At a glance
Embark on a transformative two-week summer healthcare journey in Valencia, Spain.
This unique - fully supervised - internship offers high school students a look into different medical professions, cultural immersion, and personal growth through practical experiences in an exciting European city.
Kick-start your career in medicine during the school break!
Highlights include:
- Gain 24 hours of supervised medical observation across different departments in a modern, European, clinical setting
- Add 27 hours in a pioneering, simulated clinical facility for a broader range of exposure and real diversity of experience
- With 300 days of sunshine a year, enjoy a fully supervised and hand-picked schedule of cultural activities under warm blue Mediterranean skies
- Join forces with other teens your age from around the world, enjoying social activities together and forging new lifelong friendships
- Build your confidence, independence, and adaptability along with practical medical skills as you safely push past your comfort zone
- Download an itinerary for this program
Start Dates:
July and August
See DatesMinimum Duration:
Two Weeks
Ages:
15-18
Speaking Spanish is not essential, but it may help
Is a Medical internship in Spain for teenagers right for me?
This Medical Internship is perfect for ambitious teens who want to get a head start in their medical career—giving you practical exposure that will elevate your medical school applications.
Combining real patient interaction with a cutting-edge simulated hospital environment, you’ll benefit from a wide range of exposure covering multiple departments and specialisms, including emergency medicine and paediatrics.
You’ll learn practical skills in a controlled environment and participate in patient observation as you shadow real medical professionals.
When you are not interning, you’ll be seeing the best of what Valencia has to offer along with your new teen medical crew. There’s a day trip to Xàtiva (known as the “town of a thousand fountains") plus a paella cooking class, scavenger hunt, museum visits, city tour, flamenco show, and much more to keep you entertained.
Double-down on your cultural immersion with eight hours of Spanish-language lessons and put these to good use by chatting to your host family, who you’ll be living with for two weeks.
Your internship will give you real world experience as well as new medical skills. You’ll develop your independence, confidence, and communication skills at the same time as dipping your toe into a career in healthcare. All this, plus you’ll be enjoying life on the sun-soaked Mediterranean Coast, fully supervised and surrounded by your new friends.
Our High School Specials run over fixed dates during school holidays. This means you’ll be interning alongside people your age who share your passion for medicine and healthcare (you may even start to build your international medical network!).
What will I do on this internship?
As a medical intern in Valencia, you will be rotating through real and virtual (simulated) medical environments.
Access to the Clinical Internship at Universidad Católica de Valencia Virtual Hospital is normally reserved for medical students and professionals, meaning you will enjoy privileged access to a cutting-edge and innovative medical training environment.
Here’s what to expect from both during your time:
Medical shadowing
Learn on the job with 24 hours of patient observation, shadowing medical professionals and rotating through various specialist departments, including physical therapy, psychology, dietetics, and dentistry.
Simulated “virtual” hospital
Learn practical skills in a simulated, state-of-the-art clinical environment giving you unique access to learn about a range of specialist skills and departments, such as examination techniques, respiratory systems, trauma care, and much more.
Medical workshops
Participate in workshops to broaden your medical knowledge, delivered by experienced medical professionals. Find out about prevalent local diseases and treatments, learn new medical skills, or discover traditional healthcare practices.
Administrative tasks
Work with hospital staff to complete administrative tasks and gain an insight into healthcare practices. You may help retrieve and organise medical records, produce reports, manage stock, or check and dispose of outdated medicines.
More about the Virtual Hospital
The Virtual Hospital, which has been built and equipped like a real hospital on a small scale, aims to become a benchmark at a national and European level.
It has an architectural design intended to offer realistic environments (clinical consultations, emergency rooms, ICUs, operating rooms).
It is a training space equipped with state-of-the-art technology that allows the simulation of all situations that can occur inside and outside a hospital, in a controlled environment from a social, scientific and professional point of view.
Visit the Virtual Hospital website to learn more >
Real patient observation and medical shadowing combined with rare access to the state-of-the-art virtual hospital means you’ll receive over 50 hours of medical exposure during your internship.
Medical internships give you the chance to prepare for medical school or your career while supporting global healthcare efforts. By assisting doctors with key tests, like measuring blood pressure, you can discover symptoms and identify conditions quickly and build your own knowledge.
Join a medical internship to get real-world experience in your field and improve healthcare outcomes globally.
Where in Spain is this internship?
Valencia
Valencia, Spain's third-largest city, pulses with a unique blend of ancient history and cutting-edge innovation, making it an ideal destination for undergraduate medical students seeking a dynamic and enriching experience. Imagine a city where you can explore a stunning historic centre, a testament to centuries of architectural grandeur, and then, just moments later, find yourself amidst the futuristic City of Arts and Sciences, a complex showcasing architectural marvels dedicated to science and culture. This contrast of old and new reflects Valencia's commitment to both its heritage and its future, a quality that resonates deeply within the medical field.
