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#Regained confidence in my major and vitality for life #Realization about myself: I feel self-reliant and happy #Felt stimulation and renewed energy in a previously empty life
This medical volunteer trip to Cambodia made me more interested in my major! Until now I felt life was dull, but I think this gap year gave me more stimulation. Above all, I was glad to learn what kind of person I am and when I feel happiest!
A Cambodian medical volunteer program treating children that anyone can join! Jeong Hee-jae — Gap Year participant (Gapper), 25 years old
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# While wanting to become more independent, I discovered Gap Year''s overseas medical volunteer program!
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Hello! I''m Jeong Hee-jae, a fourth-year nursing student at Chung-Ang University. I participated in the Gap Year project in January 2018, the year I was entering my third year.Feeling that I lacked independence, as soon as I learned about Gap Year''s overseas medical volunteer project I applied and joined with tremendous drive.
* For Jeong Hee-jae, who wanted new experiences and meaningful exposure to her major,She was given activities to take on new challenges, daily tailored 1:1 personal missions about new experiences and career aptitude, and a Gap Year notebook to reflect on herself and make plans.
# During the break I wanted time to learn more about my career path and about myself.
I learned about Gap Year through a friend, and at that time I was in a huge slump. I wondered if nursing was right for me,I needed something meaningful to do over the break—to spend time discovering more about myself.
Then, while browsing the Gap Year website, I found out there was an overseas volunteer program.Medical volunteering matched my major, and I thought I could volunteer using what I had learned while also building my independence,so I chose the Cambodia medical volunteer program!
# As the departure date approached, excitement grew more than worry!
Actually, when I was in elementary school I lived alone in Canada for a year and a half. But then I stayed with a host family who took care of me, so I had no worries. Even though I''ve traveled a lot, I was a bit concerned about whether I could successfully do medical volunteer work in Cambodia for a month.
But when it actually came time to go, I was excited.For pre-departure preparation I packed, received a detailed orientation at Gap Year''s headquarters in Korea, and bought Korean snacks I wanted to introduce to my roommates. I''m able to eat almost anything so I thought I would be fine with local food; I didn''t bring rice or gochujang, but I did pack about 4–6 cup noodles.
I figured I could buy anything I needed at Cambodian stores, and in hindsight I ended up buying clothes with my roommates at the market—just casual clothes to wear without worrying.When I think about it, I''m the worrying type, but when it came time to start a new challenge, excitement outweighed my worries.
# I realized that one of my strengths is getting along well with people anywhere!
I''ve always liked and preferred doing things with someone else.My goal for this Gap Year was to build independence and gain various experiences living abroad for a month, but looking back I think I gained more than I expected.
When I first went to Cambodia I started talking with an American sitting next to me and we became close, so I took a tuk-tuk into Phnom Penh by myself to meet that friend; we ate together, bought a SIM card, and did some sightseeing. I also became close with the roommates who came for the overseas medical volunteering, so we spent weekends hanging out and eating together.
Before going on the volunteer trip I imagined I would be reflective, travel alone, and volunteer by myself, but once I went I got so close to people that I ended up spending every day with others.However,What I realized was that my strength is getting along well with people and fitting in wherever I go.and I decided I shouldn''t stress myself out by interpreting this as a lack of independence.Also, in a way, since this means I adapt well to unfamiliar environments, I thought maybe it does mean I have independence! :)
# Through my gap year, I was so happy that I could have new experiences I hadn''t had before!
I''d never lived in a dorm before and it was my first time living with roommates, but both roommates were so nice that they were a source of healing throughout the medical volunteer project.First of all, just having these experiences during my gap year felt great and I felt like I had grown a step further.
And now it''s job application season,and I was really pleased to have my own stories to write in my personal statement!At the local hospital, I was moved by Cambodian nurses and doctors who cared for patients despite poor conditions. Throughout the project I met many different people, talked with them, and experienced a lot, which became a great source of energy when I returned to Korea and resumed school life.
# Through this medical volunteer activity, I found the reasons why I need to work harder in the future!
After participating in the gap year overseas medical volunteer project, I started studying my major more diligently.I had been worrying a lot about my department and felt life was meaningless, but seeing Cambodia''s poor medical conditions, trainees studying hard despite limited facilities, and teachers working so hard changed my mindset!I found reasons why I need to work harder.
It also became an opportunity to challenge myself in more diverse ways. So after my gap year I studied English more to get higher scores, and I even applied on my own for school programs and attended them.
