Gap Medics Launching medical careers

What our students say

We get lots of feedback from our students that have gone on hospital placement with us. You can also check out our Facebook page to see what our students past, present and future are saying about Gap Medics. We have a feedback survey that we invite every returning student to complete so we can monitor the quality of all of our placements. Here are just a few of the most recent comments and case studies our students have sent us:

Mark Maher – 18, from Sheffield, medicine work experience in Tanzania

Louis Yssennagger – 17, from Kent, medicine work experience in Tanzania

Louis spent 4 weeks in Tanzania in August 2011 and wrote a great blog on his placement. You can read Louis’s blog by clicking this link

Alan McCrorie – 22, applying for graduate entry medicine October 2011

My name is Alan and I spent a total of six weeks working and travelling in India courtesy of Gap Medics. I would like to preface this report by telling you a little about myself and why I decided to apply to Gap Medics because I am sure many of you will be coming from very different backgrounds; whether you are a school leaver wanting to do something a little different this summer, someone on a gap year or perhaps even a university graduate like myself

I graduated with an MPharm degree in pharmacy before summer and really wanted to do something a little different during my summer before I began work as a pre-registration pharmacist. Keeping in mind my eventual intention to apply to study medicine I decided to blend some medical work experience in a challenging environment with the fantastic opportunity to meet and travel with other like-minded students. I decided to travel to India because of the cultural diversity, the location of the placement and the opportunity to travel to some absolutely outstanding locations during my free time. I’ll talk about my experiences travelling a little later on.

Our accommodation was more than comfortable; in fact, I have to say it was better than I expected. Suffice to say, I was extremely comfortable in the Gap Medics house. The cook, Kundan, is a really great guy and always up for joining in with discussions over dinner. His cooking is great, especially his Indian cuisine. I have to admit to being a little apprehensive before I travelled but before long I was trying out everything on offer. I actually ate Indian food in a good UK restaurant the other week and it wasn’t a patch on the food out there so enjoy it! I am jealous.

I spent four weeks working in one the less expensive private hospitals in the state of Rajasthan. During my time at the hospital I rotated around four core departments (paediatrics, medicine, surgery and obstetrics & gynaecology). Shifts start at 9am and you will usually shadow your departmental mentor until 1pm. What I will say though is to take into account the busy working lives of doctors. This is no different from the UK, US or wherever else! Sometimes doctors are late and sometimes they will work on a little longer than expected so if you want to get the most out of your shadowing be proactive and earn their trust. Be flexible too! Lunch can wait an extra half hour for the opportunity to see a rare medical presentation, surgical procedure or medicine being prescribed.

In the afternoons I was in surgery between the hours of 2-5pm although three days a week you will have clinical teaching sessions with one of the very well educated and excellent English speaking doctors. I thoroughly enjoyed these and learned things about malaria, tuberculosis and rabies that you simply do not have time to be taught about in the UK pharmacy curriculum. Surgery is fantastic too but be prepared to again be proactive. If you want to see something then don’t stand in the corner waiting for an invite – get stuck in there! (Within reason of course!)

In my fifth week I was given the opportunity to work alongside a consultant gastroenterologist and hepatologist in the local government hospital. I won’t go into too much detail regarding the politics and economics behind healthcare in India but suffice to say there was a noticeable difference in hospitals. The government hospital caters for the poor population and was extremely busy during my time there. I have a very specific interest in gastroenterology so I thoroughly enjoyed my time in this hospital and working in this kind of environment was a real educational experience – not least for the nose! Some of the smells originating from that hospital will stick with me for a long time to come but please do embrace it. Hospitals like these are all some patients have got and I found the whole experience worthwhile and rewarding.

I have already mentioned Kundan and just want to take this opportunity to also mention my programme manager too. I remember arriving in India feeling a little apprehensive about who I was going to meet and how I was going to get from A to B but within twenty seconds of talking to him I was at ease.

As good as the hospital work experience is, it truly is only half the reason one should embark upon a Gap Medics placement. Your weekends are free to do as you wish with and I encourage you to make the most of this free time with other students by getting out there and exploring India! I travelled to Agra, Udaipur, Jaisalmer, Jaipur and in my final week I travelled on to Goa and spent a few days travelling down the coast from beach to beach.

