At a glance
- Follow psychologists around on an internship in Mongolia while you work with patients with a variety of tasks.
- Mongolia is in need of mental health professionals, and this internship can show how developing countries handle it. Your role is to observe and assist and you’ll be given a research assignment.
- You will be working in Mongolia’s capital and learning about their culture while staying with a local host family. You have the opportunity to explore on the weekends and evenings.
Start Dates:
Anytime
See DatesMinimum Duration:
Two Weeks
Ages:
16 or over
You should have completed at least three years of psychology related studies or training.
Is a Psychology internship in Mongolia right for me?
This internship is perfect for anyone currently studying psychology. You’ll learn directly from an experienced psychologist, which will add valuable experience to your CV. We also run community outreaches where you can learn basic medical skills and use them to help people.
You’ll also have the chance put your theoretical knowledge into practice through observations and research. This will expand your practical knowledge of psychology and give you an understanding of the challenges people with mental illness face.
Please note that due to government regulations in Mongolia, our interns are not permitted to treat or consult with patients directly.
You need to have completed at least three years of psychology or related studies to do a psychology placement in Mongolia. You’ll also need to commit to staying at least two weeks. Our start and end dates are flexible, however, and the project runs throughout the year. So you can choose a time that suits you.
At all times, there will be a qualified supervisor with you. Projects Abroad staff are also available to help you and ensure that you have a memorable and productive time abroad.
What will I do on this internship?
You’ll work at one of our psychology placements in Mongolia. You’ll be placed in healthcare centers focused on helping mental health patients. Here are some of the tasks you can expect to do:
- Assist psychologists by conducting research and data analysis
- Shadow psychologists during their rounds and sessions with patients
- Exchange medical knowledge with Mongolian healthcare staff
- Take part in monthly outreaches for disadvantaged people
Your work will be split in four main areas:
Assist psychologists by conducting research and data analysis
Your main role on the project is to help psychologists with research tasks. Topics you may be asked to research include:
- Depression
- Anxiety
- Obsessive Compulsive Disorder
- Addictive behaviours.
You will also assist with preparing training and consulting materials. All of your research will focus on mental health and mental illnesses in a Mongolian context. Your supervisor will guide you and offer assistance when needed.
Shadow psychologists during their rounds and sessions with patients
You’ll learn a great deal by shadowing psychologists and psychiatrists on their rounds or during consultations with patients. We also encourage you to ask questions and take notes to learn as much as possible.
If it’s possible at your placement, you can explore different wards. You can speak to your supervisor about this.
Exchange medical knowledge with Mongolian healthcare staff
Depending on your level of experience, you may be asked to prepare and give a presentation to local staff. These topics could include stress management or doctor and patient conflict. You can also suggest new therapy methods to the local staff during these presentations. This is the perfect opportunity for you to show the similarities and differences for treating mental illness in your home country and Mongolia.
Take part in monthly outreaches for disadvantaged people
Every month, we organize a community outreach. These outreaches are held at a community center and help people from disadvantaged areas. You will help hand out meals, assist the doctor on duty, and distribute medication to people. You’ll get some practical experience by helping to record blood pressure readings or check the weight/height of patients. The doctor on duty will supervise you, and answer any questions you have.
Where in Mongolia will I work?
Ulaanbaatar
You will be based in the capital of Mongolia, Ulaanbaatar. You will complete your internship at health care centers in the city. The centers are focused on mental health patients.
Ulaanbaatar is home to over a million people and is the only major settlement in Mongolia. The country is known for its vast open plains and you’ll quickly find that it has a fascinating history and culture. Besides being the home of famous Genghis Khan, founder of the Mongol Empire, the country is also home to wandering nomads.
You will live with a friendly host family in the city for the duration of your trip. You can use this time to get to know your family, talk to them about their lives, and eat as many local dishes as you can!
A typical day at my Psychology placement in Mongolia
You will eat breakfast with your host family, before heading out of the door to your psychology placement in Mongolia. Make sure to pack a white lab coat to wear at your placement if you have one! Or purchase one in Mongolia if your placement requires you to wear one. You can take a bus, walk, or use a trolleybus to get there. During your induction on your first day, we’ll show you the easiest way to get to work.
