Medical Elective Placement in Peru

Med Trips arranges accommodation for volunteers in homestays or with host families in Peru. The accommodations are simple and have basic amenities. 

Three meals are provided in a day of which the lunch is the specialty of Peruvian families. The food is tasty, hygienic and nutritious, suited to all interns. The interns should note that the food is provided from Monday to Saturday of each week. On Sundays, interns can eat at nearby eateries or find out good restaurants as per choice.

Yes –  please do ensure that you inform the local team about your food preference and they can make sure to provide you with the best food! Also, please do mention your specific food preference in the application form as well.

Interns must be 18 years or older at the beginning of the program. Students of dentistry, Pre dental students and those doing dental hygienist course can join the Dental Internship in Peru. Participants joining the internship program need to provide additional documents such as Resume/CV, Passport copy etc, details of which will be provided. You must be physically fit and in good health at the time of joining the program. 

Yes, students should consult their doctor or travel clinic for recommended vaccinations before travel.

Due to local regulations and ethical standards, students will not perform hands-on procedures. However, they will observe, learn, and gain insight into patient care, local health systems, and medical practices. Depending on level of experience and Spanish speaking skills, students in Peru do sometimes do basic assisting work with the doctors depending on the department allocated.

Some major benefits include:

• Meeting other interns and participants from all around the world
• Get international exposure by observing and shadowing in major clinics of Cusco, Peru
• Being able to work with patients of different cultures and understand cultural dynamics of a new city or country
• Being able to travel during weekends and in the evenings to explore your destination

Placements are primarily observation-based but tailored to student level. Our placements in Cusco are primarily in suburban Cusco in clinics. Some placements are provided in hospitals too.

Peru is one of the more visited countries in South America (especially for Machu Picchu), and millions of tourists travel there safely every year.Peru is generally safe for tourists if you stay alert, avoid risky areas, and take standard precautions. Cusco, in particular, is considered one of the safest cities for travelers in Peru, with the main concerns being petty theft
 

You’ll have full in-country support from our local team in Cusco. In case of any emergencies or problems, the staff will be there to support you and assist you always. 

In case of any emergency, the local team will provide all necessary support and assistance to you and take you to the nearest hospital/medical facility for emergency care.

Your country coordinator will take you to your placement location and introduce you to everyone after giving you a basic orientation about the program, city, culture etc. You will also be narrated about the directions to the project location from your accommodation and the modes of transport which you can use.

Cusco’s airport is Alejandro Velasco Astete International Airport (CUZ). It mainly handles domestic flights, with some limited international service. Here are the major airlines flying into Cusco:

Domestic (from Lima, Arequipa, etc.):

• LATAM Airlines 
• Sky Airline 
• JetSMART 
• Avianca

International (seasonal/limited):

• JetSMART 
• LATAM Airlines 

Note: Most participants connect through Lima (LIM), since Cusco is primarily a domestic hub. Nonstop international flights are rare and seasonal.

Visa requirements depend on your nationality and destination. We provide guidance during the pre-departure process.

Interns are picked up from the  Alejandro Velasco Astete International Airport (CUZ) by the in-country coordinator or representative. Those interns who are arriving overland or are already in Cusco will be picked up from the bus station or at a meeting point decided beforehand. Please do inform the in-country coordinator if your flight is arriving late.