WHY we need you in Guatemala
- Guatemala has an extremely high poverty rate, estimated at 59.5% (23% of those live in extreme poverty).
- 8 out of 10 indigenous children are said to be suffering from chronic malnutrition.
- Income equality is very high in Guatemala, with a huge difference between rich and poor families.
- Guatemala is prone to natural disasters, such as hurricanes, flooding, earthquakes and landslides. This leaves the landscape and homes ruined and many people struggling.
- Deforestation and other environmental issues have become a big problem in the county.
WHAT Does the Internship Involve?
- Conduct physical exams, including measuring vitals, height, weight, and gathering medical histories.
- Assess patients’ physical and neurological development.
- Prepare and sterilize medical equipment and materials.
- Observe or perform procedures like injections, sutures, and suture removal.
- Organize and update patient medical records.
Why Involvement Volunteers International?
- Non Profit Organisation & Charity
- Over 35+ Years Expertise Globally
- Low Program Fees - From US$295
- Excellent Safety Record, In-Country 24/7 Support & Emergency Assistance
- 1 Application Fee - Multiple Countries
PROJECT NAME: MEDICAL INTERNSHIP
LOCATION: ANTIGUA, GUATEMALA
START DATES: WEEKLY (SAT/SUN ARRIVALS)
ACCOMMODATION: HOMESTAY (SHARED ROOM
MIN DURATION: 4 WEEKS
MIN AGE: 19+
SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS: Criminal background check required, Intermediate level of Spanish, Medical student/qualified
Overview
Join a medical internship in Guatemala and gain practical experience in the field. Interns are placed in assisted living facilities, small local clinics, or hospitals. During your placement, you will always work directly with a staff member, assisting or observing them in their tasks.
Note: Tasks vary based on the needs of the medical facility. Expectations should remain realistic, as independent work may be limited for those with medical qualifications from other countries. In some cases, shadowing staff may be the primary role.
You’ll receive ongoing support from in-country coordinators, though they will not be present at your placement daily. This requires independence and strong leadership skills.
Spanish Language Requirement
As most local clinics are Spanish-speaking, an intermediate level of Spanish is mandatory. Support from in-country coordinators is available but limited to certain times. A Spanish proficiency interview will be conducted prior to your program to ensure your skills meet the requirements.
Schedule and Working Hours
- Work Hours: 4–6 hours per day, Monday to Friday.
- Spanish Classes: 1 hour daily, Monday to Friday.
- Additional Tasks: Preparation or planning may be required outside work hours.
- Weekends: Free for relaxation, exploration, or independent tasks.
Dress Code
Professional attire is important in Guatemala. Even in warm weather, avoid beachwear in the city. Dress neatly and modestly, covering shoulders and knees. For medical placements, scrubs are required, and a clean, professional appearance must be maintained.
Recommended Items:
- Scrubs
- Disposable rubber gloves
- White coat
- Antibacterial soap or sanitizer
- Stethoscope
- Blood pressure cuff
Transportation
Internship placements are located in the Antigua area. Walking or using local buses is the most affordable option, with travel times ranging from 20 to 60 minutes each way. On your first day, a representative will accompany you and provide instructions for your daily commute. Costs: Local buses: Approximately Q8 (around $1) per trip. Taxis: More expensive; budget approximately $5 per day if preferred.
Deliverables
All interns must submit weekly journals and a final project.
- Practicums (<8 weeks): A 10-20 page paper or a 1-hour PowerPoint presentation.
- Internships (≥8 weeks): Both a 10-20 page paper and a 1-hour PowerPoint presentation.
Final Deliverables Should Include:
- Overview of the medical facility and your role.
- Organisational review.
- Sector analysis comparing the host and home country.
- Challenges faced and solutions.
- Outcomes and results.
Spanish Classes
Interns receive 1 hour of Spanish lessons daily, Monday to Friday, tailored to their skill level and schedule. Classes emphasize relevant vocabulary and immersive interaction, with instructors speaking Spanish exclusively to enhance language acquisition.
