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#Expanded perspective; aspiration to become an overseas nurse; increased sociability #Experience in medical volunteering; observation in the operating room #The reward of volunteering and the discovery of a new dream
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Through medical volunteer work and meeting a variety of people, my perspective broadened significantly. In particular, my view on my career changed a lot. At first I simply wanted to graduate as a nurse in Korea, but after hearing the stories of friends who are walking the same path in other countries, I developed a desire to work alongside them where they are employed, beyond Korea. If given the opportunity in various countries such as the United States, the United Kingdom, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand, I thought I would like to meet them again as a healthcare professional.
Medical volunteer work sharing love in Ho Chi Minh, Vietnam Park Ji-hyunA gapper''s review |
Hello! I''m a nursing student who participated in medical volunteer work in Ho Chi Minh, Vietnam!
Hello! I''m an ordinary university student majoring in nursing, currently in my third year.😊
I have bright energy and am often called a ''happy virus'' who always brings happiness to those around me!I love traveling, and I save money every vacation to travel abroad. This vacation I visited Taiwan and Mongolia.Through travel, I really enjoy experiencing the atmosphere and culture of each country and getting to know a variety of people. In particular, during this medical volunteer trip to Vietnam, I was able to gain meaningful experiences through precious encounters with many people.
As a third-year nursing student, my major became more varied and I learned a lot of medical knowledge and skills through hospital practicums. So this vacation I wanted not just a simple trip,but a meaningful trip where I could apply what I had learned. Actually, from the time I entered the nursing department, I had a dream to definitely do medical volunteer work before I graduated.
While looking into overseas medical volunteer opportunities, I discovered a program where you could volunteer directly at a hospital, and I immediately applied for Gapyear''s ''Ho Chi Minh Medical Volunteer'' program. Through this program I had the exciting and meaningful opportunity to utilize my nursing knowledge and have a positive impact on people in need :)
*Nursing student Park Ji-hyun challenged herself to volunteer because she wanted to apply her nursing knowledge in practice!Wondering where and how to start a new challenge, or want a customized plan? I highly recommend 1:1 consulting with a Gapyear specialist!
A sure way to change your life: Gapyear 1:1 Consulting
I thought it would be a meaningful experience to meet friends studying nursing together in one place.
Through the Vietnam medical volunteer program, I wanted to meet friends from various countries and exchange many stories.Because I thought that meeting friends studying the same field of nursing in one place would be truly meaningful!
Through conversations with friends, I wanted to hear about their career paths and the healthcare systems of each country, and discuss what kind of vision we would pursue in our studies going forward. I was really looking forward to spending a special time encouraging each other''s dreams.
Also,I wanted to gain confidence in English speaking. Actually, I''ve never properly evaluated my speaking ability, so I believed this opportunity would allow me to check and improve my skills.. I hoped it would be a great opportunity to improve further through conversations with various friends!
# I realized that as long as you have confidence and courage, anyone can become friends regardless of language.
I was able to become close with many people, nearly 20 to 30, while living in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam..
At first I was worried whether I could communicate with many friends with my English skills, but once I started speaking, conversing in English felt natural.When friends asked, "Your English is really good! Have you ever lived abroad?" I felt proud, as if my abilities were being recognized.Although I was less proficient than they were,It was a precious time in which I realized that with confidence and courage, anyone can become friends regardless of language.
One of the major advantages of this program is that you can meet and mingle with a variety of people..During breaks from volunteering or in the afternoons after volunteering ended, I went out with friends and made many memories. On weekends without volunteering, we also took a 1-night, 2-day tour of the Mekong River and Mui Ne desert together.It was a happy time that left more lasting memories of precious moments with friends than the volunteering itself.
Since new people came and went every week, there were so many people I socialized with that it''s hard to mention everyone individually, but the friends I traveled with are the most memorable.The seven of us, including me, were friends from Italy, Ireland, Germany, the Netherlands, Mexico, the Philippines, and Korea — we had different appearances, languages, and cultures, but there was no discomfort while we were together.I still vividly remember walking together in the desert, running and playing in the sea, and eating delicious seafood at a sea-view restaurant in the evenings.We promised that if we ever visit each other''s countries, we''ll definitely meet again!
Beyond that, I recall everyone I met during my gap year — friends I met while volunteering, friends I sang with during Monday singing time, friends I danced with on Bui Vien Street, and so on.We all exchanged social media contacts and still keep in touch, and we''ve agreed to meet again in Seoul with friends who are traveling there this year!
Also, I remember the hospital staff who treated me so warmly — they were very precious 💚!
The teachers/staff always kindly spoke to volunteers first and taught us step by step so we could adapt well to the volunteer work. Because of them, I think we were able to successfully complete the medical volunteer work.In particular, I arranged to meet again next month in Seoul with the physiotherapist I met at the hospital!These various encounters and experiences meant a lot to me, and I believe they will greatly influence my future journey :)
# For me, who dreams of becoming an operating room scrub nurse, it was a time to get a preview of my future job.
I felt really proud to be able to directly apply what I learned through the volunteer work.
I think that the experience of helping patients with physiotherapy, massage, wound care, and stretching is one of the biggest advantages of this volunteer program..Also, it was even better to volunteer together with friends studying in the same field and share various conversations. Especially talking about careers and hearing each person''s different dreams was a really wonderful time.
