As a doctor in Sri Lanka: My internship with travel4med

As a doctor in further training in internal medicine, I take my community on Instagram and TikTok with me through my everyday life at the clinic – including medical information, insights into ward life, and realistic glimpses into the life of a doctor.

But I wanted to broaden my horizons myself: out of the German hospital routine and into a completely different healthcare system.

Travel4med offered the ideal opportunity to do just that: a two-week internship at the National Hospital Galle in Sri Lanka.

Together with travel4med, this resulted in a small collaboration—my goal was to show not only myself but also my community how medicine works in a different cultural and structural context.

The support provided by travel4med was really great and very personal. I received detailed information about visas, vaccinations, first-aid kits, the security situation, and cultural customs in Sri Lanka. They also took my previous medical experience into account, so I felt optimally prepared.

The smooth communication with the team was particularly helpful—all questions were answered quickly and in a friendly manner.

After a long flight, I was warmly welcomed at the airport. The drive to Galle was long (about 2.5 hours), but the scenery was beautiful—and by the time I arrived at my accommodation, all my tiredness was forgotten.

What awaited me there was beyond my expectations: a lovingly furnished house, a well-kept garden with a pool, an open kitchen, communal areas – and above all: Chef Uncle.

He stood at the entrance with a freshly prepared welcome juice, smiled at me and said, "Welcome, Doctor!" – a sentence I will never forget.

I took him into my heart from the very first moment. Chef Uncle is not only the good spirit of the house, but also the one who makes the stay something very special with his humor, his care, and his incredible cuisine.

After just a few hours, it was clear to me that I was in exactly the right place – professionally, personally, and culturally.

The internship at Galle National Hospital was deeply impressive. As a trainee doctor, I was allowed to shadow doctors in internal medicine wards, participate in rounds, and join in on case discussions—always in respectful exchange with the local doctors.

Despite limited resources, I was impressed by the medical expertise and improvisational skills of the teams on site. The differences to the German hospital structure were clearly noticeable – and that was exactly the goal: to learn, observe, and understand.

I have compiled some of these experiences in stories and reels – anonymized, of course, and with the aim of making intercultural medicine tangible.

In addition to my daily work at the clinic, I had plenty of time to explore the country. Among other things, the travel4med group organized trips to Mirissa, Ella, Udawalawe National Park, and the turtle sanctuary.

A particular highlight was our long weekend in Ahangama: a small group of participants and I rented an affordable villa there—in a fantastic location, just a few minutes from the beach.

The days were filled with surfing, long walks on the beach, playing cards together, and in the evenings we often went to one of the local parties right by the water. The atmosphere was relaxed, informal, and simply wonderful—exactly the kind of community experience that stays with you even after the medical program is over.

I also used the weekends to go snorkeling and visit temples. Sri Lanka's cultural diversity, landscape, and people made a lasting impression on me—and I shared many of these experiences with my community on Instagram.

Although I was there as a licensed physician, I felt completely at ease in the group of students and nursing interns. The exchange was lively, inspiring, and full of mutual support.

It is precisely this openness that sets travel4med apart from other programs—it's not just about working, but about growing together.

The internship with travel4med was more than just professional training for me—it was a change of perspective.

I learned how much can be achieved even with simple means. I saw how resilient and dedicated medical staff are in their work around the world. And I experienced how strongly medicine connects people – across continents and cultures.

I can only recommend that all doctors and medical students embark on this adventure.

Whether with or without a camera, it changes, enriches, and inspires you.

Thank you to the entire travel4med team, the National Hospital Galle, and all the people there.

And a very special thank you to Chef Uncle—for the best juice, the best smile, and the warmest welcome.

– Dr. Emilie (@drmedemilie)