from 1,870€

Outstanding 5rating (207)

International Medical Internship

location
1 - 12 weeks  ·  Age 16 - 50+

rating  Outstanding 5  · 
  Verified by Volunteer World
  Excellent response rate

Highlights

  • Shadow doctors on their rounds and get a valuable insight into a developing country’s medical practices
  • Work at a large regional hospital, learning about diagnosing and treating different diseases and conditions
  • Get practical work experience doing basic health checks and give talks to raise awareness around key health issues

Especially good for

Age 16+
Singles
Couples
Groups
50+

About the program

Gain work experience while learning directly from doctors in hospitals and doing health checks

Your work will be split in three main areas:

Join doctors and nurses on their daily patient rounds

You will shadow doctors and nurses on their daily rounds. They’ll teach you about Ghana’s prevalent diseases, their diagnoses, management, and treatment. You should be prepared to to encounter ...

About the program

Your work will be split in three main areas:

Join doctors and nurses on their daily patient rounds

You will shadow doctors and nurses on their daily rounds. They’ll teach you about Ghana’s prevalent diseases, their diagnoses, management, and treatment. You should be prepared to to encounter patients who suffer from diseases and conditions that you don’t see at home, such as Malaria and Typhoid.

During your time as a medical intern in Ghana, you’ll also spend some time in different departments of a large regional hospital. This will give you insight into various specialisations and could help you choose your own later in your studies.

Do health checks during community outreaches

In Ghana, many rural and disadvantaged areas lack access to healthcare services. Most people cannot afford to travel to clinics or pay to see a doctor. This is also the case in marginalised communities, like leprosy camps. We organise regular outreaches, where you get involved with tasks like:

  • Treat and dress chronic wounds at a leprosy camp
  • Treat wounds and ringworm infections at schools
  • Do health checks in rural communities, focusing on measuring blood pressure and blood sugar levels, and run free malaria tests

This is important work, that gives you the chance to help others while learning and using basic medical skills.

Take part in health education campaigns

You will help us raise awareness about key healthcare issues around the country. We do this by holding talks in schools, care centres, or local communities. Typical topics will include:

  • Good hygiene practices
  • Malaria prevention
  • Sexual education

Sexual education is critical, as this is still considered a taboo topic in many schools. You could also focus on healthy lifestyle choices to prevent illnesses like heart disease and diabetes.


During your medical internship in Ghana, you will be able to work in a number of different departments. These include:

  • Accident and Emergency
  • Paediatrics
  • Maternity
  • Pharmacy
  • Physiotherapy
  • Surgery

If you’re interested in a specific department, please feel free to contact us and we can help advise you.


Typical day

On any given day, you will work shifts alongside your supervisors. These shifts typically take the following form:

  • Morning: 8am - 2pm
  • Afternoon: 2pm - 8pm
  • Night: 8pm - 8am

Each shift starts with rounds as you follow the consulting doctor and learn about each patient's case and course of treatment. Use ...

Typical day

On any given day, you will work shifts alongside your supervisors. These shifts typically take the following form:

  • Morning: 8am - 2pm
  • Afternoon: 2pm - 8pm
  • Night: 8pm - 8am

Each shift starts with rounds as you follow the consulting doctor and learn about each patient's case and course of treatment. Use this opportunity to ask plenty of questions. After rounds, you’ll assist nurses with patient care. You can watch them administer medication and treatment, and help to update patient files. Nurses always appreciate help in general patient care as well such as feeding, bathing, and bed changing.

Please note that hospitals in Ghana are often busiest in the mornings. Don’t be late for the morning shift if you'd like to witness the bulk of the day's work!

Afternoons are a great opportunity to get to know the staff and patients better.

Two days per week, you’ll join one of our community outreaches to assist with doing health checks.

During the hours you aren’t working, you’ll have free time to explore Ghana’s colourful culture and natural beauty with your fellow interns.

Since you will be living with a local host family, breakfast or dinners offer great opportunities to get to know them better and fully immerse yourself in their way of life.


