The Weekly Question – why did you choose to do your elective placement with Work the World?

Friday, April 6th, 2012

It’s a fact of life; everyone likes to ‘big themselves up’ from time to time! And while we can go on until we’re blue in the face about why you should choose to do your overseas placement with Work the World, the best people to ask are those who did choose us and are on placement right now.

This week we asked students in each of our destinations “why did you choose to do your elective placement with Work the World?” Here are some of the responses…

dental students argentina 150x150 The Weekly Question why did you choose to do your elective placement with Work the World?

Students on placement in Mendoza, Argentina

In Argentina the leading answer was the opportunity for students to brush up on their Spanish with our fantastic week-long Intensive Spanish Course. Amanda Woods, a medical student from Alabama said “interacting with patients in a Spanish speaking company is definitely the best way to improve my Spanish…the programme has everything I was looking for.” Amanda also found us to be one of the only companies she researched offering placements in South America and to include the placement, accommodation, food and in-country support in the total cost.

(more…)

No Comments »

Work the World sends two Pampers winners on their elective

Wednesday, March 21st, 2012

We’ve just found out some exciting news about the Pampers Student Vision Awards held at the start of the year…. Rachel and Aongola, the first and second place winners are both travelling with Work the World!

pampers student vision 150x150 Work the World sends two Pampers winners on their elective
RCM magazine – January

Rachel plans to go to Sri Lanka in August and told us “It was a lovely opportunity to go to the RCM awards and I was thrilled to have a won the pampers student award.  I’m really grateful to pampers and the RCM for supporting my trip, where I will gain many new and fantastic experiences whilst exploring a new culture and healthcare system.  I’m now really excited about planning the rest of my trip and will fly to Sri Lanka in late August.’

Aongola was just as excited. ““I was amazed, shocked and excited to come as runner up.  The award enabled me to fund my elective placement to Argentina to which I am really looking forward.  Elective placements abroad provide the opportunity to observe services in other countries framed by their culture.  I am excited to be able to observe the provision of midwifery services in Argentina and reflect on the contrasts with services in the UK.”

(more…)

No Comments »

Why should I do my elective placement abroad?

Thursday, March 15th, 2012

I get asked a lot why I do what I do and go where I go. Most of the time I like to explain my well thought out reasons. I mean, I am a storyteller after all. But here’s what I think of saying first: “Why not?”

268221 882796167851 61004884 44806933 8382044 n 150x150 Why should I do my elective placement abroad?

Students on placement in Sri Lanka

First of all, the world is ever changing. Be a part of that change.

(more…)

No Comments »

Pigeon Island – travelling in Sri Lanka

Tuesday, January 17th, 2012

As everyone knows, Sri Lanka is an island. But there are few more other small islands around Sri Lanka that are not so well known.

“Pigeon Island” is in Trincomalee, in the the north part of Sri Lanka, a 5 hours journey by bus. It’s long journey but the trick is to travel on a Friday after placement so you save time travelling and have the following day on the beach.

The Trincomalee beach is one of the most beautiful beaches in Sri Lanka – white sand with blue water. There are no waves, so you can walk in to the sea for about 500m and still the water will be up to your waist. In ”Nilaveli”, which is about 10KM from Trincomalee, you have the amazing “Pigeon Island” and the best parts of the beach.

In Pigeon Island you can scuba Dive and do snorkeling – it is like the Discovery Channel in front of your eyes, only this time it’s for real…..

(more…)

No Comments »

Sigiriya – one of the wonders of the world

Tuesday, January 10th, 2012

“Sigiriya” is one of the most recommended places to visit in srilanka.It used to be one of the 7 wonders in the world. It’s a fortress of a king who used to live in Sri Lanka in early days. Most of our students go to visit Sigiriya on a weekday since this can be done during a day. So they can save weekends for more beach time. It’s a 2 and a half hour drive from Kandy. And it’s a 45 minutes climb. If you go in an evening you can witness the Sunset.

Plus you can take some lovely pictures from up there. Even maybe some New Profile Pictures…..

Sigira 150x150 Sigiriya one of the wonders of the world

Sigiriya

On top of Sigiriya 150x150 Sigiriya one of the wonders of the world

On top of Sigiriya

No Comments »

The weekly question – What is the public transport like?

