Overview
The Medical Internship in Sri Lanka caters to interns who are currently enrolled in, or have recently completed, a medical degree from a recognized university in their home country. A prior background and/or experience in the medical field is mandatory to participate in this internship.
This is the main criteria to qualify for the medical internship program. Participants who have work experience in the medical field but are not enrolled in a medical university will not qualify for the medical internship and will have to join the pre-medical program instead.
Medical interns have the option to rotate between a range of wards and units at the public hospital as per their interest. They can also gain invaluable practical learning experiences in a clinic setting, as well as through select community projects. They get to understand how the medical system of a developing country like Sri Lanka works and learn first-hand from local doctors, as well as contribute in the day-to-day running of the facilities. They also get to learn about various tropical diseases that are prevalent in this part of the world.
Sri Lanka is the only country in South Asia which offers free healthcare to all its citizens, which is remarkable for the region. As such, the public sector here is vast and constitutes the vast majority of the medical system. Interns have access to a larger and wider network of professionals, volume of patients and exposure to a comprehensive set of wards and special units. There is also a greater need for participants to assist in the public sector as the sheer volume of patients they get is overwhelming and from lower socio-economic classes.
Medical Interns are allotted to work in the largest public hospital in Southern Province of Sri Lanka, Govt Ayurveda Institute or in community projects.
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” and “Teaching Hospital Mahamodara” but has now been all grouped under “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
Medical Internship Placements
Med Trips provides a variety of elective placements tailored to the specific needs of students training in the medical field.
These electives are specifically designed to meet the learning objectives of students in the medical field. Whether you are still in training or a recent graduate looking to broaden your skills, this program offers valuable hands-on experience in a real-world setting.
Med Trips team in the UK as well as the in-country team in Sri Lanka can help complete any paperwork required, provide risk assessments and sign off on hours to ensure the placement complies with your university requirements.
Intern Schedule
Intern Schedule
Saturday: Arrival in Colombo airport - transfer to Galle included
Sunday: Orientation + neighborhood familiarization tour. The orientation session will be conducted by the local coordinator, covering topic areas; such as safety, culture, language, places to visit, behavior, food, and other suggestions over things to do in and around Galle.
On arrival, a detailed orientation & training program is provided, including health and safety training, culture training and an area orientation tour around Galle. Our project coordinator provides project-specific training, which includes an overview of the Sri Lankan medical industry, common practices, customs, code of conduct, rules, etc. The coordinator also monitors day-to-day development of the participants and reviews and assigns project task sheets to each participant based on their experience level.
Mon to Fri: Medical Internship placement at appropriate medical institution (schedules can be somewhat flexible by an hour or two either way, based on ground realities at the time)
• Breakfast - 06:30 to 8:30 am
• Working hours at the placement - 09:00 am to 1pm (Hours can vary)
• Lunch - 12:00-2:30 pm (Provided at the accommodation)
• Dinner - 6:30-7:30 pm onwards (Provided at the accommodation)
The same schedule continues from the second week onwards
Weekends: Free to explore the city, all the nearby beaches and also travel around Sri Lanka. Being a small island with a very good public transportation system (buses, trains), it is easy to take a weekend trip to the mountains, tea plantations, rainforests, cultural sites and various beach towns.
Note: The schedule may vary depending on the particular placement the intern is allocated to.
Intern Roles & Responsibilities
Intern Roles & Responsibilities
Medical Interns have the opportunity to get broad-based rotational exposure across various wards, units and institutions, including:
Emergency Trauma Care (ETC) / Surgical Casualty Ward – tasks include bedside teaching regarding the management of patients, ward class with ward rounds, observing how local staff check vital signs and perform wound dressing.
General Medical Ward – typical tasks include bedside teaching regarding the management of patients, ward rounds with the consultant and the medical staff, attending lectures with the local medical students, etc.
General Surgical Wards – tasks include joining the ward rounds with the consultant and medical staff, observing how local staff monitor vital signs and perform wound dressings of patients and observing pre operative and post operative care of the patients who go through surgeries such as Cholecystectomy, Appendectomy, Hernia repair, Thyroidectomy, etc.
General Pediatric Ward – typical tasks include studying the history of the patients with the support of medical/ nursing staff, joining the ward rounds, performing activities to socialize with children (with parental consent), etc.
Pediatric Cardiology Unit – typical activities include attending pediatric cardiac catheter lab on diagnosing heart defects, its severity, observing live pediatric cardiac surgeries and attending clinical sessions with the consultants.
Oncology Surgical Ward – typical tasks include studying the history of the patients with the support of medical/nursing staff, joining the ward rounds, observing how local staff monitor vital signs and perform wound dressings of patients and observing pre operative and post operative care of the patients.Electives will be given explanation by the surgeon based on the type of the surgery and the ground emergency situation.
