Published: 17 December 2024
Freya is a sixth-year medical student from St George's, University of London. She recently travelled to Iloilo, the Philippines, on a five-week placement to compare the differences between healthcare in the UK and a low-resource setting overseas.
Studying abroad
"I always knew I wanted to undertake my elective overseas."
I wanted to experience a different culture, meet new people, improve my clinical communication skills between patients and other healthcare professionals — including overcoming language barriers — and see how a different healthcare system worked.
- Freya Bailey, sixth-year medical student -
" I hadn’t travelled solo or to that part of the world before, so it was the perfect opportunity."
"I spent my time in internal medicine and surgery."
The staff were kind throughout my time in the hospital. I made a great bond with doctors and saw some amazing cases. The healthcare system was very different from home.
- Freya Bailey, sixth-year medical student -
"It was strange to witness the lack of privacy for patients. So many family members were with patients that there was a community feel, something we don’t have in the UK.
"Internal medicine was fascinating. I saw some of the most interesting cases I’d ever seen, many of which I’d never observed. One such case was a diaphragmatic hernia in a two-day-old baby. I got to see how surgeries were performed differently and how local staff went about doing intubations."
"As I was travelling alone, I was worried about organising every aspect of my trip and feeling safe on my own in a country very far away from home. However, I was reassured to learn from Work the World (the organisation I undertook my placement with) that there was a clear plan for all my arrangements and that my placement in the hospital was guaranteed and supported throughout"
I got to meet and live with so many like-minded healthcare students. It felt odd at first, but we quickly developed a big family vibe.
- Freya Bailey, sixth-year medical student -
"Karaoke nights were the best! They brought everyone together each week, especially with new arrivals. Going to the nearby swimming pool was so much fun. The gym was also a great place to socialise and try new classes."
"The Philippines is an incredible country. There is so much to do and see. I spent every weekend travelling—I went to Boracay (which had amazing beaches), El Nido, and Cebu, both of which had fantastic activities and nature. Gigantes is also a must! Island hopping was so much fun and certainly a highlight."
I am so happy I went to the Philippines for my medical elective. If you’re considering it, go for it.
- Freya Bailey, sixth-year medical student -
Work the World specialises in tailoring overseas healthcare placements in Asia and Africa. Their destinations provide eye-opening insight into healthcare delivery challenges in low-resource clinical settings.