Olga Palmer, a second year diagnostic radiography student from Canterbury Christ Church University is the winner of the SCoR Work the World competition.
Olga is jetting off for a month to Dumaguete in the Philippines to sample how radiology in a small village healthcare environment works.
Olga explains how she came to apply for the competion: “During the SoR student conference event last year I was inspired by the 3rd year students who had amazing elective experiences abroad. I was also motivated to apply after speaking to a Work the World staff member at the conference.”
“I am very excited about going. I’m really looking forward to helping run a busy radiology department in the Philippines, interacting with local people, learning new skills from colleagues, experiencing a new culture, meeting students and health professionals from all over the world and working with different technology, including developing the film in the facility’s dark room,” she added.
Olga hopes that the experience will give her a new perspective on working in radiography, and inform her practice going forward.
“This opportunity can change the way I work and treat my future patients for the better and it will give me a good perspective on the constant challenges the healthcare system faces in a developing country.
“I will be able to compare it with the system we have in the UK. This placement will help me with my practical skills and it will also improve my confidence,” she said.
And she hopes that overcoming challenges in a new environment will make her a better radiographer in the long run.
“In the Philippines they use different technology and the busy work environment with limited resources is one of the challenges that affects the healthcare delivery there.
“The cultural differences and language barrier will be another challenge, but I hope that will help me to improve my skills.”
Visit the Work the World website to find out how you could experience working abroad.