Where
Kathmandu, Nepal
When
Weekly departures, year-round (except closure periods)
Duration
Minimum 3 weeks
Accommodation
Shared or private rooms in a volunteer house with meals included
Language
English (beginner level recommended)
Ideal for
Anyone studying medicine who wants to challenge themselves in an international setting and discover a new healthcare system first-hand
Project details
A medical experience that brings together practice and culture
In Nepal, the healthcare system faces daily challenges due to limited resources and high patient demand. For many young medical students, witnessing this reality first-hand means understanding what it truly means to practise medicine in a context very different from the Western world.
This programme opens the doors of Kathmandu's hospitals to students and aspiring professionals who want to observe real procedures and learn directly alongside local doctors and nurses. As a participant, you will follow daily ward activities, have the opportunity to observe operations and gain a new perspective on how healthcare works in another country.
It is a chance to grow professionally while at the same time experiencing an authentic immersion in Nepali culture.
This programme opens the doors of Kathmandu's hospitals to students and aspiring professionals who want to observe real procedures and learn directly alongside local doctors and nurses. As a participant, you will follow daily ward activities, have the opportunity to observe operations and gain a new perspective on how healthcare works in another country.
It is a chance to grow professionally while at the same time experiencing an authentic immersion in Nepali culture.
A Medical Internship in the Heart of Nepal
A medical experience that brings together practice and culture
In Nepal, the healthcare system faces daily challenges due to limited resources and high patient demand. For many young medical students, witnessing this reality first-hand means understanding what it truly means to practise medicine in a context very different from the Western world.
This programme opens the doors of Kathmandu's hospitals to students and aspiring professionals who want to observe real procedures and learn directly alongside local doctors and nurses. As a participant, you will follow daily ward activities, have the opportunity to observe operations and gain a new perspective on how healthcare works in another country.
It is a chance to grow professionally while at the same time experiencing an authentic immersion in Nepali culture.
This programme opens the doors of Kathmandu's hospitals to students and aspiring professionals who want to observe real procedures and learn directly alongside local doctors and nurses. As a participant, you will follow daily ward activities, have the opportunity to observe operations and gain a new perspective on how healthcare works in another country.
It is a chance to grow professionally while at the same time experiencing an authentic immersion in Nepali culture.
Why participate
Develop your medical skills
Observe real clinical procedures and work alongside local professionals, turning the theory you have studied at university into hands-on practical experience.
Why participate
Develop your medical skills
Observe real clinical procedures and work alongside local professionals, turning the theory you have studied at university into hands-on practical experience.
Discover a different healthcare system
Experience first-hand how medicine works in Nepal, learning to adapt to a context with different resources and challenges from those you are used to.
The Weekly Program
Weekdays
From Monday to Friday, your days unfold inside the hospitals — across wards, consultations and observations of clinical procedures.
Hours are flexible and may vary according to the doctors' needs, with a guaranteed minimum of 25 hours per week. In your free time you can connect with other participants and explore local life in Kathmandu.
07:30Breakfast and getting ready for the day
08:30Arrival at the hospital and shadowing doctors in the wards
11:00Observing clinical visits and procedures in the ward or outpatient clinic
13:00Lunch break at the placement or a nearby restaurant
15:00Return to the ward for shadowing and discussion with the medical team
18:30Return to the house, time to unwind, shared dinner and socialising
Weekend
Weekends are free from scheduled activities. You can explore the area, join small day trips or simply relax with the other volunteers.
Trip to Nagarkot
Watch the sunrise over the Himalayas and soak up one of the most breathtaking views in the Kathmandu Valley.
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FAQs
During your stay in Kathmandu you will live in the Program House in Dhapasi Height, about five kilometres from the city centre. The facility is simple yet welcoming, with spaces designed for communal life: a small garden, a mini library and lounge areas to relax or share moments with other participants.
Rooms are shared between 4 and 6 people, with the option to request an upgrade to a private room for those seeking more privacy. Each room has a lock and is equipped with a fan, mosquito nets and bed linen; towels are not provided. Bathrooms are shared and have hot showers. There is no air conditioning, but Kathmandu's mild climate makes it comfortable year-round.
Meals are included: three per day on weekdays and two at the weekend. The food is simple and alternates between Nepali and Western dishes, with a focus on vegetarian options. Filtered drinking water, tea and coffee are always available; if you have any dietary requirements, just let us know in advance.
The house has Wi-Fi in the common areas, safety deposit boxes, a shared fridge and a paid laundry service. Nearby you will find shops, cafés and supermarkets within about a 15-minute walk.
To stay connected throughout your stay, we recommend purchasing an eSIM before you leave. With Airalo you can activate it in minutes and be online as soon as you land: find out how here.
🛏️ Included services:
- Accommodation in shared or private rooms
- 3 meals a day on weekdays, 2 at the weekend
- Free drinks (water, tea and coffee)
- Wi-Fi in common areas
- Safety deposit box and lockable rooms
- Hot showers and bed linen provided
- Continuous support from the local team
The Program House is much more than a place to sleep: it's a meeting point of cultures, a place to make friends, share stories from the day and feel part of a small international community.
