Florijn Kielman

I wanted to spend my year out during my medical degree meaningfully, gaining medical experience while discovering more of the world. When I came across Work the World, it was a great opportunity to achieve both.

It was my first time travelling alone for an extended time, so I wanted everything to be well organised and worry-free. Fortunately, Work the World were very professional. They have lots of experience and provided a lot of useful information beforehand to help me prepare for my trip. 

The service Work the World provided was very personal because they did everything to take my preferences into account and tailor my placement to suit my clinical interests. I always felt able to reach out to them to ask any questions. Because of this, and the personalised communication before departure, I felt well-prepared. 

The Work the World house truly felt like a home from home. It provided me with everything I needed and more. There were plenty of areas to retreat and relax in. But the common room, the TV, pool table, and various games provided plenty of opportunity to connect and socialise with the rest of my housemates. 

The food was also delicious! I felt very safe in the house, and there was always someone available if I needed anything. The Work the World house couldn’t have been any better. 

My time with the other students was amazing. I made so many new friends who truly felt like family during my stay. It was fantastic to share all the moments from placement with each other, then also have fun during the evenings and on weekend trips. 

The Work the World team provided a smooth landing in the Philippines. The city tour on the first day was a great way to get to know Iloilo. And the language lessons were very helpful when it came to my time in the hospital. 

The activities the in-country team organised at the Work the World house were a lot of fun and were a great chance to bond with everyone. We had cooking demonstrations, a street food tour, and of course the famous karaoke night! 

Of course, the in-country team were also on hand to offer guidance in the hospital to optimise my experience and ensure I got the most out of my placement. 

During the week after placement, I took part in many activities with my housemates, including massages, going to the shopping center, working out at the gym, swimming, and relaxing at the house. 

On the weekends, we often travelled to other places further afield. I visited Guimaras, Boracay, and Gigantes, which was such a unique experience exploring such a beautiful place with so many amazing people I just met. 

My highlight was definitely the boat tour in Gigantes.

I will never forget the Village Healthcare Week. It was very interesting to see the district hospitals, and a highlight was assisting in several surgeries. 

The activities in the afternoon and the host family provided a unique insight into local village life. I would recommend everyone to go for it and undertake the Village Healthcare Week as a part of their placement.