms. Rooms in the house are on a shared basis with generally 3-5 participants sharing a room together. Rooms have fans and AC. If you need any help or assistance you can always come to the local team office, which is in the same building and literally right next door. Wifi Internet is available at the house as well
Participants also have the option to choose to upgrade to a single private room at an additional charge at the guesthouse accommodation. In case of non availability at the intern house during busy periods, participants are provided accommodation in a guesthouse.
For those participants wishing to stay at a home stay, host family accommodation is also available.
All the locations provide a welcoming family or staff of helpful individuals who will always be available to help with any questions or issues you may have.
Laundry can be done from a laundry service and usually costs $0.5 - $1/Kg.
Meals
Cambodian cuisine is a fusion of cuisines from other countries in South East Asia such as Vietnam and Thailand. Cambodian food is light and healthy and is not very spicy and hot.
During your stay at the intern house, food will be provided at a restaurant which is 3 minutes walk from the house.
The menu will offer for selection of the foods you prefer :-
- Breakfast: Usually starts from 6:10 AM -7: 30 AM, foods such as Baguette or slide bread with Butter jam or honey, peanut butter, fried eggs, scrambled eggs, scrambled eggs, omelette or fruit plate.
- Lunch: Usually starts from 11:00 AM – 1:00 PM, foods such as soup or stir-fried with a main dish consisting of rice, noodles, fresh vegetables, chicken, beef, or pork, volunteers eat with the other volunteers at a restaurant near the volunteer house with other volunteers.
- Dinner: Usually starts from 5:40 PM – 7:00 PM, food is similar to lunch, so you typically come together to eat with others.
Participants staying in the guesthouse and host family accommodation are provided meals there itself.
During your Free Time
Phnom Penh has a lot to offer and you will always find something of interest to do and see during your free time. There are a lot of temples, museums, and historic sites to visit such as Toul Sleng Genocide Museum, Royal Palace, National Museum and Wat Phnom. You can also join the local Khmer cuisine cooking classes if that interests you! Interns work from Monday to Friday and you will have the weekends free to relax and explore the country. The local team can also assist and suggest some options of destinations to visit. Other popular places to visit outside Phnom Penh are Siem Reap, Sihanoukville and Kep.
Dates
Dates
January
05
19
February
02
16
March
02
16
April
06
20
May
04
18
June
01
15
July
06
20
August
03
17
31
September
14
October
05
19
November
02
16
30
December
14
January
04
18
February
01
15
March
01
15
April
05
19
May
03
17
June
14
July
05
19
August
02
16
September
06
20
October
04
18
November
01
15
December
06
20
Costs
| Duration |
Program Fee
Choose your currency
|
|
|---|---|---|
| 2 Weeks | $1054 | |
| 3 Weeks | $1309 | |
| 4 Weeks | $1564 | |
| 5 Weeks | $1904 | |
| 6 Weeks | $2091 | |
| 7 Weeks | $2278 | |
| 8 Weeks | $2397 | |
| Extra Week | $315 |
Please Note: An application fee of is charged over and above the program fee as an application payment. A 5% international banking fee is charged for credit card payments of program fee in USD/AUD.
What are you Paying For?
- 24 hrs Assistance and support from staff
- Comprehensive Pre- Departure Information and support from Med Trips team
- Airport pickup
- Orientation and Welcome lunch/dinner
- Food
- Accommodation in intern house, host family or guesthouse
- Medical Insurance
- 1 pair of medical scrubs
- Certificate of Participation(On Request)
What's NOT Included?
- Airfare
- Return Trip to Airport
- Local Transportation
- Visa Fees
- Vaccinations
FAQ's
Eligibility and Preperation
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Who can apply for the program?
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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.
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Are vaccinations or health checks required?
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Yes, students should consult their doctor or travel clinic for recommended vaccinations before travel.
Accommodation and Living
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Can I know more about the accommodation and food arrangements?
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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.
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Can vegetarians be accommodated?
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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.
Program and Learning Experience
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What kind of hospital/clinical experience will I get?
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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.
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Can I perform medical procedures?
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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.
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What are the benefits of doing a Medical internship with Med Trips?
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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
Travel and Logistics
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Is airport transfer included?
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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. -
How do I get around during the program?
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Interns in Phnom Penh use local public transport such as taxis for commuting between the accommodation and hospital placement.
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What are the recommended inexpensive airline options to fly to Cambodia?
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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. -
Do I need a visa?
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Visa requirements depend on your nationality and destination. We provide guidance during the pre-departure process.
Safety and Support
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What about medical facilities in case of an emergency?
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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.
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How safe is Cambodia, and Phnom Penh in particular?
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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.
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What kind of support will I have?
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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.
Other placements in Asia
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1-12 Weeks
- From $1260
Galle, Sri Lanka
Pre Medical Observership Program Sri Lanka
The Pre-Medical Observership Program caters to participants who are not currently enrolled in a medical or nursing degree from a recognized university, but have some prior knowledge and/or experience in the healthcare sector.Participants who have no demonstrable experience or knowledge whatsoever in the healthcare sector cannot be enrolled in the program.
Sri Lanka is the only country in South Asia which offers free healthcare to all its citizens, which is remarkable for this region. As such, the public sector here is very well developed and much larger than the private sector. Participants working in the public sector have access to a larger and wider network of medical professionals, range and volume of patients and exposures to a comprehensive set of wards and special units that cannot come close to being matched in the private sector. There is also a greater need for future doctors and nurses to assist in the public sector as the sheer volume of patients they get is overwhelming and from lower socio-economic classes, where the need for support is greater.
Participants can expect to gain a broad-based understanding of how these sectors work through a range of observation-based learning experiences across various wards and units in a hospital and/or clinic setting, as well as through a range of community based activities. They also get to understand how the medical system of a developing country like Sri Lanka works and learn about various tropical diseases that are prevalent in this part of the world. Additionally, participants get to interact with local doctors and nurses to enhance their knowledge and skills.
Medical Students as well as recently qualified medical students looking to gain valuable experience and skills must select the Medical Internship Program in Sri Lanka. Nursing students looking to do a nursing elective must choose our Nursing Internship Program in Sri Lanka.
Sample Placement Profile
National Hospital Galle – this is the largest public hospital in the Southern Province of Sri Lanka, and the 3rd largest hospital in all of Sri Lanka. Capacity of ~2,000 beds. It has a total of 54 wards and several other specialized units. It was previously known as “Teaching Hospital Karapitiya” but has now been renamed as “National Hospital Galle” as the Sri Lankan government has recently elevated its status from a regional hospital to a national one.
Government Ayurveda Institute – this hospital specializes in the traditional medicinal practice of Ayurveda.
Community Projects – we work with various local schools and community organizations. Our students have the option to spend some of their time at these places for a more intimate experience working with children and senior citizens.
