Projects Abroad: Medical Internships in Peru

My medical internship in Peru was a unique experience that not only enhanced my professional knowledge but also contributed significantly to my personal growth. The host family that welcomed me during my stay was incredibly warm, providing me with profound insights into Peruvian culture. The support from the friendly staff at ProjectsAbroad was outstanding, and they were always there for me.

The opportunity to actively participate in various medical activities, including surgeries and treatments, broadened my horizons and offered practical insights into the healthcare system. The weekly medical workshops were particularly enlightening, imparting knowledge that is typically gained in more advanced study semesters in Germany.

The variety of social workshops not only strengthened my teamwork skills but also led to new friendships. Exploring the breathtaking landscapes and culture during my free time was an additional highlight, especially the visit to Machu Picchu, Palcoyo and the "normal" Rainbow Mountain, as well as the Sacred Valley and a lot more.

One aspect that was less favorable was the relatively independent nature of the internship, occasionally leaving me feeling somewhat isolated due to limited contact with my host family.

Regrettably, I had to visit the hospital twice due to health issues related to food on tours. Additionally, my phone was stolen on the bus, adding further inconvenience to the challenges faced.

Another area for improvement could be the supervision and communication within the hospitals. There were instances where I felt uncertain and bored as no one seemed to know how best to utilize my time.

Despite these challenges, my time in Peru was an unforgettable experience that significantly influenced my personal and professional development. A clear recommendation!

I could have never expected such a life-changing experience in very little time. Only 4 weeks gave me the knowledge and growth of my whole degree. The team in country take care of you from the minute you land, and the family I stayed with treated me like their own daughter- it was hard to say goodbye. Also, the other volunteers I met made all the traveling during the free time so fun!

During my project, I enjoyed having a lot of responsibilities, it gave me a lot of freedom to bring my own initiative into the interventions. The local team are very welcoming and grateful to have you there. If I could have changed something from my trip it would only be one thing: I would DEFINITELY stay for longer! Four weeks was way to short. I would recommend at least 3 months to make the most of the experience.

I have wanted to do my Medical Internship with Projects Abroad for years, but I didn't realize how much I needed it for my growth and how it made me into a smarter and better person. I went to Peru alone and met some amazing travelers, doctors, and locals. I felt so lucky to go, and get credit for my University in New York. I was able to practice my language, live with a different family, and interact and learn from volunteers and local Doctors. The Doctors I observed from wanted me to learn as much as possible about their speciality, which I appreciated. Along with learning from Doctors, I was able to adapt to living in a completely different culture and situation than I ever has before. I ended up not only learning, but having a lot of fun on weekend excursions and meeting new people!

I lived in Peru for 3 months while interning as a nutritionist. This experience was absolutely wonderful in every single aspect. The Projects Abroad team does a fantastic job at bringing all the volunteers together. If it wasn’t for the Wednesday socials, I would not have met the amazing, lifelong friends I made during my stay. We all became one family and it made staying away from home for such a long time that much easier.
Working as a nutritionist was the most rewarding work I have ever done. The locals were so open to all I had to teach them and really applied what they learned to their everyday lives. Working among locals completely immerged me into Peruvian culture. Throughout my work experience I learned traditional Quechuan dances and how to cook traditional cuisine. My Spanish also greatly improved throughout this experience!
The Projects Abroad team worked very closely with my school and gave me all the hours I needed in order for me to graduate college while still being abroad. I needed a total of 40 hours a week and even though that was unusual for them, they made sure to extend hours and find extra work for me to do in order to fulfill my 40 hours.
Today, I am currently working for a Non-Profit as a Community Educator. If it wasn't for all the presentations I had to do during my internship, I would have not been able to work my current job being it is all public speaking.

When I first touched down in Peru for my placement with Projects Abroad, I arrived with the understanding that I would be taking on a mostly observational role in the clinic with few hands-on responsibilities. Once I began working, however, my level of involvement far exceeded my expectations as I was given multiple duties involving patient care. In a typical day I arrive at 8:00 am and help weigh and measure patients in “Triage”, which typically lasts until 10:00. I then return to “Topico” to assist the nurse there where I have learned proper would cleaning techniques and how to administer intramuscular injections. I at times take blood pressure and temperature of patients, and assist with the general maintenance of the clinic by cleaning equipment and folding gauze. The day flies by and 1:00 always arrives quickly. This experience has been transformative in my understanding of the medical profession as I have been given hands-on experience treating patients, and have developed relationships with the patients and staff, all while in a foreign language. I have learned the importance of communication and collaboration in a medical environment, and have marvelled at the trusting relationships between health care workers and patients in the Centro de Salud de San Sebastian. This experience has certainly strengthened my resolve to pursue a career in medicine, and inspired me to pursue more medically-related volunteer missions in the future.

Volunteering in Cusco, Peru at the government run hospital was a very great opportunity to immerse myself in medical Spanish and interact with patients on a day to day basis. Physicians at the hospital were open to teaching and made our time there interactive and purposeful. My homestay family was a very sweet couple, interested in all our activities and enjoyed our presence in their home. They cooked very traditional foods and even took us out on the weekends with them to restaurants/stores to make sure we knew which ones had the best deals. The projects abroad program was overall extremely helpful in the transition from the US to Peru and made sure we had the resources to make the best out of our time there. The office also provided workshops and social events to allow us to meet others also participating in the program. I had a great experience with this program and defiantly recommend it to others to take advantage of in the future!