Medical Internships in Arusha

Internship: Abroad

Country: Tanzania

Internship details Program fees Reviews Additional information Photo gallery Country profile

Eligibility requirement: Suitable for students in their second to final year of Medical Degree study. If you do not meet these eligibility requirements, click here to explore other medical internships which are suitable for pre-med students.

Language requirements: This internship is conducted in English.

Associated career paths: Medical Doctor, Physician, Certified Physician Assistant, Nurse, Pediatrician, Paramedic, Anesthesiologist, Medical Scribe, Surgical Technologist, Surgeon, Pharmacist, Phlebotomist, Obstetrician

Minimum duration: 2 weeks

Internship details

Build your practical medical knowledge on a Medical internship in Tanzania, shadowing and assisting local doctors and nurses in clinics and hospitals. This is a perfect internship for medical students who are more advanced in their studies, where you will learn from experienced professionals and help patients in a range of healthcare departments.

This is an in-country internship, with accommodation and meals provided.

Medical internships in Arusha, Tanzania, provide opportunities for interns to develop your practical understanding of healthcare to add to your theoretical knowledge. Interns can be placed in hospitals and healthcare clinics, where you’ll shadow and assist local medical professionals in their daily routines.

Medical internship placements are available in general wards, as well as highly specialized departments including:

Surgery
Outpatient clinics
Children’s wards
Medical community outreach
HIV outpatients
Mental health services

Interns with a desire for placements in a specific field should include details in your application. These will be accommodated wherever possible, but are subject to availability.

It’s important for medical interns to be prepared for a very different healthcare system than what you may be used to at home. Healthcare in Tanzania can be under-resourced and under-funded, and patients may endure conditions that would be considered rare or unacceptable in your own home country.

While you may encounter culture shock, it is important to remain professional and compassionate at all times. You’ll be encouraged to consider your supervisor and in-country coordinator as valuable and knowledgeable resources and mentors. They’re in the best position to provide guidance and local context into the needs and challenges of the local community, and will be happy to support your learning experience throughout this internship abroad.

Due to the unpredictable nature of patient flow in clinics and hospitals, interns should note that the timing of treatments can be irregular. This means that there will be days which are very busy, as well as slower days if patient workload is lighter. Interns should be adaptable, proactive and willing to help where it’s needed. You will be welcome to discuss your schedule at all times throughout the internship, should you wish to pick up any extra hours. This is subject to availability and must always be discussed with your in-country coordinator, who would facilitate any necessary arrangements for you.

This internship is conducted in English. Some patient interactions may be carried out in local languages, but your supervisor will be available to debrief these sessions in English with you afterwards.

Outside of your internship, you’ll have the opportunity to discover for yourself why Tanzania is one of Africa’s most popular tourist destinations. The country is well-known for nature and adventure tourism, particularly its incredible safaris and wildlife reserves. People come from all over the world to visit Mount Kilimanjaro, Serengeti National Park, and the golden beaches of Zanzibar. Your in-country internship coordinator will assist you in advance to arrange day trips or longer excursions (such as multi-day safari adventures). If you’re planning your internship in Tanzania, don’t miss the opportunity to schedule an itinerary that incorporates these wonderful, unforgettable attractions.

It is important to be aware that the Tanzanian government requires international interns to make a Ministry of Health contribution to their health/medical placements. The amount of this contribution varies. However, to cover the contribution sufficiently, it’s recommended that interns budget, at most, US$50 per week. All Ministry of Health contributions are made directly, in-country, under the direction and guidance of the Program Coordinator.

Medical interns learn from a qualified and experienced supervisor, and can be involved in:

Shadowing and assisting doctors in routine duties
Providing clerical support

Professional development opportunities:

Build your practical knowledge of treatments for a range of complaints
Learn about the provision of healthcare in an under-resourced environment
Learn from experienced doctors and medical professionals
Understand the daily routines of doctors in hospitals and clinics
Enhance your cultural intelligence, as it pertains to healthcare
Gain practical skills and boost your employability, with guidance from Intern Abroad HQ’s Experiential Learning Curriculum to support your learning and cultural intelligence.