Your placement is ideally based in the heart of the state of Rajasthan so travelling via car, bus, train or even plane could not be easier. It’s difficult to say where you should go in your free time and ideally if you’re there long enough then go to them all! Obviously the Taj Mahal needs no introductions. It is a breath-taking piece of architectural genius and well worth the time spent travelling from Jodhpur to Agra. I really enjoyed Udaipur, the lakeside city. The climate is cool and I really like being by the water. In addition, there is an amazing restaurant there called the ‘Ambrai Restaurant’. I have never eaten chicken tikka quite as good since. I’d also really recommend going to visit Jaisalmer. It’s probably the smallest of the towns we visited in Rajasthan but it has the unique attraction of camel trekking into the Thar Desert, which trust me, is an experience to remember. Finally, if you’re into the hustle and bustle of a city then Jaipur and Delhi are for you. I really enjoyed my time in Delhi at the beginning and end of my placement. My one regret is not staying a little longer to explore the endless spice laden streets of old Delhi.

To conclude, I had a phenomenal time in India and could not imagine having spent my summer in any other way. I guess what I’ll take away from this placement, besides the extremely valuable medical work experience, is the notion that there is an entire world out there to discover and the best way to do it is with like-minded people. Living, working and travelling in India has given me a real taste for doing something similar in future, whether that is taking a little time out to travel, joining an organisation like MSF or even joining something like the British Army – I now know that there are countries out there to explore and I want to get involved! In terms of the medical experience, well, medicine in India is obviously less advanced than western countries but that does not mean doctors work any less hard or care any less for their patients. Medicine is medicine, wherever you go. This placement has given me a solid introduction to medicine in the developing world and for that I am extremely grateful I decided to apply.

Alan travelled for 6 weeks to India in June 2011 and will be applying to grad entry medicine in October 2011

Sara Mawdsley – mother of a Gap Medics student

I should like to thank the whole Gap Medics team both here in the UK and also in Tanzania for everything they did to make my daughter’s recent trip to Tanzania such an amazing experience. It totally lived up to all expectations and it has been wonderful to look at all the photographs she has brought back. The work she did at the hospital in Tanzania was valuable work experience to add to that she has already done in the UK as she goes into her last year at school before applying to read medicine at university in 2012.

From the moment she returned from an event in December with the Gap Medic brochure and we made contact with the office I found all the staff to be well informed, very helpful, professional and everyone always had the time to talk though any queries I had before and during the trip. The whole preparation process has been well thought through and what needs to be done is very clear through emails and the timeline as well as telephone contact. As a mother I felt totally confident that my daughter would be well looked after whilst so far away from home.

I would totally recommend Gap Medics to any other parents who have children who are looking to enter the medical profession.

Sara’s daughter, Charlotte travelled for 2 weeks to Tanzania in July 2011

Asiya Zhunus – 17, applying to medical school October 2011

Three weeks in Tanzania gave me the most amazing and unforgettable experience and memories that I will never let go. The most difficult thing that happened to me during the placement was the moment when I had to say bye to Tanzania and get out the taxi at the airport in Dar Es Salaam.  It is easy for me to say that my time spent in Tanzania was absolutely perfect.

Before coming to Iringa I spent one night in the Golden Park hotel in Dar Es Salaam with Mdoe and three other students. We went to the local café to have some dinner and there I met four students that have already finished their placement.  Every single one of them positively said that this placement will be a life changing event. Indeed I grew up as a person in Tanzania and realised my main strengths and weaknesses.

On my way to Iringa, I did not really enjoy a nine hour bus to the village. However upon arriving in Iringa, I was warmly greeted by Akiba and Baptista, who were very happy to see the new gap medic’s students. I fell in love with Iringa the second I got off the bus and I felt that the tiring nine hours on the bus were worth it! There is something so special about Iringa that makes you want to stay there for much longer. I do not know whether it was the people or the pleasant atmosphere that surrounded the village, that made me feel like at home. I lived in a house called the “Town House” guarded by the Maasai people: Taiko and Bosko (my friends:)). The gap medics house was great, it had all of the essentials, beautiful african art and a really welcoming and lovely staff and the main thing is that it was only five minutes away from the Iringa Regional Hospital. This enabled me to freely spend time at the hospital for as long as I wanted to and then easily and safely get back home.