Free-time activities

Volunteering in Ghana is an ideal way to explore this colourful West African country. There’s a huge variety of different activities to do while you’re there, giving you plenty of exciting ways to spend your free time.

Music is a central part of Ghanaian culture. In the bigger towns, especially ...

Free-time activities

Volunteering in Ghana is an ideal way to explore this colourful West African country. There’s a huge variety of different activities to do while you’re there, giving you plenty of exciting ways to spend your free time.

Music is a central part of Ghanaian culture. In the bigger towns, especially Accra, you will hear some great live bands and have some memorable nights out. Evenings spent at buzzing restaurants will also give you a taste of some of the delicious local cuisine.

For a look into Ghana’s history, you can tour the slave forts of Cape Coast and visit museums. Nature lovers will relish trekking through the rainforests of Kakum National Park or Mole National Park.

We run a wide range of projects in Ghana so there’s sure to be other volunteers there during your trip. This means you can explore the country solo or connect with other volunteers and travel as a group. 


Requirements

Requirements

Minimum Age: 16 years

In order to join the program you need to be at least 16 years old on the program start date.

Language Skills

You need to speak English (basic level)

Nationality Restrictions

No restrictions. Helping hands from all over the world are welcome.

Time Commitment

Your helping hand will be required on Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday and Friday from 08:00 - 14:00

What's Included

What's Included

Services by Projects Abroad

  • Accommodation

  • Food (three meals a day)

  • Airport pick-up and drop-off

  • Full induction and orientation by an experienced staff member on arrival

  • Transport to and from your work placement

  • In-country support and 24-hour back-up from our team of full-time local staff

  • Emergency assistance from our international emergency response team

  • Project equipment and materials, including access to our database with thousands of resources

  • A supervisor/mentor at your work placement

  • Training and workshops from our experienced local staff

  • Regular social events and community activities with other volunteers and interns

  • Access to our local office with internet connection

  • Certification of project completion

  • A cultural awareness course

  • Membership to our volunteer social media groups, to share information and to get in touch

Airport Pickup at Kotoka International Airport

You will arrive in Ghana at Accra Airport (ACC). Our main offices in Accra are about a 25-minute drive from the airport.

Most volunteers fly into Ghana in the evening. As you disembark, the first thing that you’ll notice is the humidity. You will walk across the tarmac to the arrivals building and pass through immigration control to the baggage reclaim area. Once you have your luggage, you need to go through customs. Be ready to have your bags opened by security staff as this is done routinely even when you go through the "nothing to declare" channel.

As you walk out of the airport building, you will be met by a wall of people on the other side of a barrier. It might seem overwhelming at first, but one of our staff members will be there to meet you with a Projects Abroad sign. Seeing a friendly face there to welcome you and take you to your accommodation will immediately put you at ease.

If your placement is in Accra, you will be taken from the airport straight to your host family. If you are going to a placement away from the city, you will usually stay overnight in Accra before travelling to your region the following morning.

Accommodation

You'll stay with a host family in Accra, Akuapem Hills, Cape Coast, or Dodowa. They will welcome you into their home, eager to share their customs and have you teach them about your own culture. We believe that this is the best way to immerse yourself in the culture of Ghana and have a truly unique experience.

We will always try to let you live alongside at least one other Projects Abroad volunteer or intern at the same host family. Your room will be modest, but comfortable, clean, and safe.

Food & Beverages

Your programme fee includes three meals a day.

Internet Access

Good access at the project site

What's NOT included?

What's NOT included?