Typical schedule:

Monday to Friday, 9am - 5pm

Internship highlights:

Gain practical healthcare skills learning from experienced medical professionals
Build your medical understanding in specific medical departments of interest to you
Enjoy spare time in Arusha, go on safari in the Serengeti, and explore world famous natural landscapes

Types of host organizations:

Hospitals
Medical clinics

Keen to get started?

Taking the first step is easy! It is free to apply and takes just 5 minutes.

Submit an application

Program fees

It’s free to apply for this internship. Once we have reviewed your suitability and accepted you onto this program, you’ll need to pay a deposit of US$449 to confirm your place. The remaining balance of your Program Fee (less your initial US$449 deposit payment) will be due no less than 60 days before your internship start date.

Accounting and Legal Support internship placements

Internship Duration	Program Fee (USD)
4 weeks	4 weeks	$1,319
5 weeks	5 weeks	$1,424
6 weeks	6 weeks	$1,529
7 weeks	7 weeks	$1,634
8 weeks	8 weeks	$1,739
10 weeks	10 weeks	$1,949
12 weeks	12 weeks	$2,159

Medical and Education internship placements

Internship Duration	Program Fee (USD)
2 weeks	2 weeks	$1,059
3 weeks	3 weeks	$1,164
4 weeks	4 weeks	$1,269
5 weeks	5 weeks	$1,374
6 weeks	6 weeks	$1,479
8 weeks	8 weeks	$1,689
10 weeks	10 weeks	$1,899
12 weeks	12 weeks	$2,109

It is important to note that Medical and Education internship fees in Tanzania do not include Ministry of Health contributions / placement donations. These vary depending on the placement and length of the internship and must be contributed in-country. For more details, contact your Program Manager.

To convert these prices to your local currency visit the XE currency converter.
All payments attract a 5% transaction fee to cover international banking fees and currency charges. International wire transfer payments attract a minimum fee of US$75.
Terms and Conditions apply

Intern review: Cora Allard

Tanzania - Women’s Education

"Going abroad for an internship was one of the best things I could have done for my personal growth. It opened me up to an environment that is completely new and full of opportunity. My supervisors wer..." read more

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Arrival and Orientation

Programs begin every Monday and participants may choose to spend a minimum of 2 weeks, up to a maximum of 12 weeks. Interns are advised not to book their flights until they have first registered to confirm their participation. Ports of entry to the program include the local Arusha Airport (ARK) or the Kilimanjaro International Airport (JRO). Airport pick up is included in the program fee. Transportation from the airport to the intern accommodation is approximately 30 minutes from Arusha Airport or 60 minutes from the Kilimanjaro International Airport. Alternatively, interns who arrive to the program overland (i.e. from Dar es Salaam in Tanzania) may be picked up from Arusha’s bus terminal.

Once interns have arrived, they are greeted by a representative of the local team and transported to the accommodation in Arusha. Accommodation is covered by the Program Fee and includes the Sunday night before the internship program orientation is held on Mondays. Orientation is provided by our local hosts and covers important details concerning introductions, support, culture, customs, safety, rules and expectations, things to see and do, and more.

Accommodation

Interns in Arusha are accommodated together on one of the city’s most top-rated guest houses, located in a quiet and friendly neighbourhood (just 15 minutes from town center). Living is safe, clean, modern and comfortable, including 24/7 gated security, housekeeping, and a live-in local coordinator. (Laundry services are not included but can be arranged directly for a small fee). Amenities include hot showers, WiFi, and satellite television (in common areas). Interns can expect to share a bedroom with 1- 5 other guests, of the same gender. Bathroom facilities are shared. Private/en-suite room upgrades are subject to availability and must be arranged directly with the local team, once registered.

