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#From a worried attitude to adapting to a new environment. #The essence of nursing and the responsibility of medical staff. #Starting alone and leaving behind precious memories together.
New Moments, New Challenges
Hello. I am Park Ye-eun, a third-year nursing student currently on a leave of absence. I wanted to spend this break time more meaningfully rather than letting it pass by.
I have always had the vague thought of wanting to experience overseas medical volunteering while studying nursing. But I often lacked the courage and delayed it because I was still a student. In particular, I wanted to see, feel, and learn about medical environments that are different from ours, and to verify firsthand what nursing looks like in the field, not just in books. So, among several options, I chose the medical volunteer program in Ho Chi Minh.
What I most wanted to change through this gap year was my tendency to want to stay only in familiar environments. Until now, I have lived relatively securely among familiar spaces and people and had not thrown myself into new environments much. Therefore, I wanted to be someone who could stand fast in unfamiliar situations, and I wanted to practice accepting discomfort rather than avoiding it. Even when learning the same nursing, I wanted to widen my perspective by seeing and feeling how the healthcare environment and treatment of patients differ across countries.
It was not a grand goal to come back completely changed, but rather a wish to better understand myself and think about the direction I want to take moving forward. I see this gap year more as a start to cultivate a bit more courage rather than a time for significant change.
Honestly, it was my first time staying abroad for a period, and the thought of living alone in an unfamiliar environment was daunting. I wondered what would happen if I can’t communicate, if I can’t adapt to local living conditions, or if I happen to get sick. But more than my worries, my eagerness to undertake this opportunity now rather than later was stronger, and I wanted to try even without being perfectly prepared.
Before I left, I checked my passport, tickets, and visa needs, and prepared necessary vaccinations and personal medications. I briefly researched local culture and healthcare practices and jotted down basic greetings in Vietnamese. As I proceeded through the gap year missions, I gradually felt ready, while always reminding myself not to aim for perfection.
The local project operated according to a set schedule. On Monday, there were general and medical orientations, where we learned Vietnamese phrases, local culture, precautions, and sights. This was a time to receive guidance on the overall program.
From Tuesday to Friday, I adapted to the hospital schedule. I chose to participate in both morning and afternoon sessions. Normally, I woke up at 5 AM, washed up, and had breakfast between 6:30 and 7 AM. I left the accommodation around 7:20 AM and walked for about 25 minutes to reach the hospital by 7:45 AM. After changing into scrubs, I moved to the assigned department according to the coordinator's guidance. The morning shift often ended between 10:30 and 11 AM, after which I returned to the accommodation to rest. The afternoon program started again at 1:30 PM and ended between 3:30 and 4 PM.
On Tuesday morning, we did hospital rounds and department orientations before observing injections. In the afternoon, we cleaned banana leaves and moved to the daycare center to disinfect toys and vacuum-pack medical devices. On Wednesday morning, we observed wound dressing, and in the afternoon, we made a traditional Vietnamese dish that involves putting rice, beans, and pork inside banana leaves. There was a simple party at the hospital in the evening.
On Thursday morning, I waited about an hour for the nurses to come. Afterward, I talked with a nurse in an empty physical therapy room. Once the nurse arrived, I observed wound dressing again. On Friday morning, I observed a hip dislocation surgery and wrapped my participation there without joining the afternoon schedule. Overall, the schedule rolled smoothly within set boundaries, with departments assigned based on the coordinator's instructions.
The best part of this project was breaking free from familiar settings and experiencing a new medical environment first-hand. I learned how textbook knowledge applies to reality. The medical environment turned out to differ in more ways than I expected. Seeing medical staff work hard for patients even with inadequate equipment and systems made me rethink the essence of nursing.
There were no major incidents, but I was impressed by the attitude of staff quietly fulfilling their roles even in small environments. I learned that nursing involves not just skills but also attitude and responsibility. Through this experience, I realized I still had a lot to learn, and at the same time, my desire to learn more grew. It was not a time to perfect myself but a time to reconsider my direction.
I participated in this project alone. At first, I was worried, but I ended up meeting so many more people. At the hospital, I met local staff and coordinators, and I naturally grew close to participants from other countries. Although we had different nationalities and cultures, we quickly bonded over shared interests.
After classes or hospital schedules ended, we toured together, shared meals, and enjoyed drinks while chatting. It was an enriching experience to share our cultures and thoughts. This gap year was not just about medical experience but also about directly engaging with people from various cultures. I started this journey alone, but I didn’t feel alone.
In my free time, I got to experience local culture by visiting nearby restaurants and cafes. There was a fresh fruit juice shop I visited on the way back from the hospital to my place, which offered juices around 1,000 won and had really fresh fruits. The coordinators can point you to its location, and I recommend ordering it without sugar.
Pho Viet Nam, a rice noodle restaurant, also stands out in my memory. They have a Michelin star and are known for their deep and clean broth. If you enjoy local cuisine, it’s a must-visit! If you like milk tea, I recommend checking out Phuc Long Coffee & Tea, especially their famous milk tea, and pairing it with green tea cookies.
Across from my accommodation, there was a small café that closed early, and their latte was even tastier and cheaper than at fancy coffee shops. I'd especially recommend their menu topped with salt and milk foam.
This experience didn’t completely transform my life but rather broadened my mindset slightly. Living alone in a foreign country and adapting to a new environment fostered my confidence. Though some parts were unexpected, I believe the challenges were part of the learning journey.
Before participating, I found it easier to stay within familiar environments and was often worried about new obstacles. However, this experience taught me that I could adapt and endure even in unknown settings. Whilst I may not have become a completely new person, this journey has instilled in me a little more courage. My perspective on the world also expanded. It led me to question what experiences I want to gain in the future and to reflect again on my career path.
Rather than seeking perfect change, I perceive this journey as the beginning of small growth, rating my experience a 7. It has provided me with a sense of stepping up a level compared to before, making this a meaningful experience. This gap year has been a challenge for me, and living alone in a new country away from familiar settings has left a considerable impact.
While the time spent at the hospital was meaningful, I found the moments shared with others to be more memorable. For those from different nationalities, sharing meals, sightseeing, chatting, and exchanging cultures felt profoundly valuable. Although I can’t claim it was a perfect experience, I learned and felt many things through it. Gaining confidence to adapt to unfamiliar places and broadening my worldview was the most significant change for me.
For future participants, I would suggest thoroughly preparing for the preliminary missions or requirements indicated by the program in advance. A brief study of basic medical terms or local culture will aid comprehension on site. Additionally, clarify your personal goals before joining, as having a specific learning focus can enhance the meaning of your experience. Actively asking questions and keeping notes locally is also recommended. Even within the short timeframe, organizing your insights will provide better insights when you look back later.
Finally, I want to express my gratitude to the personnel who assisted me with my inquiries in Korea. I asked numerous questions over the years, but every time, they responded kindly and thoroughly. They sometimes even called me to explain things carefully, which was a huge help. I had a lot of concerns before my departure, but their proactive support and guidance made me feel more at ease. Their genuine wish to assist became a memorable and appreciated part of my experience.
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