Physiotherapy Internship in the Philippines

Are you a current physiotherapy student wanting to gain practical work experience? Or are you a recent graduate looking to supplement your CV with work in an international setting?

If you answered yes to any of the above, then this is the ideal internship for you. To join, you do need to be at least 18 years old and have a minimum of six months to one year of physiotherapy studies or training.

Your level of hands-on involvement depends on your level of training and experience. If you don’t have much experience, you’ll shadow a physiotherapist, and learn by observing them. Once you’re more confident, you can do more under supervision. Interns with more training and experience also work under supervision. Your supervisor is a qualified physiotherapist, who is also the director of the community rehabilitation centre where you’ll work.

Since English is one of the official languages of the Philippines, you don’t need to worry about a language barrier. If you do encounter a patient who doesn’t speak English, one of your fellow staff members will be able to translate.

This internship is available year-round, and you can join from two weeks onwards. Your start and end dates are flexible, so you can choose a time that suits your schedule.

This practical internship offers you a wide-range of activities for a well-rounded experience. We work with stroke victims, people with cerebral palsy and other disabilities, as well as those recovering from accidents. Here are just some of the things you can do at your physiotherapy placement in the Philippines:

• Provide physiotherapy treatments and care to patients with disabilities
• Write case notes and reports about patient consultations
• Exchange knowledge with local staff and students
• Create home exercise programmes for patients

After enjoying a hearty breakfast with your host family, you’re ready to start the day. You’ll travel to your placement via a motorised tricycle, similar to a rickshaw. On your first day, our staff will accompany you to show you the way.

On this internship, you will work Monday to Friday. Working hours are from 8:30am until 11am and then again from 1:30pm until 4pm. You’ll travel home for lunch, or bring a packed one with you if your host family is too far away.

You will assess and treat patients at the community centre where this internship is based. No day on this project will be the same, which keeps things interesting. You might be helping someone who’s had a stroke learn to walk again, or work with a disabled child to improve their motor skills.

On other days, you’ll conduct home visits instead, and perform the treatments there. Sometimes you will work with patients to teach them exercises they can do at home to maintain their mobility.

Once you’re done for the day, it’s time to enjoy life in the Philippines. Share stories about your day with fellow interns and volunteers at a beach side restaurant. Or spend time getting to know your host family over a delicious home-cooked dinner. Don’t forget about our regular socials, a great opportunity to make new friends.

San Remigio

You will work in the municipality of San Remigio. It’s located in the far north of Cebu Island, on the west coast. You’ll be placed at a local rehabilitation centre that works with people with disabilities. This centre is the first of its kind in San Remigio, and was set up by a Projects Abroad intern. You’ll often find yourself travelling to homes and community centres in the area to treat patients as well.

San Remigio may be a small town, but it boasts the longest coastline of any municipality on Cebu Island. It has all the conveniences you might need, such as ATMs, grocery stores, and restaurants. There are also plenty of beach resorts, marine sanctuaries, and dive spots to explore in your time off.

You will stay with a host family in Bogo City, which is only 12 km from San Remigio.