Quick facts

Location: Tarrafal, Santiago Island, Cape Verde
Duration: 2–4 weeks, with additional weeks available
Starts: Weekly
For: Medical students and qualified healthcare professionals
Placement: Community healthcare setting
Role: Primarily observation and supervised support

The source material states a weekly start schedule for 2026 and 2027 and requires medical students to have at least two years of medical study, while qualified healthcare professionals need at least two years of training.

Is This Cape Verde Medical Internship Right for You?

This internship is intended for medical students who have completed at least two years of medical school and qualified healthcare professionals with at least two years of training. You should also be adaptable, patient and comfortable learning in a different cultural and healthcare environment.

Key details

• Location: Tarrafal, Santiago Island

• Duration: 2–4 weeks, with additional weeks available

• Start dates: Weekly throughout 2026 and 2027

• Minimum age: 18

• Maximum age: 65

• Language: Basic/intermediate English, plus basic/intermediate Portuguese and/or Spanish

• Medical background: Minimum two years of medical study and medical experience

• Application: CV, motivation letter, qualification certificates or university recommendation, passport copy and background check

You should be genuinely interested in medicine and healthcare and be prepared to work within the instructions of the local medical team.

What about practical experience?

Your role is primarily observational and supportive. The source material says that your responsibilities are guided by local medical staff and matched to your level of training and experience.

So if you are looking for an opportunity to observe general medical practice, understand primary healthcare in a community setting and learn from local professionals, this could be a good fit.

If you are expecting to treat patients independently or perform procedures without supervision, it is not the right type of internship.

Before you apply

If you need this internship to count towards your university studies, check the requirements with your university before booking. And if you're unsure whether your medical background meets the program requirements, ask us first rather than making assumptions.

What you’ll do during the Cape Verde medical internship

The internship is based at a health centre in Tarrafal, serving the local community with primary healthcare and a range of general medical services. You’ll spend your time alongside local healthcare professionals, learning how the centre works and observing how patients are assessed and cared for.

The health centre provides general consultations, emergency care, clinical analysis, pharmacy support, basic radiology and public health services. Your exposure will depend on your training, the needs of the centre and the guidance of the medical team.

General consultations and patient care

You may observe doctors and other healthcare staff during patient consultations and basic clinical assessments.

This gives you an opportunity to see how healthcare professionals assess patients, communicate with them and decide what care or follow-up is appropriate in a community healthcare setting.

Clinical procedures and diagnostics

Depending on your background and what is taking place at the health centre, you may observe routine procedures and diagnostic processes.

The placement can also give you an insight into areas such as clinical analysis, basic radiology and pharmacy support, helping you understand how different parts of a primary healthcare facility work together.

Emergency care

Emergency care is also part of the health centre's work. You may observe how local professionals respond to urgent cases and how patients are assessed and managed within the resources available to the facility.

Public health and patient education

The internship isn't limited to what happens inside the consultation room.

You may also observe or support patient education, preventative healthcare and public health outreach, including activities aimed at improving health awareness within the local community.

Working alongside a local medical team

One of the useful parts of this placement is seeing healthcare from the perspective of a community health centre in Cape Verde, rather than simply observing medicine in a hospital environment.

You'll work alongside a multidisciplinary team and see how different healthcare professionals contribute to patient care. Throughout the placement, your involvement is guided by the local medical staff and must remain appropriate to your training and experience.

This is a supervised internship, not independent clinical practice. Patient confidentiality, professional conduct and ethical standards apply throughout your placement.

A typical week

Your first Monday is an orientation day. You'll be introduced to Cape Verdean culture and local customs, go through the house rules and code of conduct, learn some basic Kriolu, visit local shops and ATMs, and receive an introduction to the hospital and your placement.

From Tuesday to Friday, the scheduled day starts with breakfast at your accommodation, followed by departure for the hospital at around 9:00am. There is a lunch break from 12:00 to 2:00pm, followed by further work at the hospital until around 4:00pm, with dinner at the accommodation in the evening. The schedule can change because of local conditions or unforeseen circumstances, and the source notes that weekend hospital attendance may sometimes be required.

The important thing is that you are not being promised a fixed list of procedures. What you see and what you can assist with will depend on the medical team, your experience and what is appropriate for you to do.

