Tanzania: A second home

I have experienced Gap Medics three times over the past three years and I have to say what an amazing experience it gives you. It allows you to experience a country (Tanzania in my case) right down to its grassroots. It provides a stress and hassle free way of being able to visit a developing country whilst gaining medical experience, which is hard to find elsewhere. You get to get up close with all the procedures at the hospital and it provides an experience that is hard to find in your own country. I would recommend Gap Medics to anyone that would like to not only gain medical experience, but who also want learn about the cultures in a different country as well. The money is well worth it and you will not regret your decision what so ever. Both the staff at the house and the hospital are well trained and will literally feel like family during your stay. Everyone is so friendly and helpful, that you almost forgot that you are in a totally different environment. During my stay, I was able to witness many births on the labour ward as well as helping with ward rounds in paediatrics. The sights, sounds and certainly smells will overwhelm your senses when you first step into the labour ward. Childbirth is not a tidy event. However, you soon adjust and everyday brings new things to observe and learn. On the neonatal ward, many babies on fighting for survival in circumstances that seem impossible, yet, many survive. There are not many incubators so at busy times, the beds become full of tiny little babies not quite ready for the world. This really does make you realise how precious and fragile life is. However, through these good and bad times, the team is always there to support you.
In the end, no matter how long you stay, you will have wished that you were staying longer as it really does become to feel like home.