Översikt
Join our Midwifery internship in Sri Lanka and learn more about midwifery practices in a developing country by shadowing midwives at work. You’ll encounter conditions that you’ll have only read about in textbooks before, and spend time in maternity units at hospitals. This means you’ll gain insight into all aspects of care for new mothers and babies.
This is a great way to add valuable experience to your CV and prepare for your future career as a midwife. You’ll also learn new skills at our medical workshops and take part in our community outreaches. On these outreaches, you’ll do practical health checks, which assist those who don’t have regular access to basic healthcare.
You’ll live and work in the towns of Panadura or Kalutara, and stay with a local host family. You’ll have the opportunity to explore the tourist sites in your leisure time, and take part in social events with other interns and volunteers.
Is a Midwifery internship in Sri Lanka right for me?
Are you planning on a career in midwifery? Maybe you’re a midwifery student or recent graduate looking for work experience? If so, this internship may be the perfect choice for you.
You’ll get to learn from skilled midwives and other healthcare professionals at hospitals.You’ll get insight into how mothers and newborns are cared for in a developing country. You’ll also be able to add midwifery work experience in Sri Lanka to your CV, and have interesting points to talk about in applications or interviews.
This internship is largely observational, but you will be able to learn a great deal. You’ll get to rotate through different maternity units, from theatre to labour. Practical work is available in the form of our regular medical outreaches. Here, you’ll do basic health checks for people in disadvantaged communities.
Please note that you need to be 18 years or older to join this project.
The internship is available year-round, from a minimum of four weeks. However, our start and end dates are flexible, so you can choose a time which suits you.
What will I do on this project?
On this internship, you’ll get to learn a great amount about midwifery practices in Sri Lanka. Things you can do include:
- Observe midwives as they go about their daily work in different maternity units
- Take part in medical outreaches which benefit the local community
- Learn from local doctors and gain new skills at medical workshops
- Learn about traditional Ayurvedic medicine, an alternative healthcare practice
Your work will focus on the following areas:
Observe midwives as they go about their daily work in different maternity units
Your main role on this internship is to shadow midwives and other medical staff as they go about their day. You’ll have the chance to rotate through different maternity units, such as theatre, labour, and postnatal. This allows you to learn about all the different aspects of care for new mothers and babies.
Take part in medical outreaches which benefit the local community
We organise monthly medical outreaches in disadvantaged communities. These provide basic healthcare checks and treatment for those who would otherwise not have access to medical care. While not directly related to midwifery, you’ll still gain insight into medical practices in Sri Lanka. It’s also an opportunity to take part in practical work, such as taking blood pressure and dispensing medication.
All of your outreach work is supervised by a medical professional.
Learn from local doctors and gain new skills at medical workshops
To ensure you get the most out of this internship, we also organise regular workshops for all our medical interns. These are run by local doctors, and give you the chance to learn new skills. For example, they will teach you techniques that you can put into practice at the medical outreaches. You’ll also find out more about the symptoms, diagnosis, and treatment of common diseases in Sri Lanka.
Learn about traditional Ayurvedic medicine, an alternative healthcare practice
You also have the option to learn about traditional Ayurvedic medicine. This is not offered as part of the standard Midwifery Project, so please let us know if you are interested in pursuing this option.
Ayurveda is one of the world’s oldest holistic treatment systems, and includes treatments such as herbal medicine, special diets, and acupuncture. In Sri Lanka, this traditional practice is officially recognised, and there are hospitals specifically dedicated to Ayurvedic medicine where you can intern.
What types of midwifery placements are available in Sri Lanka?
On this Midwifery Internship, you can rotate through some of these Obstetrics and Gynaecology units:
- Prenatal
- Labour
- Antenatal
There may also be the opportunity to observe procedures in theatre, or shadow staff in the Paediatrics department.
Where in Sri Lanka will I work?
As a Midwifery intern, you’ll either be based in Colombo, Panadura, or Balapitiya. Sri Lanka has an extensive and affordable public transport network, so it should be quite easy for you to travel around and explore the country in your leisure time. Sri Lanka is famous for its incredible natural landscapes and historical monuments.
Colombo
Colombo is the largest city in Sri Lanka, and a bustling commercial and tourism hub. You will either be working at a specialised women’s hospital, or at a teaching hospital where local medical interns complete their rotations.
Panadura
Panadura is a large town situated on the coast, around 30 km south of Colombo. You’ll be working in a government-run women’s hospital.
Balapitiya
Balapitiya is a small town on the south-west coast of the country. Here you’ll be working at a local base hospital, in the gynaecology, obstetrics, and paediatrics departments.
A typical day on the Midwifery Project
Once you’ve enjoyed a hearty breakfast at the home of your host family, it’s time to head to work. You’ll travel to your placement via bus or rickshaw. Sometimes you may even be within walking distance. Whichever option you take, a staff member will accompany you on your first day to show you the way.
A typical day on this project runs from 8.30am - 12.30pm, and then from 2pm - 4pm, Monday to Friday. However, these hours may vary. The exact schedule will be discussed during your induction.
Activities will vary according to your midwifery placement you’ve chosen in Sri Lanka. In general, you will spend your day observing midwives, doctors, and nurses at work. You’ll shadow staff in different maternity units, ranging from prenatal to theatre and labour. This is an exciting opportunity to gain insight into all aspects of maternity and child care.
