Medicine Project
with aiesec.
Become a global doctor by experiencing healthcare abroad
The Medicine Project is an observational internship abroad for third-year medical students in the Netherlands.
6 – 8
weeks
4
destinations
housing
included
Experience new cultures
There’s nothing quite like living in a brand new country, working with people from all around.
Imagine the things you’d learn!
Become a global doctor
Practice medicine in a different healthcare system.
Get out of your comfortzone
If you don’t try and experience new things, you’ll never find your full potential. Challenge yourself, and discover the best version of yourself.
Projects & Destinations
When going on a Medicine Project, you can choose between the following destinations: Ghana, India, Nepal or Uganda. Regardless of which you go to, you will get the opportunity to shadow doctors and learn about cultures and values of the Global South countries!
Ghana
Uganda
India
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Application deadlines
The Medicine Project are offered twice a year. Applications for the project opens in October (for winter) & March (for summer). The Medicine project works with rolling applications with limited spots. Register your interest now, stay in the loop & be the first one on the list to go on a Medicine Project!
Application Deadline for Summer 2023: March 31st
The impact you’ll make
The Medicine Project provides you with the opportunity to do an observational internship in various departments in the Global South. These departments range from the surgical ward to the public health department. Sometimes, you might also be involved in home visits. Some hospitals also do outreaches to the slums for people that have no access to healthcare. Through this experience, your perception of the world will change and you will make friends and memories for life!
How it works
In the Netherlands, we will personally guide you to find a project you like, that fits your personal need. From the beginning on we will help you prepare for your time abroad. Once there, another AIESEC office will be your support system during your experience.
1. Preparation Program
Before travelling abroad, you will attend a national preparation seminar. Here you will be prepared for your experience. From working conditions that can be expected in the hospitals abroad, as well as the potential culture shock you could face. Further, this phase focuses on raising awareness for global health issues and meeting other project participants.
2. Project abroad
In the month of December – March (Winter edition) or June – November (Summer edition), you will travel abroad to partake in an observational internship for 6-8 weeks. Based on your preference, you will be assigned to a hospital in Uganda or Ghana in your proposed period of stay.
3. Reintegration program
Upon returning to the Netherlands, you will meet up with other participants to share your experiences. This gives you the chance to discuss differences in healthcare systems and challenges you faced. This phase aims to encourage you to reflect on your overall experience. Focusing on the knowledge you gained and how you can apply it to your daily life and the practice of healthcare.
What you’ll get
Personal assistance from start to end
We are here to support you! From helping you with the visa, airport pick-up and support on-the-job we will assist you.
Honest pricing
What’s the best thing money can buy? For many, it’s a unique experience. Being non-profit, we put all the money back into the organisation, back into your experience.
Honest experiences
You won’t find luxury with us, but you will be surrounded by honest people with honest intentions. You will get information about accommodation and basic living costs.
Experiences of others
Interested?
Sign up via the link below!
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the costs of the Medicine project?
The basic fee for participating in the Medicine Project is 349€. Included in this fee is complete personal guidance throughout your whole experience. Both, in the Netherlands and abroad, you will be supported by AIESEC, including extensive preparation and reintegration.
Housing and airport pick-up are provided by the local AIESEC committee in the destination country. The price of housing is approximately €150 for a 6-8 week stay. Travel and living costs are at your own expense. Further costs, such as up to €300 for vaccinations, should also be taken into account.
What can I expect from the application procedure?
The selection consists of two phases. In the first one, we review you motivation letter and CV. In the second phase, your compatibility with the project will be assessed. This includes competence-testing exercises and an interview following the CORE* method.
*CORE standing for Circumstance, opportunity, reaction, effect
How long and when will I be abroad?
For the winter project, you will be abroad for 6 to 8 weeks in the months of December – March. If you are going for the summer project, you will be abroad for the same duration between the months of June – November.
How is the Medicine project different from the Health project?
Although both the Medicine and Health Project are projects that contribute to the SDG 3 – Good health and wellbeing, the projects are very different. The Medicine Project is an observational internship in the Global South. There, medical students get the opportunity to shadow doctors in various departments. With the Health Project, you can not only volunteer at hospitals but also at NGOs, and you don’t need to be a medicine student. The aim is to learn about one of three aspects of health: mental, physical and institutional. This way, they can positively impact the social well-being of a foreign community.
Are there other AIESEC volunteers at the project?
Depending on the exact weeks and the location of the project, there are several other AIESEC volunteers present at the hospital. You will thus not be the only volunteer at the hospital or at your accommodation.
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