Medicine - AIESEC in The Netherlands

Medicine Project

with aiesec.

Become a global doctor by experiencing healthcare abroad

The Medicine Project is an observational internship abroad for medical students second-year and onwards in the Netherlands.

Medicine Project logo

6 – 8

weeks

2

destinations

housing

included

Medicine Intern exploring the world

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!

Global doctors

Become a global doctor

Practice medicine in a different healthcare system.

Leave your comfort zone as a Medicine intern

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 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!

Intern of the Medicine Project in Ghana

Ghana

Medicine Intern at hospital in Uganda with colleagues

Uganda

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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 Winter 2024: 31st of October

Medicine project application deadline
Impact on your personal environment

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.

Interns at Outgoing Preparation Seminar
Picture of medicine project abroad

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 an exchange participant manager 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.

Participate at Reintegration Seminar

What you’ll get

clear and easy communication

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.

affordable projects through honest pricing

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.

share 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

Medicine Intern Maartens experience in Ghana

Maarten Jonkma - Ghana

For me it was the first time I went to a country in Africa and what an experience it has been. In comparision to my backpack journey through South-East Asia where I saw something incredibile every day. This project in Ghana made me really dive into the culture of the Ghanese people. I have met a lot of people, not only in the house and the neighborhood but also in the hospitals I have been working (…).

Esther about her Medicine experience in Uganda

Esther van Heteren - Uganda

“Uganda contains a fascinating culture, beautiful nature, rich history, a complex healthcare system, and friendly people.
Because of the culture, interactions between patients and doctors is different in Africa than it is in Europe, which seemed like an invaluable experience for me. As an aspiring physician, I wanted to come into contact with patients from other countries.”

Interested?

Sign up via the link below!

sign up to participate

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 project fee at the destination will be between €135-350  depending on the location. 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?
  • SIGN UP: Get started by filling out the sign-up form on the top of the page.
  • CONTACT & COFFEE CHAT: After signing up, expect an informative booklet and a message from your local AIESEC agent. They will set up a casual coffee chat to learn about projects and ask any questions you have.
  • APPLICATION: Share your excitement and skills by sending a letter of motivation and CV through the provided Google Forms link.
  • INTERVIEW: Get ready for an interview where we’ll talk about your fit for the project.
  • PROJECT ALLOCATION: Keep an eye on your inbox. If you’re chosen, you’ll receive an email with some exciting news!
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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