from 692€

Excellent 4.8rating (136)

Medical Internship Assistant

location
478€ per week  ·  1 - 4 weeks  ·  Age 18 - 50+

  Verified by Volunteer World
  Very high response rate

Especially suitable

Age 18+
Singles
Couples
Families
Groups
50+

About the program

Improve the future prospects of the people of Ghana and support the local stuff at hospital.

The program

This wonderful medical program in Ghana plays an important role in supplying additional medical staff to the local area, and welcomes volunteers with a wide range of experience, including qualified medical personnel, medical students and pre-med students. Attendance on a medical volunteer ...

About the program

The program

This wonderful medical program in Ghana plays an important role in supplying additional medical staff to the local area, and welcomes volunteers with a wide range of experience, including qualified medical personnel, medical students and pre-med students. Attendance on a medical volunteer project is itself helpful preparation for a medical career, and for this reason, provided they are enthusiastic and truly eager to help in the health sector, individuals without medical experience can be accepted.

Medical volunteers will have the opportunity to undertake duties according to their own interests and areas of expertise. Medical students will shadow local doctors and nurses, assisting them and learning by observing their work at clinics and hospitals. There will be plenty of opportunity to assist directly and gain valuable experience. Volunteers play an essential role in assisting the staff at the hospital and help to deliver quality health care to this local community.

Goals of this Project:

  • Improve the future prospects of the people of Ghana
  • Provide quality medical care to the people of the Ashanti area
  • To offer practical medical experience to volunteers
  • To create cultural understanding between volunteers and locals

How you can help

Volunteers on this wonderful program will gain an amazing opportunity to provide care in the wonderful African nation of Ghana, helping those who truly need it, while also gaining valuable medical experience.  Participants on this program will have the opportunity to work in medical placements in community clinics, hospitals and children's hospitals, in addition to working in volunteer roles in the field of HIV/Aids awareness and education if they are interested in this field.  

Due to very basic resources volunteers are encouraged to bring with them scrubs, theatre shoes, dressings, etc.  They must also be prepared to work in a different way and in very unusual situations than they may be used to. Working in healthcare in Africa will be dissimilar to what volunteers will have experienced in western countries, but an extremely worthwhile experience.  A minimum placement of two weeks is required on this program. 

Volunteers contribute in a number of ways on this medical program and can expect to undertake the following tasks:

  • Assist with day-to-day medical care, as appropriate for experience and training
  • Network with program staff and medical staff
  • Help with HIV awareness programs


Typical day

A volunteer’s work day on this project will generally last between 4 and 6 hours and while we ask all volunteers to be flexible in this regard, a typical daily schedule is likely to go something like this:

7:00am Breakfast with host family

8:00am Walk or bus to project site

8:30am Pre-start ...

Typical day

A volunteer’s work day on this project will generally last between 4 and 6 hours and while we ask all volunteers to be flexible in this regard, a typical daily schedule is likely to go something like this:

7:00am Breakfast with host family

8:00am Walk or bus to project site

8:30am Pre-start meeting with project supervisor

9:00am VOLUNTEERING DUTIES

Midday Lunch break

1:00pm VOLUNTEERING DUTIES

4:00pm Debrief with project supervisor

4:30pm Walk or bus back to home stay

6:00pm Dinner with host family

Evenings Free time to relax or explore the sights and sounds of the local area!


Free-time activities

Programs in Ghana are based in the small coastal town of Senya Beraku, 2 ½ hours drive west of the capital city, Accra. Situated on the Gulf of Guinea in the tropical Atlantic Ocean volunteers here have access to beaches, waterfalls, forest walks and historic forts and castles.  

Ghana is Africa ...

Free-time activities

Programs in Ghana are based in the small coastal town of Senya Beraku, 2 ½ hours drive west of the capital city, Accra. Situated on the Gulf of Guinea in the tropical Atlantic Ocean volunteers here have access to beaches, waterfalls, forest walks and historic forts and castles.  

Ghana is Africa at its best!  Friendly and welcoming people, easy transport options and natural and historic attractions make this destination a pleasure to spend time in. Volunteers in Senya Beraku have the chance to soak up the rich culture and and hospitality of Ghana!

Among the highlights of Accra are the National Museum, with its display of exhibits that reflect the heritage of Ghana, the National Theater, the Center of National Culture, Independence Square and the fishing port at James Town. The beaches of the Atlantic coast are popular with visitors and Ghanaians alike. This is a truly wonderful place to experience the real Africa!


