At a glance
- Shadow nurses and doctors, and see what the day-to-day life of a doctor in Tanzania is like.
- During outreach work you can use some of the practical skills you’ve learnt to provide basic healthcare to rural communities.
- We have scheduled cultural and tourist activities which you can enjoy with a group of like-minded volunteers your age. Our local staff will be there to guide you 24/7.
- Shadowing Hours: 25 to 50
Volunteer Service Hours: 15 to 30 - Download a sample itinerary for this project.
Is a Medicine internship in Tanzania for teenagers right for me?
This internship is ideal for you if you’re a high school student interested in a medical career. You’ll gain practical experience that will give your CV an extra edge. In addition, the outreach work you do will also help demonstrate your commitment to helping others.
If you’re not sure if a career in medicine is for you, this is the chance to see what it’s like to be a doctor or nurse. You can get valuable insight into this career path before committing to years of studying. You’ll also gain skills that are valuable in every career, like teamwork, planning, and leadership.
You don’t need any particular experience or qualifications to join. All of your work is supervised, and our staff are there to guide and help you every step of the way.
For this project, our staff have designed a set itinerary of work and cultural and leisure activities specifically for teenagers. It’s the perfect project for you if you want to get the most out of your time abroad without the added stress of organising your own activities.
What will I do on this Medicine internship for high school students?
You’ll spend time working in hospitals and getting practical medical experience in a Maasai community. Here are some of the tasks you’ll do:
- Shadow qualified doctors and nurses in a large hospital in Arusha
- Attend regular medical workshops and learn about medical conditions common in Tanzania
- Provide Maasai people with basic healthcare during medical outreaches
- Explore Tanzania with a group of volunteers your age
Shadow doctors and nurses
As part of this internship, you’ll get to observe the work of doctors and nurses. You’ll be assigned a supervising doctor who will guide you through your different tasks.
Get the chance to see first-hand what working in a hospital in Tanzania is like. You’ll sit in on consultations and get to see how to use specialised medical equipment.
Because the hospital where you work is under-resourced, you’ll also get to see the innovative ways doctors cope with running out of supplies. It’ll give you a broader understanding of how medicine is practised in another country.
Attend workshops run by healthcare professionals
You’ll spend part of this internship attending medical workshops. You’ll learn about common diseases in Tanzania, like malaria and HIV/AIDS. Doctors will also give you first aid training or teach you things like how to suture or give injections.
You’ll also learn practical skills like how to measure blood pressure and blood sugar. You’ll then use these skills at medical outreaches.
Help at medical outreaches
During your time in Tanzania, you’ll participate in medical outreaches. These cover different topics, but you’ll always have plenty of preparation during workshops beforehand. Some examples include visiting a kindergarten to share knowledge about the importance of oral hygiene, or doing basic health checks in a Maasai community.
The communities where we hold outreaches are usually remote or rural, with no access to regular medical care. So the work you do during outreaches will help improve access to basic healthcare for these communities.
Explore this beautiful country
This programme has a set itinerary and although you’ll be doing lots of learning, there are also plenty of leisure activities in between. So, as part of this project, you’ll get to explore Tanzania and learn more about local culture. Through all your adventures, you’ll be with a group of volunteers your age. Our friendly staff will also be there to guide and supervise you.
You’ll have a cooking lesson to learn how to cook local dishes. During a visit to a Maasai community, you’ll enjoy a traditional lunch and get to see handmade beaded jewellery. You’ll even have a weekend safari through a breath-taking wildlife reserve.
Where in Tanzania will I be working?
Arusha
You’ll be based in Arusha, a city in northern Tanzania. This city is an eclectic mix of modern and less developed buildings. It’s a buzzing city, filled with local markets and restaurants. On the outskirts, there are lush landscapes and the serene beauty of the African savannah.
You’ll work in a hospital and in remote communities. The hospital where you work will be less developed than you’re used to, giving you the chance to see a different side of healthcare. You’ll also conduct outreaches in remote communities, particularly in a rural Maasai community. You might also run outreaches in kindergartens or care centres.
What are the aims and impact of this Medicine internship in Tanzania?
The aim of this project is to give you an introduction to a career in medicine. You’ll learn practical medical skills that will give you the confidence for university applications. You’ll also get to see what working in a hospital would be like, which can help you decide on your future career path.
We also aim to provide basic healthcare to remote and rural communities. These communities don’t have the funds or transport to seek regular medical assistance. By helping at outreaches, you’ll help doctors advise and treat patients in these communities. You’ll also raise awareness about disease prevention.
Join this internship for high school students, gain medical experience, and help us work towards providing basic healthcare for disadvantaged groups in Tanzania.
Management plans
We set out the aims and objectives of our projects in documents called Management Plans. We use them to properly plan the work you’ll do. They also help us measure and evaluate our achievements and impact each year.
Ultimately, our Management Plans help us make our projects better. This in turn means you get to be part of something that makes a real impact where it’s needed. Read more about our Management Plans.
Measuring our impact
Every year, thousands of High School Special volunteers and interns actively make a difference around the world. During their time abroad, they contribute towards achieving long-term goals and make a long-lasting positive impact on the communities where they work.
We produce an annual High School Specials Impact Report, which documents some of these achievements. Find out more about the impact of these projects, and read the latest report.
Food and accommodation
Accommodation
Where you’ll stay: You’ll be immersed in Tanzanian culture while living in a guesthouse or with a host family in Arusha. Your host will share their way of life while learning about yours. We believe this offers the most authentic experience.
We’ll place you close to your project, making it an easy commute. If you do need to take public transport, local staff will show you how to do this during your induction.
Comfort level: Your accommodation will be modest, but it’ll have everything you need to feel comfortable and safe.
We can’t guarantee you’ll have wifi or hot showers. Many local people don’t either, so embrace their way of life.
Who you’ll live with: We’ll try to ensure you share your room with another High School Special volunteer or intern. By staying with someone your age, you’ll be able to share this incredible experience.
They could come from anywhere in the world, giving you another opportunity to learn about a different culture.
Learn more about our accommodation.
Food
Daily meals: Three meals a day and clean drinking water are included in the fee. Your host will prepare authentic home-cooked meals. Local staff will take you to some of Arusha’s best restaurants.
Dietary requirements: Everyone’s diet is different and we cater to as many as possible. In Tanzania, we can provide vegetarian, vegan, and halal food. We’ll discuss your needs during the booking process to ensure you eat well during your trip.
Tanzanian cuisine: Escape your culinary comfort zone in Tanzania and embrace the incredible dishes on offer. This may include mshikaki (marinated meat skewers), chipsi mayai (chips and eggs), maandazi (fried doughnuts), and biryani (spiced rice).
Safety and staff support
Your safety and security is our prime concern. We have many procedures and systems to ensure you have all the extra support you need as a young person travelling abroad. Our Projects Abroad staff are there for you 24 hours a day during the week and over weekends to provide constant support and guidance. Our staff also make sure you feel comfortable and safe at your placement and accommodation. If you encounter any problems, they will be available to help at any time.
Find out more about safety and backup.
Meet the team in Tanzania
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