Welcome to the Nepal Adventure!
Here I will write about my experiences travelling to, working in and exploring Nepal during my international elective placement for nursing in July/August 2024.

Here’s the story of how I came to fall head over heels in love with this breathtaking country and its remarkable people.

---

:why Nepal?

Think of a landscape and culture entirely opposite what we are used to in the UK.

When reading about the international placement process at Bournemouth University, I learned that the host organisation would be Work the World. I looked up their website and read it back to front, comparing all of the possible destinations and discussing the options with my sister, who had visited some of the countries before.

Largely driven by my cultural curiosity and wanderlust, when I saw the page about Nepal, I was immediately drawn to it. To me, I knew I could visit islands and beaches for any holiday in the future – but Nepal and the Himalayas? Unless I marry a mountaineer, I don’t see Nepal falling into my lap again any time soon. As someone who has always lived on islands by the ocean, the idea of visiting a landlocked country and seeing mountains and learning their culture just made my heart sing.

I knew healthcare would be vastly different in Nepal, as it is a developing country without an equivalent to our NHS. As someone who chases learning opportunities at every chance, I knew I would have a lot to gain from this experience and it would shape my personal values and future practice, molding me into a better nurse in the long run.

---

:Work The World

Now I knew where I wanted to go, I had only to contact the Work the World team, book my place and apply for my place in summer – with permission from university of course.

Communication was key between me, the university and the host oganisation, but keeping things transparent and asking for clarification where I needed it was key to keeping the application and organising process smooth.

The Work the World website is very informative, and once I’d booked my place I had access to my own dashboard, where everything I needed to know was only a click away. I was given a timeline with actions to complete in a logical order, and all of the information I needed specifically pertaining to placement in Nepal.

I checked in regularly and filled in the sections I had to complete bit by bit. Because I booked my place in November, I had plenty of time to prepare and get everything done before I left at the end of June the next year. The process was simple and the information pack provided became my Bible.

The house itself is fully catered, to the point it feels like a massive sleepover with your housemates and is a true home away from home. I have made friends and formed relationships that will last a lifetime, thanks to Work the World. I will never forget this experience.

Visit the Work the World Nepal page here:
https://www.worktheworld.co.uk/electives-in-nepal-kathmandu

---

:Funding

I couldn’t have embarked on this adventure without help from the Turing Scheme who’s grant went towards funding my trip. I’m very grateful to them for the opportunity to make the most of my experience without added financial stress.

The application process was simple and easy to work through step by step. I worked with the global engagement lead and the team who handled the international Turing Scheme grants for Bournemouth University to make this happen. Nepal, here I come!

---

---