At the hospital, my first week was in Internal Medicine with Dr Faith. She was very responsible and attentive with her work. Whenever I asked her questions (and I asked her A LOT of questions), she would always give me a thorough and detailed explanation. She has also worked out some funny jokes to help you remeber what she has taught you, so you never forget what you have be taught! In other words, Dr Faith was a great mentor. My second week was the best one; it was a surgery week with Dr Manyama and Dr Msigua. I always thought that I would faint on my first operation and I really did not look forward to my first surgical day. However when Dr Manyama started the operation (open reduction of femur) I was fascinated by the techniques he used instead of being scared of blood that was coming out. The thing that fascinated me most during that week was the amount of improvisation that the surgeons had to do during the operations, because most of the medical equipment was hugely scarce. For example on the last day of my placement, they could not proceed with the operations because the hospital did not have any more gauzes. Nevertheless, the doctors always tried to do their best in favour of the patients. The most common surgeries included closed and open reductions of long bones (also involved bone grafting), putting external fixations and any operation that dealt with an acute abdomen. Finally, my last week was in paediatrics with Dr. Florida. I got a chance to visit a ward with the babies that were just born and most of them were the preterm babies. The way the doctor was dealing with those small patients made me realise that being a paediatrician is a completely different experience. It was amazing to see how the doctor was trying to find a proper diagnosis for all of those babies, who could not show or say what was the problem was. 

In addition to my scheduled work at the hospital I was always trying to see and experience something more. Thus I tried to stay with my mentors for as long as possible, which gave me an opportunity to see many more special cases. I got to help the anaesthesiologist to measure the blood pressure of the patient every ten minutes and help him awake from the anaesthesia, I got to write the discharge forms for several patients and finally to put the POP or just simply support the patients by talking to them after my working hours. I also got to see a C-section that surprisingly resulted in twins; the doctor himself as well as the mother did not know that she, the patient, had twins (a boy and a girl).

The weekends were the perfect time to explore the culture of Tanzania. Having only two weekends during my placement I got to visit Safari, the orphanage house, the local farm and do a lot of shopping. I absolutely fell in love with the local culture, especially with the Maasai tribe. I learnt Swahili by talking to the Maasai people using a phrase book, which was a very interesting experience.

There is so much more to say about my experience; I could write ten more pages and still not finish  it, so I will just say the main thing: I am now sure that medicine is my passion and this is all because of the Gap Medics programme. Asante Sana, Gap Medics, for launching my medical career. This experience will never be forgotten!

Asiya is applying to medical school in October 2011 and spent 3 weeks on a Gap Medics placement in July 2011.

Niamh McGirr – 18, pre-dental student in Northern Ireland.

Africa – The most amazing experience of my life.

I knew the second I got off the plane in Dar Es Saalam that this would be a month to remember. I didnt take my eyes from the windows on the bus journey to Iringa, just taking in the incredible sights and surroundings of Africa. The gapmedics house was great, it was beautifully decorated with african art, had a massai security guard, and the staff and other students were really lovely and welcoming. It had been a long journey there but I settled in immediately and couldnt wait to get to the hospital.

My dentistry placement was fantastic, I got a real insight into dental practice in africa and I got to observe procedures that I would never have been able to see at home. As you can imagine dental health in Tanzania isnt great and I got to see the extreme consequences of poor oral hygiene that are unimaginable in the UK. Minor oral surgeries were carried out on a daily basis.

I also spent a few days of my placement in the main hospital, surgery one day and obstetrics the next. I had the extraordinary experience of watching babies being born just metres from me, both naturally and by c-section. The sights i saw in Iringa Regional Hospital were just mindblowing.

The dentist I shadowed on my placement was Dr Grace Paul, an amazing woman who I grew very fond of. I met so many incredible people in Africa like Japhary and Mdoe, the Gap Medics staff who were there for you if you needed anything and the lovable Akiba, the house cook, who made fabulous food for breakfast and dinner and was just the best company.

Going on an african safari for a weekend and going to Zanzibar are two things you HAVE to do! The two best weekends of my life I can safely say. On safari in Ruaha National Park you get up close and personal with zebras, giraffes, elephants and lions whilst in Zanzibar you can lye on the perfect white beach with the clear blue water of the indian ocean that looks like a picture from a postcard.

Going to africa was the best thing I’ve ever done. I woke up to monkeys outside my bedroom window, got the most amzing dental experience imaginable, went to mourn at an african muslim funeral, was less than 2 metres away from a pack of lions, learnt swahili, visited an african orphanage, went snorkelling in the middle of the indian ocean, had a fresh seafood buffet on a paradise island, visited an african massai village, witnessed a baby being born right in front of me and cooked a goat in a bonfire under the african stars. I will never let go of these memories.

Asante Sana Gap Medics for making it possible :)

Niamh McGirr from Northen Ireland recieved unconditional offers to study dentistry at the University of Liverpool and Queens University Belfast and starts at the latter in October 2011.

