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…..

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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

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Weekly Question ”Why would you recommend your destination to future students”

Tuesday, November 1st, 2011

We get hundreds of students coming to us knowing they want to do a clinical placement overseas, but with no idea exactly where they would like to go. If this sounds familiar then maybe our current students will help you decide…..

Abby 2011 13 150x150 Weekly Question Why would you recommend your destination to future students

Prasanga the caterer and the gardener Uncle

Katie and Clare in Sri Lanka have a list too long to post but here are some of our favourites; (more…)

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The weekly question: What is the structure of a typical day on a placement?

Wednesday, October 12th, 2011

A couple of weeks ago we had a blog about a typical day on placement in Mendoza Argentina, it proved to be extremely popular so we decided to ask students in all of our destinations how they were finding there time on away.

We try and give you an idea before you head out to your chosen destination what a typical day might be like even though I think we all know, each day can be completely different.  Below provides you with an insight into the average day of a student on placement with us.

Kate is currently in Sri Lanka and her day’s starts at 7am sharp with a shower and breakfast before heading out to get a tuk tuk to the hospital for an 8am start

Alison July 10 33 150x150 The weekly question: What is the structure of a typical day on a placement?

On ward round in Sri Lanka

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The Weekly Question – What has been your clinical highlight this week?

Friday, September 2nd, 2011

Often students tell us of rare and tropical diseases that they’ve only read about in the past. Whether it be differences in the treatment of patients, unseen diseases or progressed pathologies, an overseas placement can provide a fascinating learning environment. We have asked this question a few times but we always get some really interesting answers… What has been your clinical highlight this week?

Alison July 10 33 150x150 The Weekly Question What has been your clinical highlight this week?

On the ward in Sri Lanka

In Sri Lanka after three weeks on the surgical ward Julie’s really built up the trust between herself and her local colleagues “I’m treated as a team member.  I had my own patients for wound care management and contributed to a burns victim dressing. This was a new approach, which had a good effect on the staff and patient as dressing time became less dramatic.”

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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

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The Weekly Question – Were you nervous about travelling overseas for your placement? How did you conquer your fears and what advice can you give to future students?

Thursday, August 18th, 2011

Students are often slightly anxious about travelling overseas for their placements, particularly on their own.  So this week we’re asking the students in Africa, Asia and South America, “Were you nervous about travelling overseas for your placement? How did you conquer your fears and what advice can you give to future students?”

drinking blood1 150x150 The Weekly Question Were you nervous about travelling overseas for your placement? How did you conquer your fears and what advice can you give to future students?

Preparing the goat!

Arryl travelled to Arusha all the way from Canada “Before leaving for my elective, my circulating thoughts covered every emotion: excitement, fear, concern, and yearning. I was about to travel eighteen hours to the continent Africa. Needless to say, I settled in so quickly! The only advice I wish to leave you with is to go with an open (and un-judgemental mind) and literally jump, leap, and bound to these amazing opportunities that await you. This is more than a medical placement; this is a life changing opportunity and one that can forever impact your future. Do anything and everything you can, from climbing a mountain, to eating raw goat kidney. Your Tanzanian life awaits you. Have fun, play safe. And remember, this is Africa.”

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Elephant census in Sri Lanka

Monday, August 15th, 2011

Sri Lanka has started the first nationwide survey of its elephant population, as reported in the Guardian today.

The survey, which started late on Thursday, lasts until Saturday evening and the results will be published in a few weeks. They are classifying the animals by age and sex, and trying to get an idea of their movements and distribution.

Taking advantage of the dry season, some 3,500 people are counting the elephants from watchtowers at 1,500 watering holes and ancient irrigation lakes. Because the elephants are thirsty they are expected to travel to the water in great numbers.

There is some concern from conservationists over the purpose of the census. Elephants are revered by many in Sri Lanka and there is suggestion the count up is a way of finding strong young elephants to be captured and donated to temples. This has been strongly denied.

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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.

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The weekly question – What tips can you give for making the most out of your clinical experience?

Tuesday, August 2nd, 2011

We always try to prepare students as much as possible before they head overseas for their placement. Past experience has shown us that the more committed, enthusiastic and pro-active they are, the more likely it is that they will get some fantastic hands-on experience.  This week we have decided to ask the students in each destination “What tips can you give for making the most out of your clinical experience?”

SDC14889 150x150 The weekly question What tips can you give for making the most out of your clinical experience?

Paediatrics in Argentina

When we asked the students in Mendoza they all agreed on one thing: don’t be afraid to ask questions! “Even if you don’t master the language, leave your shyness at home and ask everything you need to know” also, “make sure that you explain from the very beginning what you are capable of doing, what you want to do and the things that you are interested in seeing” said Kimberly.

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