A typical day on this internship runs from 9am - 3pm, Monday to Friday. Your daily hours and activities will vary, depending on the placement you choose and their requirements.
You will work with a supervisor who guides your tasks, teaches you, and assists you when needed. We recommend that you ask questions, and learn as much as you can from your supervisor. You’ll do research, prepare training, or prepare consulting materials. Depending on your experience, other tasks include giving presentations to the local staff about psychology related topics.
During your free time, you can explore, plan a trip to see the nomads, visit a Mongolian monastery, meet volunteers and interns from around the world, or relax at your host family home.
What are the aims and impact of this internship?
There are two main aims to this internship: to provide you with an educational experience and to support those with mental illness.
There is a lack of mental health professionals in Mongolia and there is a need for psychiatrists, psychologists, and occupational therapists. With so few mental health workers available to work with the population, extra hands and a sharing of knowledge are encouraged.
Our programme mission is to enable an exchange of medical knowledge and facilitate a greater understanding of global healthcare practices. By empowering local communities, we aim to improve standards of health through awareness, prevention, and treatment. You will exchange knowledge with psychologists from a different culture, environment, and background. You’ll also gain experience in preparing training materials, and be part of medical outreaches.
Your psychology work experience in Mongolia will give your CV a boost and give you a global perspective on mental health awareness.
Join us on a Psychology Internship in Mongolia, which provides you with observational work experience and benefits the local community.
Management plans
We set out the aims and objectives of our projects in documents called Management Plans. We use them to properly plan the work you’ll do. They also help us measure and evaluate our achievements and impact each year.
Ultimately, our Management Plans help us make our projects better. This in turn means you get to be part of something that makes a real impact where it’s needed. Read more about our Management Plans.
Measuring our impact
Our projects work towards clear long-term goals, with specific annual objectives. Every volunteer and intern we send to these projects helps us work towards these goals, no matter how long they spend on our projects.
Every year we take a step back and look at how much progress we've made towards these goals. We put together a Global Impact Report, which documents our achievements. Find out more about the impact our global community of volunteers, interns and staff make, and read the latest report.
Food and accommodation
You'll stay with a host family in Ulaanbaatar. They will welcome you into their home, eager to share their customs and have you teach them about your own culture. We believe that this is the best way to immerse yourself in the culture of Mongolia and have a truly unique experience.
We will always try to let you live alongside at least one other Projects Abroad volunteer or intern at the same host family. Your room will be modest, but comfortable, clean, and safe.
Your programme fee includes three meals a day.
Find out more about our accommodation.
Leisure activities and free time
Mongolia is one of the most remote countries in the world. Volunteering here is a chance to experience a completely different way of life.
Our projects are based in Ulaanbaatar, the country’s capital. This city is an eclectic mix of modern and traditional. The Government Palace is a perfect example of this, with it’s old-world style architecture and glowing blue and gold lights.
Even when you’re in the city, you’re never far from the countryside. Just a quick trip can take you out to a nomad settlement, where you can meet travelling families who live in traditional gers. We recommend going on a horse ride or trek to take in the beauty of the endless countryside horizons.
The famous statue of Genghis Khan is a must-see. You can also learn about the country’s history at the National Museum of Mongolia.
We run a range of different projects in Mongolia so there will likely be other volunteers in the country with you. So you can travel alone or explore the country with a group of like-minded new friends.
Safety and staff support
Your safety and security is our prime concern. We have many procedures and systems to ensure you have the support you need to enjoy your trip with peace of mind. Our Projects Abroad staff are available 24 hours a day to help, and will be on hand to make sure you settle in well at your accommodation and placement. If you encounter any problems, they will be available to help at any time.
Find out more about safety and backup.
This placement is fully researched, safety audited, and risk assessed in accordance with the British Standard BS8848 for the Adventure Travel Sector.
Meet the team in Mongolia
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