Medical & Nursing Internship program in Arequipa

Our Medical & Nursing Internship program is based in the vibrant and bustling city of Arequipa, Peru. The experience will allow you fully immerse yourself in a whole new culture whilst gaining essential work experience to develop in your chosen medical discipline.

THE PROGRAM

At our Medical & Nursing internship, students or professionals will be placed in “Centros de Salud” or Hospitals which provide both primary and basic emergency care to low-income families. Clinics receive a large amount of patients every day.

Medical & Nursing Interns can support the provision of medical care, participating in hygiene campaigns and healthcare education. You will be working alongside doctors and nurses, rotating within the different departments of the clinic, such as pediatrics, obstetrics, and general medicine.

Medical & Nursing Interns will be given a level of responsibility that corresponds to their level of training, Spanish and ability to take initiative.

Responsibilities might include:
– Observe and aid in patient consultations
– Observe and aid in physical examinations
– Assist with processing, reporting, and interpreting laboratory tests
– Observe and perform injections, sutures, and suture removal
– Aid in obstetric check-ups and consultations, as well as family planning services
– Prepare and sterilize equipment and materials
– Organize patient medical files

Our medical volunteer program allows you to learn about healthcare and medicine on an international level often very different from Western medicine. Working with local doctors and Peruvian patients in local clinics and hospitals will give you real-life experience and learning opportunities that will enhance your career while also broadening your horizons to medical problems in South America.

What you should bring:

 **Interns are required to bring their own basic medical supplies, including white coat, scrubs and stethoscope and blood pressure cuff. Prior to your arrival you may be required to provide copies of your training and credentials.

NOTE** Project is available all year.

• Internship placement
• Internship project management and administration for your selected program length
• Program and Safety orientation
• Pre-departure support
• Accommodations – Sundays through Saturdays at host family
• 2 meals a day ( breakfast and dinner)
• Airport pick-up
• Internship certificate
• Letter of recommendation
• Transport to volunteer project the first day
• 24/7 support from our staff in Peru

**Your fee also contributes to the purchase of needed supplies for improvements at your project.

Accommodation

Interns will stay in a homestay where they will live with a local family. Interns can expect to share a room with one or two other. We highly recommend staying with a family; that way you will also learn the Peruvian way of life, meet local people, eat typical food, speak the language (Spanish) and engage in local customs and traditions.

Interns will be sharing bathroom and common areas with other Interns and members of the family.

Accommodation is from Sunday to Saturday, check out at 10:00am

**Interns arriving before or staying after the schedule dates on the itinerary, will be charged US$25.00 per extra night at accommodation.

Food & Beverages

2 meals are included (breakfast and dinner). Interns can expect to experience a variety of flavors and meals during their experience as Peruvian food is diverse. We will be glad to let the family know if you have special eating needs. Please let us know ahead of time so that we can make arrangements for you.

Arrival in Arequipa!

Once you arrive in Arequipa, please pick up your bags and then step out of the airport. Our PEVolunteer representative will be waiting for you there with a sign that has your name written on it.

The first day of volunteer’s program (normally Sunday) is upon arrival in Arequipa, Volunteer will be pickup from the airport and then transfer to our host family. Here Interns will have the day to rest and acclimatize.

First day! Your Introduction

Interns orientation will begin on Monday at around 9:00 am in Arequipa and will be conducted by our staff. It will cover everything you need to know for your volunteer placement in the city including an introduction to Peru, Peruvian customs,Spanish Classes, rules and expectations, safety, travel opportunities in Peru, and an introduction to your project and placement.

The orientation will also give you a chance to meet other Interns and swap contact details for weekend travel and socializing.

Once our orientation is complete, Interns will be transported to their projects usually by public bus, with some exception of some walking distance projects. Upon arrival, Volunteer will be introduced to projects Directors and can start working at the same day.

Spanish language courses are available for all Interns regardless of their ability.

PEVolunteer strongly recommends these for all Interns unless they are extremely fluent.

Interns should strongly consider these courses as they will allow them to work and communicate with all parties more efficiently during their stay. These language courses are organized on arrival in Peru at the program orientation.

The language course is tailored to each volunteer’s current level of Spanish.

While our programs are flexible and can be fit to your requirements, an example of a typical day is as follows:

Monday to Friday:

7:30 AM – Breakfast with host family
8:00 AM – Intern leaves to the project
8:30 AM – Arrival at the project, beginning of Internship
1:00 PM – End of project
2:00 PM – 3:00 PM  Lunch (free time)
2:00 PM – 5:00 PM Free time
7-7:30PM – Dinner with the host family

**The interns have afternoons free to visit and explore the city, or can chose to take Spanish classes which can be arranged at our office.

On the weekend, Interns have spare time and usually relax or take the opportunity to explore other parts of their local town and Peru. Long weekends can be taken to travel further afield such as Machu Picchu, Colca Canyon or Lake Titicaca.

At PEVolunteer we organize fun and interesting tours for our Interns, so just let us know where you would like to go!

– The minimum age for Interns is 18 years old unless traveling with family members over 18 or their school.

-Interns must be studying or be at professional level.

– We do require Interns to be aware that they will encounter cultural differences in Peru, which they must be prepared to respect.

– Our Interns must be willing to engage in their project and be open-minded towards the dissimilarities they may encounter.

– Fill out our application by clicking “Apply Now”. Make sure to add info@pevolunteer.org to your email safe list to ensure receipt of our response.

– A no-refundable, no-transferable payment of US$250.00 must be paid at time of booking.

– After reserving your place please book your flight and send us your flight information so we can schedule your airport pick-up. Also, visit your doctor for any vaccinations you may require and do not hesitate to ask us any questions that you may have.

– Upon receipt of your details you will be sent our in-depth pre-departure brochure full of indispensable tips regarding preparation and packing, your destination and its customs, your accommodations, travel requirements and suggestion.

– The remaining total is due 10 days before the start of your program.

– Join us Helping and Traveling in Peru!

• National and International flights are not included
• Please let us know for any additional night
• Insurances are not included
• Please have a valid passport at time of travel
• Departure transfer is not include