Internships in Maldives

The smallest Asian country in both population and landmass, the Maldives is a collection of 26 atolls in the Indian Ocean. As the lowest country in the world, most of the Maldives’ islands are less than 2.5 meters above sea level and contain tons of beautiful marine ecosystems.

Tourists travel from all places to see the beautiful coral reefs and wade through the tropical waters. The Maldives is a great place to find an internship abroad and meet people from around the world.

Tourism/Hospitality

Tourism is by far the largest industry in the Maldives. The archipelago’s naturally beautiful landscape, clear waters, and tropical weather attract thousands of tourists every year. For those interested in jumping into the tourism industry, interning in the Maldives is a great way to gain some initial experience. You can choose to assist in hotel operations, tour planning, or help out at a travel agency. Interning in the Maldives is the optimal way to gain more exposure to the tourism industry and interact with other visitors from around the world.

Dentistry/Medicine

With a grand total of 1,192 islands, the Maldivian health care system does not always provide top-notch service for citizens in all areas of the country. Because of this, extra help from interns is always welcome in some of the less populated towns. There are specific programs for those interested in pursuing a career in dentistry as well as basic medical and health-care related internships. Interning in the Maldives is not only a great way to practice medicine or dentistry, but also make a positive impact in less well-off Maldivian communities.

When and Where to Look for an Internship:

The easiest way to find an internship in the Maldives is to apply for an internship program through a third party program provider. While some of these programs may have an extra fee, they tend to help you find a suitable internship placement, organize housing options, and assist you with your transition to living in a foreign country. The length of your internship may vary based on your personal preferences as well as the opportunities available in Maldives. Apply for internship programs online, and pay attention to the deadlines and extra fees.

Cost of Living in the Maldives

The cost of living in the Maldives is quite low. Groceries, education, and communication costs tend to be much lower than clothing and housing. Like most other countries, living costs in metropolitan areas tend to be much higher than those in smaller towns. The majority of your living expenses will most likely come from housing and food, if you eat out more often. Below are some examples of living costs in Ukraine. Keep in mind that 1 Ukrainian Hryvnia (UAH) is approximately equivalent to 0.12 USD.

• 1 bedroom apartment in City Center: $650
• 1 inexpensive meal: $2.64
• 1 way transportation ticket: $1

Etiquette

The Maldivian work culture is quite relaxed and informal. With a tourist and resort heavy industry, business dress in the Maldives is not extremely formal. Men tend to wear short-sleeve shirts and ties with lightweight but formal trousers and women usually wear light suits. Most meetings are held in the mornings, and people tend to exchange handshakes when greeting one another.

Language

Dhivehi is the official language of the Maldives, however English is widely spoken throughout the major metropolitan areas and tourist centers. The language itself consists of many English, Hindi, and Arabic words due to previous political influences. Learning some basic Dhivehi will help you in your daily life in the Maldives, although you may very well be able to get by with just speaking English.

Networking

etworking in the Maldives is a relatively new concept that has just recently become more popular within the tourism industry. Since the growth of the resorts and travel agencies, more internationals are interested in working in the Maldives and have established extensive professional networks. While there aren’t many networks for interns, if you are interested in joining in conversations with other professionals in the Maldives, check out the Hotel Professionals From Maldives group.

Work and Labor Laws in the Maldives

The Maldivian labor laws set guidelines for employment and regulate the rights of employers and employees. International interns are usually unpaid, unless they obtain a proper work permit.