A Student’s CSC Experience

Sheldon P. finished a medical student elective last month.  This is what he said about CSC:

Arriving in Phnom Penh was the start of an experience I will remember for a long time. Having travelled all the way from Ireland, I was both excited and a little nervous about what lay ahead. Stepping out of Techo International Airport, I quickly realised I was a long way from home! The first thing that hit me was the heat and humidity, which was quite an adjustment coming from the Irish weather!

I spent my time at Children's Surgical Centre attached to the Ear, Nose and Throat (ENT) department. From the very beginning, everyone was incredibly welcoming and made me feel right at home. One of the highlights came on my very first surgical day, when I had the opportunity to scrub in and assist with a mastoidectomy. It was an amazing experience and a brilliant introduction to the department. Being able to get involved in surgery, observe the procedure up close and learn from the team was something I really enjoyed. As someone with a particular interest in ENT and plans to follow it for my career, it was exactly the kind of experience I had hoped for. I also helped in clinic and even was allowed to conduct patient examinations.

Throughout my placement, I learned an incredible amount, both in and outside the operating theatre. Every day brought something new, and the staff were always happy to share their knowledge, answer questions and involve me in what they were doing. What made the experience even better was how hospitable everyone was. I was made to feel like part of the team rather than just a visiting student. On my final evening, some of the staff even organised a dinner together, which was a lovely way to finish the placement and spend some time together outside the hospital.

Looking back, I genuinely loved every bit of my time at Children's Surgical Centre. I arrived feeling nervous and unsure of what to expect, but left with new knowledge, fantastic memories and having met some truly wonderful people. I am incredibly grateful to the ENT team and everyone at Children's Surgical Centre for making me feel so welcome and giving me such a memorable experience. It was a privilege to spend time there, and I will certainly carry what I learned with me throughout my medical career!