Kathryn Corner – 16, A-level student in England.

Looking back on the two weeks I spent in Tanzania last August, it is now a blur of fantastic memories, stunning scenery, and the fascinating things which I learnt and did in Iringa Regional Hospital. From booking flights in July to jumping nervously onto the plane to Dar a month later, I never once imagined that I would actually get to assist a surgeon performing a C section, along with observing a number of intricate operations and live births.

On the other wards of the hospital, I met many other inspirational doctors and nurses who showed us how to check a patient’s vital signs etc and gave us an insight into the diseases which affect so many people in Tanzania. Diseases such as malaria and TB are often shockingly preventable given the number of people who are hospitalised because of them.

I also attended a series of lectures given by doctors within the hospital itself. Although they didn’t always go to plan (2:00pm to a busy Tanzanian doctor doesn’t mean quite the same thing as 2:00pm to English students!), I learnt a lot about a wide range of medical conditions and complications – from such a different perspective to that here in the U.K – and how to deal with them. A few examples are the lecture on diabetes, and also on complications in pregnancy which I found particularly interesting.

After finishing in the hospital, I spent the afternoons exploring the local town of Iringa, and browsing the market stalls to find presents for everyone back home. The other gap medics students and I had such a good time, visiting the enormous Gangalonga Rock and trying the food in many cafes throughout Iringa.

Anybody who travels to Tanzania for the first time HAS to spend at least a weekend in the national parks on safari. The experience was amazing – we managed to see lions, elephants, zebras, gazelles, baboons, hippos… the list is endless! Although this caused me to up all of the space on my camera memory card a week early, it was entirely worth it; not just for the animals but also for the indescribable views and the serenity of Ruaha Hilltop Lodge.

Without Gap Medics, this once-in-a-lifetime trip would be nothing more than a distant dream. Everything was so well organised, from arranging lifts between Dar Airport and Iringa to booking the safari, and the connections with the hospital made settling into the placement easy. I now know that there really is nothing I want to do more than medicine, and I owe my new determination entirely to the Gap Medics team. What a summer!

Kathryn Corner is in her final year studying A-levels at Dame Allan’s School in Newcastle upon Tyne, England, and is applying for medical school entry in 2011.

Lauren Dickson – 22, applying to med school this autumn from Edinburgh

Dear Gap Medics,

I would like to feature on your website to share my experience of Tanzania. I had a wonderful time and when I came home I met someone who is planning on doing the India programme so told her to go for it!

Prior to travelling to Tanzania, I completed a degree at the University of Aberdeen in Biomedical Science. I have also worked as an Auxiliary Nurse in Scotland for 5 years and carried out a number of work experience placements, therefore the Tanzanian method of treatment was very different to anything I had experienced across in the UK. The wards in Tanzania are more crowded than the UK and basic patient care and meals are provided by the family of the patient. Also, there are many tropical diseases in Tanzania such as malaria, which I had only ever read about therefore, it was interesting to see real life cases. I was also glad that the language didn’t present too much of a problem, all the medical staff were able to translate into English, however I did pick up a few words in Swahili!

There are 4 specialities which you rotate around during your stay; Paediatrics, Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Internal Medicine and Surgery. In addition to this, I attended 2 lectures per week and Wednesday was allocated as a rotation day where we may choose additional specialities to experience such as Psychiatry, Laboratories and the Mortuary. Throughout my stay I attended lectures on Malaria treatment, HIV management and Pre and Post Operative Management to name a few.

The weekends are free for you to explore Tanzania. During my 3 week stay I went on Safari and visited Zanzibar. I have to say Ruaha Hilltop Lodges were beautiful and the staff there made Safari very enjoyable! The weekends also give you more time to spend with the other Gap Medics Students, I made lots of new friends during my stay some of whom were from all over the world.

I also have to say that the Gap Medics Staff do an excellent job both in the UK and in Tanzania. M’Doe does a great job getting you to your accommodation safely and helps plan any weekend activities you want to do during your stay. Deborah makes some of the best food I’ve ever tasted and is such a lovely person. John does a great job with the housekeeping and teaches you Swahili when he gets time. And, Mark and Dave do a great job planning your trip from England and are also on hand if you have any problems during your stay in Tanzania.

Thank you again for the experience.

Lauren Dickson- 22 from Edinburgh applying for graduate entry medicine in October 2010 – Gap Medics placement Tanzania – July 2010

Tara O’nion – 17, applying to med school this autumn

“Like any aspiring pre-med student, I was desperately looking for work experience. Being only 17, Gap medics seemed like the perfect organization; All through the booking process, the Gap medics team was very helpful and patient, eager to answer all of questions, however trivial they were.

