University of Worcester 2024
When studying to become a physiotherapist or any healthcare professional, it’s essential to be adaptable and have the skills to work in new and sometimes unfamiliar environments.
Going overseas for my physiotherapy placement provided a setting where I could practice these skills and strengthen my practice holistically.
A large part of being a physiotherapist is educating patients, and the language barrier on my overseas placement encouraged me to think outside of the box. It encouraged significant non-verbal communication, which did not occur during placements back home.
Before booking my trip, I was already aware of Nepal's beauty, but I was also interested in learning more about the nation's history.
However, my main reason for choosing Kathmandu was to experience a healthcare system completely different to that of the UK. In particular, I was keen to see how the medical setting adapted to having limited access to resources. I also wanted to experience working with patients with diseases and conditions less commonly seen back home, including tuberculosis.
My expectations of the social and cultural aspects of my trip were accurate. The biggest surprise was the lack of physiotherapists across the entire hospital. There were less than ten physiotherapists across all specialities, including inpatients and outpatients, meaning the profession had a very different role compared to the UK.
During the weekend, I went to Chitwan with twelve of my housemates. It was an amazing experience staying in a five-star hotel with a pool and some of the best food!
We went on a river and jungle safari, where we saw so much wildlife, including several rhinos! We also met the indigenous peoples of the area and visited a crocodile breeding centre. It was an incredible experience, and I highly recommend it!
The social aspects were one of the best experiences of the whole trip. I couldn’t have been luckier with my housemates — it felt like a big family. I made true friends for life.
The commonality of training to be healthcare professionals, alongside the unique overseas experience, led to developing friendships quickly.
To anyone considering undertaking a Work the World placement, just go for it! Try to embrace every experience and get involved in the social aspects as well as the educational side. Don’t be afraid to rely on your housemates, you are all going through the same experiences!
