Intern in medicine in Peru, where your healthcare skills support medical services for low-income families with limited access to quality healthcare. Your contribution helps clinics and hospitals that serve high patient volumes with limited resources and staffing.
Your medical internship provides direct patient care and professional support across diverse healthcare settings. Nativos Project partners with clinics and hospitals specializing in rehabilitation for children, general medicine, gynecology, pediatrics, obstetrics, neurology, dental care, family medicine, psychology, counseling, social work, and physical and occupational rehabilitation. This network offers exposure to healthcare challenges and treatment approaches in resource-limited settings.
The clinical experience provides hands-on medical training, cultural understanding, and adaptability skills while immersing you in daily Peruvian life. Working within these healthcare systems provides professional growth and community connections that extend beyond typical internship experiences.
For students and professionals interested in global health, tropical medicine, or working with underserved populations, this program provides valuable experience that develops both clinical skills and cultural understanding while supporting health outcomes for local Peruvians.
Successful medical interns should possess intermediate Spanish conversation skills to effectively communicate with patients, healthcare providers, and medical staff in clinical settings. While advanced fluency isn’t required, the ability to take basic medical histories, explain procedures, and provide patient comfort in their native language significantly enhances the clinical experience and patient care quality. This foundation helps build trust with patients and allows you to better understand their medical concerns and cultural approaches to health and healing.
Professional demeanor and appropriate medical attire are essential, as interns serve as healthcare representatives within the medical community. The dress code requires clean, conservative clothing suitable for clinical environments – scrubs when provided, closed-toe shoes, and modest attire that meets hospital hygiene standards. These standards reflect the professional medical environment and cultural expectations in Peruvian healthcare facilities, where medical professionals are respected community figures who represent competence and compassion.
Medical interns can participate with or without formal healthcare experience, though all participants must demonstrate emotional resilience when observing medical procedures and emergencies involving minor surgeries, blood, trauma, and challenging patient conditions. Those possessing healthcare certifications such as medical student identification, EMT or paramedic credentials, physical therapy qualifications, midwifery certification, or physician credentials can participate at levels appropriate to their training and local regulations.
Documentation requirements include submitting a comprehensive resume clearly detailing all medical credentials, education, and relevant experience before arrival. Project placements require official copies of professional certifications and academic transcripts to ensure appropriate placement and legal compliance within Peruvian healthcare systems. These requirements protect both volunteers and patients while ensuring optimal learning experiences.
Beyond technical qualifications, interns must demonstrate exceptional patience, cultural sensitivity, and emotional maturity when working with patients from diverse backgrounds facing serious health challenges. The ability to remain calm under pressure, adapt to resource-limited environments, and maintain professional boundaries while providing compassionate care proves more valuable than extensive experience. Proactive attitude, genuine enthusiasm for healthcare, and passionate commitment to serving underserved populations are essential qualities for success in challenging medical environments where your contribution directly impacts patient outcomes and community health.
Working as a medical intern in Peru, your responsibilities will depend on your level of training, certifications, and licensing. All partner clinics and hospitals seek to utilize volunteers’ skills when possible while creating comprehensive learning environments that maximize your professional development and patient care contribution.
Interns with or without formal medical experience can observe healthcare professionals and assist according to their skill level and training. Those with specialized certifications will be able to contribute within their specific fields of expertise. Partner facilities may provide basic training for interns with less experience to ensure safe, effective participation in clinical activities.
Depending on your qualifications and experience, daily responsibilities include:
The full package contains donation to the orphanage or shelter, and Nativos services, i.e., 20 hours Spanish group lessons, airport pickup and full support during the stay, homestay with 2 meals per day, and extra activities.
First week: $480
Each following week: $210
All medical clinics are placed in the city of Cusco about 20 minutes by bus from your host family. Your local coordinator will provide you with all directions on the day of your arrival in Cusco. She will accompany you the first day to your project to ensure you arrive accordingly.
Volunteers need to speak at least intermediate Spanish when working at the medical clinic. Most doctors and nurses in Cusco do not speak any English. We recommend volunteers participate in the Spanish language group class offered in Cusco. Medical education is required.
Hands-on experience during the Healthcare Project in Peru depends on the volunteer’s engagement, their knowledge of the Spanish language, and their experience in the medical field.
Volunteers work approximately 4 hours per day at the medical clinic. If there is an unforeseen surgery and you are interested in observing, you may stay longer.
Yes, you can come any time of a year.
It is important to respect that in Peru the workflow may vary from the one that you are used to in your home country. Volunteers within the healthcare project need to have an open mind to experience a new culture