Neurosurgical Unit – available only for advanced medical students (3rd year or above in their medical studies). Tasks include studying the history of the patients with the support of medical / nursing staff, joining the ward rounds, observing live neurosurgeries with the consultant / surgeon.
Nephrology Unit – available only for advanced medical students (3rd year or above in their medical studies). Tasks include studying the history of the patients with the support of medical / nursing staff, joining the ward rounds, observing patients with various kidney malfunctions and or diseases with the consultant/ surgeon.
Psychiatry Ward – available only for advanced medical students (3rd year or above in their medical studies). Assist local team that specializes in the treatment of mental disorders.
Rheumatology Department – available only for advanced medical students (3rd year or above in their medical studies). Assist in the treatment and care to patients with diseases of the musculoskeletal system – bone, joint and connective tissue disease.
Observation of Special Surgeries - Surgery observation weeks will be available ONLY for the medical students who have the prior clinical/ hospital experience. Depending on the availability, the electives will get the access to observe surgeries on a rotational basis. Surgeries include vascular surgeries, plastic surgeries, urology related surgeries, neuro surgeries, casualty, oncology surgeries, etc
Physiotherapy & Rehabilitation Unit – tasks include supporting patients to carry out their daily physiotherapy and occupational therapy exercises, carrying out group activities to support the patient's mental well-being and other similar activities. Students will get to closely shadow a physiotherapist and occupational therapist on a regular basis.
Dentistry - Dental Students are placed in the dental departments in the hospitals wherein they shadow the dentists
Ayurvedic Medicine – A special introductory session on the traditional eastern medicinal practice of Ayurveda, which is based on a natural and holistic approach to physical and mental health. Ayurvedic medicine is one of the world’s oldest medical systems and remains one of Sri Lanka’s most popular and respected traditional health care systems.
Community Based Activities – this involves working at local schools, villages and community groups.
Disability Care: Medical interns are encouraged to engage with differently-abled people that need extra affection and care. They are able to help them with activities that enhance their motor and cognitive skills.
Children: Educate and train the local children on first aid and basic hygiene practices in schools, kindergartens and community groups under the guidance of the coordinators.
Elderly Care: Support and cheer up elderly people at elderly homes while improving their gross motor skills and cognitive skills engaging in crafting, mobility exercises and other fun activities.
General Public: attend medical campaigns and health awareness programs under the guidance of medical professionals where they can assist with health checkups and educate people on different health conditions and issues.
Students generally need to be assigned for a minimum of one week in the units/wards in the main hospital.
In addition to the wards/ units described above, medical electives also have the option to choose Community Weeks as part of their program which provides a more hands on experience dealing with various members of the local public (as described above) through community-based activities. This also includes a special one-day session on Ayurvedic medicine so a typical community week will comprise of Ayurvedic medicine and community based activities. Community week allocation is dependent on ground availability.
The range of tasks are more sophisticated compared to Pre-Medical participants and can vary based on the experience level of the student. It is important to emphasize that the experience in the hospital is largely observation-based although certain units are known to offer more hands-on work than others. As this is a real-world project which involves dealing with real doctors, nurses and patients in a busy hospital, one cannot predict how a typical day or week will go. We have found that participants who show respect, capability, humility and eagerness to learn tend to win the confidence and support of the local medical team more often than not, and as such, they get more out of their experience than those who do not.
All electives are supported by our medical project coordinator who provides regular guidance and support to further enhance their learning and knowledge development.
Placement Requirements
Placement Requirements
Participants in the Medical Internship Program must be enrolled in a recognized medical university in their home country. Further, the following documents are needed to apply:
Current CV or Resume
Motivation statement or intent letter describing personal background and rationale for pursuing this internship
University reference letter
Police background check
Copy of passport
Reference letter issued by the University to confirm the medical studies of the elective
Duly completed Elective information sheet provided by the hospital
Duly completed Clinical Observership Trainee Assessment form provided by the hospital
Clinical or university documents that need to be attested by the hospital to certify the program completion.
Students should have a sufficient level of conversational/ verbal knowledge of English.
All the medical interns should submit the above required documents five weeks prior to their start date. If a medical intern needs the certification for a certain number of days, they have to complete the below number of weeks minimum in the hospital.
30 days certification - 5 weeks
60 days certificate - 9 weeks
90 days certificate - 13 weeks
The regular start day at the hospital is a Monday which will be recorded as the start date in all the documents that are certified by the hospital. The end date can be the last Saturday of the project period. Weekly intervals taken by the students during their program period will be mentioned in their documents.
Additionally, participants must understand the special circumstances when working in a country like Sri Lanka where the medical standards differs greatly from what they might have experienced in their home country. They should be open-minded, respectful to the local staff and eager to learn.
