Nursing students enjoy 'once-in-a-lifetime' placement in Sri Lanka

An Essex nursing student has been reflecting on a once-in-a-lifetime placement which was made possible thanks to the University of Essex’s very own crowdfunding platform, Click.

Rae Spencer was one of 11 student nurses able to raise funds for the trip to Sri Lanka in August, where they had the chance to learn more about the healthcare system in the country.

The students were able to observe a variety of departments and practices at the Karapitiya Teaching Hospital, in Galle, ranging from neurosurgery to acupuncture.

The trip was carried out under the Travelteer scheme, which provides volunteering opportunities in Asia.

The students immersed themselves in completely different environment, something that third year Adult Nursing student Rae admits was an eye-opening experience.

“The placement proved to be highly informative, albeit somewhat sobering, as I was confronted with challenging and uncomfortable situations,” Rae said.

“Despite this, I actively sought learning opportunities and explored as many areas of the hospital as possible to get the most from my experience.”

As part of the placement, Rae was able to witness native healthcare techniques, as well as the emphasis on the three doshas, or functional energies in the body, Vata, Pitta and Kapha.

Away from their placement, Rae and the students were able to immerse themselves in Sri Lankan culture and nature, including getting up close to elephants and sea turtles, as well as relaxing on golden beaches in the evenings.

And despite missing home during her time in Sri Lanka, Rae is in no doubt that her time there was one of the best experiences of her life.

“If you're considering doing a placement abroad, it's a fantastic opportunity, both personally and professionally,” Rae continued.

“It was a rewarding but challenging experience for me. Approaching it with an open mind and a willingness to get involved, overall, it was a once-in-a-lifetime experience.”

Rae added: “This experience was a crucial component for me in terms of my studies and the beginning of my nursing career.

"It provided hands-on experience and exposed me to various healthcare settings, patient demographics, and medical conditions.

"Witnessing healthcare in other countries has given me a greater understanding of the nursing role and how it changes between cultures and countries.”

The students were able to take part in the Travelteer programme after they raised £10,000 through Essex’s own crowdfunding platform, Click.

A further £5,500 was match-funded thanks to generous donations from alumni and University friends to our Student Experience Fund.