Maximizing Your Experience
Your success in this program depends on your initiative and adaptability. Expect cultural and structural differences in the workplace, including language barriers, work hours, and management styles.
Key Factors Influencing Your Role:
- Level of training and expertise.
- Spanish proficiency.
- Initiative and interpersonal skills.
- Program duration.
Take a proactive approach to make the most of your internship and ensure a rewarding experience.
Location
Projects are located in and around the city of Antigua. Which was declared an UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1979. This is a popular tourist spot due to the pretty colonial buildings and ancient ruins. From the streets and rooftops, you can even see volcanoes towering over the city. Antigua’s Central Plaza has plenty of restaurants, shops, markets, and regular cultural events, making it an exciting city to call home.
Project Tasks
- Conduct physical exams, including measuring vitals, height, weight, and gathering medical histories.
- Assist with processing and interpreting laboratory tests.
- Observe and assist during patient consultations and medication prescriptions.
- Observe or perform procedures like injections, sutures, and suture removal.
- Support obstetric check-ups, consultations, and family planning services.
- Assess patients’ physical and neurological development.
- Prepare and sterilize medical equipment and materials.
- Organize and update patient medical records.
Food & Accommodation
You will stay with a pre-approved middle-class Guatemalan host family. Internship volunteers will have a private room. You are provided with a key to the house and are free to come and go as you please, we ask you to respect the rules of the family. Our host families live in and around Antigua and are 10-25 minutes walking or by bus from the volunteer centre.
You can also choose to stay in a student residence room, hostel, hotel or apartment, all of which can be private or shared between single genders. Please note, for hostels, hotels and apartments, meals are not included.
Breakfast and dinner are provided 7 days a week* and will generally be of local cuisine. Corn, rice, beans, beef, pork, chicken, cheese, and tortillas form the basis of the typical local foods. Meat stews and soups are very popular also.
Photos below show a typical South American homestay and images of the volunteer centre.
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1 Month - $1495
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2 Months - $2195
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3 Months - $2975
What's Included
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Accommodation
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Meals
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Airport Pickup
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Local Transportation
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1 Day Orientation
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24/7 In-Country Support
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Project Materials & Equipment
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Pre-departure Expert Advice
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Preperation Tools & Checklists
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Certificate of Completion
- Application fee is one off per person (unlimited placements)
- Click Here to convert the below prices to your local currency
- Discounts may apply if travelling in a pair or group!
- All credit card /international fees included in below pricing! 🙂
Testimonials...
FAQ
– At least 19 years of age
– Proof of medical education, training, certifications, and licenses
– Hard working, ready to learn and contribute!
– Positive mindset
– Able to be creative with limited resources
– Intermediate Spanish language skills are required
– Final project required
– Ready to work flexible schedule of days, nights, and weekends
- Airport pick-up
- Host family accommodations
- Breakfast and dinner, 7 days/week
- 3-4 hours/day practical work, Monday-Friday
- Program and safety orientation
- Walking tour
- Official certificate of volunteer service
- Letter of recommendation
- Spanish language tutoring table
- Tandem Conversation Program
- Office-wide WiFi and computer lab
- Salsa dance classes
- Cooking classes
- Free coffee and tea and on-site snack bar
- Institute is open 7 days/week
- Emergency contact number 24/7
Flights
- Medical insurance
- Daily transportation
- Travel and tours
- Transfer back to the airport
- Personal spending money
Each project will include a 1-day orientation to familiarise yourself with the local area, rules, safety advice and general information. Your host family will show you the best way to get to/from your accommodation to the volunteer centre. Orientation will include health and safety advice, do’s and don’ts, cultural norms, activities and tours you can do on weekends, and a short walking tour, showing you the local area. You are also able to take a free Spanish placement exam. On your first day the local coordinator will take you to the placement, where you will be introduced to everyone and shown around the project.
Our projects are situated in the Antigua area. The most effective way to get you your project is to walk or take the bus. Travel time can vary between projects, and you should expect to spend 20-60 minutes travelling each way. You may need to change buses, depending on where your accommodation/project is located. Taxis are widely available but much more expensive than the bus.