Requirements

Requirements

Minimum Age: 18 years

In order to join the program you need to be at least 18 years old on the program start date. There might be exemptions if you can provide the permission of your legal guardian(s) or if your are accompanied by your parents.

Language Skills

You need to speak English (basic level)

Education Requirements

Medicine at University level

Criminal Background Check

required

Required Documents

Emergency contact and Resume

Nationality Restrictions

No restrictions. Helping hands from all over the world are welcome.

Other Skills

It is open to those with experience and/or education in the field of medicine, as well as med-school and pre-med students. Ideally, volunteers on this project will have at least a basic knowledge of the local language in order to communicate effectively with patients and staff, though this is not a pre-requisite. Naturally, all applicants must also have a genuine willingness to help, show drive and initiative, and bring a positive 'can-do' attitude

Time Commitment

Your helping hand will be required on Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday

What's Included

What's Included

Services by Love Volunteers

  • Airport pick-up on arrival
  • Orientation & full safety briefing
  • Accommodation (as specified above)
  • Food & Meals (as specified above)
  • 24/7 local support network
  • Project placement & onsite supervision
  • Registration fee included

Airport Pickup at Kotoka International Airport

Upon your arrival in Ghana you will collected at the airport (Kotoka Int. Airport) by a representative of the local team and taken to your host family accommodation. Here you will be welcomed and settled into your new surroundings. 

Volunteers will have a full arrival orientation given by a member of the local team the next day after arrival.

They will fill you in on local and regional customs, traveling, rules and recommendations, and of course, what to expect from your volunteering experience. This is a great opportunity to get to know your hosts, meet your fellow volunteers, and ask any last questions you may have. You will then be taken to your projects site where you will be introduced to the onsite project team and settled into your project work. Easy!

  • Project Arrival Day: SUNDAY
  • Project Departure Day: SATURDAY
  • Arrival/Departure Airport: Kotoka International Airport, Accra, Ghana (CODE: ACC)

Accommodation

Volunteers on this program are accommodated within a modest 3-bedroom volunteer house which is located in a safe and convenient area of Senya-Beraku - a one hour drive south from Ghana’s bustling capital, Accra. Volunteers are provided with a basic but comfortable shared bedroom and shared bathroom, separated by gender, and will have the opportunity to meet and socialize with other like-minded people from around the world. Linen is provided for volunteers but WiFi is not currently available at the house (there is an internet cafe close by but most volunteers simply purchase a local sim card for their smart phone in order to access the internet). As with most parts of Africa, laundry facilities are basic (hand-washing) but this can be done for guests by the onsite cleaner, for a small fee. 

It is important to remember that the living conditions in Ghana are very different from home. Most homes have running water, but hot running water is still uncommon in some areas and bathing is performed using a bucket of water that has been heated (when necessary) from the kitchen kettle. There is a nearby beach resort where volunteers can utilize clean and modern western-style showers for a small fee, and it is common for volunteers to make this short trip once or twice a week. Although the accommodation is basic, this is part of the challenge and experience of volunteering in a developing country. With a little patience, and a flexible attitude, you will quickly get used to your new surroundings.

Food & Beverages

Volunteers are provided with breakfast, lunch and dinner at the Volunteer House daily. All meals are prepared by an in-house cook (house mama) and for those volunteers who wish to learn how to prepare some wonderful Ghanaian dishes, they are always welcome to join her in the kitchen or even in going to the market together to purchase food for the meals.

What's NOT included?

What's NOT included?

Internet Access

Sorry, no access at the project site

Flight Tickets

The nearest airport is Kotoka International Airport (ACC) in Accra. We assist you to find cheap flights to Ghana. FIND CHEAP FLIGHTS

Travel Insurance

Going abroad is an adventure and it is always best to be prepared. Sudden illness or injury, cancellation or theft - a travel insurance for Ghana provides security and is a plus to have. GET A QUOTE

Vaccines

If you are intending to volunteer in Ghana you should seek medical advice before starting your social journey. Check your required vaccinations for Ghana. VACCINE CHECKER

Details on arrival

This project is available year-round and programs start every SUNDAY. Volunteers can choose to participate for periods ranging from 2 weeks to 12 weeks.

Spaces on this project are limited and therefore subject to availability. Early booking is recommended.


