At a glance
- Join a physiotherapy internship in Nepal and gain work experience by observing physiotherapists as they work at hospitals. You will watch as they treat adults and children working to improve lives.
- You will observe sessions which focus on showing members how to care for and assist children with special needs. This helps families bond, and it will help the children with the special needs.
- Your physiotherapy placement will be based in either Kathmandu or Chitwan. You will have enough time to explore the beauty of each location.
Is this Physiotherapy internship in Nepal right for me?
This internship is perfect if you want to add observational physiotherapy experience in a developing country to your CV. You’ll observe experienced physiotherapists directly, and have the opportunity to ask questions about patients’ conditions and their treatment methods.
This kind of physiotherapy work experience will help you stand out in applications. Besides being an excellent conversation starter during interviews, your time abroad will show your interest in global health affairs.
Our start and end dates are flexible, and you can join from two weeks onwards. The project runs throughout the year, so you can choose a time that suits you. We encourage you to stay longer, so you can see and learn more.
At all times, there will be a qualified supervisor with you. Projects Abroad staff are also available to help you and ensure that you have a memorable and productive time on your physiotherapy internship in Nepal.
What will I do on this internship?
You will work alongside physiotherapists and medical staff in hospitals and rehabilitation centres with patients. Here are just some of the things you can do:
- Observe physiotherapists and medical staff as they work with children and adults
- Exchange knowledge with local staff and students
- Help staff teach parents how to care for and help children with special needs
Your work will be split in three main areas:
Observe physiotherapists and medical staff as they work with children and adults
You will gain physiotherapy work experience in Nepal by observing local staff as they work to help disadvantaged people, or those with special needs. Ask questions, take notes, and make comparisons between physiotherapy practices in your home country, and in Nepal.
Exchange knowledge with local staff and students
We encourage you to share your physiotherapy knowledge and experience with local staff. These discussions will give your colleagues insight into practices from your country, and help fill in any gaps in your own knowledge. If you have no training, then you will focus on learning from them.
Help staff teach parents how to care for and help children with special needs
Some physiotherapy placements in Nepal are focused on equipping parents with the knowledge to care for their children with special needs. You will assist staff as they teach parents exercises, stretches, or games. These activities are used to keep the children active, improve their posture, and help with their balance. This will help families play an active part in the lives of their children.
Where in Nepal will I be working?
Kathmandu or Chitwan will be your home for the duration of your Physiotherapy internship in Nepal:
Kathmandu
You will work in a rehabilitation centre. Kathmandu Valley has an estimated population of 3 million people living there, and for disadvantaged people, accessing basic healthcare is a challenge. You will work with professionals at your placement, observing as they help people in need.
Chitwan
The lowland area of Chitwan will be your base if you are placed in this city. You will work in a large teaching hospital or at a spinal injuries centre. Each placement has valuable learning opportunities.
With the Himalayan mountain range around the corner, weekends should be about exploring and discovering all Nepal has to offer.
A typical day on the Physiotherapy Internship
Each day, you will eat a hearty breakfast at your host family home. With your white lab coat packed in your bag, you’ll take your packed lunch and head off to your placement. You can take a bus, taxi, or you can walk, depending on how far it is from your host family home. On your first day, our staff will be there to show you how to get around.
A typical day on this internship will begin at 10am and end around 3pm, Monday to Friday. Depending on your placement, work hours could vary.
Depending on your skills, you will begin by shadowing your supervisor. You will then begin assisting staff in their daily tasks. You may observe as staff work with children to develop their fine motor skills, or you may be asked to help organise physical exercise sessions for special needs patients. Your tasks are dependent on your level of experience.
During your lunch break, chat with the staff while eating your packed lunch brought from home. If you’re invited to have lunch with staff outside your placement, take up the opportunity to get to know the team better.
Weekends and free time are yours. Make a to-do list of all the things you’d like to see, taste, and do in Nepal. Join interns and volunteers on a hike, explore the Himalayan mountain range, or wander through ancient temples. Whatever you do, make full use of every moment in Nepal!
What are the aims and impact of this internship?
The aim of this internship is to give you a deeper understanding of physiotherapy practices in a developing country, and build your practical knowledge. We want you to learn as much as you can in Nepal, while sharing medical knowledge from your home country if you can.
Nepal is listed as being one of the most disadvantaged countries in the world. Natural disasters like earthquakes have also had a terrible impact on the country. Limited medical resources and a lack of experienced doctors have only added to the challenges they face today.
In turn, this will also have an impact on your learning experience. You’ll see how physiotherapists cope with what they have, and how they treat their patients. They’ll share their knowledge and experience with you, and you can do the same if you have training.
Join a Physiotherapy internship in Nepal and start expanding your knowledge by watching physiotherapists in action.
Medical electives for students
This project is also perfect for university medical and healthcare elective students. The real-world insight and knowledge you gain will help shape you as a future medical professional. You will also learn to work with different people and get a broader perspective of global healthcare systems and issues. This benefits your career for years to come. We can organise a placement that meets all of your university's requirements.
Management plans
We set out the aims and objectives of our projects in documents called Management Plans. We use them to properly plan the work you’ll do. They also help us measure and evaluate our achievements and impact each year.
Ultimately, our Management Plans help us make our projects better. This in turn means you get to be part of something that makes a real impact where it’s needed. Read more about our Management Plans.
Measuring our impact
Our projects work towards clear long-term goals, with specific annual objectives. Every volunteer and intern we send to these projects helps us work towards these goals, no matter how long they spend on our projects.
Every year we take a step back and look at how much progress we've made towards these goals. We put together a Global Impact Report, which documents our achievements. Find out more about the impact our global community of volunteers, interns and staff make, and read the latest report.
Food and accommodation
You'll stay with a host family in Nepal. They will welcome you into their home, eager to share their customs and have you teach them about your own culture. We believe that this is the best way to immerse yourself in the culture of Nepal and have a truly unique experience.
We will always try to let you live alongside at least one other Projects Abroad volunteer or intern at the same host family. Your room will be modest, but comfortable, clean, and safe.
Your programme fee includes three meals a day.
Find out more about our accommodation.
Leisure activities and free time
When you think of Nepal, the first thing that comes to mind is the majestic Himalayan Mountain Range. This is just one example of the country’s extraordinary natural beauty. Combined with rich cultures, this makes it a unique country to volunteer in and explore.
There are a whole host of ways you can explore the stunning and incredibly varied landscapes of Nepal. You can drive off-road through Chitwan National Park, go biking through Kathmandu Valley, or trek in the foothills of Annapurna.
In the evenings and over weekends, it’s worth taking some time to see the sights in Kathmandu. This includes Durbar Square, where you can stand in the midst of an ancient palace. The towering spectacle of the Boudhanath Stupa is also a must-see.
Nepal is one of our most popular destinations, so there will be many other volunteers in the country with you during your trip. This gives you the freedom to spend your leisure time either exploring alone or in a group.
Safety and staff support
Your safety and security is our prime concern. We have many procedures and systems to ensure you have the support you need to enjoy your trip with peace of mind. Our Projects Abroad staff are available 24 hours a day to help, and will be on hand to make sure you settle in well at your accommodation and placement. If you encounter any problems, they will be available to help at any time.
Find out more about safety and backup.
This placement is fully researched, safety audited, and risk assessed in accordance with the British Standard BS8848 for the Adventure Travel Sector.
Meet the team in Nepal
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