Gap medics in Dominican Republic - Pirates of the Caribbean
Aug 4, 2016
It was one of the valuable experience l have ever had. l met lovely people, the stuff was amazing, friendly and always availalabe and they made me feel like home.
l learnt so many things shadowing doctors in the different wards, volunteering in a local village and orphanage....these are things that you cannot learn from books. At the same time l enjoyed the wonderful sea, swum with dolphins and did ocean sports like parasailing.
I stayed in Tanzania for 2 weeks, on the under 18s programme in Morogoro. Initially, the thought of flying alone was daunting, especially because I was only 16 at the time, but I was put at ease when I met other friendly students at the airport. At Dar es Salaam airport, we were met by Clarence who was really friendly and kind, and ensured that we were safely transported to the hotel near the airport. The following morning, we all enjoyed breakfast together, and then drove to the lodge in Morogoro. The facilities, like the pool and volleyball nets, in the lodge were great, and the food was amazing! The House Staff were brilliant, and I immediately felt safe, and cared for, even when I had to visit the doctor!
The first week of my placement was a surgery rotation, where I observed pre and post surgical treatments, as well as numerous live surgeries. The doctors and nurses were really supportive and made sure that I felt comfortable to ask questions, and that I was able to make the most of my placement. The surgeries I observed were really eye-opening and provided huge clinical exposure; more than anything I was able to find in the UK. We were really involved with the doctors and nurses, and were able to speak to the patients freely.
The second week of my placement was General Medicine, which again was great! I was able to see a variety of different treatments, including surgery, anti and post natal check ups, and some dental treatments. The doctors and nurses again were really kind, and made sure that we were safe, but also learnt from the observations and experiences we are provided with throughout the programme.
The safari weekend was amazing, and was a once in a lifetime experience! I really would recommend the safari to anyone going to Tanzania!
The placement provided not only a vast learning experience, but a very enjoyable time, where I was able to grow more confident as a person. I am most grateful for the support and kindness from everyone in the Morogoro camp. The other students were really friendly, and we're all still in touch now! I was lucky enough to secure offers to study Medicine at university, and I feel that a vital part of my application was the ability to compare and reflect on healthcare systems, and to speak of my experiences in Tanzania, and more importantly, the important skills and morals it instilled.
It was an amazing experience which helped me grow and learn. I learned more in those two weeks than years before that due to the great teaching and the environment that we were in. The facilities were amazing and the staff were incredibly kind and caring. They went out of there way to help and look after everyone who took part in the program. We had an amazing time in the hospitals but the other activities which where all arranged by the team were equally amazing. I loved the orphanage, spending time with the children was humbling and fun. We learned a lot from them. I made some amazing friends and would love to return.
It must be an incredible trip when you are already planning when you can do it again whilst on the plane trip home?
I could write countless pages about my experience with Gap Medics but I think three words sum it up better than any essay could: unforgettable, challenging and inspiring. Exposure to the harsh reality of Tanzania's impoverishment was an incredible culture shock and was certainly nothing short of challenging. Now I know some might read the word 'challenging' and be discouraged, but I can't emphasise enough the positive impact this has had on me as a 19 year old Uni student. I highly encourage anyone considering Gap Medics to take on this challenge and immerse themselves in an amazing trip that no review on a travel website could suffice.
I really enjoyed the time we were able to spend at the orphanage. That wasn't really focused on when I read through the trip description. I was pleasantly surprised that we were able to meet and bond with the children there. I was also surprised at how close we were to all the action going on inside of the hospital. I didn't really know what to expect before arriving, but I never imagined that we would be able to get such up close exposure to the extensive surgeries we saw. I was literally five feet away from the orthopedic surgeon as he replaced a man's knee cap! And the doctors there were super professional, but also very kind. And if their department was having a bit of a slow day, they still made sure that you got to see something exciting by having you watch other operations in different departments. I was in Urology one week and Orthopedic surgery the next, but still was able to witness a c-section birth as well as a little of a spine surgery. The experience I gained in Thailand as well as the fun I had meeting new people and making new friends was well worth the cost of the trip.
What would you improve about this program?
I would have liked for there to have been a little online language tutorial session before I got there. The staff did an excellent job teaching us the basics when we got there, but it was a bit overwhelming trying to remember it all. I would have liked to have had a little more practice before arriving so I could communicate better with the locals.
After looking at the Gap Medics' site, they suggest consulting your doctor about the specific vaccinations needed. You should also do this about two months before your trip. Here's the link for more FAQs: http://www.gapmedics.com/faqs/
When i went last year, we could give a rough idea of which placements we would like to be allocated. They could not give us a guarantee of the placements, however they do their best to try. Usually, your first choice placement will be given to you
I have just come back from Iringa, at i personally would say it is very safe! The only reasons you would not be safe is if you wandered off on your own and was not dressed appropriately. There were no problems at all whilst i was out there, in fact the people in the market and around town were very nice and would speak to us and remembered us whenever we went down to town! I have never known the...
They offer a much more hands-on experience that you can become a lot more involved with. At home, we are so restricted during work experience placements by strict health and safety and patient confidentiality laws that it's almost impossible to get stuck in. However, overseas they are more relaxed with these rules so students are allowed to learn more about how things work in a healthcare setting...
After looking at the Gap Medics' site, they suggest consulting your doctor about the specific vaccinations needed. You should also do this about two months before your trip. Here's the link for more FAQs: http://www.gapmedics.com/faqs/