Where you’ll stay in Tarrafal

Your accommodation is a shared house in Tarrafal, where you’ll stay with other program participants. Rooms are shared by 4–8 people, with separate accommodation for men and women. Bathrooms are shared, with Western-style toilets and hot showers.

The accommodation is fairly simple rather than hotel-style. Rooms are lockable and have bed linen and a fan. Wi-Fi is available in the public areas.

Meals are included

You receive three meals a day from Monday to Friday and breakfast and dinner at weekends. Meals are served at the accommodation and include a mixture of local and Western food, with dietary requirements accommodated where possible. Tea and coffee are also provided.

There are small shops, restaurants, mini-marts and ATMs in the town centre, so you can buy anything else you need.

What does the Bali medical internship cost?

The Bali medical internship starts from €2,495 for 4 weeks. Longer stays are available, up to 12 weeks.

Your exact price depends on the duration you choose. Before you book, we will confirm the total cost, what is included and any costs you need to arrange separately.

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How Much Does the Cape Verde Medical Internship Cost?

The price depends on how long you stay. The program is available for 2–4 weeks, with additional weeks available if you want a longer placement.

Before you book, we’ll confirm the total program price, what is included and any additional costs so you know what you are committing to.

Additional weeks: €300 per week.

What’s included in the Cape Verde medical internship?

The program includes the main arrangements you need while you are in Tarrafal, including accommodation, meals, airport pickup, transport for scheduled program activities and supervision.

Included

• Medical placement at the health centre in Tarrafal
• Shared accommodation
• Three meals a day Monday to Friday
• Breakfast and dinner at weekends
• Airport pickup during the regular pickup period
• Transport during scheduled program activities
• Supervision from a mentor
• Orientation when you arrive

Not included

• International flights
• Visa expenses
• Travel insurance
• Personal spending
• Additional tours or activities

You will also need to bring some equipment for the placement, including a stethoscope, gloves, disposable facemasks and a white lab coat. Closed-toe shoes suitable for the hospital are also required.

What you should know before applying

This is an international internship, so there are a few practical things worth checking before you commit.

You should be comfortable working in a healthcare environment, follow the rules of the placement facility and understand that your activities will be limited by your training, qualifications and local requirements.

You should also have your documents ready. The program requires a CV, passport copy, background check, university or supervisor reference, motivation letter, and relevant certificates or academic transcripts.

Before you apply

• Check that your medical, nursing or allied health background meets the program requirements.

• Make sure you can commit to at least 4 weeks.

• Allow at least 6 weeks before your intended arrival to apply.

• Check with your university if you need the internship to meet specific placement or academic requirements.

• Make sure you have appropriate travel and medical insurance.

If you are unsure about any of these requirements, ask us before applying. It is better to establish that the program fits you before you pay a deposit.

Cape Verde Medical Internship FAQs

How long is the internship?
The standard program runs for 2–4 weeks, with additional weeks available if you want to stay longer.

Who can apply?
Medical students need at least two years of medical school. Qualified healthcare professionals should have at least two years of training. You also need to meet the program's language and documentation requirements.

Will I get hands-on medical experience?
The placement is primarily observational and supportive. What you can do depends on your training, experience and the instructions of the local medical team.

Where is the internship based?
The placement is at a health centre in Tarrafal on Santiago Island. The centre provides general consultations, emergency care, clinical analysis, pharmacy support, basic radiology and public health services.

What is the accommodation like?
You stay in shared accommodation with other participants. Rooms accommodate 4–8 people, bathrooms are shared, and there is a fan rather than air conditioning.

Are meals included?
Yes. You receive three meals on weekdays and breakfast and dinner at weekends. Dietary needs can be accommodated according to the accommodation's arrangements.

Can I get university credit for the internship?
That depends on your university and course. If you need the placement for academic credit, check with your university before booking.

What do I need to bring?
You need items including a stethoscope, gloves, disposable facemasks and a white lab coat, as well as suitable closed-toe shoes for the hospital.

Can I speak to someone before applying?
Yes. If you're unsure whether Cape Verde fits your medical background, dates or expectations, contact us before applying. We can go through the program with you and explain what you can realistically expect.

Not Sure If This Cape Verde Medical Internship Is Right for You?

Tell us what you are studying, when you want to travel and how long you would like to stay.

We’ll help you understand whether the internship fits your background, what you can expect from the placement and what the program includes before you decide.

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