My reason for going was to undertake a voluntary physiotherapy placement at Kandy General hospital. From the moment I set foot into the physiotherapy department on my first day, it was obvious to me that there was going to be many differences between practicing in the UK and in Sri Lanka. The therapists had to treat a large volume of patients in a small space of time, with limited facilities and equipment. After witnessing healthcare in another culture, it has made me realise (even more) how lucky we are to have the NHS, a system where healthcare professionals work so efficiently as a team to ensure a patient-centred approach is adopted. This experience has taught me a lot and I feel it will shape me to be a physiotherapist with a more holistic approach, enabling me to think on my feet and be more adaptable to unpredictable circumstances.
As well as doing a placement, I also got to travel round to some of the most beautiful places I've ever seen and embrace a completely new culture. I feel lucky to have seen the Buddhist and Hindu temples, climb Sigiriya rock, ride an elephant, go to Trincomalee to relax at the beach, walk to the world's end view point and ride the most beautiful train journey from Ella to Kandy. On top of all that I have made friends for life. Never did I expect to become to close to a group of people but I couldn't have wished for a better group of people to spend the last month with.
On a side note to all that, spending a month in the sun has done wonders for my RA. While I was there I experienced minimal flare ups, making it one of the longest periods I have felt well for. This just goes to show that I am destined to travel and spend most of my days in the sun surrounded by wonderful people.
I honestly couldn't think of a better way to have spent the money my wonderful late Godmother left me. She was a constant inspiration in my life and always believed in me to become a physiotherapist and now I hope to have made her proud.
Now the job hunt and adult life begins!!