Upon arriving in Dar Es Salaam, I was greeted by M’doe who was very excited to see me. The next day, after meeting two other students, we took the bus up to Iringa.
The Gap medics house was brand new and very homely; I was introduced to the students who had been there for a while. We then had a delicious homemade pizza made by our very talented cook, Debora.

During a typical hospital day we would always work in pairs and ward rounds began at 9 am. We’d arrive in time to meet the doctor who would go from patient to patient whilst he explained in detail what was wrong and what the appropriate treatment of. My favourite placement was in surgery. We mainly observed surgical procedures which were explained fully as the operations continued. On one occasion I plucked up enough courage to ask Dr Simkoko, the attending in OBS/GYN, if I could scrub in on a procedure. Twenty minutes later, I was helping the doctor hold clamps, swab and I even cut the umbilical cord during the C-section!

At two o’clock, after lunch, one of the doctors would give us a one hour lecture on any given subject, may it be post/op procedures or how to deal with a trauma patient. On one occasion during a lecture we practiced stitching on a leg of beef. After the lecture, we would usually go to the internet cafe or the Neema cafe for a delicious slab of cake.
Not only did I meet some incredible people, the experience gave me the opportunity to travel to travel on safari and to Zanzibar. From a more academic point of view this trip will definitely enhance my personal statement and give me a “hands-on” insight into what a medical career would be like. The whole month was unforgettable and has pushed me to work even harder towards becoming a doctor. I am looking forward to returning next year for an even longer stay. "

Tara O’nion – 17, from Monaco, going into her final year at high school and will be applying for medicine for entry in September 2011 – Gap Medics placement Tanzania – August 2010

Lydia Leigh – 22, studying Biomedical Sciences

“I have actually applied for Medicine previously although was unsuccessful in my attempt but am determined to have another shot and come back better and stronger this time.

I have previously carried out work experience in the UK and although I enjoyed it, it was a completely different experience to Tanzania. I think the biggest difference was just how eager the doctors were to teach us both in ward rounds and organised seminars, and to encourage us to come back once we’re qualified.

Between attending the hospital, a group of us went away to Zanzibar for the weekend, which is gorgeous by the way. The Tanzanian people are all extremely friendly and welcoming and I would love to go back once I’m qualified; equipped with medical supplies and food! I cannot express how much I enjoyed my time there and what an amazing experience I had."

Lydia Leigh – 22, studying Biomedical Sciences at the University of Aberdeen before applying for graduate entry medicine – Gap Medics placement Tanzania – July 2010

Denise Gaalswyk – Mother of a Gap Medics student

Jenna and Jesse returned home Monday evening. It was so fun to be able to view their pictures and hear about their experience. It was truly a life-changing event! They were able to experience medicine at a level unlike anything they would be able to do in the USA at their stage of experience.

Jenna said that the doctors were very informative and took time with the Gap Medics students to explain things. The accommodations and staff at the Gap Medics house were wonderful. As a Mom, I really appreciated the fact that they were met at the airport on their flight into Tanzania and that you were so responsive to questions I had via email. Jenna and Jesse made great friends with other students and were able to travel to Zanzibar with a group and go on a safari with another Gap student. All in all, it was a great experience. Your staff should be commended for a job well done!

Denise Gaalswyk – Mother of a Gap Medics student from the USA who travelled to Tanzania – June 2010

Jesse Wolfe – 20, Pre-medicine student USA

“My placement in Iringa, Tanzania has been incredible! This placement thus far has been exactly the experience I’ve been looking for.

I’ve been here for two weeks so far and have learned a ton! So far I’ve been involved in Pediatrics and Obstetrics/Gynecology. While in Pediatrics I followed two doctors and helped diagnose illnesses such as Malaria, Tuberculosis, and Pneumonia.

On our time off from hospital placement last weekend the other students and I traveled to Zanzibar island and enjoyed a relaxing weekend on the beach. We went snorkeling in the Indian Ocean and even sunset sailing! Next weekend we have a Safari trip planned which we are all looking forward to!

The people here are also extremely nice and very helpful. The Gap Medic Staff are always willing to help and are a huge key in making this experience unforgettable.

If your looking for medical experience, you need to be here.”

Jesse Wolfe – 20, Pre-medicine student at Bethel University Minnesota – Gap Medics placement Tanzania – June 2010