Amy Smyth

When I found out that I had an elective placement I was incredibly excited about the possibility of going abroad for 4 weeks. My university had recommended Work the World and so I decided to look into the destinations where they go. I have always wanted to visit Africa and so after much deliberation I decided that Ghana was the place for me. Work the World were very professional and helped me to get everything organised before I headed away.

Along with two other girls from my university, I flew into the capital of Ghana, Accra, where we were met by one of the Work the World in-country staff out in Ghana. He was really friendly and welcoming and helped us with all our luggage. We stayed the night in a hotel before making the journey to the Work the World house in Takoradi the following morning. Upon arrival at the house we were introduced to the rest of the Work the World staff and were shown around the house.

I spent my first 3 weeks working at a regional hospital and spent a week on a Medical Paediatric Ward, a week at a Child Reproductive Health Clinic and a week on the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit. I got to carry out vital signs, give vaccinations, weigh babies, go on ward rounds and help nurses with drug rounds. As you can imagine the hospitals are very different in Ghana from what I was used to back in the UK. They had very little equipment and the staff had a much more relaxed attitude to health care. It was a really eye opening experience! I spent my last week doing the Village Healthcare Experience in a farming village. I helped out at the clinic there and as they didn’t have any doctors I helped the nurses to diagnose the patients and prescribe their medication. My guide was great, showing me around the village and taking me to where they made palm oil and alcohol locally.

I made the most of my weekends off and so did some travelling. I visited Kakum National Park, where I went on a canopy walk and stayed the night in a tree house. I visited Nzulezo Stilt Village, a crocodile park, an orphanage, a church and spent a weekend relaxing at a beach hotel resort in Cape Coast.

I had a wonderful once in a life time trip that has been one of the best experiences that I have ever had. If anyone is thinking about doing it, I would say go for it!