ETH Zurich 2025
I was eager to gain a unique and valuable perspective on how healthcare works in a completely different part of the world.
I was excited to see how medical practices differ and how cultural factors shape patient care. I also wanted to immerse myself in the local culture, connect with people, and experience their daily life.
This placement allowed me to expand my understanding of global healthcare and supported my growth professionally and personally.
Work the World made this trip much smoother with their strong relations with the hospital staff. They made it possible to arrange a unique placement, allowing me to tailor my experience by choosing the specific departments where I wanted to gain experience. This personalised approach was key in making my placement as rewarding as possible.
The in-country team was incredibly supportive, offering valuable local knowledge, tips, and tricks. Their assistance is always beyond the limit.
The healthcare system in Sri Lanka differs significantly from that of Switzerland in several key areas.
I was stunned to learn that public healthcare in Sri Lanka is free for everyone. The locals are very proud of this, and rightfully so! However, due to limited resources, only the most critical cases typically receive advanced treatment, which highlights the challenges faced by the system despite its impressive commitment to universal care.
The same lack of resources has driven healthcare professionals in Sri Lanka to be very resourceful and creative. For example, it's common practice to use infusion tubes as tourniquets when taking blood, and they simply cover the ultrasound probe with a glove to meet hygiene guidelines. Their ability to adapt with their limited resources is truly impressive.
To manage the vast number of patients, the pace of consultations in Sri Lanka is much faster. The clinical signs of diseases are often more pronounced, since patients tend to present later in the course of their illness.
I encountered many patients with conditions that are less common in Switzerland. Since my placement took place right after the local monsoon season, it was peak dengue season, so I saw numerous cases. I also saw a patient with leptospirosis, a child injured by a falling coconut and many instances of road traffic accidents and falls. Many of these falls were from trees or construction sites, where there are often no safety measures for the workers. Snakebites are also not uncommon.
I want to highlight that the doctors here are highly skilled clinically, compensating for the lack of resources with their expertise. It was fascinating to learn from their clinical abilities, and their proficiency in clinical practice is genuinely something to look up to.
The Work the World house is in a great neighbourhood, just a three-minute walk from the lake. It has plenty of space in the dining and chill-out areas. The rooms are bright, and mine even had a balcony with a nice view. The bathrooms are modern and always kept clean.
The Kandy region has a lot to offer for afternoon activities. I highly recommend visiting the
Ambuluwawa Tower. The views are stunning, and climbing the stairs to the top is an unforgettable experience.
One of my favourite afternoons was joining local medical students in their classes and exploring the University of Peradeniya together, which gave me a genuine insight into what it’s like to be a medical student in Sri Lanka.
Every evening at the house, we shared our experiences from the day over dinner and discussed our observations. This gave us the chance to gain an even broader view and learn about what was happening in other departments.
One evening, the whole house got tickets for the T20 cricket match between Sri Lanka and India. It was incredible to be among the locals, who were dancing, singing, lifting their kids into the air, and fully enjoying the game. The vibrant atmosphere and shared excitement made it a truly memorable experience.
On the weekends, we would go on trips together. The fact that many of us were from different countries made the experience even more enjoyable and unique. I had the chance to visit incredible places like Ella, Sigiriya, Arugam Bay, Yala National Park and Adam’s Peak.
