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#I overcame my fear of English a little. #Experience with IV fluids and disinfection procedures #I had a great time doing medical service around Ho Chi Minh.
I am a third-year nursing student and participated in a medical volunteer program in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam. I wanted to experience overseas volunteering, so I found Gap Year and chose it to learn many things through diverse experiences. My goal for this Gap Year was to experience and learn things I couldn't do in Korea.
I do well regardless of place or time, so I wasn't worried about staying abroad for a long time. I packed my things the day before my departure since I had practice until two days before the flight, but I didn’t have much to pack, so it didn’t take long. Since I had just started my practice, I also needed to study English and felt lost, but I managed to relax and clear my mind before that.
During my volunteering period, I enjoyed getting hands-on experience doing things I couldn't do during my practice in Korea, like connecting IVs and disinfecting. Since I was with foreigners, I had to use English, and I think I overcame some of my fear of speaking English. I learned about the differences between hospitals in Korea and Vietnam and gained insights I couldn't have learned in Korea during my volunteering.
In Vietnam, it seemed like there was no strict hierarchy between doctors and nurses, and it was impressive how they prioritized students who were volunteering or practicing. However, the weather was hot, and the hospital's air conditioning was different from that in Korea. We could directly experience the local living environment by noticing differences in the appearance of the streets.
In terms of safety, there were no major concerns, but the traffic environment was different from Korea, with many motorcycles filling the roads. The traffic system was also different, so I had to pay close attention when crossing the street. In my free time, I enjoyed walking around Ho Chi Minh City and learning about Vietnam.
The cost of living was low, so I enjoyed traveling and shopping. I recommend visiting the Cu Chi Tunnels, Mekong River, Mui Ne, Fairy Stream, and Red and White Sand Dunes. I made friends with one Japanese person and one Korean person; we chatted at all night, went out together, and built new relationships.
Recommended for those who want to experience medical volunteering firsthand at a hospital abroad.
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