Ophthalmology Internships: Intern abroad in Arusha, Tanzania

Internship details

A rare specialist internship for ophthalmology students! Ophthalmology interns in Tanzania assist and observe trained medical professionals in eye clinics, learning from patient consultations and gaining practical experience managing and treating issues such as glaucoma and cataracts.

This is an in-country internship, with accommodation and meals provided.

Ophthalmology internships in Tanzania offer highly specialized learning experiences in eye clinics, which can be incredibly hard to find. These valuable lessons will put your theoretical understanding into practice, and kick start your career in ophthalmology.

Interns work closely with qualified medical professionals at eye clinics in hospitals around Arusha, where you’ll observe and assist in all aspects of their daily duties. You’ll gain a first-hand understanding of patient interactions, including assessment, diagnosis and treatment of a range of conditions, such as cataracts and glaucoma. Interns also gain practical knowledge into how clinics are run, learning from experienced staff and observing healthcare in action.

Interns should come prepared to experience a medical environment that will likely be very different to what you’re used to at home. Healthcare in Tanzania can be under-resourced, and you may experience a degree of culture shock as a result. Interns are encouraged to be professional and empathetic at all times.

It is important to note that the internship placements grouped as “Medical” require interns to make a Ministry of Health contribution. This supports the operation of placements and covers supervision for interns on medical-related placements. This contribution is not included in the internship program fee; it must be made directly, in-country, under the direction and guidance of the Program Coordinator in Arusha. Interns will not be permitted to commence their placement until this has been covered. The amount of the Ministry of Health contribution varies, as it is not the same for every clinic/hospital. However, to cover the contribution sufficiently, we ask interns to budget up to US$75 per week.

In all cases, interns should expect that the first week of your experience will focus on settling in and gaining some introductory knowledge, as you will not “hit the ground running”. Rather, you should start with learning about the placement to gain an understanding of what you can build upon, develop, learn, and contribute. Ensure that you ask questions and provide feedback during the introductory period, so that your supervisor understands how you’re progressing. This will help them to better understand important details, such as how quickly you learn, what you find challenging, what you find interesting, etc.

Understand and expect that individual internship experiences vary, as the specific placement that you’re assigned will depend on review of your resume and your current level of studies and experience. Therefore, if you’re at a more introductory level, you should reasonably expect a more introductory internship. Likewise, if you’re interning for a shorter duration, you will have a different experience from someone who is interning for a longer duration. Placement preferences are considered but always subject to availability.

What are the career benefits of interning abroad as a Ophthalmology Intern?