Sri Lanka – Medical Internship for Students and Graduates – Images

The project is based near Galle on Sri Lanka’s southern coast, an area known for its beaches, warm climate, and vibrant cultural mix. Galle Fort, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, offers narrow streets, colonial architecture, and cafés overlooking the ocean. Unawatuna Beach, located minutes from the volunteer houses, provides a relaxed setting to unwind after your hospital shifts. The city is a regional medical hub, giving interns access to large hospitals with a high patient volume. Nearby villages offer opportunities for community outreach and health education. Travel between placements is easy with daily transport provided by the team. The combination of coastal scenery, historic landmarks, and local culture creates a rewarding environment for both professional development and leisure time. With many nearby restaurants, shops, and weekend activities, interns have plenty to explore outside their placement hours.

About the Organization/Program

Sri Lanka’s public healthcare system is one of the most extensive in Asia, offering free treatment to all citizens and providing a valuable learning environment for international medical students. This medical internship partners with a large public hospital, specialist units, and community groups across the Galle region. Interns gain exposure to a wide range of medical cases and specialties and benefit from structured support throughout their placement. A dedicated medical coordinator offers daily guidance, training, and assistance with tasks and rotations.

About the Internship Work

Interns rotate through hospital wards based on availability, experience, and academic requirements. Most tasks are observational, with opportunities for supervised involvement depending on the department and the comfort level of local medical staff.

Rotations may include general medicine, general surgery, pediatrics, pediatric cardiology, pediatric surgery, oncology, emergency trauma care, psychiatry, neurosurgery, nephrology, cardiothoracic surgery*, rheumatology*, physiotherapy and rehabilitation, and community-based health activities.** (*for advanced medical students only)

Interns may also take part in community-based activities such as health awareness campaigns, hygiene and first-aid training, elderly care, and disability support. A special session on Ayurvedic medicine provides an introduction to Sri Lanka’s traditional healthcare practices.

Example of Volunteer Tasks

• Join ward rounds with consultants and medical staff
• Observe surgical procedures across multiple specialties
• Study patient histories under the guidance of staff
• Attend lectures and clinical teaching sessions
• Observe wound dressing, vital sign checks, and pre- and post-operative care
• Support physiotherapy and rehabilitation activities
• Participate in community health campaigns
• Teach basic hygiene and first aid in schools
• Assist with elderly care and disability support programs

A Typical Day

Interns start early, with breakfast served around 6:00–6:30 AM before being transported to the hospital. Workdays last 4–5 hours, usually beginning at 8:00 AM, with schedules varying slightly by department. After returning to the volunteer house, interns have lunch and free time to relax, visit the beach, attend evening sessions, or prepare for the next day. Weekends are free for rest, travel, or optional tours.

 Internet: Up to 20 GB of WiFi is provided; additional data can be purchased locally

 Laundry: Laundry services are available for an additional fee in the local neighborhood

  Accommodations: Participants stay in the Beachside Volunteer House located just across the road from Unawatuna Beach and 100 meters from the second house, this property includes 12 bedrooms (3–6 people per room), each with a small en-suite bathroom. Facilities include a dining area, garden, lounge, and terrace. Volunteers staying here also have access to the swimming pool at another house a few metres away. AC rooms are available for an extra fee.

• • Private Room Upgrades: Private rooms are available for an additional fee, based on availability. These rooms are located in separate houses 50–100 meters from the main house and include AC and private bathroom in the upgrade cost. Volunteers with private rooms still have full access to all main house facilities.
  • Important Note: All applicants are welcome to upgrade based on availability. All applicants aged 40 and above will be required to upgrade to a private room for an additional fee.
  • Photos: The main volunteer house photos are shown on the project page above. Private room photos represent the general quality standards across the three separate houses. Detailed photos of your assigned house will be provided after trip confirmation.

 Food: Three meals per day will be prepared by house chefs, using local, fresh ingredients. Tropical fruit is available during every meal and there is a salad bar set up during most lunches and dinners. Vegan, nut-free, gluten-free and lactose-free diets can be accommodated with advance notice. Tea, coffee and filtered water are available throughout the day. For cases where hospital hours may coincide with mealtimes (which can happen with lunch occasionally), volunteers are responsible to cover their own meals at the hospital cafeteria, which is very affordable.

• Must be enrolled in or recently completed a medical degree
• Sufficient English proficiency
• National Police Clearance / Police Background Check
• List of required documents  – Submitted latest 5 weeks before the start date
  • University reference letter confirming medical studies
  • Updated CV or resume
  • Motivation letter to join the internship
  • Copy of passport
  • Passport-sized photo
  • Any clinical/university documents requiring hospital attestation
  • Hospital forms: Completed Elective Information Sheet & Observership Trainee Assessment form
• Certification requirements:
  • 30 days – 5 weeks
  • 60 days – 9 weeks
  • 90 days – 13 weeks
• Must be culturally respectful, flexible, and open to local medical practices
  • Professional attire required: medical scrubs with long trousers
  • Tattoos must be covered; piercings and accessories must be removed
  • Smoking on hospital premises is prohibited

Interns can explore Sri Lanka’s southern coast during their free time, with easy access to beaches, wildlife, and cultural sites. Galle Fort, Unawatuna, and nearby coastal towns offer plenty of weekend activities and day trips. You can enjoy weekly evening yoga sessions on the rooftop, weekly movie nights, and monthly bike tours and barbecues at the volunteer villa. Additional travel experiences are available for an extra fee, and a few popular options are listed below:

Adventure Tour (Highly Recommended):
Extend your stay in Sri Lanka with a seven-day Adventure Tour that includes a game drive, waterfall visits, a scenic long-distance train ride, an overnight stay at a riverside eco lodge, temple visits, a village walk, a spice grove tour, a visit to Lion Rock, time at the local market, and a stop at Negombo Beach.

Additional Recommendations:

• Elephant safari
• Rainforest hike
• Surfing lessons on nearby beaches
• Whale watching (in season)
• Cooking class
• Visit to Galle Fort