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#Heightened sense of mission as a healthcare professional #Overseas medical field experience, volunteer spirit #A sense of pride from volunteering
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My personality is such that I''m afraid to try things and fear failure, so I prefer familiar situations and tasks. Because of this personality, things I wanted to try, I gradually gave up even on things I had to do, but I started this gap year thinking that maybe this trait of mine would change. Also, my goal during my gap year seemed to be ''let''s try anything!''
Medical volunteer service sharing love in Ho Chi Minh, Vietnam Review by gapper Park Hyejun |
# Turning a leave into an opportunity! My first overseas volunteer story with a gap year
Hello, I am a fourth-year nursing student currently on a leave of absence.
Due to the domestic medical situation, I was having difficulty finding employment and had to take a leave of absence. I thought a lot about what I could do during the one-year leave, and I wanted to make use of my major and volunteer abroad, and then I found the gap year program and chose to participate in the Ho Chi Minh medical volunteer program.
Actually, not only was it my first time going abroad for an extended period, but it was my first time traveling overseas at all, so I was really worried. There were so many things to prepare and worry about that I felt overwhelmed, but as I prepared for each step following the gap year curriculum, my worries eased.
* Nursing student Park Hyejun wanted to fill her first overseas medical volunteer experience with meaningful experiences. Therefore, we recommended the Vietnam medical volunteer program, which offers a positive environment and the opportunity for new challenges!Unsure where or how to start a new challenge and want a customized plan? We highly recommend 1:1 consultation with a gap year specialist!
A sure way to change your life: Gap Year 1:1 Consulting
# I''ve always avoided things, but this time I decided to try anything!
My personality is such that I''m afraid to try things and fear failure, so I prefer familiar situations and tasks. Because of this personality, I gradually gave up on things I wanted to try and things I had to do, but this trait of mineI started with the thought that it might change through this gap year. Also, my goal during the gap year seemed to be ''let''s try everything!''
# I tried, failed, succeeded, and realized that all of these processes are meaningful experiences.
Through this project I learned that Vietnam''s medical environment is very different from Korea''s, and even in somewhat poor conditions, theactual practice of medicine, treatment, and nursing could be experienced firsthand, which was a very meaningful timeit was. In particular, going into the operating room and observing various surgeries was very helpful.
Also, living together for a month with people of different races, nationalities, and languages was a precious experience that is hard to come by again. I think I accumulated unforgettable new experiences by talking with people who have various lifestyles, hanging out and traveling together. Even though my English wasn''t very good, it was really great that my speaking improved a lot after laughing and chatting with friends for a month.
I used to have a habit of giving up whenever I was afraid, but through this gap year I learned that challenging myself, failing, and succeeding is a very meaningful experience, and I''m so happy.
# Precious connections that began in an unfamiliar place :)
All the people I met in Vietnam come to mind from time to time. When I first arrived, my roommate and I lived in the same space for four weeks; we relied on each other a lot and made many fun memories.Afterward, each week we hung out with new friends from other countries, visiting local sights, cafes, and popular restaurants in Vietnam, building memories that became precious and unforgettable.
Martha, Raji, Rosie, Alex from the UK; Maiko, Rinka, Riku from Japan; Nicole from Singapore; Skye from Australia; Jess from the USA; Rini, Emma from Germany; and Hyejin, the only Korean sister.Every moment with friends, each with their own personality, will be an unforgettable memory for me.
# It''s okay if your English isn''t perfect 😃
Actually, the thing I found most difficult while living in Vietnam was the language.I wasn''t particularly good at English, and I hadn''t studied it that much before I went, so at first I really struggled. At least my listening was somewhat okay, so I could understand everything my friends said, but it was frustrating and hard not being able to respond.
One day, feeling frustrated and depressed, I was alone in my room. A British friend came up to me and asked what was wrong, and when I told them how I felt, my friend said,"English isn''t our first language. Just as we can''t speak Korean, it''s not natural for you to be using English. We know that you understand everything, and we don''t think you''re stupid just because you can''t answer.''We''re sorry we can''t speak Korean. It''s not your fault!'' they said.
