What inspired you to join the Work the World team?
There are lots of reasons! One of the main ones is that I get to work with people from all over the world. I manage locally hired teams in the Philippines, Vietnam, and Zambia, and I love every minute of it.
What position do you hold at Work the World?
I’m currently the Operations Manager for our Philippines, Zambia, and Vietnam programs.
In the past, I’ve run programs in Iloilo, Ghana, and Peru, as well as traveling around the UK and speaking about Work the World at student events. This has given me a real understanding of the student experience and a deep knowledge of Work the World as an organization and its ethos.
I grew up in Zambia, so being able to now run a program there is incredible
What you are your main responsibilities?
Working in the Operations Team is exciting. We look after students from the moment they’ve secured their internship. We make sure that when students leave for their internship, they go with the right expectations and have a thorough understanding of what’s ahead. One of the most satisfying things to see is a student who is nervous—maybe someone who hasn’t left their home country before—and watch them growing not only in their chosen profession, but also as a person.
The Operations Team also manages our overseas teams. We‘re incredibly invested not just in our staff, but the countries they operate in, too. I have the Ghana news reel on in the morning, so I often know more about what’s going on in Ghana on a daily basis than I do at home!
What hopes do you have for the future of the programs in the Philippines, Zambia, and Vietnam?
I want to make our internships the best they can possibly be. My teams and I strive day in and day out to make sure our students are having experiences that change their lives. The more frequently that happens the better. It’s an incredibly fulfilling job.
What is the best bit about working for your organization?
One of the joys is working in our head office. There are so many diverse personalities with different experiences, yet everyone gets on so well. I think it’s because all of us—from the person who answers the phone, to the Directors—are passionate about Work the World and what the organization does. We’re creating formative experiences for people who may go onto have a serious impact on global health.
As an Operations Manager I spend a long time in our destinations, making sure they’re at the standards we expect. Though I do get the occasional day off to see things like endangered Rhinos
Why do you think it’s important for individuals to travel outside of their comfort zone?
If you want to grow as a person, you have to push your boundaries. Travel is the best way. The effect is amplified if you travel somewhere that challenges you. It’s a simple equation!
How does Work the World differ to other organizations?
In so many ways. One of the main things is our attention to detail when considering each individual student. As well as our amazing head office team, each destination we operate in has an on-the-ground support structure. The support our local staff gives our students is unparalleled. Much of our service revolves around them and the relationships they’ve worked hard to build with our partner hospitals.
We also make sure we’re building fair partnerships with everyone we work with. We actually sit down every month with our partner hospitals and ask what they need. Expressing a genuine care for the people we partner with, we’ve found, works incredibly well. A great example of this is in the Philippines during their annual election period. During election periods, government hospitals cannot purchase medical supplies. If they run out of something, like anesthesia or pediatric needles for example, they simply cannot put in a purchase order.
Our donation system really ramps up during this period; it’s tailored to each hospital and its needs no matter the country.
There are some really special moments out in our destinations. You really have to make these trips count when you’re out there
Describe a time when you felt especially proud to be part of Work the World.
As the sentimental one in the office, there have been quite a few times when I’ve felt, proud to be working where I do. I could give you examples for hours.
When I see that a student ‘gets it’, when I see it in their faces, or hear it on the phone during feedback that they went to the hospital and something that they’d never see at home happened, and then go on excitedly explaining to me what they understood from it, that’s when we can be very proud of what we do.
What Work the World destinations have you visited?
All of them!
What has been your favorite?
Ghana. It’s this feeling you get when you first step off the plane–the warmth of the people. From that moment you know everything to come is going to be amazing. You’ll leave a little piece of yourself in Ghana when you leave. So many people I’ve spoken to want to go back.
What advice do you have for someone considering a healthcare placement abroad?
If you look at a destination and think, ‘that looks a bit challenging’, pick it. If you don’t challenge yourself, you’ll regret it.