Every time my friends and I put on our scrubs and gathered at the hospital, we felt as if we were already accomplished healthcare professionals.The operating room observation was also a truly unforgettable experience.As someone who dreams of becoming an operating room scrub nurse, the opportunity to observe the scrub nurses'' work inside the operating room from start to finish was truly invaluable. On some days I stood and watched surgeries for nearly three hours and learned a lot.These experiences were like a dream for me as a future nurse!
# It was an experience that broadened my perspective on the world and my thoughts about relationships.
Through medical volunteering and meeting various people, my outlook widened.
In particular, my perspective on my career path changed significantly.At firstI initially just thought I wanted to graduate as a nurse in Korea, but after hearing the stories of friends walking the same path in other countries, I developed a desire to be with them where they work, beyond Korea. I thought that if the opportunity arises, I would like to meet them again as healthcare professionals in various countries such as the United States, the United Kingdom, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand.
Especially my friend who is a nursing student in Canada "I remember them saying, "If you ever obtain an overseas nursing qualification, we will be able to meet again." I vowed to work even harder in the hope that that story would become a reality.
Also, my social outlook expanded through interactions with a variety of people.
I became more confident in English than before, allowing me to naturally approach friends, and I realized I had become someone who can understand their humor and laugh with them. Now the fear of making new foreign friends is gone!I will continue to keep in touch with my friends and maintain these precious connections :)
# Vietnam Ho Chi Minh medical volunteer activities — here’s what my daily routine was like!
From Monday to Friday, the volunteer activities in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam went like this!
<Schedule>
[08:00~10:30] Morning medical volunteer service
[10:30~14:00] Return to the accommodation, have lunch, and then free time
[14:00] Gather at the hospital again to receive department assignments
(*You may continue in the same department you visited in the morning, or you may be assigned to a different department)
[14:00~15:30] Afternoon medical volunteer service
It takes about a 20-minute walk to the hospital, and about 5–10 minutes by motorbike or car using Grab. Usually I traveled in the morning by car with 4–7 friends who volunteered together!
By 08:00 we changed into scrubs and gathered at the meeting place, where the coordinator told us which department we would work in that day. A schedule is provided each week in advance, so you can know beforehand which department you''ll be assigned to.
*Types of departments:
Patient wound care
Operating room
Physical therapy room
Acupuncture treatment
Accompanying a doctor
Accompanying a physical therapist
Children''s rehabilitation therapy room, etc.
This is how you can check the assigned department!
My tips for preparing for a Vietnam (Ho Chi Minh) medical volunteer gap year!
Thanks to the help of the gap-year consultant, I was able to pack the necessary items for the medical volunteer work well!
The gap-year consultant reiterated important materials during the Zoom orientation, which was very helpful in preparing for the gap year!
Also, by packing while referring to the pre-departure checklist included in the gap-year orientation materials, I was able to prepare thoroughly without missing anything.After finishing all preparations and before boarding the plane,I think I had the mindset of doing everything I wanted without regret, and of summoning the courage to approach others first and make a lot of friends.
I''ll share my personal tips for a Vietnam gap year!😊
If morning volunteering finishes at 10:30 and you return to your accommodation for lunch, it will only be around 11:00, but there is plenty of time—about three hours—until 14:00. This is enough time to visit tourist attractions in Ho Chi Minh, so be sure to use it! After volunteering ends at 15:30 you still have lots of time, so I recommend using it well to explore various places. Using Grab to take a motorbike, you can easily visit all attractions within about 20 minutes.
Taking a day off on Monday or Friday or using the weekend to travel is also a good option.
Recommended day-trip destinations are the Mekong River tour, Monkey Island, and the Cu Chi Tunnels. For a 1-night, 2-day trip I recommend the Mui Ne tour or the Mekong River tour, and for a 2-night, 3-day trip it''s nice to fly and explore other parts of Vietnam. If you plan a trip, ask the coordinator at the local organization when you arrive and they will help you book at a reasonable price.
I hope you use these tips to have a great experience! Have a wonderful trip :)
# My Vietnam Ho Chi Minh Overseas Medical Volunteer Gap Year!
Experience ★★★★★
: You can experience unfamiliar medical settings in Vietnamese hospitals and learn about the characteristics of hospitals in that country! You can also discover a new side of yourself through meeting new people.
Learning★★★★★
: I met various people and learned their languages and cultures.
Through medical volunteering, I learned about the roles of medical staff, the role of physical therapists, wound treatment methods, and Vietnam''s healthcare environment.
Environment★★★★★
: The accommodation where I stayed with friends was cozy and enjoyable. The meals provided by the accommodation were delicious and the staff were all friendly. The food at the restaurant that provided dinner was all tasty.
Safety★★★★★
: There is an office in the accommodation and the program coordinator is always there, so I felt reassured knowing I could ask for help at any time.
Leisure ★★★★★
: During free time and on weekends, you can visit Ho Chi Minh tourist sites with friends or go on tours, so you can make many memories beyond volunteering. Every week we gather to sing and play group games.
Park Ji-hyunvisited byVietnam Ho Chi Minh medical volunteer projectWant to know more?!
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