Amelia Buckenham

I always knew I wanted to experience the healthcare system in another country so when my university told me about my elective placement I started looking at different countries straight away. 

I know in the UK we are very privileged and the opportunity to experience the differences between the UK and a developing country was something I wanted to do. 

Work the World were so supportive and helpful. I am so glad I chose to organise my overseas placement with them. Right from my initial enquiry to my last day on placement in Sri Lanka they were super. 

Work the World did everything to make my trip easier for me and made the whole process so smooth. I had support in the UK and I was able to ask as many questions as I needed.

When I arrived in Sri Lanka, knowing someone would be at the airport to greet me and take me to the Work the World house relieved my anxieties about travelling alone. 

I really believe that no other organisation could top what Work the World do to make you feel at ease. 

The house in Kandy was so warm and welcoming! There were areas to sit and relax in, play card games and just chat. Sharing rooms was so fun too!

The whole house was like a home away from home, and I couldn’t wait to get back to my bunk bed after a weekend trip. 

It can be really challenging to do things like an overseas placement, especially if you travel alone, but so many people do and it was so easy to make friends. 

It was really nice living with people who also understood the world of healthcare and it was great to share experiences, thoughts, and feelings with my other housemates. I loved being able to talk about my day on placement and hear what others had experienced throughout their day too. 

I loved the in-country team. They couldn’t have been better if they tried. The Programme Manager and Assistant Programme Manager always made sure I was okay on placement and were interested to hear about my day. 

The Chefs in the house made incredible food and the cooking lessons they held were so much fun. The Security and Housekeepers were so kind and welcoming. Everyone was incredible. 

I have learnt so much from my time in Sri Lanka. Although there were some similarities there was also a lot they do there that I believe the UK could benefit from. 

In the UK we have a lot of single-use items which we throw away. Whereas in Sri Lanka they sterilised equipment to reuse where they could. They used their initiative whenever they didn’t have something. 

Travelling and exploring Sri Lanka was one of my favourite parts of the trip. I was able to visit Ella, Yala National Park, Aragum Bay, Trincomalee, and Sigiriya. It was a good mix of culture, sightseeing, and relaxing beach days which I loved!

In Kandy, we visited as many places as possible to experience the culture. I loved the Kandy dance show and the Temple of the Tooth. 

The people I met, the places I have seen, and the things I have experienced will stay with me forever. I gained such a valuable insight into the medical practice in Sri Lanka and it will shape my nursing journey.

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