A couple of
my friends and I decided after a lot of thought that we wanted to undertake
our elective somewhere in Africa.
We knew that
we didn’t want to organise the elective independently as we were under a lot of
pressure with university work at the time and none of us were very worldly wise
and had ever been travelling alone before!
I found out
about Work the World through talking with a third year student nurse who had
been on her elective that summer. The
support and organisation that Work the World provided sounded perfect for what
we were looking for in a company - organisation of accommodation, food and the placement. They even provided a hand book which included how to apply for your
visa, information on currency, a kit list, your placement and general in
formation about Ghana.
All three of
us were nervous, anxious and excited when we stepped off of the plane in Accra.
We waited for our luggage and it wasn’t until the final bags were released and
the conveyer belt came to a standstill that we realised that we probably
weren't getting our luggage that day!!
Now slightly stressed and worried we were met by legendary Prince, who
immediately put our minds at ease and sorted out the mix-up.
We arrived
at the Takoradi house and were met by the energetic and enthusiastic
housekeeper who made us feel welcome and at home almost instantly. Another member of the Work the World team, Vivien, then took us for our induction around
the town, showing us the market, places to eat and all other necessities we may
have needed. After our first taste of African cuisine we headed back to the
house to meet the other students and to sample the Work the World cooks' renowned cooking (which
was fantastic)!
On our first
day of placement Vivien took us to the hospital where we were introduced to the
welcoming and friendly staff. There were
many clinical areas that we had the opportunity to experience, a few of which
included A and E, paediatrics, gynaecology, labour ward, neonatal intensive
care and surgery. I was given my placement and rotated a week in each of the 4
wards I had asked for.
I was
encouraged by all the staff to travel around Ghana at the weekends and they
were all very flexible with our shifts if we asked to take a long weekend to do
some exploring!
The people
of Ghana are some of the friendliest, giving people I have ever had the
pleasure of meeting. Not once in my 6 weeks of being in Ghana did I ever feel
threatened or uncomfortable. All the Ghanaians want to know you and why you are
visiting.
The weekends
were a fantastic opportunity to travel around and see the sights in Ghana. We
would almost always travel as a big group with all the other students that we
lived with in the house and sometimes other travellers we met on the way!
Living in the Takoradi house gave me the opportunity to meet some fantastic
people and make great friends to share my experiences with, of who I am still
in close contact with today.
In
undertaking my placement with Work the World I had gained experience and
knowledge that I had never encountered in my nursing training. I had the
opportunity to cannulate and administer Intravenous infusions, witness births,
care for and treat children with malaria and observe emergency caesarean
sections and amputations in surgery.
Organising
my elective through Work the World provided me with a fantastic nursing
elective. Not only was my placement specifically designed to meet my requests but the friendly staff, accommodation, food and general Work the World ambience
was everything I’d hoped for and more from my elective placement!!!