Rooms are shared between 4 and 6 people, with the option to request an upgrade to a private room for those seeking more privacy. Each room has a lock and is equipped with a fan, mosquito nets and bed linen; towels are not provided. Bathrooms are shared and have hot showers. There is no air conditioning, but Kathmandu's mild climate makes it comfortable year-round.
Meals are included: three per day on weekdays and two at the weekend. The food is simple and alternates between Nepali and Western dishes, with a focus on vegetarian options. Filtered drinking water, tea and coffee are always available; if you have any dietary requirements, just let us know in advance.
The house has Wi-Fi in the common areas, safety deposit boxes, a shared fridge and a paid laundry service. Nearby you will find shops, cafés and supermarkets within about a 15-minute walk.
To stay connected throughout your stay, we recommend purchasing an eSIM before you leave. With Airalo you can activate it in minutes and be online as soon as you land: find out how here.
🛏️ Included services:
- Accommodation in shared or private rooms
- 3 meals a day on weekdays, 2 at the weekend
- Free drinks (water, tea and coffee)
- Wi-Fi in common areas
- Safety deposit box and lockable rooms
- Hot showers and bed linen provided
- Continuous support from the local team
The Program House is much more than a place to sleep: it's a meeting point of cultures, a place to make friends, share stories from the day and feel part of a small international community.
The safety of our participants is our top priority. All programmes in Kathmandu are structured to ensure a welcoming and secure environment, both in the hospitals where you will work and in the Program House where you will stay.
🔹 Participant screening and safe environments
To protect local communities, we require every participant to provide a criminal record check before departure. This straightforward step ensures a safe and reassuring experience for everyone.
🔹 High safety standards
We work with trusted hospitals and communities experienced in welcoming travellers from around the world. The Program House is located in a quiet neighbourhood, with lockable rooms, safety deposit boxes and a constant local team presence. Our partners welcome hundreds of international volunteers every year — from the youngest to the most experienced — and are well prepared to support this diversity.
🔹 24/7 support
From the moment you arrive until the end of your experience, you can count on the continuous support of our local staff, available to help you even in the evenings or at weekends. Our team will also be reachable at any time via WhatsApp for any need.
🔹 Training and orientation
On your first day you will attend an orientation session covering all the essential information on culture, behaviour and safety. You will also receive a detailed guide before departure with practical tips to make the most of your experience.
🔹 Best practices for a safe and enjoyable experience
Kathmandu is a vibrant and welcoming city, but as in any major urban centre it is important to take a few precautions:
✔ Avoid going out alone at night in isolated or poorly lit areas
✔ Travel with other volunteers whenever possible
✔ Always follow the guidance and advice of the local team
💡 Our goal is to provide you with a safe and welcoming environment, so you can focus on what truly matters: living an enriching and meaningful experience.
🔹 Participant screening and safe environments
To protect local communities, we require every participant to provide a criminal record check before departure. This straightforward step ensures a safe and reassuring experience for everyone.
🔹 High safety standards
We work with trusted hospitals and communities experienced in welcoming travellers from around the world. The Program House is located in a quiet neighbourhood, with lockable rooms, safety deposit boxes and a constant local team presence. Our partners welcome hundreds of international volunteers every year — from the youngest to the most experienced — and are well prepared to support this diversity.
🔹 24/7 support
From the moment you arrive until the end of your experience, you can count on the continuous support of our local staff, available to help you even in the evenings or at weekends. Our team will also be reachable at any time via WhatsApp for any need.
🔹 Training and orientation
On your first day you will attend an orientation session covering all the essential information on culture, behaviour and safety. You will also receive a detailed guide before departure with practical tips to make the most of your experience.
🔹 Best practices for a safe and enjoyable experience
Kathmandu is a vibrant and welcoming city, but as in any major urban centre it is important to take a few precautions:
✔ Avoid going out alone at night in isolated or poorly lit areas
✔ Travel with other volunteers whenever possible
✔ Always follow the guidance and advice of the local team
💡 Our goal is to provide you with a safe and welcoming environment, so you can focus on what truly matters: living an enriching and meaningful experience.
🧭 Orientation day
Your experience begins with a full day dedicated to orientation, designed to help you settle in, get to know the local context and make the most of the weeks ahead.
On your first Monday, you will take part in a range of activities led by the local team:
- Welcome ceremony and icebreaker activities with the other participants
- Programme overview, house rules presentation and signing of the Code of Conduct
- Practical tips on health, safety and cultural behaviour in Nepal
- Introduction to Nepali culture, with insights into local customs and everyday life
- Neighbourhood tour around the Program House to find ATMs, shops and useful services
- Help with buying local SIM cards or small essentials. If you prefer to arrive with an eSIM already active, avoiding the need to buy a SIM on-site, you can purchase one before departure through Airalo, our affiliated partner.