# What was the schedule like locally?
In the morning I woke up, showered in the order agreed with my roommates, got ready, and had breakfast. Going downstairs, I chatted with other volunteers and told them to have a good day.On leisurely mornings I walked to the hospital (20–30 minutes), and on busy mornings I took a tuk-tuk in front of the lodging (1–2 dollars).
Volunteer service at the hospital began by 8:30, but I usually went by 8:00 to get oriented and socialize with the teachers and trainees. Upon arrival at the hospital we changed into scrubs, put on masks and caps, and were assigned tasks by the supervising teacher and saw patients.
I experienced two weeks in trauma and two weeks in plastic surgerybut the work style could vary slightly depending on the supervising doctor. I performed tasks like dressing wounds, organizing supplies, medical assistance, and patient transport; for patients with severe wounds I partnered with Cambodian local trainees, while I handled simpler cases by myself.
After working like that I usually finished at around 3 PM.(The plastic surgery supervising doctor said we could try night shifts together if we wanted, but I became so close with my roommates that we had plans to go elsewhere so I couldn''t try the night shift. Looking back this is something I regret — observing how the ward operates at night would probably have been really meaningful.)
After finishing at 3, I either walked back to the lodging, or my Cambodian friends I had grown close to dropped me off near the lodging on their way to school by motorcycle.It was my first time riding a motorcycle then — it was kind of thrilling and scary at first, but I gradually got used to it :)
Back at the lodging I would organize what I felt and learned at the hospital,When my roommates returned (the hospital was relatively close to the lodging so I usually arrived first), we shared the day''s events and went out for dinner together. On Fridays we often went into town to watch traditional performances and spend a relaxed time.
# People I met while doing medical volunteer work!
The roommates I volunteered with left a strong impression on me!It was the first time I''d met someone from Bermuda — they were really cool, very independent, a university student who was proud of their major, and someone I had a lot to learn from.
Jessica is a student attending medical school in the United States who took a short leave before graduation to come volunteer in Cambodia. A unique thing about Jessica is that her grandfather is Cambodian and moved to the U.S. during the Killing Fields, so Jessica has relatives in Cambodia. I grew close to her, visited her family’s home, and on weekends we went to Siem Reap together to tour various sites like Angkor Wat, which brought us even closer.
The plastic surgery deputy chief I met at the hospital while volunteering, the Cambodian nurse trainees, and the Cambodian nursing instructors also gave me such a wonderfulmemory thanks to whichbefore returning to Korea we all met up to eat, went to the mall, and spent time hanging out together haha.
# My personal Cambodia travel spots!
I recommend using the weekend to go to Siem Reap!Actually, Siem Reap has more tourist attractions and things to see, so it''s possible to go from after Friday''s volunteer work until Sunday night.
Also, if you look carefully at the Central Market in downtown Phnom Penh there are quite a few things worth buying, and we used TripAdvisor to choose places to have dinner with roommates. There''s also a huge Aeon Mall in Phnom Penh — if you sometimes crave Korean food you can buy items like instant noodles there, so I recommend checking it out!
Looking back, being able to speak some English was probably the biggest factor in completing the project well and making many good friends.Therefore, I think future participants will have a much more satisfying project if they study English a bit more.
Also, don''t be afraid to just talk to people and be with others.Spending time alone in your room reading and thinking about yourself was nice, but socializing with people, learning about other cultures, and hearing about someone else''s life is really valuable time too.
My gap year was
Experience ★★★★★
: As a nursing student, going to a hospital in another country to volunteer and experiencing that country''s healthcare system was a truly meaningful experience, and it became a great support when I returned to Korea and continued school life.
Learning ★★★★★
: Although Cambodia''s medical care is more underdeveloped than ours, the dedication of the medical staff was truly something to learn from. In the really poor conditions with no air conditioning, it was a valuable experience to see how much the medical staff cared for patients.
Environment ★★★★
: It was a bit hot because the temperature was high, but since the accommodation had one fan per person it was manageable. Also, when there was something the local hospital or institution staff didn''t know, they kindly answered our questions, so there were no particular difficulties staying there.
Safety ★★★★★
: Honestly, I didn''t really feel it was dangerous. We went into town with our roommates, and I only went out alone while the sun was up, so it wasn''t very dangerous. The tuk-tuk drivers knew most places, so there were no major issues when going out for fun.
Leisure ★★★★★
: I was really lucky to meet great roommates, so we went out every weekend. When our schedules didn''t match, I would go alone to museums, markets, or cafes and spend a relaxing time.
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