Sports Physiotherapy Internship in Mauritius

From beaches to national parks, here are the absolute best things to do in Mauritius:

The Capital Port Louis
Head to Caudan Waterfront shopping mall
Check out China Town and fabric shopping district
Visit Aapravasi Ghat a Unesco World Heritage Site
See the sights, smells and sounds of Port Louis Bazaar!

South & West Region
Hike Black River Gorges National Park spotting endemic birds and native flora and fauna
Sail out on a Dolphin or Whale watching experience
Climb Le Morne Mountain, a cultural Unesco World Heritage Site
Relax on white Sandy Beaches of Le Morne or Flic en Flac join in the island national dance of Sega

South & East Region
Take the plunge and scuba dive or snorkel in Blue Bay Marine National Park
Experience local markets and the history of Mahebourg the old grand port
Climb Lion Mountain and Kestrel Valley
Explore Isle Aux Aigrettes conversation island and spot giant tortoises

Central Region
Pay your respect at the holy temple of Grand Bassin at the mouth of and extinct volcano
Take in the viewpoints of Alexandra Falls, Chamarel Seven Colored Earths and Black River Gorge NP
Sip the flavoured teas of Bois Cheri Tea Plantation
Get a taste of guava fruit picking (seasonal) or get active on zip line adventures

North Region
Kayak on Isle De Ambre and weave through Mangroves
Head to Grand Bay for shops, nightlife and pristine beaches
Walk the Pamplemousse Botanical Gardens
Visit the Sugarcane Factory Museum

The Physiotherapy Landscape in Mauritius
Physiotherapy is a dynamic and rapidly evolving field in Mauritius. With the national professional association established in 2009, the industry is characterised by a fresh, collaborative spirit and a growing commitment to international standards. For university students, this provides an ideal environment to observe a healthcare system that is both modern and open to fresh perspectives. Interning here allows you to see first-hand how the discipline is practiced abroad, helping you develop a well-rounded, global approach to your future career.

A Diverse and Comprehensive Placement
This internship is designed to provide a 360-degree view of the industry through a blend of clinical and field-based exposure. You will have the opportunity to work across various segments of the industry, moving between established private clinics and high-performance sports environments. This dual approach ensures you understand the nuances of treating both the general public and elite athletes, providing a broad foundation for your professional development.

Professional Supervision and Elite Sport Exposure
You will be matched with professionally recognised physiotherapists who serve as mentors, ensuring you receive high-level guidance throughout your stay. A significant highlight of this placement is the exposure to the sports physiotherapy field. You may find yourself supporting local sports events or working with top-tier athletes and high-performance teams. This environment allows you to witness the high stakes of athlete recovery and the precision required for injury prevention at the elite level.

Internship Placement Duties
Under the guidance of your supervisors, you will engage with various aspects of patient care and athletic maintenance. Potential activities and areas of exposure include:

• Assisting with injury assessments and observing the design of evidence-based treatment plans.
• Gaining insight into specialised techniques such as joint mobilisation, soft tissue manipulation, and therapeutic exercise.
• Learning about diverse recovery modalities, which may include cryotherapy, hydrotherapy, and sports massage.
• The opportunity to observe pitch-side care and immediate injury management during sporting competitions or matches.
• Contributing to athlete monitoring and long-term injury prevention initiatives.

This placement offers an unparalleled opportunity to develop clinical skills and critical thinking while working in a tropical paradise. By combining professional growth with the vibrant culture of Mauritius, you will gain a competitive edge in the physiotherapy field and a lasting appreciation for international practice.

Criminal Records Check
We require you to complete a criminal records check in order to take part in this experience. We can accept those that have been done in the last two years if you have the certificate. In the UK it can be done through the Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS), in the USA further details can be found on Travel.State.Gov, otherwise please search for your local service provider. We may also request a reference from a reliable source. You must supply these to us before departure and also take a copy with you to present to the in-country team.

Why do we require a criminal background check?
1) Ensuring a safe environment is conducive to learning, productivity and overall positive experiences for everyone involved.

2) We implement thorough screening processes and we are committed to safety and integrity, fostering trust among participants and the local community.

3) Conducting background checks serves as a preventive measure, deterring individuals with questionable backgrounds from attempting to participate in our programme.

4) Safeguards vulnerable people from potential harm within the programme.