Beyond the impressive architecture, Valencia offers a taste of authentic Spanish life. Picture yourself strolling along sun-kissed beaches after a day in the hospital, indulging in the world-famous paella, a culinary masterpiece born in this very city, or experiencing the thrilling atmosphere of local festivals. Valencia's relaxed Mediterranean pace allows you to immerse yourself in the culture, connect with locals, and truly appreciate the Spanish way of life.
What are the aims and impact of this internship?
The main aim of this medical internship is to provide you with real-world medical and healthcare experience, which includes access to a range of specialities to help you learn and uncover your passion for different areas of medicine, setting you up for a successful path in education and helping you to choose between general practice and specialising.
We never compromise on medical ethics, ensuring you receive the best exposure to clinical reality while maintaining the highest professional standards.
In just two weeks you will have got up close and personal to how healthcare operates in both real and virtual environments, got under the skin of Spain’s third largest city, and made new friends from around the world who share your passion for medicine and healthcare.
Food and accommodation
Accommodation
You'll stay with carefully selected host families in Valencia. This arrangement provides an authentic Spanish experience and helps develop your cultural competency - a valuable skill for future medical professionals.
Your accommodation will be comfortable and welcoming, with all necessary amenities including Wi-Fi and access to laundry facilities. All homes are carefully vetted and located in safe neighborhoods with easy access to your clinical placements.
Living with a host family offers a unique opportunity to immerse yourself in Spanish culture and pick up the basics of Spanish or improve on what you know by talking to a native speaker.
Food
All meals are included in your program fee. You'll experience authentic Spanish cuisine through your host family and group activities, including a special paella cooking course.
Dietary requirements
Our program caters to all dietary preferences and requirements. We can accommodate vegetarian, vegan, and other diets. Just let us know your requirements in advance.
Spanish cuisine
From paella to tapas, you'll experience the renowned Spanish diet first-hand. Valencia is famous for its fresh seafood, traditional rice dishes, and abundant fresh produce. You'll enjoy both home-cooked meals with your host family and group dinners at local restaurants.
Leisure Activities & Free Time
All of your activities are included in your fee, and fully supervised. This includes:
A walking tour of Valencia
Discover Valencia's fascinating history through a guided walking tour of the city. You'll explore a mix of medieval streets and modern architecture, from Gothic buildings to the futuristic City of Arts and Sciences.
A day on the beach
Enjoy a fun-filled day on Valencia's stunning Mediterranean beach. Play beach volleyball, soak up the sun, and experience the relaxed coastal culture.
A paella cooking class
Learn the art of preparing Valencia's most famous dish in an authentic cooking workshop. Guided by a local chef, you'll discover the secrets of perfect paella, from selecting ingredients to mastering traditional cooking techniques.
A flamenco show
Experience the passion and drama of traditional Spanish flamenco. Watch professional dancers demonstrate the intricate footwork and emotional storytelling that make this art form world-renowned.
A day trip to Xàtiva
Explore the historic hilltop town of Xàtiva, featuring a visit to its impressive medieval castle and discovering the birthplace of the Borgia family.
A visit to the City of Arts and Sciences
Explore Valencia's iconic futuristic museum, featuring interactive science exhibits, stunning architecture, and hands-on displays that bring medicine, biology, and technology to life.
Safety & Support
Your safety and peace of mind is our absolute priority. We've meticulously crafted a comprehensive network of support systems and procedures to ensure your journey is not only unforgettable but also completely secure.
Our dedicated Projects Abroad team is your constant companion, available 24/7 to provide assistance and guidance. From the moment you arrive, we'll be there to help you settle into your accommodation and placement, ensuring a smooth and comfortable transition.
And should any challenges arise, our team will be readily available to provide support and solutions, allowing you to focus on what truly matters: your incredible adventure.
What is a virtual hospital?
The "virtual" hospital refers to a cutting-edge medical training environment that teens wouldn't normally have access to (usually it's for doctors, medical students, and similar).
This Medical Internship in Spain for Teenagers allows unique access to a truly immersive experience in a simulated clinical setting, giving a broad range of exposure.
It is fully supervised by medical professionals, making it an invaluable learning opportunity and the perfect first step towards a career in medicine.
Does this medical internship include medical shadowing?
Yes. In addition to the virtual hospital, you will spend 24 hours shadowing real medical professionals as they interact with patients, including work in different departments in the hospital.
Ready to join a Medical Internship for Teens in Valencia?
Contact a Project Expert to get started or ask any questions.
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