My trip to Kandy_Sri Lanka
Emma Dryden (Nursing)

I came across Work the World and I am very pleased I chose to use them to help gain this experience abroad. The organisation helped with all the preparation for travelling; from insurance and visas to what clothes to bring and what to expect. They also provided the most amazing accommodation and food you could ever imagine!

I decided to go on this elective placement on my own, which many people might feel too worried to do. However, the support from Work the World meant that there was no reason to feel nervous or alone. Once I had arrived in Colombo, Kavinda (the project manager) met me at the airport along with the other girls who had arrived at the same time. We travelled to Kandy on the train, which in itself was an experience and a brilliant start to the trip. The train travelled up through the Sri Lankan hills into Kandy, where we saw some of the most fantastic scenery. This was also an opportunity to get to know the others, there was plenty of time as the train took about 3 hours.

When the time came for our first day at the hospital we all felt nervous, however, Kavinda met us all there and showed us to our wards. He also introduced us to our supervisor and team which was incredibly helpful. It was a huge shock seeing the hospital for the first time due to how busy it was and how different it is to the UK. The first week I went on the Oncology ward, where I learnt all about chemotherapy and other treatments they give to their patients. The ward was very busy and the wards in the UK now seem very quiet compared to this! The second week I worked on the labour ward which I absolutely loved. We were able to wash and dress the babies once they were born. They again deal with labour in a completely different way to us, but it was so interesting although emotional at times. My last two weeks were spent on General Surgery ward, where we were able to join in with ward rounds and changing patients’ dressings. We were also able to spend a morning in theatres, which was probably the most eye opening and interesting experience I had whilst in Sri Lanka.

Making the most of our afternoons during the week and our weekends, the girls and I planned where we wanted to visit and went on some exciting trips. During the week we stayed around Kandy, visiting the markets, the festival and The Temple of the Tooth and watching the traditional Kandyan dancing. Our weekends involved visiting the elephant orphanage where we washed, fed and rode on them, climbing Adam’s Peak (so difficult but so rewarding), Trincomali and Unawatuna (where I spent my birthday on the beach!)

Overall, I had the most incredible elective placement where I learnt a lot about health care in a developing country and where I met good friends who I am still in touch with now and have met up with since being back in the UK. I strongly recommend this to anyone who is thinking of doing an elective placement.