Sri Lanka – Medical and Nursing Program

The program is based near Galle, a vibrant coastal city known for its beaches, cultural heritage, and welcoming atmosphere. Placement hospitals and community sites are located 30–40 minutes from the volunteer houses, making access convenient and consistent. Galle Fort, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, offers panoramic ocean views, cafés, museums, and colonial architecture – great for exploration after placement hours. Unawatuna Beach, next to the volunteer house, provides a relaxed setting for swimming, socializing, and enjoying local food. The region is ideal for first-time travelers due to its safety, accessibility, and friendly community. Weekend activities include whale watching, surf lessons, wildlife safaris, and rainforest treks. Local shops, markets, bars and restaurants contribute to a lively and culturally rich environment.

About the Program

This top-rated internship is conducted in collaboration with public hospitals, community organizations, and traditional health centers in the Galle region. Sri Lanka’s free public healthcare system offers a high-volume, diverse learning environment for future medical and nursing students. Interns observe daily hospital routines, patient flow, and teamwork between nurses, doctors, and support staff. Our dedicated coordinator provides structure, support, and guidance throughout the placement.

About the Internship Work

The Pre-Medical Observation Internship is fully observation-based, giving participants exposure to real clinical settings without performing hands-on procedures. Interns may observe bedside care, patient monitoring, ward operations, and discussions led by nursing and medical staff. Exposure varies depending on the ward and availability of teaching opportunities. Participants may also take part in an optional community health week focusing on first-aid awareness, hygiene education, disability support, and elderly care. An introductory session on Ayurvedic medicine provides insight into Sri Lanka’s traditional health practices.

Please Note: This program is designed for pre-medical and pre-nursing students seeking early clinical exposure through observation only. Participants who have already begun medical or nursing studies, or who require elective or clinical placement hours, should apply to our Medical Internship Program or Nursing Internship for Students and Graduates instead.

Summary of Program Tasks

• Observe ward rounds, bedside teaching, and patient management discussions
• Shadow nurses and doctors to understand daily clinical workflows
• Observe vital sign checks, wound dressing, and routine patient monitoring
• Review patient histories with guidance from staff
• Observe pre-operative and post-operative care routines
• Participate in optional community health week sessions
• Assist with structured activities in disability and elderly care centers
• Attend an introductory Ayurvedic medicine workshop

A Typical Day

Schedule: Participants will wake early, around 6:00-6:30 AM, enjoy breakfast and arrive at their placement by 8:00 AM. You will work between three to five hours per day, Monday-Friday. Evenings are free except on days with evening surgery observations. During the weekends and local holidays, the program does not run and participants can enjoy sight seeing activities or join optional tours.

Program work locations: 

Depending on availability and your level of study, skill or interest, the following institutions and wards are available:

National Hospital Galle: Previously known as “Teaching Hospital Karapitiya”, this is the largest public hospital in the Southern Province of Sri Lanka and the third-largest hospital in the country. It has a capacity of approximately 2,000 beds, 54 wards, and several specialized units. Examples of wards include:

General Surgical Wards – Observe wound care, vital monitoring, and pre/post-operative routines; common surgeries include appendectomy, hernia repair, cholecystectomy, and thyroidectomy.

Pediatric & Maternity Units

Pediatric Ward – Observe patient histories, ward rounds, and child-friendly activities (with consent).
Maternity Units (Female interns only):

• Antenatal & Postnatal observations (CTG, fetal monitoring, vital checks)
• Labor room observations when permitted
• Obstetric theatre procedures such as c-sections

Emergency & Specialty Units

Emergency Trauma Care (ETC) – Observe patient triage, bedside teaching, and wound dressing.
Oncology Surgical Ward – Observe cancer-related surgeries, wound care, and pre/post-operative routines.
Physiotherapy & Rehabilitation Unit – Observe physical therapy routines and group sessions.
Additional Units on Request: Psychiatry, Orthopedics, Rheumatology, ICU.

Sri Lanka Friendship Hospital For Women: this is the largest maternity hospital in South Asia that specializes in maternity care, offering a wide range of maternity exposure for nursing electives.

• Maternity Care Units: Experience the different aspects of maternity care, including antenatal and postnatal care, labor room help, and observing obstetric procedures. Only female nursing electives have access to the Maternity care units

Government Ayurveda Institute: A hospital specializing in the traditional medicinal practice of Ayurveda.

Community Projects: Collaboration with local schools and community organizations. Activities include first aid training, promoting hygiene practices, assisting medical campaigns, engaging with special needs children, and socializing with older adults.

All the above institutions are conveniently within 30 to 40 minutes of the volunteer house, ensuring easy accessibility for program participants.

Local Achievements: We are thrilled to announce the opening of our transformative new Community Centre, made possible through the incredible support of our international volunteers! Located in the heart of Galle town, this first-of-its-kind facility serves as a free school and support center for the greater Galle community—home to our volunteer programs. This milestone marks a powerful step forward in uplifting the vibrant Galle community, and is a testament to our dedicated volunteers from around the globe!

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 Beach-side 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.

Requirements for pre-med observership:

• Pre-medical students don’t need to be enrolled in a medical or nursing degree to join this program but must have prior demonstrable knowledge and experience in the healthcare sector.
  • Examples of such include: Healthcare Assistants, Geriatric nurse or elderly care nurse, nursing apprenticeship for 1-2 months, First Aid or ambulance service experience for 1-2 months, Prior medical or nursing or healthcare internship experiences in hospitals.
  • Above qualifications or experiences must be confirmed by a reference letter or certificate issued.
  • Hospital management has the right to reject any premedical application if the reference does not satisfy the requirements of the hospital.
• Proficiency in English
• Most nationalities can easily apply for an online ETA visa to enter Sri Lanka.
• Minimum age of 18.
• National Police Clearance
• CV or resume
• Passport copy and passport-sized photo
• Motivation Letter (or Intent Letter) describing personal background and rationale for pursuing this internship
• Completed hospital elective form (sent following application)
• National Police Clearance
• Documents submitted at least 6 weeks before start date
• Clothing should be smart and professional with medical scrubs with long trousers
• Tattoos must be covered; piercings removed during volunteer hours
• All applicants aged 40 and above are required to upgrade to a private room for an additional fee

Interns can explore Sri Lanka’s southern coast in their free time, visiting beaches, historical sites, and local markets. Galle Fort, Unawatuna, Mirissa, and Hikkaduwa offer excellent weekend options.

Weekly social activities include rooftop yoga, movie nights, barbecues, and bike tours. Additional excursions can be arranged for a fee.

Adventure Tour (Highly Recommended):
Extend your stay in Sri Lanka by participating in a seven-day Adventure Tour! This adventure tour includes a game drive, visits to waterfalls, a long train ride, an overnight stay at a riverside eco lodge, visit to temples, a village walk, visit to a spice grove, a visit to Lion Rock, time in the local market and a trip to Negombo Beach!

Additional Recommendations:

• Elephant safari
• Rainforest hike
• Surfing lessons on nearby beaches
• Whale watching (during the season)
• Cooking class
• Fort Galle visit