*A participant who actually took part in the Gap Year program joined this interview to introduce Gap Year to more people.
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South KoreaStrongly recommended by Gap Year participant Cho Gwan-hyung 👏👏👏
Overseas medical internship in Phnom Penh, Cambodia for healthcare professionals
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"I''m thinking of trying international medical work too!"
🤕 Me before joining Gap Year
Since I was 20, I worked without rest and both my body and mind were exhausted. Even after entering nursing school in my late twenties, I juggled studies and work and experienced burnout; I didn’t want to meet people or leave the house. I even decided to participate in a medical internship, but until the day before departure I hesitated and considered calling Korea Gap Year to say I couldn’t go.
🏥 Cambodia medical internship experience
Still, with a "let''s try it" attitude I went to Cambodia. I worked at a hospital in Phnom Penh, serving in the emergency room and the intensive care unit (ICU). Because I tend to prefer new situations, I was able to adapt to ER work well. In Cambodia many people ride motorcycles, so there were an unusually large number of traffic accident patients, and I encountered various cases rarely seen in Korea such as severe pressure ulcers, tuberculosis patients, and AIDS patients. In the ER I performed tasks like measuring blood pressure, inserting IVs, drawing blood for tests, and administering fluids, and within a week I was able to work at the same level as the local nurses. While working in the ICU, a large fire in a nearby area caused many burn patients to arrive. We had to perform nonstop CPR on five burn patients until they passed away. I hoped at least one would survive, but they all died, and that was a heartbreaking moment.
🤝 Mission to interact with locals
At first I thought the missions had to be done with foreigners and felt a lot of pressure, but the missions actually started with simple things like learning the local language or taking a walk around the neighborhood. By following the missions step by step, I naturally interacted with locals and ended up making local friends faster than I expected.
✨ Gap Year, healing and a new perspective
Before the program started I thought a month would be too long, but once I experienced it the month flew by. I strongly recommend that future participants join for at least two months.
For me, Gap Year was "healing." The Cambodia medical internship broadened my perspective on medical work abroad, and it made me consider taking on international medical activities as well.
