Why did you decide to volunteer with Projects Abroad in Cambodia?
Nicola: As part of my university degree we are given the chance to undertake an elective placement. This means it can literally be anywhere in the world. I had always wanted to go to Australia, but the more I thought about it the more it seemed like the easy way out. As time passed I felt this overwhelming desire to 'do more'. I am fortunate that my degree gives me skills that can actually make a difference in the quality of someone's life.
As far as I'm aware, there are no shortages of physiotherapists. Projects Abroad already have a physiotherapy program and were one of the few companies that allowed me to use my degree to actually make a difference.
Describe your day to day activities as a volunteer.
Nicola: We would wake up early, around 6.30-7.00 am as we would have to leave the apartments by 7.30 to maneuver our way through traffic to get to our orphanage by 8.00. Cambodians rise with the sun the majority of the time so this was not unusual for them. Once at the orphanage, we would check and see who we would have in the Physio room that day. Like any Physio setting we would try and prioritize who we would see and decide if we had to go around any of the children's rooms for checkups.
Although we were there to do Physiotherapy, the responsibilities far exceed that. The staff didn't expect anything of us, so it was very much make your own workload. But we would routinely help change nappies, sometimes help with bath-time and feeding time, as these children are totally dependent. We also dished out a lot of hugs throughout the day as the children crave them, and sometimes it was the best therapy... for both them and us!
The day was split up into morning and afternoon. Lunch time was back at the apartments where all the volunteers eat together. The day finishes at 4, and its back to the apartments. Dinner was served at 7, so often we could go shopping or see some sights both before or after dinner. There is always something to do. The apartments have a roof terrace where people often gathered to chat and have drinks. And every apartment has a TV and DVD player, and a healthy collection of books and DVDs left by previous volunteers. There is never 'nothing' to do.
How has this experience helped you grow personally and professionally?
Nicola: In all honesty it has impacted my life in every way possible. I always knew I wanted to travel, but I never thought I would want to be so involved with those less fortunate, especially children. Personally, I have learned to really appreciate what I have, I think coming back to the Western world was a bigger shock than going to Cambodia, realizing how materialistic we all are. Yes it is nice to have nice things and work hard, I would just now never want to take that for granted.
Professionally, this has given my CV a great boost. I think knowing that someone is confident and outgoing to be thrust into that sort of environment, really makes yours stand out from the other thousand applications that they receive.
Academically, as I am still in training, I have a greater insight as to what it means that nothing is ever textbook. We had to improvise with treatments and really think outside the box, which I learned can be applied to all situations, so I don't think I will feel out of my depth quite as easily in the NHS hospitals.