Physiotherapy Internship in Nepal

My Physiotherapy Internship in Nepal experience with Volunteer World Nepal was a fantastic one, and I’d recommend that anyone looking to explore Nepal and experience its wonderful culture in a unique way plan with this organisation. Before even landing in Nepal, my trip facilitator Umesh ensured that any questions or concerns I had regarding the trip were addressed, and from the very first day I felt very welcomed. When I landed, the team was there to pick me up from the airport and show me to my homestay. There I was able to meet the family I would be living with for the following month and a half, and enjoy some authentic Nepali cuisine graciously prepared by my hosts.

For the first week of my stay, I attended Nepali language lessons and had tours around the city to orientate myself. Both were organised for me and a great addition to my time there, I was able to learn the language basics needed to work with Nepali speaking patients in a hospital, as well as some customs and traditions. Throughout my internship in the hospital, I was able to gain perspective into how physiotherapy is practised around the globe, with most of the staff having experience not only working with other volunteers from different countries but also having studied or worked abroad themselves. For having a limited time there, I learned an incredible amount of information and techniques in the area of physiotherapy via shadowing the practitioners and assisting with patients. Alongside physical mobilisation techniques and exercises, I was also able to administer TENS and ultrasound therapy.

Every morning, I would enjoy breakfast with my host family before Umesh brought me to the clinic. I particularly loved spending this time in the morning with my host stay family’s daughter, whom I’d often draw within the trade for a few laughs and a lesson on a couple of new Nepali words. Even though I consider my experience in the hospital an invaluable aspect of my time there, my favourite part of the whole experience was the close friends I was able to make in that time. It was hard leaving what really became a second family to me, and I am so excited to someday return and visit them as well as my mentors and friends at the hospital. When volunteering or trekking with Volunteer World Nepal, it is truly a personal and memorable experience.