Involvement Volunteers International WHY we need you in Nepal
- Around 25% of the population in Nepal are living below the poverty line.
- Malnutrition is particually evident in children under 5, with 36% enduring stunting.
- Children from poor families have low attendence at school, with 1 in 4 of the poorest not going to school at all.
- Nepal can experience natural disasters, such as earthquakes. This can severly impact the local structures and roads.
- Much of Nepal's population lacks access to basic medical care.
HOW can you help?
- For medical professionals and medical students, aiming to gain valuable experience in a real life hospital setting.
- Shadow local dentists and medical professionals in a goverment, private or community hospital.
- Interact and communicate with the local dentists for a benefical cultural exchange.
- Work with several departments in the hospital
WHAT you can do?
- Shadow medical professionals in a hospital setting
- Learn more about overseas healthcare systems
- Gain valuable experience or pass on skills and practices from back home
- Attend academic introduction sessions before the internship, where the local customs will be explained to you
Why Involvement Volunteers International?
- Non Profit Organisation & Charity
- Over 30 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: DENTAL INTERNSHIP
LOCATION: KATHMANDU, NEPAL
START DATES: WEEKLY (SAT/SUN ARRIVALS)
ACCOMMODATION: VOLUNTEER HOUSE (SHARED ROOMS)
MIN DURATION: 4 WEEKS
MIN AGE: 18+
SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS: MEDICAL (OR RELATED) PROFESSIONAL OR STUDENT, Criminal background check required
Overview
Gain comprehensive experience by working as an intern at a Dental Hospital in the vibrant city of Kathmandu, Nepal.
Volunteers on the dental internship will shadow practitioners and observe practices by local dentists. You will also be able to assist the dentists and nurses when required. You will also get to work with several departments in the hospital such as Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Department of Prosthodontics, Department of Pedodontics and Preventive Dentistry, Department of Community Dentistry, Department of Periodontics, Department of Conservative Dentistry and Endodontics and the Department of Oral Medicine and Radiology.
The first week of your internship will be more of an introduction to the local culture, customs, dos, and don’ts, and learning about the local culture of this amazing country, set in the foothills of the Himalayas. Not only will you get to learn about the language and lifestyle, but you will also be shown around Kathmandu and shown how and where to get around by yourself.
During the first 3 days from Monday to Wednesday, the local coordinator will show you around the city and you will be given will give you tips about the local area. This will help you to become familiar with your surroundings and to get settled in before the start of your project.
From Thursday to Friday on your first week, you will receive an academic introduction session before the internship. During these sessions, a professional supervisor will teach you about the local conditions and developments surrounding the industry/field and will prepare you for the local work environment and what to expect.
What’s included:
- Guaranteed internship placement with an assigned project and a professional work environment
- Guaranteed English language speaking coordinator in the working environment plus a local language when applicable
- Pre-internship personal learning goal and competencies assessment
- Guidance, Supervision and on the job training
- Guaranteed 25+ working hours per week
- Frequent (bi-weekly/monthly) feedback and progress sessions with the hosting company/organisation
- Welcome and pick-up at the airport
- Accommodation close to the workplace with a comfortable environment
- A mandatory introduction week consisting of an intro into the local culture and customs as well as an introduction into the internship placement
- Meals provided
- 24-hour local support
Location
Kathmandu, the capital and largest city in Nepal, is an incredible place! The contrast of decaying buildings, smell of incense, street sellers, historic temples and incredible mountain views will invigorate your senses and keep you inspired to learn more about the amazing history and culture. For several hundred years, Kathmandu was one of three rival royal cities, along with Bhaktapur and Patan. The highlight of Kathmandu has long been Durbar Square, the largest of the palace squares in the three royal cities and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Temples and monuments of varying shapes, sizes, styles, and faiths can be found here. This small, mountain-sheltered valley is the historical centre of Nepal, a place where kingdoms rose and fell, where palaces and temples were built and rebuilt, and where Nepali art and culture was developed and refined.
Project Tasks
- Career development for applying and progressing skills in a foreign working environment.
- Observing trained dentists
- Assisting practitioners when required
Food & Accommodation
Located in the heart of Kathmandu, about 1 hours drive from the airport, with 4-6 people sharing one room (single gender rooms). They have modern bathrooms; a modern kitchen and dining room, mini library, a fully furnished living room, wifi, TV, computer, DVD player, fans, live-in staff on call 24/7, a garden complete with a comfortable covered area and 24/7 security. Centrally located, there are several gym’s nearby as well as local supermarkets, ATM’s, mobile phone shops etc.
*For couples or those wanting more privacy, there are upgrade accommodation options available for an additional cost. This must be booked well in advance and is subject to availability.
You will be provided with three meals a day on weekdays and two meals per day on weekends. The meals are a mix of Western and Nepalese food, consisting mainly of vegetarian dishes including rice and vegetables. You can expect to have a chicken dish about once per week. You can also choose to eat out at any of the local restaurants.
*Accommodation may be in our local centre or in close proximity, depending on availability and time of year.