Flight Tickets

The nearest airport is Kotoka International Airport (ACC) in Accra. We assist you to find cheap flights to Ghana. FIND CHEAP FLIGHTS

Travel Insurance

Going abroad is an adventure and it is always best to be prepared. Sudden illness or injury, cancellation or theft - a travel insurance for Ghana provides security and is a plus to have. GET A QUOTE

Vaccines

If you are intending to volunteer in Ghana you should seek medical advice before starting your social journey. Check your required vaccinations for Ghana. VACCINE CHECKER

Details on arrival

Our medical internship in Ghana runs throughout the year, and you can join at any time from a minimum of one week. We encourage you to stay longer, so you can see and learn more.
Availability
Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec

Program fees

1 week (min. stay) 1,870€
3 weeks 2,185€
4 weeks 2,815€
8 weeks 4,075€
12 weeks (max. stay) 5,335€
Average fees 1,157€/week

Program fees

1,157€ per week 1 - 12 weeks Age 16 - 50+

Payment methods

Visa Master Card Maestro American Express PayPal

NO CREDIT CARD FEES


Duration

1 - 12 weeks

Deposit

The deposit is simply to reserve your volunteer placement. Payments are handled by PayPal, our trusted global payment provider. If you don't have a PayPal account, you can also pay using a credit card.


Final Payment

Your final payment will be agreed with Projects Abroad during the application process. Common solutions are either via bank transfer or a cash payment at the project site.


Meet your organization

Projects Abroad

Outstanding 5 rating (207 reviews)

Agency - founded in 1992

Verified by Volunteer World

  Excellent response rate

Coordinated by

Bethany

Spoken languages: English

About the project

For over 30 years, Projects Abroad has been the world's leading provider of international volunteer programs, internships, and life-changing travel experiences.

Meet your organization

For over 30 years, Projects Abroad has been the world's leading provider of international volunteer programs, internships, and life-changing travel experiences.  

We connect passionate individuals with impactful projects that contribute to the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, fostering a better future for all.

Why Choose Projects Abroad?

  • Impactful projects: Make a real difference in communities worldwide while gaining valuable skills and experience.
  • Responsible travel: We champion sustainable practices and ethical interactions, ensuring your journey is both enriching and responsible.
  • Safety first: Your well-being is our top priority. We provide comprehensive support and 24/7 assistance throughout your experience.
  • Trusted provider: Over 130,000 participants have trusted us with their transformative journeys.
  • Diverse opportunities: Choose from a wide range of projects in healthcare, conservation, education, and more.

Join Projects Abroad and embark on a transformative adventure that will broaden your horizons, deepen your understanding of the world, and empower you to create lasting change.

207 reviews · rating5

Clement Bourcart rating5

2020 at International Development Internship

The work was value-adding, stimulating and I was able to shape the scope of my project in conjunction with the organisation, ensuring my skills were used in priority areas for the company. People at my placement company were extremely welcoming, friendly, and inspiring. The host family ...
Caroline Maher rating5

2020 at Giraffe & Lion Conservation in Kenya

I am the kind of person that will take every moment and try to make the best of it. I loved getting up every morning and getting in the Jeep to go do whichever job was on for the day. Some were harder than others. Just driving through the conservancy on our way to the job was amazing. Seeing the ...
Adriano Cantelmi rating5

2020 at Shark Conservation

I loved the trip we had to Suva with Nafice on the weekend where we went on a tour around the city and then went to the waterfalls. I loved the tagging trip we had with Mili. We didnt catch any sharks but the trip itself was so much fun. We watched the sun set and saw a bandit sea snake. The ...
Alice Hayes rating5

2020 at Medical Intern

I enjoyed the safari in the national park, i also enjoyed working in the hospital (especially maternity and operating thertre) an expirincing how its is ...
Phoebe Coupland rating5

2020 at Medical Intern

The most enjoyable experience in Nepal was the Chitwan safari on one of our leisure activities that went for the weekend. In CMC hosptial working in maternity and the operation theatre, we had the amazing experience of being able to watch a lot of babies being ...
Ida Johansen rating5

2020 at Animal Rehabilitation Assistant

Google Translate: Being able to work closely with animals, how open the other volunteers were and how much there is to find when not at work. - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - Original Review: Å kunne jobbe tett med dyr, hvor åpne de andre frivillige var og hvor mye det er å ...

Location

Africa > Western Africa > Ghana > Cape Coast, Dodowa, Accra

You might also be interested in

Contact Bethany
  Excellent response rate
English

Most volunteers ask about


Do you have any more questions? Send a message to Bethany
Please don't share personal contact details for your privacy