Volunteer for your Medical Elective in Nepal

The medical elective program in Nepal hosted by IVHQ is a really enriching experience where I learned a lot about the local medical operation system, specifically how doctors work with patients in ER. It also provided me the chance to meet people in the industry, ultimately strengthening my determination to study medicine. Also, I have met so many new friends from all over the world, and the host was super nice to us.

A huge thank you to my IVHQ Program Manager for helping me throughout the preparation process. The Local Team there was so amazing! My homestay family was the best ever. The family was extremely sweet and welcoming. Most importantly I made connections with amazing Nepalese people. They are very kind and super giving even with the little resources they have available. I was able to see how hospitals and medical staff work with very limited supplies and try their best to give the best care they can to their patients. I left feeling extremely grateful for what I have in the U.S and I left feeling more confident in my career path to become a doctor.

It was such an amazing experience to be immersed in the culture and also work and shadow the medical field in such a beautiful country! I learned so much and am so thankful for this opportunity. I made several connections with the Nepali people and doctors and will be returning on my own terms with them. Thank you, IVHQ, for introducing me and helping me have a smooth and amazing time! I look forward to completing more medical mission trips.

Through my participation in the IVHQ medical elective project, I gained invaluable insights and skills that have significantly enriched my understanding of healthcare and global medicine. One of the most significant gains was the firsthand exposure to diverse medical practices and patient care in a different cultural setting. This experience broadened my perspective on healthcare delivery and deepened my appreciation for cultural competency in medicine. Moreover, working alongside experienced healthcare professionals in resource-limited settings taught me resilience, adaptability, and the importance of teamwork in overcoming challenges. I also developed strong communication skills through interacting with patients from various backgrounds, enhancing my ability to provide compassionate care and navigate language barriers. For those hesitant about joining this program, I would offer the following advice: Embrace the opportunity for personal and professional growth that comes with stepping out of your comfort zone. While it's natural to feel apprehensive about working in unfamiliar environments, remember that every challenge presents a chance to learn and develop resilience. Approach the experience with an open mind, a willingness to learn, and a commitment to making a positive impact. By immersing yourself in this program, you'll not only contribute to meaningful healthcare initiatives but also gain invaluable skills and insights that will shape your future career in medicine.

My IVHQ Program Manager did a great job assisting us with the preparations - thank you so much. The documents needed were clearly stated together with the checklist and the checklist eased our preparations. The local team were very helpful and resourceful. They provided us with all the information needed. I've always thought volunteering is a beautiful experience, especially in a healthcare setting. I noticed how the hospital lacked resources and staff when I was there, especially in the emergency department. Volunteering had a huge impact on me as I continue to contribute my time skills, I also gained experiences, connections and values that enriched my life. I believe volunteering brings people together with shared goals and values. It fosters a sense of belonging and strengthens community bonds. I met lots of people from all around the world with the same vision as me. It was a beautiful experience for me. Volunteers contribute to addressing various social, environmental, and humanitarian issues. I hope our efforts can lead to tangible improvements in the lives of individuals and the overall state of society.

My IVHQ Program Manager was very helpful with regards to any questions I had about my program. She made sure my friend and I could both be put together in the same city despite undertaking different programs. Bijen was very helpful if we had any questions. My accomodation in Pokhara exceeded my expectations. The host family was great and we had great meals. It was great to see how a different healthcare system worked. I was based in the emergency department and it was great to be able to observe lots of different and new things. I felt I got outside of my comfort zone and was able to advance in my career. Give it a go. It pushes you outside of your comfort zone and you get to experience something so amazing in another country and learn so much about their culture.

