Overall the hospital was a great volunteer program. I wished I could stay longer than 1 week but has to leave due to school. Try to do 1-3 weeks in future.
Volunteer Nepal
- How were the local Coordinator and the staff and the support provided in-country?
The coordinator’s family was very helpful in showing us Kathmandu. He knows all of the main attractions and different things do in the city and locations of activities. He also knows and has connections with most of the hospital staff so it was helpful to have him introduced us.
- What was the most surprising thing you experienced while in the program?
Most surprising I experienced in the city, especially the microbus during the peak office hours. It gets extremely crowded so there is not a lot of room to move or walk but it was a very good experience. Also at the hospital, the different and unique cases they have compared to the U.S also surprising.
- What was the most difficult thing you experienced while in the program?
Most difficult was the dust and smoke in the city but other part like chitwan are cleaner. I would recommend bringing mask or else or you have asthma or respiration problems due to dust can make you cough.
- Any tips for future volunteers….(clothing, travel information, packing, sightseeing, donations)
For future volunteers just ask locals and the coordinator for information. They are very welcoming and will help you also Just pack lightly and follow the guide. Or you can buy here its lot cheap here. Don’t pack too many things.
- Other things volunteers should know:
To make the hospital experience more rewarding, try to learn MCR to take basic vitals like B.P, heart rate etc. the Dr will easily let you do that a lot. It works the experience more rewarding with a bit of medical background like anatomy.
- Personal Paragraph (volunteer program testimonial):
Overall the hospital was a great volunteer program. I wished I could stay longer than 1 week but has to leave due to school. Try to do 1-3 weeks in future.
- How would you describe your accommodation, meals, security?
The accommodation was great, similar to western style. I never felt unsafe in Kathmandu.
- What was your memory of this trip?
Favorite memory was going through rounds with Dr. Swati. There are a lot of interesting cases so like vitamin deficiency you don’t commonly see in the U.S. that sounds like a good memory pack.
- How was the information you received from ABV prior to traveling? (Emails, website, support) was there anything missing or should be included to prepare other volunteers?
It was adequate and the interaction was often and fast.
- Are you willing to speak to other potential ABV volunteers about your volunteer experience?
Yes.