Medical Internship in Cusco, Peru

This program would suit those who are hard working, ready to learn and contribute! A positive mindset and proactive approach are required.

Intermediate Spanish language skills are required.

• Accommodation
• Breakfast & Dinner daily 
• Arrival airport transfer (Sat/Sun arrivals)
• Filtered drinking water, coffee & tea
• 1 day orientation
• In country 24/7 support & emergency assistance
• Fundraising support
• University course credits (where applicable)
• Certificate of Completion

• Airfares
• Travel Insurance
• Some daily transportation to/from the project (if applicable – approx US$1-3 p/day)
• Tours, Souvenirs & spending money

An in-depth orientation is included for all volunteers.

This orientation is designed as a 1 day overview to help ensure you are equipped with the necessary info to effectively work with the local people and community.   This may include but is not limited to;

• Peru culture / history overview
• Spanish language lesson
• Customs / law’s / do’s & don’ts
• Volunteer expectations
• Home stay guidelines
• Travel opportunities during free time
• Overview of your placement
• Notes from previous placements to help maximize impact

Volunteers should aim to arrive into Cuzco on either Saturday or Sunday to ensure they can participate in the Orientation which starts every Monday.

Complimentary Arrival Transfer

You’ll arrive at Alejandro Velasco Astete International Airport (CUZ).   When clearing immigration it’s best to simply state ‘tourism’.    When you arrive you will be greeted by a member of our local team and taken to the homestay or the volunteer center for orientation.

In-Country Transportation

Most volunteers will use in-expensive bus transport to get around and to travel to the project placements.  Our coordinators will assist you with all the details while in country. A one-way trip rarely costs more than US $0.50 in Cuzco or nearby neighborhoods and maybe US $2 for longer distances. Taxis are also readily available in and around Cusco. Taxis cost approximately US $3 – $10 depending on duration.  We recommend using formal taxis that use a meter to calculate the fare based on time and distance.

You can expect to work 4-6 hours per day, Monday to Friday. Your internship includes 1 hour of daily Spanish classes, tailored to your level and work schedule. Classes focus on relevant vocabulary for your placement and are taught entirely in Spanish using the immersive Communicative Method.

Some tasks may require extra time outside regular hours. Weekends are free for relaxation, exploration, and travel. 

Weekends are always free for volunteers to relax and do as you please exploring the incredible sights in/around Cuzco.  Most volunteers will organize to meet up at the volunteer center and head out from there.   It’s worth noting that in this region, most families are religious with Sunday the day of rest this also means many stores and restaurants are closed on Sundays.   

– 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 

This program would suit those who are hard working, ready to learn and contribute! A positive mindset and proactive approach are required.

Intermediate Spanish language skills are required.

Peru has over 10,000 years of history!   It’s no surprise that Peru has an incredible wealth of culture and tradition that is one of the most varied countries in the world. 

As the 3rd largest country in South America Peru is divided into 25 regions and 11 eco-regions.  With an enormous range of landscapes, biodiversity and natural resources, you can boil this down to 3 main regions being 1) Coast, 2) Mountains 3) Jungle. 

Spanish is the official language and spoken by 85% of the population with 47 other native languages present among the various regions.  Music and dance play a vital role in Peruvian society.   Hispanic influences combine with Spanish and ancient styles to create a flair that is unique to Peru.  

Peruvian’s are proud people and very aware of the natural world and the value of the Andes, Amazon and historic civilizations in this region.  The country has overcome difficult political and economic issues.  

The people are welcoming and attentive to visitors with food and music being the central point for celebrations and of course colorful dress which is unmistakable.    Peruvian’s love football (soccer) which is the national sport and you can often see families playing together.   Most of Peru is quite religious with Catholicism very prominent.  

In Peru, personal hygiene and style are very important and people tend to dress neatly and professionally.  Be prepared to cover your shoulders and knees, and wear clothing that is not revealing or extravagant

This program would suit those who are hard working, ready to learn and contribute! A positive mindset and proactive approach are required.

Intermediate Spanish language skills are required.

The climate varies depending on altitude and region, but for the most part the dry season is from May to November, and the ‘green’ season from December to April.

As Cusco is 3000 meters above sea level, the average temperatures in Cusco rarely reach above 25 degrees celcius.   During the dry season expect sunny, warm days and cool nights.   It’s generally warmer during the ‘green’ season with intermittent rain and sun during the day and mild rainy nights.