Zoe Ross

Zoe, a second-year radiography student from Teesside University, travelled to Hue, Vietnam to complete her overseas placement.

I undertook my placement overseas to enhance my clinical and communication skills. I wanted the challenge of trying to learn and develop new techniques while navigating a language barrier. 

I felt that by being exposed to these new challenges, I would improve my confidence in situations with a language barrier or when resources are limited.

Work the World were easy to contact, and I always received quick responses to any questions I had. I found their online placement planner, MyTrip, particularly helpful. There was a checklist I could work through and links to useful pages, such as the visa application, making everything much easier to understand and complete.

The Work the World house was spacious, with plenty of room for when you wanted your own space from time to time. It was also great to eat our meals outside on the patio by the pool when we wanted to.  

There were fully-stocked fridges of food and drink and clean drinking water all around the house. The balcony was a great place to sit and call home in the evening. 

The in-country team were always happy to help and always checked in to see how I was doing on placement and outside of placement. 

The team helped us when we were planning weekend trips, offering suggestions and ideas of where we might like to visit that perhaps other tourists would struggle to find.

In Vietnam, radiography had many differences from what I was used to seeing back home. From the techniques and machines to the staff roles and hierarchy, there were plenty of differences. 

The role of a radiographer in Vietnam had more responsibility and knowledge. They complete a fourth year of study, whereas back at home, we complete just three years of study.

One experience that will stick in my mind forever was going to the pagodas and trying the local street food with my hospital supervisor and her students. 

During the weekends, I had plenty of time to explore Vietnam. During my first weekend overseas, I went to Phong Nha with two of my housemates. During the second weekend, I visited Hanoi and Ha Long Bay with nine of my housemates. 

My last weekend in Vietnam I spent locally, enjoying time in the Work the World house and exploring the city of Hue before leaving.