Medical Internships in Peru
A Global Medical Internship Experience in Cusco
Proyecto Peru’s Medical Internship programmes are built for students and early-career professionals who want serious, structured exposure to healthcare systems outside their home countries. We host interns from universities and training institutions across the world, including the United States, the United Kingdom, Germany, Hong Kong, and many other countries. This international mix creates a professional and culturally rich learning environment.
Our medical internships are not short-term volunteering experiences. They are educational placements designed to complement formal academic study, meet elective requirements, strengthen professional understanding, and provide insight into real-world healthcare delivery in Cusco and Peru.
Interns are placed in a range of healthcare settings, including both public and private clinics and specialist practices, depending on availability, background, and learning objectives. This allows participants to see firsthand the differences in resources, patient demographics, and clinical workflows across the Peruvian healthcare system.
“We are so happy to be partners with you – thank you for teaching our students so well and for your flexibility – it is much appreciated. Looking forward to more!”
Ethical, Supervised, and Academically Aligned
All medical internships are conducted under the supervision of qualified local professionals. Scope of practice is strictly aligned with your academic level, experience, and local regulations. Patient safety, informed consent, and ethical global health practice are non-negotiable principles across all placements.
These internships are observational or supportive in nature for most participants and are intended to enhance academic learning rather than replace formal clinical training.
Who These Internships Are For
Medical internships are suitable for:
University students studying medicine, dentistry, psychology, physiotherapy, midwifery, nursing, or related health sciences
Postgraduate students completing required observational or practical components
Recent graduates seeking pre-professional experience before further study or licensure
Applicants must demonstrate relevant academic background and a clear educational motivation for participation. An up to date resume/cv and a video interview arerequired as part of the application process
Language and Communication
Placements are available in English-speaking and Spanish-speaking environments. Some clinics and professionals work primarily in English, particularly in private settings, while many public healthcare environments operate entirely in Spanish.
While Spanish is not always mandatory, a working level of Spanish is strongly encouraged. The ability to communicate directly with patients, staff, and community members significantly deepens both the learning experience and the professional value of the internship. Interns with a higher level of Spanish are often given more responsibilities.
To support this, Proyecto Peru offers a dedicated Medical Spanish course designed specifically for healthcare students and professionals. Many interns choose to combine language study with their placement or opt to classes online before arriving in Cusco.
Available Medical Internship Programmes
Doctor’s Assistant Internship
Project description
Interns in the Doctor’s Assistant & Nursing program are placed in either a private or public clinic in Cusco. These clinics operate like small hospitals and offer a wide variety of healthcare services including triage, obstetrics, surgery and more. Interns have the opportunity to shadow doctors and nurses, observe activities and working methods and get an idea of the Peruvian healthcare system.
Typically interns will rotate through the different departments of the clinic, although if a particular specalism is desired it may be possible to spend more time with one department.
There is also the possibility of supporting health campaigns in surrounding towns and villages promoting vaccination and general health issue awareness.
Please note that the amount of work and the level of responsibility you get is very dependent on your Spanish level and attitude. In a medical environment, it is essential to first gain some trust with the doctors and nurses, so being able to communicate properly in Spanish will help you gain their trust and confidence. Being proactive and taking initiative is also highly appreciated.
Project Profile
- Minimum stay: 4 weeks
- Working hours: Monday to Friday from 8am until 1/2pm
- Spanish: Intermediate
- Donation: $15 every week
Tasks
- Observe the clinic, its activities, and working methods
- Shadow doctors and nurses
- Support in administrative work
- Support the doctors and/or nurses
- Make recommendations about treatment
- Support in health campaigns: visit communities and give vaccinations (optional)
Work gear
Make sure to pack your scrubs as these are not provided. They can be purchased in Cusco
Good to know
Volunteers and interns with a higher level of Spanish will normally be given more opportunities to move around the different areas within their clinic.