Availability
Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec

Program fees

1 week (min. stay) 692€
2 weeks 840€
3 weeks 948€
4 weeks (max. stay) 1,057€
Average fees 478€/week

Program fees

478€ per week 1 - 4 weeks Age 18 - 50+

Payment methods

Visa Master Card Maestro American Express PayPal

NO CREDIT CARD FEES


Duration

1 - 4 weeks

Deposit (15%)

The deposit is simply to reserve your volunteer placement. Payments are handled by PayPal, our trusted global payment provider. If you don't have a PayPal account, you can also pay using a credit card.


Final Payment (85%)

Your final payment will be agreed with Love Volunteers during the application process. Common solutions are either via bank transfer or a cash payment at the project site.


Meet your host

Love Volunteers

Excellent 4.8 rating (136 reviews)

Agency - founded in 2010

Verified by Volunteer World

  Very high response rate

Coordinated by

Karen

Spoken languages: English

About the project

Love Volunteers has been placing volunteers around the world for over seven years. We're passionate about making a difference in developing communities.

Meet your host

About Us

Love Volunteers has been placing volunteers around the world for over seven years. We're passionate about making a difference in developing communities.

Our History

  • June 2009: Julian and Kelly (a brother and sister team from New Zealand) were shocked by the huge fees charged for volunteering abroad. They knew there must be a better way!
  • July 2009: Eager to provide transparent and cost effective volunteering, work began on what would become Love Volunteer.
  • August 2009: Visting worthy projects and developing relationshsips with local charities begins. A voyage that would see the duo cover half the globe in six months.
  • January 2010: The Love Volunteers website is launched with just 20 projects across 12 countries.
  • March 2010: Our first volunteer, Daniel, joins us on a project in Ethiopia! The first of many thousands to follow!
  • May 2010: Within months, Love Volunteers is placing over 50 volunteers a month
  • January 2011: We work with our first student group, sending Tim and 30 of his medical students from Columbia University to Guatemala.
  • May 2011: Our 1,000th volunteer, Emily, joins the team in Vietnam
  • February 2012: We begin working with our partner in Zambia - country number 30.
  • May 2013: We're recognized as one of the top volunteering organizations in the world.
  • July 2014: We add our 100th project - in Costa Rica.
  • October 2015: Kelly and Mike spend 18 months visiting projects throughout Central & South America, Europe and Asia.
  • February 2016: Nicole joins the team as our volunteer support manager. Later, Karen also comes on board.
  • June 2017: We undertake a huge rebrand of Love Volunteers to better reflect our mission of serving local communities in developing countries.

136 reviews · rating4.8

Caitlin rating5

2018 at Medical Internship Assistant

I spent 2 weeks in Ghana where I stayed with Sally and her lovely family. During my time there, I was able to work at a Mental Rehabilitation Centre, a Clinic and a Teaching Hospital. The program was tailored to my experiences and interests so I was really able to get the most out of being there. ..
Ayden Goldstein rating5

2016 at Medical Internship Assistant

It was amazing and safe. I feel like that’s a big worry for people going abroad but there was not one moment I was worried, I got to shadow amazing doctors and learn some procedures. I got an in depth and meaningful experience learning in an amazing hospital. The staff and people in Ghana were ...
Emma Perinetti rating5

2012 at Medical Internship Assistant

It was only 2 months but it truly shaped who I am today, in a wonderful way. I put myself out of my comfort zone at a young age but I did it in total reassurance thanks to Sally and her staff who accompanied me throughout and became friends. I admire and respect them and their work, they are ...
Victoria Schmettow rating1.4

2023 at Marine Conservation Supporter

I applied for the Marine Conservation program and wanted to stay for two weeks - I left early as this whole thing was more or less a scam. The location is not a "short journey from the beach" and not where the map shows but way further inland. We had bad/no wifi, our showers were not working ...
Dawn Harrage rating4

2023 at Community Initiatives

Made very welcome by the community programme that I worked with. It was about a 20 minute bus journey away but the buses are very regular and inexpensive. The hostel was great and being in New Orleans for Mardi Gras was amazing. Beware, though, food and drinks can be expensive (compared to what I'm ...
Jess Gustafson rating5

2023 at Environmental Conservation Worker

This was a great experience volunteering for CVNZ and I learned a lot about nature conservation in Aotearoa New Zealand as well as about the culture. The staff were very helpful for suggesting places to visit on the weekends and I had a great time with the other volunteers. I would definitely do ...

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