Interns must adhere to a professional attire while at the hospital. Clothing should be smart and professional with medical scrubs with long trousers (preferably white) being mandatory. Interns are responsible for bringing their own clothing and crocs ensuring these guidelines are met every day they are on the project.
As per the code of conduct of the hospital and the Healthcare project, accessories such as large earrings, piercings, rings and necklaces should not be worn during the placement hours when they are in the hospitals.
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Living
Living
Airport Transfers
Interns are picked up from the Colombo Bandaranaike International Airport Airport by a representative of the local coordinating team on the program start date during scheduled airport pickup hours. Participants are also dropped off to the airport upon completion of the program during the scheduled airport drop hours (At extra charges).Charges for the return airport drop can be paid by the participants when they are in Sri Lanka.
Note : Arrival transfer (shared) within pre-defined time windows on Saturdays included in the program price (non-transferable).There will be 2 shared airport transfers every Saturday (Morning and afternoon/evening) from airport to Galle. A private transfer is also available for USD 100 and can be arranged on Saturday or for participants arriving on any date other than the start date.
Orientation
A detailed program Orientation will be provided before you start your internship.All interns on arrival get a welcome presentation including health and safety training, culture presentation, project specific presentation and area orientation tour.
Accommodation
Interns joining the placements in Galle, Sri Lanka, will get to stay in the quaint Unawatuna neighbourhood, overlooking the famous Unawatuna Beach and the turquoise waters of the Indian Ocean. Our participants stay in two houses which are located near to each other.
The Beachside house is located right across the road from Unawatuna Beach and about 100 metres from the other house. It has 12 spacious bedrooms of varying sizes with attached en suite bathrooms each with air-conditioning facilities (most rooms also have attached outdoor balconies). There is also a separate dining area, small garden, lounge, terrace and a large office with permanent staff onsite. The property is safeguarded by multiple CCTV cameras and an onsite night security team.
The other larger house has 13 bedrooms with ensuite bathrooms.Most of these rooms have ocean views! There's a private 40-foot outdoor swimming pool surrounded by tropical greenery. The house also has 3 kitchens as well as 3 living/common rooms (one each per floor), a prominent dining area, and a private outdoor garden with seating/lounging areas.
The office is located on the ground floor of the house near the main entrance – this is where the local team operate from every day. The house is located in a peaceful, nature-filled neighbourhood adjacent to a small Buddhist temple (nestled away from the main tourist areas). To ensure the safety and security of the participants, there are CCTV cameras installed, and an in-house security guard for night-time surveillance. Hot water and high-speed Wi-Fi are there and you can opt for air-conditioning and laundry facilities at an additional charge.
Private (single and double) room upgrades are available at additional charges. During busy months participants are also provided accommodation in nearby guesthouses in case of low capacity in the houses or non availability of private rooms. Private rooms are provided in guesthouses within walking distance to the house. Participants stay in the private guesthouses and walk over to the house and have meals with the other participants.
All participants aged 40 years and older will be provided with a private room only and will not be provided accommodation in shared dorm rooms . Additional charges for private room upgrade shall be applicable.
Meals
We provide 3 freshly cooked meals per day all week long (Monday to Sunday): Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner. Fresh ingredients are purchased from local markets to prepare these meals. The homes have cooks from the local community who come daily to cook fresh, homely and tasty local meals for the participants. We can cater to a range of special diets including vegan, gluten free, nut free and lactose-intolerant diets. If there are any other allergy or food requirements mentioned to us beforehand, we always do our best to accommodate those needs. Those interns staying in private guesthouse rooms near the intern house, usually have breakfast at the guest house and walk down to the intern house for their lunch and dinner.
Local Transportation
Local transportation to and from the project is included every day.
During Free Time
There is plenty to do during the free time and weekends for the interns.The following activities are provided free of charge and included in your program fee:
Evening Rooftop Yoga Session (weekly)
Movie nights on large screen projector at the house (weekly)
Bike tour across paddy fields and local villages (monthly)
BBQ for participants and staff in the garden (monthly)
Night Fishing for anyone into fishing (on demand)
The following are popular weekend (or even daily) activities which our interns love to do around the area (at an additional charge):
Surfing lessons
Elephant safari
Whale watching(during season)
Rainforest hiking
Beach hopping
Local cooking class
Galle Walking Tour
Local spice market visit
Dates
Dates
January
04
11
18
25
February
01
08
15
22
March
01
08
15
22
29
April
05
12
19
26
May
03
10
17
24
31
June
07
14
21
28
July
05
12
19
26
August
02
09
16
23
30
September
06
13
20
27
October
04
11
18
25
November
01
08
15
22
29
December
06
13
20
27
January
03
10
17
24
31
February
07
14
21
28
March
07
14
21
28
April
04
11
18
25
May
02
09
16
23
30
June
06
13
20
27
July
04
11
18
25
August
01
08
15
22
29
September
05
12
19
26
October
03
10
17
24
31
November
07
14
21
28
December
05
12
19
26
Costs
| Duration |
Program Fee
Choose your currency
|
|
|---|---|---|
| 1 Week | $1260 | |
| 2 Weeks | $1638 | |
| 3 Weeks | $2016 | |
| 4 Weeks | $2394 | |
| 5 Weeks | $2772 | |
| 6 Weeks | $3150 | |
| 7 Weeks | $3528 | |
| 8 Weeks | $3906 | |
| Extra Week | $375 |
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?