Physiotherapy
Project description
Physiotherapy interns work at a school for children with disabilities. The main goal of this institution is to improve the children’s autonomy and functional capabilities to make them happier and more independent!
The Special Education Center has around 58 Children. Besides these children, they take care of more than 35 children outside the centre, who live in other institutions.
Three professionals are focused on the education of the children outside of the centre. Within the Centre, more than 11 professionals take care of and educate the children with disabilities. The team of professionals consists of teachers, therapists, physicians, language specialists, nutritionists, and doctors.
In this project, you will primarily observe and support the physiotherapist. You will help the therapist with evaluating, developing, and executing physiotherapy programs for children with disabilities.
Project Profile
- Minimum stay: 3 weeks
- Working hours: Monday to Friday from 8am until 1/2pm
- Spanish: Intermediate
- Donation: $60 once
Tasks
- Shadow and observe physiotherapists
- Assist and support physiotherapists: Evaluating, developing, executing physiotherapy programs
- Support in administrative work
- Take care of the children
- Organize and support in daily activities
Good to know
This internship is unavailable during national school holidays: January & February July 26th – August 15th
Midwifery
Project description
Within the Midwifery project you will be placed in the maternity department of a clinic. You will shadow, observe and assist with the daily operations. This may include preparing materials, administrative work, keeping track of patients and assisting with check ups. You will be working with mothers at all stages of their pregnancies, not just during the birthing process. The tasks you take part in and whether you will be involved in births will depend on your experience and knowledge.
Project Profile
- Minimum stay: 4 weeks
- Working hours: Monday to Friday from 8am until 1/2pm
- Spanish: Intermediate
- Donation: $15 per week
Tasks
- Observe the Maternity department, its activities and working methods
- Shadow midwives
- Assist and support midwives
- Prepare materials
- Support in administrative work: admission of incoming patients and history reports
- Make recommendations about patients
- Support in controls, keep track of patients, and optionally visit the mothers (and children) in their homes
Work Gear
Please bring scrubs as these are not provided. They can be purchased in Cusco.
Good to Know
You are required to have an intermediate to advanced level of Spanish and 3 months of study or experience in a related field to participate in this program.
Psychology
Project description
Psychology interns are placed in the psychology department of a clinic. The intern gets the opportunity to shadow a psychologist and observe activities and working methods to get an idea of the Peruvian healthcare system.
In this project interns will primarily shadow, observe, and assist the psychologist. They also support the psychologist in administrative work and make recommendations about the patients.
Optionally, you interns work on educational campaigns. Unfortunately, domestic violence is still a serious problem in Peru. During these campaigns, interns visit families and go into the street to talk with people about these topics.
Please note that the amount of work and the level of responsibility you get is very dependent on your Spanish level.
Project Profile
- Minimum stay: 4 weeks
- Working hours: Monday to Friday from 8am until 1/2pm
- Spanish: Intermediate
- Donation: $60 once
Tasks
- Shadow and observe psychologists: their activities and working methods
- Support in administrative work
- Assist and support the psychologist
- Make recommendations about the patients
- Educational campaigns (optional)
Good to Know
For interns with a minimum of 3 months of related study or experience, there may be opportunity to intern in a youth detention centre or women’s refuge
Dentistry
Project description
In this internship, you will assist the dentist in several areas. These include implantology, orthodontics, endodoncy, pediatric dentistry, and more.
You will prepare materials and instruments, observe and advise the dentist, assist in operations, and support the dentist in providing treatments.
Please note that the amount and type of tasks as well as the level of responsibility interns are given is very dependent on their Spanish knowledge and level of expertise.
Project Profile
- Minimum stay: 4 weeks
- Working hours: Monday to Friday from 4pm until 8pm
- Spanish: Intermediate
- Donation: $60 once
Tasks
- Prepare materials and instruments
- Observe and advise
- Assist in operations
- Support in providing treatments
Good to Know
Be proactive and take initiative!