The moment I heard that, from then on,I started to slowly say things even if the sentences were awkward, and by the time the program ended I found that I had grown enough to be able to converse with my friends!!!
# Thank you, Gap Year, for giving me a turning point in my life!
Before participating in the gap year, I think I was someone full of fear and hesitation. After joining this project, my fear of making friends and my fear of speaking with foreigners had disappeared, and my hesitation to try things also seemed to be gone.
By participating in this projectmylife experienced a major turning pointand, by interacting with many foreign friends I learned about their countries'' characteristics and dining etiquette and habits, which was really interestingIt was wonderful.It was such a happy month that I wondered when I would ever have an experience like this in my life. Thank you, Gap Year!
# Vietnam Ho Chi Minh medical volunteer work — here’s my daily routine!
I started my day according to the hospital''s schedule.Around 7 a.m. I went to the dormitory restaurant for breakfast and arrived at the hospital by 8. For commuting I took Grab or sometimes walked about 20 minutes for exercise. From 08:00 to 11:00 I went to the department to help or observe and spent my time working, then I had lunch from 11:00 to 14:00. After finishing the afternoon shift from 14:00 to 16:00 and leaving work, the rest of the time was free time!
If you want to travel in Vietnam, please refer to our travel routine!
1. Da Nang
You can get to Da Nang by plane in one hour. I left work on Wednesday, took an evening flight, and traveled with friends from Thursday to Sunday. We went to Hoi An to attend the lantern festival that''s held once a month and enjoyed Vietnam''s really beautiful scenery!
2. Cu Chi Tunnels, Mekong River tour
I recommend booking a one-day tour on the weekend to visit the Cu Chi Tunnels and the Mekong River! I learned about the history of the Vietnam War and had a really meaningful time crossing the Mekong by boat.
3. Mui Ne
On the weekend I booked a Mui Ne tour and did a 12-hour desert tour. Mui Ne, often called the desert of Asia, has truly beautiful scenery and is a great place for very pretty photos.
# My tips for preparing for a Vietnam Ho Chi Minh medical volunteer gap year!
There were so many things to prepare before departure that it felt a bit overwhelming at first, such as airline tickets, visas, phones, currency exchange, etc.GapI prepared them step by step according to the gap year curriculum.
For those who are soon leaving for a Vietnam gap year, I want to share my experience in hopes this post will be of some help. Of course everyone feels differently, but take it as a reference and prepare in a way that suits you!
Toilet paper is provided in unlimited amounts in the bathrooms. There''s no need to bring it from Korea!
Transportation isn''t provided separately, so you''ll mostly have to walk. IfGrab (Grab)If you want to use it, you''ll have to pay for it yourself.
I recommend bringing plenty of money for a comfortable life.
It''s a good idea to bring a shower filter. When brushing your teeth, use bottled water so you don''t get sick from the local water.
It''s best to visit as many places as possible. I was a homebody in Korea, but here I went out with friends to even small cafés after each day''s schedule to experience the local life.
Make good use of the weekly day off you can take once a week. I didn''t use it the first week, but in the second week I took two consecutive days off and traveled to Da Nang with friends. It became a really great memory.
The air quality isn''t good, so I recommend wearing a mask for your health!
# My Vietnam Ho Chi Minh overseas medical volunteer gap year!
Experience★★★★★
: Not only the local experience in Vietnam, but interacting with people from various countries was truly a great experience for me.
Learning ★★★
: If you''ve lived in a dorm before, it''s livable! There wasn''t hot water and the water pressure was a bit weak so there were some inconveniences, but it was still tolerable! They would also clean if you asked!
Environment ★★★★★
: Since the dorm is at a Vietnamese school, it was really safe. The doors close precisely at midnight and there are guards at the main gate every day, so I can vouch for the safety.
Safety ★★★★
: I thought crossing the street was a bit dangerous, but after just a week you become as natural as the locals, so you don''t need to worry, hehe.
Leisure ★★★★★
: After the program ended there was a lot of free time, so with money and information you could visit anywhere in Ho Chi Minh. Especially if you take advantage of weekends and sign up for various tours, it would be a great experience.
Park Hyejunvisited by Vietnam Ho Chi Minh Medical Volunteer Project Want more information?!
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