Meals

Interns in Arusha include breakfast and dinner, prepared and served Monday to Friday at the guest house accommodation. Typical dishes in Tanzania are influenced by seasonal produce and the dinner menu is usually set according to a weekly rotating schedule. For example, dinner meals may cover Wali Rosti (rice and meat stew), spaghetti bolognese, Wali Umboga (rice and vegetables), pilau, and chapati maharage (a thin wholemeal pancake cooked on a griddle, with beans). Dinner dishes are accompanied with salad. Breakfasts consist of fresh seasonal fruit, fried eggs, and bread with spreads (plus tea and coffee). A filtered cold water dispenser is available in the common area for use to reduce the amount of plastic bottle use. Bottled water is readily available in Tanzania and volunteers should budget approximately US$5 per week for this (2 liters per day). Please be sure to let us know of any specific dietary requirements that you have in advance (i.e. allergies and intolerances), so that we may ensure your hosts are aware and make recommendations to you accordingly. However, it is important to note that the provided meals will not reflect what you are used to eating at home and flexibility is required. Interns are encouraged to budget extra spending money for any special snacks/treats.

Activities and tourism

There is an array of activities to enjoy during your stay in Arusha, as well as touristic excursions to attractions within Tanzania. Located on the “safari circuit”, the internship program is based near to some of Africa’s most beautiful environments, including Serengeti, Mount Kilimanjaro, the Ngorongoro Conservation Area, and Arusha National Park on Mount Meru. Whether you’re content with local entertainment, such as Maasai markets, cafes, music, nightlife, and cinema, or you’re planning to book in big ticket items such as overnight safari camps and mountain trekking adventures, our local team will assist you with itinerary advice and planning.

Day trips

Day trips are popular among interns and perfect for taking advantage of the weekends during your internship. Depending on the excursion, the rates can range from US$60 up to US$450, including round trip transportation and lunch. (The more expensive day trip rates cover transportation to destinations that are further afield, such as Serengeti and Ngorongoro. Note that the day trip cost will typically exclude additional gate entry fees, which may be subject to change). While you’re planning your internship in Tanzania, don’t miss:

Arusha National Park: Near Mt Meru, the park offers easy game drives and scenic walking tours, where you can discover beautiful streams, waterfalls and rivers.
Tarangire: This destination offers the chance to spot the Big Five. Keep an eye out for herds of elephants, lion prides, giraffes and many more animals within their natural habitat.
Lake Manyara: This lush oasis was once described by Ernest Hemingway as “the loveliest in Africa”. Relax on a peaceful game drive and enjoy the vista of buffalo, flamingo, lions, impala and more.
Serengeti: One of the Seven Natural Wonders of the World, the famous Serengeti ecosystem extends right up to Kenya.
Ngorongoro Conservation Area: Located in northern Tanzania, the region is home to the Big Five and boasts the vast, volcanic Ngorongoro Crater - a breathtaking natural wonder.
Metaruni Waterfalls Hike: Go trekking to the waterfalls through the foothills overshadowed by Mt Kilimanjaro. Enjoy lunch in the town of Moshi.
Hot Springs: It’s a longer drive to visit the natural hot springs in Moshi, but worth the trip! Soak in the warm waters against the backdrop of Mount Kilimanjaro.
Maasai Culture Tour: Visit a Maasai homestead for a friendly guided experience and meet members from the impressive nomadic tribe, who retain their unique cultural identity.
Snake Park: Check out a variety of snake breeds, from small grass snakes to cobras. The park is also home to other species of birds and amphibians and features a Maasai market.

Overnight safari tours and trekking

If you want to plan a Tanzanian adventure before or after your internship, we can assist you to arrange overnight camping safaris of the Northern Circuit (Tarangire, Serengeti and Ngorongoro), as well as a Mount Kilimanjaro trekking package (all inclusive six day climb). Extended safari tours are popular and two all-inclusive options offer either camping or lodge accommodation. Pricing details can be provided to interns once they have registered.

Photo gallery

Country profile

Capital	Dodoma
Population	47.78 million
Languages	Swahili and English
Currency	Tanzanian Shilling (TZS)
Time zone	UTC+03:00

Weather and climate: In Arusha, where the Tanzania internship programs are based, the warm season typically lasts from January till late March. During this period, the average daily high is around 81°F / 27°C. The cooler season is from mid May till late August and the coldest month of the year is usually in July, when the low reaches around 56°F / 13°C. The dry season is considered to run from late May through till mid November. Rainfall can occur during the rest of the year, December through April.

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