Alumni Interview with Veronica Pletiak

Why did you choose to go on an overseas healthcare placement?

Undertaking a clinical internship wasn’t a requirement of my degree, but when I heard about the opportunity I couldn't resist. I started looking at the destinations Work the World operated in and decided on the Philippines.

And what made you choose the Philippines?

I think mainly because it was close to my home country, Australia. That and the beautiful beaches.

So, talk us through your first experiences after you landed in the Philippines.

I arrived in Iloilo late in the evening. After getting off the plane, I quickly spotted a member of the Work the World team in her distinctive blue Work the World shirt. She was there to collect me.

We took a taxi to the house. During the ride, we chatted about the Philippines, my internship, and what I could expect in the weeks ahead.

The next morning we went on a city orientation. The Work the World team told us about all the great attractions we could visit in Iloilo City and the 'must see' locations further afield.

The team took us to a shopping mall near to the Work the World house to get set up with things like local SIM cards for our cell phones and to exchange some money. We also went out for some traditional Filipino food for lunch and walked back home along the esplanade, which was beautiful.

What about your first experiences in the hospital?

At the hospital, the Work the World team introduced us to the Head Nurse. He took us on a  tour of the grounds.

We visited a number of wards, and along the way he provided us with some great practical information about the hospital. As I was undertaking a dental placement, we of course visited the dental clinic, too.

The orientation was not only a great way to introduce me to my internship hospital and my supervising staff, but it also helped me get on my feet in the hospital.

So, your internship officially started the following day. Can you tell us about some of the differences between healthcare in Australia and the Philippines?

There are numerous differences between the clinics in the Philippines and those in Australia. The dental clinic in Iloilo is focused on curative dental treatment, which was initially hard to wrap my head around—especially when leaving asymptomatic caries untreated. And there was a noticeable lack of infection control.

What did you get involved in while you were working at the hospital?

I performed oral examinations and administered local anaesthetic administration for the majority of patients among other things!

Work the World also offered me the chance to visit schools and day care centers in the region. I taught some basic oral health education for the children there, showing them the correct brushing technique that is standard in the Philippines—rather than small circular strokes, vertical strokes are encouraged. They don't follow the "spit, no rinse" technique either, which was different from what I was used to advising.

I also discussed diet with the children and performed check-ups in the classrooms, applying fluoride varnish when needed. It was challenging to see the amount of advanced decay in their mouths, especially at such a young age.

What were the local hospital staff like?

One fantastic memory that I took home was the great relationship that I developed with one of my supervisors. She took the time to get to know me and went above and beyond, inviting me to her family's house for lunch numerous times. Her family were lovely to me and told me that I was welcome to stay with them anytime.

What about the Philippines itself—did you do much traveling in the afternoons and during the weekends?

I had a great time traveling around the Philippines! I visited Boracay twice, once for New Years and the second time with 14 other Work the World students where we all went parasailing.

I also visited Guimaras island during my stay—a hidden gem not yet bombarded by tourists. It was a beautiful place for island hopping and also had incredible mangos!

How do you feel about the experience, reflecting on the whole thing now that you’re back?

My experience in the Philippines was both unforgettable and invaluable. The staff, my fellow students, and the Filipino people were extremely friendly and went the extra mile to help me get the most out of my trip.

I had an incredible experience and made many lifelong friends in my short time there. My confidence and my clinical skills have also developed dramatically.

Would you recommend Work the World?

Absolutely. Undertake your placement with Work the World. You won’t regret it!