Internships
& Monestary
- Medical Hospital & Nursing Internship
- Physiotherapy Internship
- Buddhist Monestary Teaching
- Dental Internship
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1 Week - N/A
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2 Weeks - N/A
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3 Weeks - $780
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1 Month - $1255
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2 Months - $2450
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3 Months - $3590
Min 4 weeks for medical, monastery & dental program.
- Private rooms cost additional $250 p/week
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
In most cases, you’ll need an established medical background or studying on a pre-medical track, medicine, nursing, pharmacy, occupational/physical therapy, or working in a relevant field.
- Accommodation
- 3 meals p/day weekdays / 2 meals p/day weekends
- Arrival airport transfer (Sat/Sun arrivals)
- Filtered drinking water, coffee & tea
- 1 day orientation
- Daily transportation to project
- In country 24/7 support & emergency assistance
- Fundraising support
- University course credits (where applicable)
- Certificate of Completion
- Airfares
- Travel Insurance
- Tours, Souvenirs & spending money
- Introduction meeting, General rules, Setting Expectations, Advice on Health and Safety and insuring you have all your documents.
- Do’s and Don’ts, Cultural introduction, learning about the countries history
- Tour around the accommodation and local area.
Programs begin every Monday, and volunteers are required to arrive the day prior, for orientation before the project. Your accommodation on the Sunday is included in the program fees.
A free airport pickup is included when arriving to Tribhuvan International Airport (KTM). You must arrive between the hours 06:00 to 24:00 on Sunday.
If arriving outside the pickup times, you can book a private transfer or extra night for an additional fee.
Alternatively, if arriving early you could wait at the arrival’s terminal for the pickup time, book accommodation at the airport and meet us during the pickup times or make your own way to the project (we will advise on how to do this).
- From the airport to Kathmandu accommodation, it takes 45 minutes by taxi.
Monday to Friday
After breakfast, you will leave for the dental hospital in Kathmandu to start your day’s work. You will spend the day with dentists and nurses to assist them. Sessions will be assigned based on your experience and field of study in Dentistry. Tasks and timings may vary depending on the current needs and conditions at the hospital.
Generally, work will be from 8.00 am to 3.00 pm. Your daily tasks will include:
- Observing the practices of local dentists
- Assisting the dentists and nurses upon request in various treatment procedures
- Assisting in curative services and preventive services
*Schedule possible to change due to the project and community needs at the time. Volunteer flexibility and adaptability is important to a positive volunteering experience.
The weekends are always open for your leisure. The local team will assist you in organising additional travel plans with heaps of local knowledge. Shopping in Kathmandu is an experience all its own. Thamel, Kathmandu’s tourist hotspot, is where shoppers can find Nepalese, Tibetan and Indian artifacts, woodcarvings, handicraft and an assortments of unique clothing and apparel. There are also several malls where you can find fashionable clothing and grocery stores, offering everything from wine to breakfast cereals. There are numerous dining options available throughout the city, including Italian, Indian, Thai, Korean and Chinese in addition to a variety of local cuisine.
An established background in an affiliated field of study
A reference letter authorised by your university or the hospital or clinic you are currently working/studying at.
Proof of qualifications and CV/Resume and a copy of your passport sent by email to the local team at least four weeks before beginning the internship
Motivation letter including learning goals, expectations, and specific placement requests from the intern
Copies of certificates of qualifications and academic transcripts
- Casual dress is appropriate during your time at the hospital. However, no see-through clothes or low-cut tops are permitted.
- White lab coat.
- Laptop.
For information on holidays and any programs affected, please see the following link:
Nepal is one of the most beautiful and culturally rich countries in the world. Nepal first opened its borders to outsiders in the 1950s. It is home to Mount Everest, the birthplace of Buddha, and an astonishingly beautiful landscape, ranging from the well-known peaks of the Himalaya to the low-lying regions of the Terai.
The Nepali people are as diverse at the geography, with over 70 languages or dialects and scores of traditional festivals celebrated throughout the year.
However, Nepal is also one of the most under-developed countries in the world, with low rates of literacy, high rates of poverty and a persistent gender imbalance. The government is frequently unable to provide adequate education and health facilities throughout the country and both urban and rural areas are forced to live without necessary resources to promote growth and development of their communities.
Nepal is a year round destination, and the cliate can vary between the North and South regions. The best overall times to visit are during spring and autumn (particually for trekking).
December to Febuary is winter, and it can get extremely cold in the mountains (down to sub zero). Summer in this region has a pleasent temperature but still bring some warmer clothing for the evenings.
Summer in southern Nepal can get extremely hot (plus 40°C) in some areas. Winter temperatures in this area can range from 7°C to 23°C.
Kathmandu has a pleasent climate on average. The monsoon rains start from June to September in Nepal.
The majority of Nepalis are either Hindus or Buddhists, but there are many other religions here too like Islam, Christianity, Jainism and Sikhism. You will find many temples and monasteries around Nepal. The right hand is used for important things such as passing money, eating and the giving of gifts.
Nepalese people love their food and much of it has been influenced by Indian and Tibetan cultures. Nepali people have a lot of respect for elders and will call each other didi (“older sister”), bahini (“younger sister”), etc, even if they are not actually related. The family unit is very strong and having a close knit family is important for the local people.
30 Years Non Profit Experience
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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