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Healthcare placement in Kathmandu

Step into the hospitals of Kathmandu and work alongside local professionals in your field: dentistry, physiotherapy or nursing. A hands-on, observational experience that broadens your skills and gives you a grounded view of global healthcare.

Where

Where

Kathmandu, Nepal

When

When

Departures every week, all year round (excluding national holiday closures)

Duration

Duration

From 4 weeks

Accommodation

Accommodation

Shared or private rooms at the Program House in Kathmandu, with meals included and shared common areas with other international participants.

Language

Language

Intermediate to advanced English recommended

Ideal for

Ideal for

Students and professionals in dentistry, physiotherapy or nursing who want a structured healthcare placement abroad, observing and working alongside the local staff in an international hospital setting.

Travel destination

Project details

About section

A structured healthcare project where you observe and work alongside local professionals in dentistry, physiotherapy or nursing, seeing the Nepali healthcare system from the inside.

 

The Nepali healthcare system runs differently from a Western one: limited resources, high patient numbers, and a strong human element in everyday care. In that context, hospitals and clinics in Kathmandu welcome students and healthcare professionals for observational placements alongside the local staff.

This project is built for those studying or working in dentistry, physiotherapy or nursing who want a structured placement abroad. Depending on your background, you'll join a specific placement, working closely with the local team and observing procedures, workflows and clinical approaches typical of each discipline.

It's not about replacing the local staff: it's about learning through daily presence, observation and professional exchange. An experience that adds to your healthcare path, helping you build adaptability, awareness and a wider view of your role as a healthcare professional.

Why participate

A targeted healthcare placement

Choose the path that fits your profile (dentistry, physiotherapy or nursing) and live an experience in line with your studies or your work.

A targeted healthcare placement

See clinical practice up close

See clinical practice up close

The Weekly Program

Weekdays

From Monday to Friday, your days are mostly spent in hospitals, clinics or rehabilitation centres in Kathmandu, where you'll observe and work alongside local professionals in your healthcare field (dentistry, physiotherapy or nursing).

During the day you'll join clinical observation sessions, support the staff and have time to talk things through with doctors, nurses and therapists. In the afternoon, the remaining time can go on study, reflection on the placement, or sharing notes with the local team and the other participants.

07:00Breakfast and getting ready for the day
08:00Heading to the hospital or placement and a briefing with the local staff
11:00Observing and working alongside the team in clinical activities (wards, therapy sessions or outpatient clinics)
13:00Lunch break (at the centre, the placement or local venues)
15:00Carrying on with the healthcare activities or time to talk things through and learn with the team
19:00Back at the centre, shared dinner and free time with the group

Weekend

Weekends are free of set activities. You can explore Kathmandu and the surrounding valley, join cultural day trips, or just take it easy in the common areas of the centre with the other participants.

Explore Thamel and central Kathmandu

Explore Thamel and central Kathmandu

Wander busy lanes, craft shops and local cafés, settling into daily life in the Nepali capital.

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Cost calculator

Weeks:
2
Total cost:
£0
🍽️Accommodation, meals and daily essentials included
🚫No group kitty, no add-ons, no hidden fees
🫶Your fee directly supports our local partner

What's included

What's not included

FAQs

🏔️ Your accommodation in Kathmandu

You'll be staying at the Program House, around 5 km from the centre of Kathmandu. A house set up to welcome international participants, where daily life becomes part of the experience.

🛏️ Rooms and comfort
Shared rooms (4–6 people) or private rooms (1–2 people)
Lockable rooms
• Hot showers and shared facilities
• Fan in each room
• No air conditioning (the milder mountain climate keeps things comfortable)
• Bed linen included, towels not provided


🍽️ Meals
• 3 meals a day on weekdays, 2 at weekends
• Mostly vegetarian Nepali cooking
• Filtered drinking water and tea always available
• Packed lunch or eating out, depending on your placement


🌿 Common spaces
• Shared lounge and dining room
• Garden to relax in and spend time together
• Mini-library and study spaces


💬 Settling in
The Program House is a place to share and live alongside others. This is where conversations, friendships and reflections take shape, well beyond the healthcare placement itself.
🛡️ Safety and support

Kathmandu is a lively but generally safe city. The programme is set up to give you a protected, clear and well-coordinated context.

🔹 Ongoing support
Local team available 24/7 for emergencies, questions or anything practical.

🔹 Selection and orientation
A criminal record check (DBS or equivalent) is required, plus an orientation day and clear shared-living rules to keep the setting respectful and reliable.

🔹 Sensible habits
✔ Travel in a group when you can
✔ Follow the local team's advice
✔ Be culturally aware in your behaviour


💡 Our aim
To put you in the best position to live the experience calmly, with space to focus on learning, exchange and personal growth.
🧭 Orientation day

The Monday of your first week is your Orientation Day: a key moment to get to grips with the context, the rules and the local culture.

On the day:

• Traditional welcome ceremony (Puja)
• Introduction to Nepali culture and social norms
• Safety guidelines and signing the required documents
• Info on your placement and a visit to the healthcare facilities
• Help with a local SIM, money exchange and any first errands


From Tuesday you'll start the healthcare activities, settled in and ready.
✈️ Tips for arrival

We'd recommend booking a flight into Tribhuvan International Airport (KTM), Nepal's only international airport. The standard pickup runs on Sunday from 06:00 to 24:00.

📍 Meeting point

You can choose to meet the team at the airport, or make your own way to the Program House, Dhapasi Height, Kathmandu (pickup at 16:00).

🕒 Transfer time

Airport to Program House: around 45 to 60 minutes, depending on traffic.

💡 Arriving outside those hours

Early arrivals or arrivals outside the window may need extra nights or a paid private pickup. Either way, please share your flight details with us in advance.

🚖 Departure

Check-out is by 12:00 on Saturday. The return transfer isn't included, but the local team can help you book a taxi or sort the journey home.

💡 Once your booking is confirmed

We'll email you a full pack with up-to-date instructions, emergency contacts and step-by-step arrival info.
Still have questions?

Book your spot

Booking
1

Send your application (free)

Pick the project you like the look of and tell us when you'd like to travel. No commitment, the application is free and non-binding.

2

Meet your coordinator

After your application, we'll put you in touch with your dedicated coordinator. They'll walk you through everything and answer 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

Off you go

Pack your bag and travel. On arrival you'll find other travellers like you, a welcoming local team, and a trip you'll be talking about for a while.

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18+ confirmed participants in the coming months