The preparation checklist provided by IVHQ was very easy to use and straight forward, allowing a simple and stress-free preparation process. The local team went above and beyond to make myself feel comfortable - this effort should not go unnoticed as they deserve a great amount of appreciation. This volunteering experience has taught me a lot about myself and I feel like I have definitely grown as a person. Being my first time solo travelling, I learnt a lot more from things I didn’t expect I would have and I appreciate this so much. I am really blessed that I stayed in Dharma’s household during my stay in Pokhara, Nepal. He is as lovely as his family and he really works so hard to make his guests feel comfortable - as if they were still at home. The accommodation itself is very nice and spacious. To top the homestay off, they even have the cutest dog anyone could fall in love with, called Oscar. The meals prepared by Dharmas family more than exceeded expectations. The meals were as delicious as there was variety being served, which really made me feel like I was at home. Especially on my last night with Dharma where we ate a traditional chicken roast together. Interacting with other volunteers in a cooperative way which truly engaged and helped the children learn at Samara school was my favorite moment. Taking on the position of a role model for these students was an experience I will always remember. Also, seeing the vast differences between my home country and Nepal has truly let me learn a lot about myself and the world around me. Life long friendships have been made during my time volunteering in Nepal, this is unique to this opportunity I took and I’m very happy with its outcome. It’s better to grow old with memories and not dreams. If you truly aspire to volunteer in a country abroad then please don’t hesitate to do it because there is no chance you will regret it. It has been such an amazing experience for myself and I’m so happy I turned my dreams of being in Nepal into many beautiful memories.

The resources were ample and succinct for me to follow. My IVHQ Program Manager was also always ready to help! I am very thankful to my host family in Pokhara for their kindness, warmth and encouragement during my stay. I had a very lovely experience with them! I definitely felt myself growing as a person. Coming solo, I was forced out of my comfort zone, where I had to take the first step in approaching others. I really felt my confidence grew and that I was able to adapt and perform through various situations.

Being able to observe cesarean sections in the OT and a normal delivery in the maternity ward was my favourite. I was also able to see the babies in the NICU afterwards. This volunteer experience provided me with insights into differences in the healthcare systems overseas and I was able to befriend other volunteers from around the world. This has been an incredible experience and I can’t wait to volunteer again!

To start off with I am a third year medical student who went into medicine to help out as much as I can and I have been wanting to volunteer for quite a long time. Finally I made my mind up and booked a two week medical program with IVHQ for Nepal. When we arrived we were made to feel so welcome already and this helped make us feel comfortable in a place so far away from home. After the two day orientation all the volunteers went on their seperate paths and I was placed for a few days in health camps in Kathmandu which was amazing to say the least. We were taken to a school and to a women's health centre where we took their vitals and this includes blood pressure monitoring, blood glucose monitoring, checking for any signs of ill health etc. This was not only a learning experience for me personally but it also hopefully helped some locals become more aware of certain common diseases that can be prevented. Then my second week was in Pokhara, in Gandaki hospital to be exact. I chose to be placed in the emergency department which was such an eye opening experience especially given that I have not yet had the emergency placement back home. The doctors were very helpful and the language barrier did not stop me from learning as I always managed to find a doctor or two who would explain what was happening. This week was made up of observation more than doing but this is to be expected given I am still a medical student and it would be dangerous for me to carry out procedures but this was still an amazing learning experience. When it comes to the organisation I cannot thank them enough. Transport was always waiting on us. They planned and took us to visit local sites and were always there when we needed something. This was an experience of a lifetime and I would recommend it to whoever asks me! Apart from the experience itself, Nepal is a must visit country so stop thinking about whether you should or shouldn't do it and just go for it before life gets in the way!

Our experience with IVHQ was an amazing one to say the least! Having never been to Nepal before we were expecting a very rough transition considering the culture shock. However, with the help of Samuel Headey and the team in Nepal we had no trouble whatsoever, with every question we had being immediately answered. From the sightseeing excursions and all the activities to accommodation and food, everything was simply better than what we were expecting. The medical elective proved to be more than we thought if not more. The health checks in Kathmandu were the highlight of our trip wherein we measured the blood pressure, saturation and glucose and temperature and performed a general examination on patients. Apart from the medical aspect, it was also a valuable experience getting to know different people and have them share their time with us. This was followed by the attachment in Pokhara where we shadowed doctors at the emergency department of Gandaki hospital. It took us a couple of days to get used to the chaotic environment that is the emergency room, but it was an incredible experience nonetheless. We got to see extremely interesting cases and followed them up from diagnosis to discharge until the end of our elective. To conclude I think we were pretty lucky that we stumbled upon this volunteering program; not only did we do out best to help, we also learned a great deal and we got to enjoy every single minute of our trip!