At a glance
- Gain practical experience on our medical internship for teenagers in Jamaica
- Learn basic medical skills, complete crucial health checks, and help raise awareness of non-communicable diseases
- Shadow qualified professionals
- Earn a first-aid training certificate
- Become fully immersed in the culture of Jamaica
- Download a sample itinerary for this project
Is a Medical Internship in Jamaica for teenagers right for me?
Our Medical Internship in Jamaica is the perfect volunteer opportunity for teenagers seeking medical work experience abroad. You will shadow local professionals, learn basic medical skills, and raise awareness of non-communicable diseases like diabetes and hypertension.
This experience will boost job or university applications or help you decide whether medicine and healthcare is the right career choice. It will also give you plenty of relevant and memorable experiences to discuss in interviews and applications. You’ll even earn a first-aid certificate during internship.
You do not need any prior experience to join as the focus is entirely on learning.
Our team will support you throughout your time in Jamaica and ensure you learn everything you need. You’ll benefit from training, workshops, and careful supervision from qualified professionals.
Plus, you’ll have the chance to work, socialise, and go sightseeing with a group of people your age with 24/7 support from our staff. This is your chance to learn while fully immersed in a new culture.
What will I do on a Medical Internship for high school students?
You’ll live and work in the inland town of Mandeville, soaking up Jamaican culture with your host family and enjoying the cool mountain air.
While working in Mandeville, you will:
- observe doctors and nurses as they offer healthcare directly to patients
- take part in community outreaches to improve healthcare in disadvantaged areas
- attend workshops led by medical professionals to learn more about healthcare practices
- receive training and become certified in first aid
- explore Jamaica with new friends from around the world
Observe doctors and nurses in medical facilities and clinics
During your placement, you’ll observe local doctors and nurses in action at healthcare facilities and get to see real-life medical cases up close.
You’ll have opportunities to ask questions and take plenty of notes, making this an exciting learning experience that gives you a real insight into local healthcare.
Participate in vital community outreach projects
You’ll work in communities with limited access to basic medical care alongside trained, local medical professionals.
You’ll help to raise awareness of the most serious diseases that threaten Jamaicans, especially non-communicable diseases like diabetes and high blood pressure.
You’ll also perform tasks like measuring blood pressure and blood sugar levels. Doctors and nurses will then use the information you gather to identify patients who need further treatment.
Learn more about healthcare practices at dedicated workshops
Experienced local doctors will deliver helpful workshops, ranging from presentations to medical procedure training, to help you learn the basics of healthcare.
You’ll learn new skills, such as measuring blood pressure, blood sugar levels, and vital signs and properly checking patient height and weight.
Receive training and become certified in first aid
During your internship, you’ll complete first-aid training and earn a certificate. This will help demonstrate your dedication to public health and reflect how much you learned during your medical internship abroad.
Explore Jamaica with new friends from around the world
You’ll work alongside other teenagers from across the world and enjoy exciting activities designed to help you see more of Jamaica.
You’ll visit local sites like YS Falls or Turtle Tower Beach when you're not working.
Our staff in Jamaica will also organise engaging cultural and social events, teaching you how to dance to reggae music or cook traditional Jamaican cuisine.
Where in Jamaica will I be working?
Mandeville
Mandeville is the capital and largest town in the parish of Manchester and is filled with culture, history, and warm Jamaican hospitality.
It offers a refreshing change of pace compared to the bustling coastline of much of the country, benefitting from the cool mountain air to reduce the intensity of the Caribbean heat.
Just because it's away from the coastline doesn't mean Mandeville lacks natural beauty or things to do. When you're not working, you can visit the vibrant Mandeville Market, hike through the lush green hills to YS Falls, or simply bask in the gorgeous Jamaican sunshine!
What are the aims and impact of this Medical Internship in Jamaica?
The main aim of this project is to improve access to basic healthcare for disadvantaged communities in Jamaica. The country faces several social and economic challenges, including high poverty levels and limited access to community healthcare services.
You’ll play a vital role in providing basic healthcare to affected areas through clinics and outreach efforts.
You will observe doctors and nurses in medical facilities and clinics, assisting with health checks and identifying patients who need further treatment. You’ll also participate in educational talks, spreading important information to the people who need it most.
This project also focuses on teaching you basic medical skills, which can help your future career. You’ll gain insights into the healthcare challenges people face in areas with limited resources.
Join us as we work to improve healthcare services in Jamaica and gain valuable medical work experience.
Measuring our impact
Every year, thousands of High School Special volunteers and interns actively make a difference around the world. During their time abroad, they contribute towards achieving long-term goals and make a long-lasting positive impact on the communities where they work.
We produce an annual High School Specials Impact Report, which documents some of these achievements. Find out more about the impact of these projects, and read the latest report.
Food and accommodation
You'll stay with a host family in Mandeville. 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 Jamaica and have a truly unique experience.
On our High School Specials, we will always try to have you share a room with at least one volunteer or intern of the same gender and approximate age. Your room will be modest, but comfortable, clean, and safe.
Your programme fee includes three meals a day.
Find out more about our accommodation.
Safety and staff support
Your safety and security is our prime concern. We have many procedures and systems to ensure you have all the extra support you need as a young person travelling abroad. Our Projects Abroad staff are there for you 24 hours a day during the week and over weekends to provide constant support and guidance. Our staff also make sure you feel comfortable and safe at your placement and accommodation. If you encounter any problems, they will be available to help at any time.
Find out more about safety and backup.
Meet the team
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Take a look at the following pages where you'll find collections of similar projects:
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Our Project Experts are on hand to provide more information or help you through the application for this exciting opportunity. Have a chat with us!
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