Wednesday, November 9th, 2011
028 150x150 The weekly question What is the public transport like?

Safari

The majority of our students use public transport to get into town or to travel to their placement. In fact joining the hoards on a busy bus can sometimes be the best way to integrate yourself into local life. Trips to work can also provide some of the funniest travel experiences of your time away. We asked our students “ what is the public transport like in your area” in the hope we might hear about some of these funny and typical travel experiences. We had some fantastic responses from each of our destinations, with real insight into each country.

Starting in Africa;

(more…)

No Comments »

The weekly question – Why did you choose to do your placement in the destination you’re in?

Thursday, August 25th, 2011

We think that one of the hardest parts of organising an elective is actually deciding where to go. Whether you’re tempted by the tribes of Africa; the mountains of Asia or the flavour of South America, wherever you decide to go, your elective overseas will no doubt enrich both your professional and personal development in a safe, supported environment.

We currently work in seven locations around the world and like to talk to students in depth about each destination before they make a decision – this way they can work out which placement is most suited to them. So the question we chose to ask the houses this week is “Why did you choose to do your placement in the destination you’re in?”

Abby 2011 2 150x150 The weekly question Why did you choose to do your placement in the destination you’re in?

A Sri Lankan beach

(more…)

No Comments »

Esala Perahera- my favourite time of year!

Tuesday, August 9th, 2011

Kandy Esala Perahera is a magnificent procession with dancers, elephants, drummers, musicians and yes, more elephants, parading through the streets of Kandy. It is the most colourful and elegant Buddhist festival that takes place in the month of July or August every year for 10 days to conclude on the night of the full moon of August.

Flickr user Wildlife Kosmos 150x150 Esala Perahera my favourite time of year!

The festival in Kandy - image by Wildlife Kosmos, Flickr

Originated in 4th century as an annual ritual, enacted for Gods’ blessing for rain, fertility and health, the modern perahera has been joined by the Devale Perahera , which was dedicated to the four guardian deities, Natha, Vishnu, Kataragama, and Pattini in the 18th century.

(more…)

No Comments »

The weekly question – Are you enjoying the local music and is there a type of music or song that has defined your stay?

Tuesday, July 26th, 2011

Students are always talking about the great Busy Bees cover bands in Pokhara and last week some of our students in Mwanza ended up going to the Serengeti Fiesta where they got to see Shaggy as well as a whole host of local bands. This week we have decided to ask the houses “Are you enjoying the local music, does it get you dancing and is there a type of music or song that has defined your stay?”

Paradiso 2 150x150 The weekly question Are you enjoying the local music and is there a type of music or song that has defined your stay?

Dancing at the orphanage

The most popular style of music in Tanzania is Bongo Flava which is the nickname for Tanzanian hip-hop music.  Jennifer in Arusha was quick to jump in with “I definitely like the local music – it’s the thing that brings everyone together from all backgrounds and encourages them to dance. It was great seeing the children at the orphanage dance. It can be a way to communicate, the language of music automatically lights up everyone’s faces!”

(more…)

No Comments »

The Weekly Question – What is the most interesting piece of local curiosity or handicraft that you have seen and tell us a bit about it

Friday, July 15th, 2011

We know that students love to travel at the weekend and often find fantastic souvenirs or witness fascinating ceremonies. This week we are asking the students “what is the most interesting piece of local curiosity or handicraft that you have seen and tell us a bit about it.”

Alison April 10 210 150x150 The Weekly Question What is the most interesting piece of local curiosity or handicraft that you have seen and tell us a bit about it

Kandy centre

Sri Lanka is a treasure trove of exotic delights and crafts you can take home with you. Jan and Rebecca, 3rd year Midwifery students from New Zealand have packed their cases full of pashminas and tell us that the “batiks look really cool, they are great for wall hangings and cushions. But make sure you barter hard for them and buy them of the central market and not Queen’s Hotel shop. The pashminas are really beautiful and good quality. Once again barter. Pay no more than Rs.650 for the plain and Rs. 1100 for the patterned.”

(more…)

No Comments »

« Older Entries