- Comprehensive Pre- Departure Information and support from Med Trips team
- Airport Transfers on Scheduled Days
- Dedicated intern housing with WiFi (shared rooms)
- Shared airport transfer on arrival at designated time windows in the morning or afternoon
- Orientation and training on arrival
- Breakfast, lunch and dinner all days
- Guaranteed project placement
- Local transportation to projects in private AC van or tuk-tuk
- Experienced bilingual operations team on the ground
- 24/7 local emergency support
- Weekly yoga class on a rooftop terrace
- Weekly movie nights on large screen projector
- Monthly bike tour around paddy fields and local villages
- Monthly special BBQ dinner
- Medical Insurance
- 1 pair of Medical scrubs
- Certificate of Program Completion(On Request)
What's NOT included?
- Visa Fee
- Return Airport Drop Charges
- International Airfare
- Vaccinations
- Any personal expenses
- Additional Local Excursions and Trips
- Private Room Upgrade charges
- Charges for additional nights at the accommodation
FAQ's
Eligibility and Preperation
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Who can apply for the program?
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Interns need to be a current student or recent graduate of a medical/nursing studies to be accepted in the Sri Lanka Healthcare Internships/Electives. This includes Pre-med, medical school, nursing, public health, pre-nursing students. All participants must be above 18 years of age.
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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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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 know more about accommodation and food arrangements?
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Interns joining the placements in Galle, Sri Lanka, will get to stay in the quaint Unawatuna neighbourhood, overlooking the famous Unawatuna Beach and the turquoise waters of the Indian Ocean. Our participants stay in two volunteer houses which are located near to each other.
The Beachside house is located right across the road from Unawatuna Beach and about 100 metres from the other volunteer house. It has 12 spacious bedrooms of varying sizes with attached en suite bathrooms each with air-conditioning facilities (most rooms also have attached outdoor balconies). There is also a separate dining area, small garden, lounge, terrace and a large office with permanent staff onsite. The property is safeguarded by multiple CCTV cameras and an onsite night security team.
The other larger volunteer house has 13 bedrooms with ensuite bathrooms.Most of these rooms have ocean views! There's a private 40-foot outdoor swimming pool surrounded by tropical greenery. The house also has 3 kitchens as well as 3 living/common rooms (one each per floor), a prominent dining area, and a private outdoor garden with seating/lounging areas.
All interns are provided with 3 meals a day from Monday - Sunday.
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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 help ensure 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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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 Sri Lanka 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 Galle, Sri Lanka
- 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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How do I get around during the program?
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Daily local transport to and from the hospital to accommodation is included in the Sri Lanka program.For any other commute, students usually use the tuk tuk for commute.
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What are the recommended airlines to fly to Sri Lanka ?
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The Bandaranaike International Airport (CMB) in Colombo is well connected with all major airports across the globe and flights are easily available. The recommended airlines are:
- Sri Lankan Airlines
- Air India
- Indigo
- Emirates
- Etihad Airlines
- Qatar Airways
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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
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Is airport transfer included ?
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All interns need to arrive at Bandaranaike International Airport (CMB) in Colombo, Sri Lanka, on the starting date of their project. Interns are picked from the airport by the local coordinator or representative and are transferred to their accommodations. Accommodation will be provided in the shared intern house located near your placements.
Safety and Support
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What kind of support will I have?
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You will have excellent on ground support from the local coordinating team in Galle.In case of any emergencies or problems, the staff will be there to support you and assist you always.
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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. In case of any medical emergency, the local team will be there to provide support and assistance to you.
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How safe is Sri Lanka in general ?
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Sri Lanka is one of the popular tropical destination in Asia and attracts travelers from all around the world. The locals are friendly and helpful as well, however, it is recommended to consult your in-country coordinators before you step out alone or go to any other locations in Sri Lanka. Also, it is recommended to be with your group whenever you venture out or stay out late in the night. It is strongly recommended to follow the safety rules and regulations provided by the in-country coordinator.
