Internship details
Nursing interns in Arusha, Tanzania, will experience nursing care in a regional or community hospital environment. Interns work under the supervision of the nursing team in the diverse areas of the hospital, and rotation between departments is possible under supervision. Various departments include general medicine, surgical, theatres, outpatients, children’s wards, community health, and HIV outpatients.
We encourage interns to state any department preferences when applying. Interns are matched to their specific placement according to an analysis of their skills, experience, educational background, and duration of stay (as well as considering any preferences that have been communicated).
It is important to note that the pace of life in Arusha can at times be slower and less streamlined. When patient or work-flow at clinics is slow, interns must be adaptable, proactive, and willing to help where needed (as is appropriate, given the situation).
Healthcare facilities in Tanzania are unlike what you may be used to within your home country. There can be a general lack of adequate medication, as well as under-staffed facilities. Culture shock can be more pronounced and difficult in medical settings, especially when - due to limited funding and scarce resources - patients endure conditions that would be considered unacceptable in other parts of the world. Interns must come prepared to maintain a high level of professionalism, focus and compassion.
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 were all helpful with answering questions and being a friendly face to see every day. She checked in on me quite frequently to see how I was doing in my placement and overall. There is a lot of public transportation that will help you get anywhere you want. Everyone in the city who I interacted it were very friendly. I lived not too far from my work and the center of the city. The interns all got very close as well, which made Arusha feel like home. The experience was something I will treasure for a lifetime, and hopefully will get to do again sometime in the future. I would highly recommend this experience to anyone interested."
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Program fees
| Internship Duration |
Program Fee (USD) |
| 2 weeks |
$610 |
| 3 weeks |
$715 |
| 4 weeks |
$820 |
| 5 weeks |
$925 |
| 6 weeks |
$1030 |
| 8 weeks |
$1240 |
| 10 weeks |
$1450 |
| 12 weeks |
$1660 |
Keen to get started?
Taking the first step is easy! Our team is here to provide friendly assistance, from your initial research and planning phases, right through until your internship completion. To get started, submit an application. It is free to apply and takes just 5 minutes.
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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 24 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.
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.
