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Cambodia Phnom Penh medical volunteer project treating children that anyone can do

#Confidence about my career path #Diverse practical knowledge #Compassion matters more than language

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    What moved me the most was realizing that the essence of nursing is sharing compassion beyond medical techniques.

    Even when language didn''t fully connect, the experience of comforting and connecting with one another was truly precious,

    When patients said thank you, I felt that my work was actually helpful to someone.

    I went on a gap year with the light mindset of simply gaining experience, but,

    I began to think deeply about the direction of my life and my values,

    and I gained confidence in my path as a nurse.

     

    <A Phnom Penh, Cambodia medical volunteer project treating children that anyone can participate in>

    A review by gapper Kim Yurim

     

     

    #I am a nursing student who wants to gain certainty about my career at my own pace and in my own way!

    Hello! I am a third-year nursing student. While studying nursing, I strongly wanted to gain experience applying the knowledge and skills learned at school to help people in real settings.Seeing friends who had volunteered abroad find their own paths positively inspired me and made me want to challenge myself as well. Also, rather than a simple trip or sightseeing,I wanted real experiences and meaningful time, and through that—to experience the world at my own pace and in my own way—I wanted to think about who I am and what kind of nurse I want to be, so I set off on a gap year.

     

     

     

     

     

    #Through my gap year I wanted to overcome my fear of strangers and improve my English!

    My gap year goals were to stop being shy about approaching strangers! And to improve my English skills.That was it. By directly confronting unwanted situations and experiencing them, I realized that many strangers are kind. My English listening skills also improved a lot, and although my speaking still feels a bit lacking,I became able to somehow convey what I wanted to express.

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

    #My local experience was a time when I could grasp the essential meaning of nursing work!

    The best part was the moments when I personally felt and learned that nursing is about sharing compassion beyond medical techniques.Even when language didn''t work perfectly, the experience of comforting and connecting with someone through a small smile or a touch was moving. When I could ease the local patients'' discomfort even a little, and when they said thank you, I felt proud realizing that my work helped someone. Also, through this time I got to know myself better. I had vaguely thought I wanted to be a nurse, but,through actual field experience I gained the conviction, ''I really like people and I want to be good at caring for them!''

     

    I also enjoyed making many memories volunteering with a Korean senior and traveling to Kratie. I met French friends Jean and Shannon, and American friend Kari as roommates. Among them, Jean took good care of us, had a pleasant personality, introduced us to many people, and helped make the four weeks enjoyable. I received a lot of help from local colleagues as well, so I was grateful to have such a good time!

     

     

     

     

     

     

    #I was able to think more deeply about the direction of my life and my values.

    Before participating in the gap year, I had approached it lightly as simply gaining experience,but after participating I began to think deeply about the direction of my life and my values.Especially through the medical volunteer activities,I learned how the knowledge I have can be used to help others, and I became more certain about my career as a nurse.

     

     

     

     

     

    #Cambodia medical volunteer work — here''s my daily routine!

    My day started at 7:00 a.m. I ate breakfast until 7:30 and headed to the hospital, arriving around 8:30. From 8:30 to 11:30 I volunteered at the hospital, and in the afternoon I followed my own schedule freely and then had dinner — that was my routine. I visited various places like the Central Market, Aeon Mall, and the Russian Market!

     

     

     

    #My Cambodia medical volunteer gap year preparation TIP!

    I had been abroad several times and had visited Siem Reap, Cambodia, last year, so I wasn''t very afraid of unfamiliar cultures or environments. However, I was nervous about it being my first month-long stay abroad leading everything by myself without family or friends. For that reason, I made sure to prepare a lot before departure.I carefully read the materials provided by Korea Gap Year and looked up vaccinations, checklists, etc., in advance, preparing as thoroughly as possible. As I prepared, excitement grew more than anxiety, and I was able to go and return safely.

     

     

     

     

     

     

    #What my Cambodia medical volunteer gap year was like!

     

    Experience★★★★★

    : In CambodiaI lived there for a month, shared a room with international friends, and had many experiences that I couldn''t have had in Korea.

     

    Learning★★★★

    : I especially wanted to practice IVs, so I asked the local nursesThey would find me whenever there was an IV and helped me practice.

     

    Environment★★★★

    : It felt warmer than I expected and was well maintained—at times I even felt it was better than my home.

     

    Safety★★★★

    : The accommodation was secure, but once you stepped outside you couldn''t fully relax. There was some construction on the way from the accommodation to the restaurant, which was a bit dangerous. I commuted to the hospital alone.

     

    Leisure★★★★★

    : I enjoyed having free time after work.

     

     

     

     

    Curious to learn more about the Cambodia medical volunteer project that Kim Yurim participated in?!

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Why This Project

What makes this project special

#Knowledge & Skills#Wisdom & Capability#Career & Direction#International Medical Field#Medical Volunteering#Clinical Practice#Medical Student Clinical Training#Nursing Practicum#Saving Someone's Life#Global Career#Volunteering in Cambodia#Practical Work Experience#Change in Career Values#Creating Meaning in Life#Noble Work#Global Career Challenge#Major-related Volunteering#Understanding Age#Rediscovering Passion for Life

Take just one brave step.
GapYear will take care of the rest.