PLEASE NOTE: You are responsible for your daily transportation to and from your project site. Local bus journeys are very affordable and will typically cost Q8 (about US $1) or less each way but may cost more if your project is further outside Antigua. We recommend budgeting about US $5 per day for transport.
Days and Hours
Working hours vary by placement, but you can expect to work 4-6 hours per day,
Monday to Friday. Your daily 1-hour Spanish classes are Monday to Friday, and you
may have additional planning or tasks to do outside of work. Weekends are free to relax,
explore, travel, or do any independent work you have.
There is so much to see and do around Antigua, including cultural events, tours and treks, and exploring the various markets. The local coordinators regularly post a monthly events calendar to let you know of the activities going on nearby. For more ideas on things to do in Guatemala…
Tikal Ruins
These Mayan ruins are set amidst the jungle of northern Guatemala and close to the borders between Belize and Mexico. The incredible ruins are a little hard to get to but have a spectacular backdrop. The ruins used to be one of the most influential cities in the Mayan empire.
Semuc Champey Pools
Another destination a little hard to get to (think long and windy bus ride) but definitely worth it for the incredibly blue pools of water you will find here, all surrounded by Guatemalan jungle. You can go swimming in the pools too!
Acitve Volcanoes
Pacaya, Santiaguito and Fuego are active volcanoes which visitors can climb up. These 3 are still active but Guatemala also has 37 volcanoes dotted around the country. If you love hiking, then make sure to try one of these treks for spectacular views.
Lake Atitlan
Lake Atitlan is a place where you can easily spend several days. This pretty lake has the backdrop of volcanoes and pretty wildflowers around the edge of the water. There are lots of small towns around the lake to explore, or you could simply relax by the sparling water or try SUP and kayaking.
Indian Nose Hike
This is a spectacular viewpoint which will only take around a 45 minutes climb. Situated close to San Pedro, this mountain is known for incredible sunrises, but we would recommend going with a tour group for this, for safety reasons.
– At least 19 years of age
– Proof of medical education, training, certifications, and licenses
– Hard working, ready to learn and contribute!
– Positive mindset
– Able to be creative with limited resources
– Intermediate Spanish language skills are required
– Final project required
– Ready to work flexible schedule of days, nights, and weekends
Limited access to education and healthcare, poverty, illness, unemployment and illiteracy continuing problems in Guatemala. Guatemala is bordered by El Salvador and Honduras to the South, Belize to the East, and Mexico to the North. There is plenty for outdoor and nature lovers here, including tropical coastal beaches and lush jungles, mountains, rivers and volcanoes. Guatemala has a population of 14 million people, half of that being indigenous. You will see plenty of ancient Mayan traditions and customs still alive today.
The climate in Guatemala changes somewhat dramatically. In the lowlands there is a hot, tropical and humid climate year-round. The mountain regions are a lot cooler and can even fall below freezing in the cooler months. The climate in the popular tourist destinations in Guatemala, such as Antigua and Guatemala City, is temperate and a comfortable warm temperature.
May to October is the rainy season, which brings short rains usually in the afternoon. This can be a great time to visit, as the landscape are lush and green. The dry season is from March to May.
Guatemala has strong Mayan and Latin influences, with the main language being Spanish, as well as some Mayan languages. The indigenous people are known for their colourful clothing and textiles and Guatemalans love their sport (soccer in particular) and music. The designs of the clothing vary in patterns from which village you come from. Religion in Guatemala varies from Mayan spirituality, Catholicism, and Evangelical Christianity. Muslim and Jewish populations can be seen in Guatemala City as well. A lot of the festivals here are influenced by religion.
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IVI is an Australian charity & non profit organisation founded in 1989 and is one of the pioneers of overseas volunteering successfully placing over 20,000 volunteers globally.
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Intermediate Spanish is required to be effective in a human rights internship placement. If your Spanish language skills are not at this level, we offer online Spanish classes and our Spanish Immersion program to bring your skills up to the appropriate level and ensure your success.Check out this amazing blog with step by step info on how to raise funds for your overseas volunteer experience to help maximize your impact abroad. Guide to Fundraising