We run trips from the first weekend in May (preferably arriving on the Sun) until the second Sat in Sep. We prefer you to arrive on either the first or third weekend of a month but we can also be flexible with other arrival dates. Arrivals/departures outside this window may incur an additional charge.

Minimum duration is 4 weeks but the longer you can give to the experience the more value you will get from it.

If you aim at coming on an even duration of weeks such as 4, 6, 8 it helps with our operations. You can book a maximum of 8 weeks at this time.

Visa
Most nationalities will not require a visa to enter Mauritius for up to 60 days. If you are from a country that requires a visa for entry then we suggest you research your own requirements. When you book, we’ll provide you with all details should you need to apply for a visa.

Equipment Donation for Mauritius
We are dedicated to sustainable development. This is why part of the fee you pay goes towards buying decent equipment for beneficiary organisations in Mauritius. You will often use this equipment during your project and it is always left with the community when you leave. In some cases, an equipment donation may not be appropriate so a financial contribution is made instead.

Social Life in Mauritius
Mauritius is known as paradise island and is spoilt for choice on pristine beaches. On public holidays the locals certainly know how to enjoy themselves at the beach and are so warm and welcoming, they will often ask you to join them! The national music and dance is Sega and you can often here the African skin drums being played by the locals. In the north and west of the island there are several resort towns with plenty of restaurants and bars as well as surf and up market clothing stores. Every weekend you will be free to explore and experience the fun way of life in Mauritius!

Travel and Adventure in Mauritius
Mauritius, an Indian Ocean island nation, as mentioned is known for its beaches, lagoons and reefs. However the mountainous interior has a lot to offer including Black River Gorges National Park, with rainforests, waterfalls, hiking trails and rare endangered wildlife like the Fruit Bat, Pink Pigeon and Mauritian Kestrel. The Capital Port Louis has sites such as the Champs de Mars horse track, Eureka plantation house and 18th-century Botanical Gardens.

The national sport of Mauritius is football and its most popular sport to date. The national football team is called Club M and represents the country in international matches. Mauritius also has solid teams in volleyball and basketball, all competing to a high standard. If water-sports are you thing then Mauritius will spoil you with an array of aquatic activities from scuba-diving, to kite-surfing to sailing on the crystal seas all over the island.

The highlights of this trip is the climb of Le Morne to see the underwater waterfall and this UNESCO World Heritage site with significant cultural importance for Mauritian people.

Accommodation
For the duration of your stay in Mauritius, you will be staying in a basic but comfortable house, with dorm style accommodation with all the facilities you need.

Meals
Breakfast is included daily providing a simple but nutritious offering with fruits, eggs, bread and condiments as well as tea and coffee. We source all breakfast items from locally produced food.

Self Catering Facilities
Lunch and dinner can be prepared in groups or individually as there is a supermarket close by, there are two self catering kitchens and good storage at the accommodation. Restaurants are located along the beach.

Airport Pick-Up
You will be met at the airport by a member of the team and transferred to your accommodation.

Training
Full project induction and orientation will be provided during your intro week.

Support
Pre-departure help and advice; local in country team; 24 hour emergency support.

Transport
Arrival and departure transfers will be provided by our in-country team. We will utilise an array of transport to and from your sports project. Transport will include public and private transport: taxi, bus, boat, bicycle. Participants will be expected to walk to and from locations when travelling short distances.

Flights
Travel Insurance
Visa
Vaccinations
CRB/DBS Check
Airport Drop-Off (but we will help you get local transport)
Spending Money
Food – Lunch and Dinner
Tourist Tax: 3 Euros a day to be paid locally at accommodation

Preferred Duration
6 to 10 weeks will give you a good amount of time to settle in, develop the relationships that are important for the programme and provide you with a useful amount of professional development hours in physiotherapy practice towards your career. Anything longer has even more value if you can commit to it.

Pre-requisites
You need to have at least two years experience in physiotherapy and will need to provide us with a CV for us to approve before you book with us. You are expected to be friendly, adaptable and have an opened minded approach to participating in a foreign culture.

Suitable for ages 20 to 60

Most participants are between 20 and 25, so please be aware of this. We do welcome people above this age range because of the value and experience they may bring to the project will be highly beneficial, so we can discuss this on a case by case application.