Charlotte Cox

Work The World visited my university to give a talk, and they inspired me to undertake my elective overseas.

They spoke about the destinations they operated in, and about all the amazing opportunities we could expect while abroad.

I chose to travel to Ghana after carrying out some research. That there were loads of adventures I could go on during weekends, so it was an easy choice

Everything was easy — they were really organised.

I secured my place on an elective shortly after.

Once I’d registered, someone from Work the World called me to welcome me to the programme.

And from then on, everything was easy. They were really organised.

It wasn’t nearly as scary as I imagined.

Me and my friend Katie decided to do the trip together. Going with a friend made me feel better because I knew I’d have a friendly face around.

Looking back, having experienced it, it wasn’t nearly as scary as I imagined.

I’d have happily travelled on my own, because everyone who travelled there was in the same boat and all feeling the same emotions.

The Trip

After a relatively short flight from the UK, we arrived in Ghana.

A member of the Work the World team were there at the airport waiting to meet us.

They took us to the Work The World house where the rest of the staff and our housemates were waiting.

Our housemates were all students doing their own electives in Ghana, and we quickly got to know each other.

The team showed us to our rooms, and then we all sat down and had a big lunch together.

Our housemates were from a range of different disciplines; medics, dentists, physiotherapists, midwives…

They came from all over the world too. Countries like Australia, Canada, Belgium, Holland and Ireland.

Once we had settled in, the team took us on a city tour.

They showed us the best local restaurants, the nicest beaches, and fun things to do in our spare time.

My Placement

I went into my placement with an open mind. I wanted to take any opportunity that came my way.

I went to lots of different wards and saw lots of different things. It was eye opening.

I thought there was going to be a language barrier in the hospital, but the majority of staff spoke English.

I also went out to the local community and carried out house visits and birthing clinics.

All their documentation was written in English too, and all important meetings were spoken in English. It wasn’t a problem at all.

I saw a lot while I was in the hospital — chest tube insertions, surgical procedures, births and frontline Accident and Emergency.

I also went out to the local community and carried out house visits and birthing clinics.

Free Time

We made good use of our free time while we were in Ghana.

Every Thursday, Work the World’s catering team hosted a BBQ night. All the housemates came together to eat traditional Ghanaian food and learn traditional Ghanaian dances.

It was my favourite night of the week.

A local seamstress even came to measure us so she could make different outfits with the beautiful fabrics we’d bought.

We travelled to an elephant reserve, and it was the best weekend of my life.

We went on lots of trips around Ghana at the weekends.

One weekend we went to a beautiful coastline where I tried my hand at fabric making and had a cooking lesson.

On another weekend, we travelled to an elephant reserve, and it was the best weekend of my life.

We were never bored!

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An overseas placement made me appreciate the NHS more than ever. I realised just how lucky we are to have what we have.

This trip was the best thing I have ever done, and I’ll remember it forever.

I would tell anyone to go and do a placement abroad with Work the World.