Medical FSJ abroad

Normally, FSJs are funded by the state, which keeps your costs within reasonable limits and you can even be rewarded with a small amount of pocket money every month. However, the financially supported places for FSJs abroad are limited. You should therefore be prepared for the fact that as a volunteer you will have to support the sponsoring organization and possibly cover the costs yourself. The cost of participation varies depending on the continent, but is usually cheapest in Europe.

The demand for volunteer services abroad is high, which is why you should prepare your application at least a year in advance.

The programs usually start between July and September. The duration of an FSJ is usually 1 year, but can also last between 6 and 24 months. Find out about contact points in your federal state or organizations, which will then refer you to the relevant partner institutions abroad.

Also, find out in good time about the entry requirements and safety instructions for your travel country. Use the information from Foreign Officeto be up to date and avoid problems upon entry. Since there are some very important insurance policies for stays abroad, you should also find out about them. On our website you will find some information about Insurance coverage for your trip.

If you are interested in studying in the medical field, you can have your FSJ recognized at many universities and colleges. However, the prerequisite for this is often a minimum period of 11 months. So take this into account when planning your voluntary service and it is best to find out about the general conditions at the respective universities yourself.

The insight into everyday working life and the confrontation with a wide variety of situations prepare you for your professional life in a unique way. Working in another country in particular requires great adaptability, flexibility and good communication.

In addition to professional development, you benefit above all from the personal development that you experience over time. During your FSJ there will certainly be complications or more difficult situations that need to be dealt with. Especially after graduating from school, you often find yourself on your own for the first time in your life. Even if such situations seem unpleasant at first, in retrospect it is often precisely these experiences that shape you and contribute to your personal development. Find out more here how a stay abroad makes you grow.

A big advantage of completing an FSJ abroad is the intercultural exchange. Especially in the medical field, a lot of interpersonal contact is common, which means that you will spend most of your time interacting with people from different cultures. Here you can not only improve your language skills, but also learn a lot about different nations and ways of life. Your intercultural skills will increase within a very short time, which will help you in everyday life both during your stay and after your return.

International exchange is extremely valuable, and not just for you. The local facilities also benefit from the knowledge and experience of the volunteers. Together you can learn from each other and develop further.

In summary, it can be said that a FSJ abroad in the medical field is an enriching experience that not only gives the volunteers intercultural skills, but also broadens their professional perspectives. If you are interested in medicine but are not yet sure which area you would like to work in later, a voluntary social year can help you get a first impression of everyday working life.