On medical outreach days, you’ll get to take part in more practical work. Here you’ll help to take vital signs such as blood pressure or blood sugar, dispense medication and food, and assist wherever needed. This is important work that provides basic medical care in disadvantaged communities.
When you’re done for the day, it’s time to sit back and relax. We organise regular social events for our interns, so that you can get to know each other while having fun and learning about the local culture. Or explore your new surroundings, watch the sunset from the beach, and try out some Sri Lankan-style cuisine from a neighbourhood restaurant.
What are the aims and impact of this Midwifery Project?
The main aim of this project is to provide you with an educational experience. Many of the interns who join us are looking for international work experience in a country different from their own. This is a great way to prepare yourself for your future career as a midwife, while enhancing your CV.
We give the opportunity to learn from qualified local professionals, and gain insight into midwifery practice in Sri Lanka. You will also take part in valuable cross-cultural exchange, sharing knowledge and experiences with medical staff.
Projects Abroad also organises monthly medical outreaches in disadvantaged communities. Here you’ll provide basic medical treatment to locals under supervision. This is important work, as the communities we work in don’t have regular access to basic medical services.
We have identified the following goals as the focus of our medical work in Sri Lanka:
- Promote the exchange of medical knowledge
- Promote awareness of non-communicable diseases, such as diabetes and high blood pressure
- Improve access to basic healthcare for disadvantaged groups
- Improve hygiene standards
- Reduce the number of cases of Dengue fever
Join us on a Midwifery Internship in Sri Lanka and learn from skilled midwives as they care for new mothers and babies.
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.
Projekthandlingsplaner
Vi har utarbetat långsiktiga mål för våra projekt och dokumenterat målen i våra projekthandlingsplaner. Våra projekthandlingsplaner används också för att planera ditt arbete. Tack vare våra projekthandlingsplaner kan du vara säker på att du arbetar mot ett långsiktigt mål och vi kan kontinuerligt utvärdera och förbättra vårt arbete. Våra projekthandlingsplaner säkerställer att vi gör en verklig skillnad.
Läs mer om våra projekthandlingsplaner.
Vi mäter resultatet av vårt arbete varje år
Vi arbetar mot långsiktigt mål med årliga delmål. Varje volontär och praktikant som deltar på ett av våra projekt hjälper oss att nå dessa långsiktiga mål. På så sätt kan även de som volontärarbetar eller praktiserar en kortare tid göra verklig skillnad. Varje person bygger på arbetet som tidigare volontärer och praktikanter gjort. Varje år utvärderar vi resultatet av vårt arbete. Du kan hitta en sammanställning av vad vi uppnått under året i vår Global Impact Report.
För mer information om vilken insats våra volontärer, praktikanter och personal gjort under året, läs vår senaste rapport.
Mat och boende
Du kommer bo hos en värdfamilj i Sri Lanka. Din värdfamilj kommer välkomna dig som en familjemedlem till deras hem. De kommer lära dig mer om deras traditioner och om den lokala kulturen. Vi tror att det här är det bästa sättet att verkligen lära känna kulturen i ett nytt land. Du kommer få en unik upplevelse av Sri Lanka.
Vi försöker alltid placera dig så att du bor med en annan Projects Abroad volontär eller praktikant. Ditt rum kommer vara enkelt men bekvämt, rent och säkert.
Din projektavgift inkluderar tre måltider om dagen.
Läs mer om våra boenden.
Fritidsaktiviteter när du är ledig
Sri Lanka är känt för sina mäktiga landskap. Från stränder till tropisk regnskog, det finns något för alla! Besök Pettah Market som surrar av liv och rörelse. Här kan du småprata med vänliga handlare, köpa handgjorda souvenirer och njuta av den energiska atmosfären.
För att fördjupa dig i Sri Lankas kultur kan du besöka National Museum of Colombo. En höjdpunkt är även Gangaramaya Buddhist Temple med sin många artefakter. Vill du se vacker kolonialtidsarkitektur rekommenderar vi ett besök till hamnstaden Galle med sitt nederländska arv.
Du kan även utforska inlandet för att vandra över böljande kullar, simma i svala vattenfall och besöka traditionella byar. Sri Lanka har många nationalparker och safariparker där du kan se vilda djur som leoparder och elefanter. Är du morgonpigg kan du åka på fågelskådning i någon av de fridlysta våtmarkerna Det finns även möjlighet att utforska artrika regnskogar.
Vi har många volontärer som åker till Sri Lanka, så du kommer garanterat lära känna nya vänner. Det gör att du kan välja att utforska Sri Lanka självständigt eller i grupp.
Säkerhet och personalstöd
Din säkerhet är vår första prioritet. Vi har många processer och system på plats för att se till att du har all hjälp och support som du behöver. För oss är det viktigt att du ska känna dig trygg när du reser med oss. Vår egen Projects Abroad personal finns tillgänglig för hjälp och stöd 24h om dygnet. De kommer se till att du trivs i ditt boende och känner dig hemma på din projektplacering. Om du skulle stöta på något problem, finns vår personal alltid där för att hjälpa dig.
Läs mer om support och säkerhet.
Meet the team in Sri Lanka
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