Overview
Med Trips offers rewarding Medical Elective Program in Zanzibar, giving students and professionals the chance to gain international healthcare exposure while experiencing the rich culture and history of this stunning island destination.
Students are placed in hospitals across Zanzibar and can observe or assist in a variety of departments, including:
- Maternity & Obstetrics
- Gynecology
- Pediatrics & Neonatology
- Internal Medicine
- General Surgery & Operating Theaters
- Orthopedics
- ENT (Ear, Nose & Throat)
- Dentistry
- Ophthalmology (Eye Clinic)
- Physiotherapy
- Radiology & X-Ray
- Laboratory & Research
- First Aid & Emergency Medicine
- Renal Care & Dialysis
- Dermatology
- Pharmacy
This program is open to pre-med, medical, nursing, dental, and healthcare students, as well as qualified professionals seeking meaningful international experience.
Intern Work Schedule
Intern Work Schedule
- Sunday – Arrival in Zanzibar, airport pickup & transfer to accommodation
- Monday – Orientation session with the local coordinator (covering safety, culture, transportation, and Zanzibar highlights)
- Tuesday – Friday – Internship placement at local hospitals and clinics
- Weekends – Free time to explore Zanzibar’s beaches, Stone Town, spice farms, and cultural heritage sites
Typical daily schedule:
- Breakfast: 07:00 am onwards
- Placement: 08:30 am – 01:00 pm
- Lunch: 01:00 pm – 02:45 pm (afternoon work may be possible, depending on hospital needs)
- Dinner: 07:00 pm onwards
The same schedule continues weekly (Monday – Friday).
Cultural Note: Zanzibar is predominantly Muslim, and the rhythm of daily life — including hospital schedules — may shift during Ramadan. Interns joining during this time should expect some variations.
Intern Roles & Responsibilities
Intern Roles & Responsibilities
The Medical Internship in Zanzibar is primarily observation-based, allowing students to shadow doctors, nurses, and healthcare professionals as they go about their daily routines.
Pre-med and junior medical/nursing students will mainly shadow, learn, and assist with non-clinical tasks.
Senior medical and nursing students may have the chance to assist with more hands-on tasks — such as monitoring vital signs, changing dressings, helping with patient rounds, or supporting minor procedures — depending on experience, skill level, and the consent of supervisors.
Past interns have observed surgeries, assisted with maternity care, measured vital signs, and supported both routine and emergency cases.
Note: This is primarily an educational, observational internship. Direct patient care is limited and always subject to hospital policy and supervisor approval.
Placement Requirements
Placement Requirements
Interns must be 18 years or older at the time of joining the project. Participants should have an open mind and flexible attitude for working in a new and different environment. All students must provide a clean criminal background check report, CV, Passport Copy as well as other documents and credentials pertaining to their qualifications prior to joining the program. Pre Med, Medical, Nursing students, CNA’s, midwifery and dental students can join the program. Further details on additional documents shall be provided at the time of joining the program.
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Living
Living
Find a beautiful abode away from home in Zanzibar. Volunteering Solutions ensures that our volunteers get the “at home” atmosphere while volunteering.
Airport Transfer
As Zanzibar is semi-autonomous and part of Tanzania you can fly straight to Zanzibar (over Nairobi, Kilimanjaro or other international airports) or fly to Dar es Salaam. If you fly to Dar es Salaam you need to take a cab to the ferry to Zanzibar, where you can buy a ticket for the relaxing 40-minute boat ride to the island. It is very important that we know about your travel arrangements so the coordinators can be ready for you to arrive. Upon arrival at either the airport or ferry terminus, you will be welcomed by the coordinator who will show you around and take you to your accommodation.
Daily Transport
Most volunteers use the daladalas or buses, which have specific routes from your accommodation to Stone Town and onto other destinations. There are direct buses to Stone Town from Mbweni and Chukwani where the accommodations are located.
Orientation
All volunteers are given an orientation about their project and the location by the local coordinator.
Accommodation
Accommodation is offered with host families in the safe area of Mbwemi and Chukwani just outside Stone Town and close to the airport. You can expect to share a room with other volunteers. Mostly 2-3 volunteers share a room together.
When we receive larger groups of volunteers or during busy months of summer volunteers are also accommodated in volunteer housing. The house would be usually a fairly large Zanzibar home with a living room/dining room, as well as the kitchen. It can usually accommodates up to 8 -12 volunteers in different rooms.
