Health Sciences Internships in Belize

Since completing the Psychology internship in Cape Town, I've been more empowered in several key ways. I've developed greater cultural competence within my field, along with a stronger understanding of how to draw on other professionals and networks to bring together resources that genuinely support a community or individual. I also feel more confident in the value of my informal counselling skills, and a renewed appreciation for the value of my psychology degree and what it equips me to offer. My experience co-facilitating the DBT session for clients with BPD has genuinely inspired me to consider this as a potential area of future specialisation, and I'd like to continue building my knowledge and skills in this space. I enjoyed staying in the big intern house with the other interns and exploring Cape Town together. The cultural insight from the local coordinator and internship was very insightful and has allowed me to personally and professionally appreciate and develop my cross-cultural competence.

I am incredibly grateful for my time in Valencia. Both my time with my host family and the staff at my placement allowed me to immerse myself in the Spanish language and culture while teaching me life and career skills that cannot be learned in a classroom. Rotating between nursing and the OR enabled observation of patient processing and medical decision-making from start to finish, pre-op to post-op.

I believe this internship provided me with a much more unique experience than what I was expecting. Working in a holistic psychology practice, where themes of psychoneuroimmunology, family systems, and transpersonal psychology are all intertwined, opened my eyes to a side of therapy that isn’t taught in textbooks, and I’m sure this experience will influence how I practice in the future. Outside of work, living alone abroad taught me a lot about myself, the people I want to surround myself with, and what kind of experiences I value. I made connections with people from all over the world and traveled to 5 countries and countless cities. And along the way, I also improved my Spanish and picked up another language.

The thing I enjoyed the most is that I got to meet so many people from various parts of the world who I deeply connected with, and shared some life changing experiences with. As for my professional development, I was able to gain more confidence and become more comfortable while talking with people. I would 100% do this again and I would advise anyone who wants to do this internship to do it.

The internship was an incredibly rewarding experience that contributed to both my personal and professional growth. What I enjoyed most was the opportunity to immerse myself in a new culture while working alongside people from diverse backgrounds. Building relationships with my coworkers, interacting with members of the local community, and collaborating with other interns allowed me to develop stronger communication and interpersonal skills. I especially enjoyed stepping outside of my comfort zone by navigating Athens independently, using public transportation, and adapting to a different way of life. Professionally, this internship strengthened my interest in psychology and working with diverse populations. I gained a greater appreciation for the importance of cultural competence, empathy, and flexibility when supporting individuals from different backgrounds. I learned how to communicate effectively despite language and cultural differences, observe professional practices in an international setting, and adapt to unfamiliar situations with confidence. Personally, the experience helped me become more independent, resilient, and open-minded. Living abroad challenged me to solve problems on my own, adjust to unexpected situations, and become more confident in my ability to navigate new environments. Overall, this internship broadened my perspective, enhanced valuable professional skills, and reinforced my passion for pursuing a career where I can support and work with people from diverse communities.

My host mom was great! She was very welcoming and took an interest in what I was doing and how I was feeling! She made it easier to be away from home for so long. The part I enjoyed most about this internship was the opportunity to work alongside the staff at the school farm and experience how animal care and agricultural education are approached in another country. I enjoyed building relationships with my coworkers, host family, and classmates, and learning how to communicate despite the language barrier. It pushed me outside of my comfort zone and helped me become more confident, independent, and adaptable. Professionally, the internship gave me valuable hands-on experience in an international setting and reinforced my passion for pursuing a career in Animal Science. Personally, it taught me to be more open-minded, appreciate different cultures and ways of life, and trust my ability to handle new challenges. This experience has given me skills and confidence that I will carry with me throughout my education and future career.

This internship has truly given me the necessary tools to become more competent in my field. I feel as though I have developed both personally and professionally through the experience gained during my time in Spain. Stepping out of my comfort zone and interacting with experts on a daily basis or simply meeting new people and creating bonds were some key takeaways I will carry with me.

This experience was invaluable in terms of immersion in a new culture and environment. I learned so much about different cultures and enhanced my skills in the Spanish language. The best ways to gain new perspectives is to travel!

The internship truly allowed me to appreciate the blessings I have. I really appreciate the internship for allowing me to grow both personally and professionally. I truly enjoyed seeing the similarities in medicine, even if the practices are separated by continents. Not only that, but working with patients and healthcare professionals from different cultural backgrounds improved my ability to communicate effectively.

I enjoyed meeting new friends and getting to know people who were also interested in my career and had the same goals as me. This internship has developed my confidence and increased my motivation to continue with psychology. Everyone was very communicative and made sure I had a comfortable stay and a great experience!!

I enjoyed the interactions with a vast amount of people from different and diverse backgrounds and circumstances. I also enjoyed being provided with the opportunity to help people and support them. The upport and guidance provided by IAHQ and my local team was efficient.

I enjoyed meeting new people the most. Becoming familiar with people with mental health disorders helped me to develop professionally and personally because I practiced patience, understanding, and empathy.

When I first applied to intern through intern abroad HQ, the description I was given said that I would mainly be shadowing therapists, which is great experience as a clinical psychology student. However, once I got to Madrid and began my internship I was blown away by the fact that I received my own clients. I was absolutely thrilled to be able to practice my communication and therapy skills on real people in addition to watching licensed therapists conduct their own sessions. Overall I could not have asked for a better experience and would absolutely intern through this company again.

My experience with InternHQ and my local team in Spain was great. I am a medical student and was looking for an internship that matches my profile and requests. I got assigned into a clinic and hospital for OB&GYN and I had a great time, learned a lot and felt very comfortable. My mentor was a very doctor and person, she was very keen to teach me and never made me feel left out. I was doubtful for this experience but I am so glad I spent 3 weeks into this experience who for sure brought me closer to what I want to do in the near future. Sarah my Program Manager at Intern HQ was very very helpful and always there to offer the best options possible. Thanks a lot Sarah!

I enjoyed getting to immerse myself in an entirely new culture, getting to know my coworkers and their stories, and gaining valuable insight into the profession I want to pursue. I am so incredibly thankful for this experience and I am beyond glad I pushed myself out of my comfort zone and did this!

In my internship, I gained surgical and research experience and was able to work and learn from surgeons, anesthesiologists, nurses and residents. I also learned time management, collaboration and problem solving and how to work under pressure. Throughout my internship, I made not only professional connections, but also long lasting friendships and the best memories I will always cherish.

I really enjoyed exploring a new city whilst being able to gain valuable experience. My favourite part was learning about so many different cultures, through the friends I made there. My internship has really inspired me to push myself further personally and professionally than I ever imagined I could before.

I enjoyed meeting all my friends and having activities planned everyday. Valencia was beautiful and I will definitely go back. The internship also gave me hands on experience so it has strengthened my resume to find a job or apply for a masters.

The thing I enjoyed the most was working in the clinic and gaining the hands on experience I have been wanting to achieve. This was my first internship and it was everything I ever wanted and now I only want to continue and do more to continue in my professional path.

I found it incredibly insightful to see how certain things in my field are carried out in a different country and culture. It was so eye-opening. I also loved meeting new people and integrating myself into the culture; the people who had been living in the same apartment building as me were so lovely and warm and welcoming and even invited me to their dinner. It was very memorable, and I enjoyed every second of it!! The internship alongside the doctor was also very informative; I got to do a lot of hands-on work and meet lots of new people. The island of Crete was so beautiful and felt very neighborly, and I really enjoyed looking at the views and taking walks in the central market.