Your three week journey

A new setting.
A wider perspective.

Follow a journey through Colombo, Kandy and Galle, combining psychology learning, community visits and time to discover Sri Lanka.

Explore the itinerary Plan your placement

Colombo. Kandy. Galle. Three weeks of discovery.Discover more ↓

The revised programme

21 days of discovery.

Based on the supplied itinerary dated 20 August 2026. This is a proposed schedule, not a confirmed departure. Dates, hosts, activities and travel arrangements should be confirmed with the placement team.

Week 01 · Colombo

Settle in. Start connecting.

Begin with orientation, an introduction to mental health and opportunities to learn about local care and culture.

DAY 01
Arrival in Sri Lanka
Transfer to your accommodation and spend the remainder of the day at leisure.
DAY 02
Orientation at Samutthãna
Orientation session, lunch and a session on mental health and wellbeing.
DAY 03
Lankadhara Care Home
Activities with staff members, lunch and activities with children in care, following host guidance.
DAY 04
Cultural tour
The itinerary lists visits to a Buddhist temple, Hindu kovil, Catholic church or mosque. Confirm the final selection with the team.
DAY 05
Culture and mental health
Workshop at Samutthãna, lunch and a group discussion about the organisation’s capacity building work.
DAY 06
Day at leisure
Time for your own plans and reflection.
DAY 07
Rest day
A day to rest before the next stage of the programme.

Week 02 · Colombo · Kandy · Galle

Explore new settings.

Continue your learning through workshops and community visits, then travel into the hill country and onward to Galle.

DAY 08
MJF Foundation
A full day at the school for children with special needs, as described in the supplied itinerary.
DAY 09
Counselling and CBT at Samutthãna
Basic counselling skills, lunch and basic CBT.
DAY 10
Colombo at leisure
Shopping and sightseeing, with time to explore the city.
DAY 11
Travel to Kandy
The proposed route includes an elephant orphanage, lunch and Saradiyel’s village to experience traditional rural village life.
DAY 12
Kandy General Hospital
A full day visit and volunteer activities, subject to the host’s arrangements.
DAY 13
Child Action Lanka
A full day visit and volunteer activities, subject to the host’s arrangements.
DAY 14
Travel to Galle
The itinerary lists the Temple of the Tooth Relic and Peradeniya Botanical Gardens as visits associated with this travel day.

Week 03 · Galle · Colombo

Discover. Reflect. Take it forward.

Enjoy time on the coast before returning to Colombo for a mental health service visit, group reflection and farewell.

DAY 15
Explore Galle
Time to explore the city of Galle.
DAY 16
Sun, sea and sand
Enjoy time on the coast.
DAY 17
Return to Colombo
The proposed return journey includes a turtle hatchery visit.
DAY 18
National Institute of Mental Health
Visit the NIMH, followed by lunch and a wrap up discussion with the Samutthãna team.
DAY 19
Reflection and farewell
A reflective presentation and farewell dinner.
DAY 20
Day at leisure
Time for your own plans before departure.
DAY 21
Depart for the airport
Departure day and travel to the airport.

Learning throughout the journey

Ideas to explore.
Questions to take home.

The presentation lists health and wellbeing, culture and mental health, Samutthãna’s capacity building work, helping relationships, communication skills and an introduction to CBT.

It also lists three options: psychological first aid, meditation and mindfulness based approaches, and basic CBT for anxiety disorders. Confirm the selected topics and session count with the team.

View the workshop overview ↗