Return from the nursing internship in Thailand

A group of 11 students who spent 5 weeks at the Surin dispensary share their thoughts on their nursing internship in Thailand.

In a few words, what did your nursing internship bring you?

• Encounters with the local population and our guides.
• Carrying out this nursing internship in another country, adapting and discovering other techniques and ways of taking care of people.
• Discovering a new culture and way of life.
• Personal enrichment by living far from our own customs and habits.
• Learning to live on your own in a non French-speaking country and where you don't speak the language.
• A wonderful experience.

What were your best memories?

• We were lucky enough to be on site for New Year's Eve, and we were able to share these moments with the coordinators, who showed us their festivities. For example, buckets of water thrown down every street, talcum powder on the face as a sort of “blessing”.
• Meeting the locals in the villages.
• Discovering the country at weekends.

Have you validated your internship with your institution on your return?

• Yes, our internship will be validated by our college.

Rate the services offered on a scale of 1 to 5

• Pre-departure information: 3.5

A few discrepancies with what had been announced, such as the absence of a washing machine, a wifi connection that didn't work very often during our stay... Agnès and Justine were available to answer our questions.

• Registration process: 5

Your responsiveness is an asset

• Supervision / project coordinators: 3,5

You gave us Joe Stromanis as our field coordinator, but we only saw him on the first weekend. Coordinators like Ali were more present with us throughout the course. We appreciated their availability. Good supervision overall.

• Volunteer and trainee timetable: 3

We felt that 11 and then 12 on the medical project was too many to get the most out of the experience. The schedules were good.

• Food and accommodation: 3

Accommodation not suitable for 11, small fridge, not enough tables and chairs... Good location of accommodation (shops, restaurants nearby)

Would you recommend this project to others? Why or why not?

• Yes, it's a great experience, just be aware that some services are not included (return to Bangkok not included, wifi, food to be added).

Would you recommend RealStep for international projects?

• Yes, because you're very responsive and follow up is good, but the price is high.

Discover more about nursing internships here.