Katelyn Bromley

I am a third-year mental health nursing student, and I have completed many placements in different sectors of the NHS in the UK. However, a previous Work the World student at my university recommended Work the World to me, and I thought it sounded perfect. 

From a young age, I wanted to travel, but in 2017, I was at a terrorist attack, which left me with PTSD and anxiety, meaning I didn’t have the confidence to travel. I signed up for Work the World to force myself out of my comfort zone and see the world while helping others. 

Having never been outside of Europe, Work the World was so helpful in making sure everything was organised to perfection.

The phone calls, video calls, emails and MyTrip page were so helpful, and Work the World were really easy to contact if I needed any help. 

Also, Work the World organised all of my placements before I arrived, dealing with all the logistics. When I arrived in Vietnam, the Work the World staff introduced me to my placement supervisors, which helped me feel more comfortable. 

Finally, even though I had lots of independence and autonomy while there, it was still nice and reassuring to have a team there for me as and when I needed them. 

Living in the Work the World house, imagine you’re in uni halls again, but with people from all over the world, a pool, better weather, chefs and amazing staff.

The house is always 5-star clean, the beds are so big and comfy, and there are lots of social spaces. The Work the World house will always be my home away from home.

Living with strangers for 4 weeks, every interaction I had with the staff was positive, funny and helpful. The staff have the best sense of humour, will welcome you into the country and make you feel at home instantly! After a long day at the hospital, whether it be a good one or a bad one, it’s always nice to see the Work the World staff and have a chat! From the chefs to the housekeepers, the security and the programme staff, every person was so kind and friendly. Words cannot express how much I love and will miss everyone at Work the World. 

I knew that the healthcare system in Vietnam would be different from the NHS, but I was shocked at how different it was.

The lack of equipment compared to the UK was surprising. However, it really made me appreciate my clinical skills and highlighted just how much some Western countries rely on technology. My favourite thing about the healthcare system in Vietnam was how much respect there was between patients, families and healthcare staff. 

In Vietnam, we explored Hue, Da Nang, Hoi An and more. It was so much fun and a nice break outside of my placement - the Work the World staff had lots of great recommendations. In the evenings, we would eat dinner with everyone in the house, cooked by the chefs, which was amazing! On other nights, we would also visit the Hue walking street, use the pool and spend the evening together relaxing. 

One thing about my experience which will stick with me forever is how Vietnamese people were so grateful for their healthcare system, which is a stark difference compared to back home. Another thing that will stick with me is how the doctors and nurses were so patient and happy to explain things to me.

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