Bedding is provided in the form of sheets, but you need to bring a towel for personal use. Mosquito nets are not provided so you can bring one if you choose to. If you don’t have enough space in your suitcase; it is cheap to buy things locally.
The accommodation can be basic, standards are very different in Zanzibar then back home most probably, and showers do not have hot water, but the weather is hot enough to shower cold!
Zanzibar has the most amazing fruit selection and you will find yourself spoiled with the availability and affordability of fruit on the island.
Meals
Meals are provided 3 times a day by your host. Meals are based on local ingredients and will include meat, chicken and vegetarian dishes, as well as most favorite Tanzanian dishes. Breakfast will generally consist of tea and coffee, toast, jam and peanut butter with some fruit while lunches and dinners are cooked meals which you can eat after work and at your own preferred time.
During your Free Time
Volunteers will have a lot of free time during the weekend. During weekdays too, your evenings would be free. Some of the activities that you can get involved in during your free time in Zanzibar.
- Visit the old forts, museums and beautiful streets of Stone Town
- Eat all the seafood you can at Forodhani Gardens in the evening
- Go on a spice tour to see how cloves, nutmeg and much more are grown
- Go swimming in crystal clear water
- Snorkel or dive to some of the most beautiful reefs of the world.
- Relax and live the island lifestyle!
All free time activities are at the participant’s own expense.
Dates
Dates
January
05
12
19
26
February
02
09
16
23
March
02
09
16
23
30
April
06
13
20
27
May
04
11
18
25
June
01
08
15
22
29
July
06
13
20
27
August
03
10
17
24
31
September
07
14
21
28
October
05
12
19
26
November
02
09
16
23
30
December
07
14
21
28
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
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
Costs
| Duration |
Program Fee
Choose your currency
|
|
|---|---|---|
| 2 Weeks | $1251 | |
| 3 Weeks | $1662 | |
| 4 Weeks | $2014 | |
| 5 Weeks | $2414 | |
| 6 Weeks | $2879 | |
| 7 Weeks | $3121 | |
| 8 Weeks | $3555 | |
| Extra Week | $465 |
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
- Personal collection upon arrival at Zanzibar airport or ferry terminal
- First day introduction at the project and surroundings
- Accommodation in host family or shared housing with other volunteers
- Meals (3 meals a day)
- Guidance and supervision during your stay
- 1 pair of Medical scrubs
- Medical Insurance
- Certificate of Participation(On Request)
What's NOT included?
- Flights
- Personal Expenses
- Local Transportation
- Visa Fee
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 accommodation and food arrangements?
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Accommodation is offered with host families in the safe area of Mbwemi and Chukwani just outside Stone Town and close to the airport. You can expect to share a room with other participants. Mostly 2-3 participants share a room together.
When we receive larger groups of volunteers or during busy months of summer volunteers are also accommodated in volunteer/intern housing. The house would be usually a fairly large Zanzibar home with a living room/dining room, as well as the kitchen. It can usually accommodates up to 8 -12 volunteers in different rooms.
All three meals a day are provided to the interns.
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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 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 Zanzibar
- 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
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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 Zanzibar do basic assisting work with the doctors depending on the department allocated.
Travel and Logistics
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Is airport transfer included?
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Interns are picked up from the Abeid Amani Karume International Airport located in the Unguja Island by the in-country coordinator or representative. Those coming via the sea route would be picked up from their docking station. Upon arrival at either the airport or ferry terminus, you will be welcomed by one of the coordinators who will show you around and take you to your accommodation.
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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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How do I get around during the program?
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Interns in Zanzibar use local public transport such as buses for commuting between the accommodation and hospital placement. You will be given guidance by the local coordinator as to how to use public transport for commuting to the hospital placement.
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What are the recommended inexpensive airline options to fly to Zanzibar?
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Recommended airlines to fly into Zanzibar are Kenya Airways, Ethiopian Airways, Fly Dubai, Qatar Airways, Turkish Airlines and KLM. There are good connections from European and Middle Eastern countries to fly into Zanzibar.
Safety and Support
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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 coordinator in Zanzibar. 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. 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 Zanzibar in general?
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Zanzibar thrives on tourism. Stone town attracts many tourists from around the world. The beach area is crowded with tourists and is safe. However, during the evening avoid going out alone. Consult your in-country coordinator for information on nightlife and where all to go in the evening. Since Zanzibar is a Muslim country, it is advisable for all to dress decently and wear full trousers and full sleeved casual shirts. Beachwear can be worn when on the beaches.
