Physical Therapy Internship in Cusco

Seeing the need for physical therapy services with every mission and the ability to become involved in the lives of many families.

THE PROGRAM

Volunteers who participate in the physical therapy program will be working with either the elderly or with children under the supervision of a specialist. 

Internship with elderly

Patients in the elderly projects need different kinds of treatment that sometimes take long periods of time, mostly due to the advanced age, distortion and malfunction of the ligaments, muscles, and nerves. Sometimes this pain originates from a fracture, sprain or broken bones, for which the patient needs the help of volunteers and doctors to regain their normal physical movements. Most of these elderly patients have been abandoned in nursing homes by their relatives so that the staff at the home must do the their best with limited resources and funds to meet their health needs.

Internship with children

For those who are placed with children, they will work mostly with children that are physically and mentally disabled and need constant physical therapy to develop normal physical movement for different parts of the body. These are also children who have generally been left by their parents, and not only need physical therapy, but also love and attention.

While our services are primarily directed towards children with disabilities and their families, our services include the evaluation and treatment of both children and adults with diagnoses such as: hemiplegia, paraplegia, Cerebral Palsy, hip dysplasia, Down Syndrome, clubfoot, musculoskeletal pain, post-operative joints and others. 

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

Volunteer duties include:

-Help with the restoration of bodily functions

-Work and massage to increase strength, coordination, and range of motion

-Application of traction and heat, cold, light, and water treatments

-Train patients to use prosthetic and orthotic appliances.

What you should bring:

 **Volunteers are required to bring their own basic medical supplies, including white coat. 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 at host family
• 2 meals a day (breakfast and dinner)
• Airport pick-up
• Internship certificate
• Letter of recommendation
• Transport to interns 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 Cusco!

Once you arrive in Cusco, 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 interns’ program (normally Sunday) is upon arrival in Cusco, Interns 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 at our office in Cusco and will be conducted by our staff. It will cover everything you need to know for your intern’s 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, Interns 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 intern’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 professional

– 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 included