Clinical learning across cultures
For many JCU Bachelor of Medicine, Bachelor of Surgery students, clinical elective placements offer a unique opportunity to step outside their comfort zones and gain hands-on experience in different healthcare settings.
Completing a clinical placement overseas can provide a rich learning experience. Students bring back far more than just medical knowledge.
Read on to discover how split overseas placements proved a life-changing experience for sixth-year student Lara.
Stepping beyond her comfort zone
For Lara Humadi, the clinical elective placement was the perfect opportunity to combine her passion for travel with an opportunity for hands-on learning.
With ten weeks dedicated to exploring new medical systems and cultures, the Mackay-based Medicine student chose to split her time between Japan and the Philippines.
“Travel is one of my passions,” Lara shares. “I wanted an experience that would get me outside of my comfort zone, be an opportunity to meet new people and allow me to see how a different healthcare system is run. I had the most incredible time in both countries and am so grateful for the experiences.”
Building experience through adventure and insight
Lara selected the locations for her placement carefully. Seeking an adventure that would take her far beyond her comfort zone, her experience didn’t disappoint.
Lara’s decision to choose the Philippines was inspired by early memories of learning about the Philippines.
“Growing up, I was exposed to Filipino culture during our multicultural day at school, where they always had the biggest performance and supplied plenty of food,” she recalls.
“I wanted to go to the Philippines so I could relate to my Filipino friends about their culture and build rapport with future Filipino patients when I am a doctor.”
Once she arrived, the Philippines surpassed her expectations.
“I did not expect how picturesque the Philippines would be!” she shares.
Deeply admiring of the natural beauty of the landscape and the warmth of the people, Lara also found the stark contrast between the Filipino and Australian healthcare systems eye-opening.
“Another surprise was how under-resourced some departments of the hospitals were. In one, patients were ventilated by their own family members since there were no mechanical ventilators available.”
“I was also shocked by how overworked the medical students and doctors are in the Philippines, with shifts sometimes going up to 36 hours straight. It reinforced my gratitude for the healthcare system we have here in Australia,” she says.
Lara’s enthusiasm for spending half of her placement in Japan was driven by a deep interest in Rural Generalism and the rare chance to learn under Dr Manabu Saito.
“Dr Manabu Saito is a Senior Lecturer at JCU and was the first to set up a Rural Generalist program in Japan, and since this is a specialty I’m considering, it was a great match,” she says.
“He has written a textbook in consultation with JCU Medicine lecturer Dr Tarun Sen Gupta and other Australian doctors. He’s passionate about connecting JCU and the rural hospital he works at in Japan to broaden Australian medical students’ worldview and share his culture.”
Hands-on learning provides for strong skill development
Professionally, Lara’s placement provided numerous opportunities for growth.
“Undertaking my placement overseas helped me grow as a person because I was faced with challenges I hadn’t encountered back home,” she says.
While this medical experience was invaluable, the social side of Lara's placements in both Japan and the Philippines was also incredibly enriching.
“On placement, I witnessed confronting scenarios such as CPR, which I had never seen on a real patient prior to being in the Philippines. Placement in Japan was also difficult at times due to the language barrier, but I really appreciate the effort the doctors supervising us made to translate patient interactions and teach us in English.”
The experience also allowed her to expand her clinical skills in ways she had not anticipated.
“I performed clinical tasks I hadn’t done much back home, such as suturing and vaccinating newborns,” she says. “One of the main benefits of undertaking my placement overseas was the privilege of witnessing procedures I had never seen in Australia, like open-heart surgery and brain surgery.”
Beyond her time in the hospital, Lara faced challenges that tested her resilience.
“Outside of placement, there were day-to-day struggles, like dealing with falling sick and my phone breaking overseas,” she says.
But with each obstacle, she grew stronger and more adaptable, qualities that will serve her well throughout her career.
“I met so many lovely people and got so close to some that they became my family away from home,” she says. “For example, in the Philippines, every night after dinner in the Work the World house, we’d sit in the common area and chat, which was the best part of the day. My favourite day of the week was Thursdays, when we’d have karaoke night. The friendly staff would sing to kick off the night, and then we’d party the night away.”
Lara fondly remembers the warmth and hospitality of the staff at the Work the World house in the Philippines. “They truly made an effort to get to know you and attend to your every need. They were a highlight of the trip!”
The weekends offered Lara the chance to explore the stunning natural beauty of Japan and the Philippines with her housemates.
“One of the medical students in Japan took myself and my Australian placement buddy to explore small towns around where we were situated in Japan, which were beautiful,” she says. “We also went to Tokyo, which was only 2 hours by train from our placement site and was a lot of fun. In the Philippines, I was fortunate to explore many locations: Boracay, Cebu, El Nido, and Gigantes. The weekend trips were where I bonded with my fellow students and made memories I’ll cherish forever.”
In the Philippines, some of her favourite memories included island hopping, diving for the first time, whale-shark watching and canyoneering.
An invaluable adventure
Reflecting on her time overseas, Lara is filled with gratitude for the people she met and the lessons she learned. Her clinical elective placement was a journey of growth, new experiences and unforgettable memories — one that Lara would recommend to anyone looking to combine their passion for travel with their dedication to healthcare.
Lara’s elective placement in Japan and the Philippines not only sharpened her clinical skills but also gave her a deeper appreciation for healthcare systems around the world.
“I was able to rise to every challenge and get through all the issues I faced which was important for my self-development,” she says. “I cannot wait to continue to travel the world and hopefully do some work overseas someday, however, my placements in Japan and the Philippines reinforced to me how grateful I am to soon be a doctor in Australia.
For students considering an overseas elective placement, Lara is emphatic in her recommendation.
“100% go for it!” she says. “I understand the cost may be a barrier for some students, but I encourage you to investigate subsidies or scholarships. You may be able to take out an OS-HELP Loan, like I did, which helps pay for overseas placement. Every penny is worth the priceless memories you make and the friends you’ll have for a lifetime!”
Smooth sailing for split placements
JCU Medicine recommends that students split their 10-week elective into two placements to gain a broader range of experiences. Lara found this a seamless process.
“It was easy for me since Dr Manabu Saito was very flexible. I organised my placement in Philippines through Work the World, which is an established program that essentially sets up your placement for you,” she says.
“The more health services that you can see as a student, both nationally and internationally, the better in my opinion since it gives you more experience to draw from. Also, the more places you go, the more people you meet, which is a huge selling point for me since I love meeting new people.”
Looking to develop your international clinical practice?
At JCU, you'll find several Health and Medicine courses with options to build your skills overseas. Explore degrees that offer practical electives you can complete outside of Australia.