STUDENT REVIEWS
Mr. Braven Rathesh, Medical Student from Australia
I spent 2 weeks in the general medicine ward at Kalubowila Hospital. Coming from Australia, it was such an enlightening and educational experience. Everyone from the junior doctors to the senior registrars and consultants were all so welcoming and happy to teach me on the wards. There was a lot of exposure to chronic disease management, examination signs that are only talked about theoretically in Australia, and lots to learn regarding tropical diseases such as dengue and leptospirosis. It was overall an amazing experience, and I would highly recommend medical students to participate in this elective.
Ms. Brooke Rasmussen, Medical Student from Australia
A Month in Sri Lanka - My Amazing Elective Experience!
Participating in the Community Medicine Clerkship with the local USJP medical students was a highlight of my medical degree, and a wonderful way to finish my final year. Sri Lankans have such a different way of life to the western world and being able to immerse myself in Sri Lankan culture was a privilege. Each day of the community clerkship was different to any placement you would experience in Australia, and every day was off-campus in a different area of the city. This gave me the opportunity to see how the health system worked and to also see parts of the city I would not have otherwise seen.
The clinical experience was fantastic and I had the opportunity to see patients with communicable diseases that are rare in Australia, including dengue fever, filaria and tuberculosis. The doctors were always willing to teach and welcome you into their clinics.
A major highlight of my placement was a visit to a tea estate with the other medical students. The bus ride was a hoot, with everyone playing music on various instruments, singing and dancing. The tea estate was beautiful and interesting, and we had the opportunity to see and learn of the health and safety practices employed for the workers. It was like nothing you would see or do as a medical student in Australia, and it gave me the opportunity to become great friends with the group!
The supervisors and staff at USJP are really kind and helpful. I found them all to be extremely welcoming and communicative and I am so thankful to them for allowing me to take part in their course. The students are also lovely and took it upon themselves to guide me through the placement. They were always friendly and willing to help and were very easy to become great friends with.
If you would like to immerse yourself in culture, see interesting pathologies and make great friends, I highly encourage you to consider the Community Medicine Clerkship at the University of Sri Jayewardenepura, Sri Lanka, for your next elective placement. It was an experience that I will treasure for the rest of my life.
Ms. Jazmin Hawes, Medical Student from Australia
A Month in Sri Lanka - My Amazing Elective Experience!
My elective in Sri Lanka was unquestionably amazing. I absolutely loved it! I was placed at Colombo South Teaching Hospital, a hospital about 15 minutes south of Colombo city. There were the most amazing registrars and interns looking after me on the wards, and some very kind and knowledgeable consultants.
Ms. Natalie Chilko, Final Year Student, Deakin University, Australia
"I really enjoyed the clinical exposure at Colombo South Teaching Hospital and think that General Medicine is a good rotation for foreign students."
A medical student (from UK) who spent 6 weeks at Medicine unit at Colombo South Teaching Hospital had this to say.
"Very enjoyable elective. Have learned more in last 6 weeks than I have learned in the last 6 months in the medical school in the UK. Incredible range of clinical signs and learning experience. Very grateful and thankful."
A medical student (from UK) who stayed 3 weeks learning medicine in September 2015 said,
"This is an excellent opportunity to improve my clinical skills & see many signs which are uncommon in the UK. Thank you."
Sarah Haputhantri, Vitebsk State Medical University
"Having the opportunity to scrub in on multiple surgeries, learn from experienced surgeons and doctors, working at role in their treatment and care. The entire experience was enjoyable."
When asked
What did you enjoy the most during your stay in Sri Lanka?
Several students had the followings to say.
“the people are extremely friendly and welcoming”
“wonderful country with friendly people”
“enjoyed food, weather and helpful friendly people”
“beautiful country, beaches & travelling”
“exploring the beautiful coastline & Hill country”
What did you enjoy the most during your elective appointment at CSTH?
Several students had the followings to say.
“The opportunity to examine patients and exposure to rare diseases. Support for translation by local medical students and classes by doctors.”
“Range of clinical presentations, clinical signs not seen in the UK”
“lots of different interesting diseases not seen in the UK”
“opportunities to develop my clinical examination skills, seeing tropical medicine”