Tessa Thomas

Living in Australia, I wanted to immerse myself in a new country and culture where I didn’t speak the language.

I wanted to witness and learn from a very different healthcare system, especially as I would love to work with an NGO like Doctors Without Borders someday.

Work the World made planning my trip and any trip logistics so much easier — I didn’t have to worry about a thing! I felt very supported and safe at all times.

The Work the World house was genuinely a home away from home — everyone was lovely, and all the staff were super welcoming. The food was delicious, and the house had everything we needed!

Meeting new medical students and allied health professionals from around the world was a highlight for me, and none of it would have been possible without Work the World.

The Work the World Nepal team played a massive role in my amazing time here. Coming home from a long day on placement to Laxmi or Merin’s smiles and MD’s cooking was everything I needed.

The security guards were always friendly. Sean and Samichhya went above and beyond to ensure we had the best experience possible.

During our village week, Samir, our Work the World guide (and friend!), was a key reason I had such a fantastic time.

There are several notable differences between Australia and Nepal in terms of healthcare, and I have learned a great deal during my time there.

In Nepal, doctors and healthcare professionals work tirelessly to provide the best possible care for their patients, despite limited resources.

Clinical decisions were often carefully made, taking into account available resources, and there was significantly less waste and fewer single-use items than in Australia.

We visited many local sights in Kathmandu, including the beautiful Monkey Temple and Pashupatinath, situated on the banks of the Bagmati River. We also spent a lot of time exploring Thamel and all it had to offer.

The people I met during this experience changed me forever. Whether it was my fellow students, doctors, and the hospital staff, or the Work the World team, I made lifelong friends.