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#Confidence, resilience, problem-solving skills #Practical nursing experience, personal growth #Feeling grateful and loved
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Every moment of my gap year, I was respected by others, and I also learned to respect them in return😀
Medical volunteer activity in Phnom Penh, Cambodia, treating children that anyone can join Review by Kim *Soo, A Korea GapYear Participant |
# Hello. I am a university student who participated in medical volunteer activities in Phnom Penh, Cambodia.
Hello. For one month from June to July, I participated in the
medical volunteer program in Phnom Penh, Cambodia, treating children that anyone can join, and I am currently studying nursing.
By the time I reached my third year, I was burnt out from the double lectures and practical training.
Wanting to go somewhere, I randomly searched for overseas activities,
and I was impressed by the idea of having my own time abroad.
This led me to apply for a medical volunteer program in Cambodia.😀
* For Kim O-su, who aimed to take his time slowly during his gap year, personalized 1:1 missions were provided, allowing participants to fully engage in activities they desired and truly enjoy their gap year.
# I was able to make friends from various nationalities.
Making friends from different nationalities was the part I looked forward to the most before starting the medical volunteer program in Cambodia.
I have traveled abroad quite a bit, but opportunities to make foreign friends are rare.
However, during this gap year, I was able to make friends from various nationalities!
I met people from Germany, Australia, France, Spain, India, and more,
and I could directly and indirectly experience their cultures while sharing Korean culture as well.
This gap year allowed me to meet valuable connections.🫶🏻
# I was able to act as a nurse, not just as an intern.
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As soon as I finished my first semester of junior year, I participated in a medical volunteer activity in Cambodia, which made me feel the difference between hospitals in Korea and those in Cambodia.
I thought I had learned a lot at a good practice site compared to my peers in Korea, but the local hospital was even better, and I was able to gain much more experience :)
At the Cambodian hospital, even interns were able to become a nurse, read prescriptions, and administer medications.
I still remember trembling at the thought of hearing, “Can you give a muscle injection to the patient in bed 1?” on the first day.
Seeing me like that, the nurse said, “Have you never done this before? It's okay. I’ll help you.”
That was my first time performing a muscle injection, which I had only learned theoretically.
Moreover, patients and their guardians were grateful to all medical staff and were cooperative with all medical procedures.
When I failed to draw blood four times in a row and felt anxious about being scolded by the guardian, I remember a patient who, instead of getting upset, offered me their other arm and leg, saying it was okay.
I gained courage from their gratitude, and when I tried again, I succeeded immediately. Just as I was about to apologize, the guardian teared up and put some pocket money into my hands, saying thank you. That moment is still vivid in my memory.
It might have been me who should have been thanking them, but they were holding my hand tightly and shouting “upkkun upkkun” (good job) in that moment.
I believe this experience will be a support for me in tough times when I become a nurse in the future.✨
# I felt the love of my teachers who took care of me like their youngest daughter.
I cared for patients before and after surgery in the SICU department for four weeks.
I was able to have such a diverse experience that I can't recall any procedures I didn't do in that department.
In the first week, I felt discouraged due to more failures than successes, but at that time, a nurse encouraged me with a translation device, saying, “You’re not scared of blood, right? Aren't you?” Those words gave me immense strength.
All the other teachers also encouraged me by saying that the attempts themselves, regardless of failure, were valuable experiences.
When I succeeded, they all applauded and praised me a lot.
They all treated me warmly, creating an atmosphere that made me, as the eldest daughter, feel like the youngest daughter for the first time in my life!
When I arrived at work in the morning, the teachers warmly said, “It's very hot outside. Did you eat breakfast? Take a little break before you work!” while turning on the air conditioning that had been off along with a barrage of questions.
I felt so much love from them.
I have gained the realization that I can attempt and accomplish anything!
I managed to do so well even in a foreign country where I didn’t know anyone.
I've come to realize that I can try anything and succeed in the future.
Through the courage and experiences gained from my gap year, I was able to see myself grow,
and I felt that even difficult tasks can be accomplished if I keep trying.
This realization, gained through my own experiences, is something I believe I will remember and keep in mind for a long time!✌🏻
# What is a Day in the Medical Volunteer Work in Phnom Penh, Cambodia Like?
You need to report to the hospital by 8 AM.
Before heading to work, I would often have breakfast at a restaurant or sleep a little longer.
There is a small coffee shop next to a supermarket called Lucky Express near my accommodation, where I would buy a cup of coffee
and take a tuk-tuk, which became my personal routine.😀
Although it’s stated to report by 8 AM, it was possible to come in a little later depending on my condition.
When I came in late, I would just stay at the hospital longer!
From 12 PM to 2 PM, it’s lunchtime.
At first, it felt strange that the lunch break was longer than in Korea, but to ensure I wasn't alone,
all the hospital staff took turns to spend time with me!
After working until 4 PM, it’s time to go home.
If you want, you can freely participate in activities after 4 PM.
All plans after work were flexible!
Additionally, if you're planning to travel to nearby areas (like Siem Reap or Sihanoukville), you can use a day or two off.
# My Gap Year Volunteering Experience in Phnom Penh, Cambodia!
Experience ★★★★★
As a nursing student, I believe it is a valuable experience to be able to apply everything I've learned in theory.
Learning ★★★★★
I gained a lot of theoretical knowledge as well as practical skills in my major.
Moreover, living in a new environment and interacting with people from various nationalities provided many opportunities to learn through different experiences.
Environment ★★★★★
Although it wasn't very comfortable, I was able to manage just fine, even though I prefer clean environments and usually can't tolerate poor conditions! While it wasn't completely clean or perfect, it was not unbearable. Not only the accommodation but also the hospital and various local places were not in bad shape and showed significant development.
Safety ★★★★★
After 8 PM, it seems a bit dangerous to walk alone. I often saw participants getting pickpocketed around me.
However, if you are careful, there should be no issues, and there is plenty of local support for the safety of participants.
Leisure ★★★★
There are plenty of activities to enjoy in Phnom Penh and the surrounding areas. In particular, with many historical sites like Angkor Wat, it seems like a great place to spend meaningful leisure time. The local markets are well-developed, and the tourist attractions are also relatively well-equipped, so I was very satisfied with the leisure aspects. The hospital also respected our leisure time, allowing us to enjoy our experiences more comfortably.
Capturing the growth journeys
of our participants.