👉 You can do so using this link
Orientation is also a time to start getting to know one another, share your reasons for being there and let yourself be guided by people who know Kathmandu and its everyday life.
📌 From Tuesday you will begin shadowing doctors in Kathmandu's hospitals, but from day one you will already have the foundations to approach the experience with awareness and an open mind.
Your experience begins with a full day dedicated to orientation, designed to help you settle in, get to know the local context and make the most of the weeks ahead.
On your first Monday, you will take part in a range of activities led by the local team:
- Welcome ceremony and icebreaker activities with the other participants
- Programme overview, house rules presentation and signing of the Code of Conduct
- Practical tips on health, safety and cultural behaviour in Nepal
- Introduction to Nepali culture, with insights into local customs and everyday life
- Neighbourhood tour around the Program House to find ATMs, shops and useful services
- Help with buying local SIM cards or small essentials. If you prefer to arrive with an eSIM already active, avoiding the need to buy a SIM on-site, you can purchase one before departure through Airalo, our affiliated partner.
👉 You can do so using this link
Orientation is also a time to start getting to know one another, share your reasons for being there and let yourself be guided by people who know Kathmandu and its everyday life.
📌 From Tuesday you will begin shadowing doctors in Kathmandu's hospitals, but from day one you will already have the foundations to approach the experience with awareness and an open mind.
We recommend booking a flight arriving at Tribhuvan International Airport (KTM) in Kathmandu on a Sunday between 06:00 and 24:00. During this window our welcome and transfer service to the Program House in Dhapasi Height is active.
The included pick-up is scheduled at 16:00 on Sunday: a member of our team will be waiting at the meeting point with a sign.
If you arrive on Saturday, you will need to book an extra night (at an additional cost).
If you arrive outside the scheduled time or on a different day, you can choose:
a private transfer (at a small extra cost), or
make your own way by taxi, arranging the details with the local team in advance.
📌 Important: if you can't immediately find our staff, don't leave the meeting point. Stay there and we will find you! After your booking is confirmed you will receive emergency numbers and practical instructions to keep with you at all times.
📱 A handy tip: if you want to have internet from the moment you land, you can activate an eSIM before departure with Airalo, our partner. Use this link
The journey from the airport to the Program House takes approximately 45 minutes by taxi (traffic permitting). You may be able to share the ride with other participants arriving at the same time.
🚖 Departure and return flight tips Check-out from the Program House is by 12:00 on Saturday.
The return transfer is not included: each participant arranges their own taxi to the airport (the average cost is 600–1,000 NPR, approximately €5–8).
We recommend booking your return flight on Saturday afternoon or evening, so you have plenty of time to leave the house calmly and reach the airport without rushing.
If you are continuing your travels in Nepal or beyond, let us know in advance: we will be happy to offer useful tips to help you plan your departure.
💡 After your booking is confirmed you will receive a detailed document by email with all practical instructions, emergency contacts and local team information.
The included pick-up is scheduled at 16:00 on Sunday: a member of our team will be waiting at the meeting point with a sign.
If you arrive on Saturday, you will need to book an extra night (at an additional cost).
If you arrive outside the scheduled time or on a different day, you can choose:
a private transfer (at a small extra cost), or
make your own way by taxi, arranging the details with the local team in advance.
📌 Important: if you can't immediately find our staff, don't leave the meeting point. Stay there and we will find you! After your booking is confirmed you will receive emergency numbers and practical instructions to keep with you at all times.
📱 A handy tip: if you want to have internet from the moment you land, you can activate an eSIM before departure with Airalo, our partner. Use this link
The journey from the airport to the Program House takes approximately 45 minutes by taxi (traffic permitting). You may be able to share the ride with other participants arriving at the same time.
🚖 Departure and return flight tips Check-out from the Program House is by 12:00 on Saturday.
The return transfer is not included: each participant arranges their own taxi to the airport (the average cost is 600–1,000 NPR, approximately €5–8).
We recommend booking your return flight on Saturday afternoon or evening, so you have plenty of time to leave the house calmly and reach the airport without rushing.
If you are continuing your travels in Nepal or beyond, let us know in advance: we will be happy to offer useful tips to help you plan your departure.
💡 After your booking is confirmed you will receive a detailed document by email with all practical instructions, emergency contacts and local team information.
Book your spot
1
Send your application (free!)
Choose the project that inspires you most and indicate the period you would like to travel. No commitment: the application is free and non-binding.
2
Meet your coordinator
After your application, we will put you in touch with your dedicated coordinator. They will explain everything in detail and answer all your questions.
3
Confirm your spot
When you're ready, pay the deposit to lock in your spot. You'll get everything you need: local contacts, a visa guide and your pre-trip pack.
4
Set off on your adventure!
Pack your bags and go! On arrival you will find other volunteers like you, a welcoming local team and an experience you will hardly forget.
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