Scholarships for 2nd year medical students from the University of Sydney

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• 2010 Scholarships for 2nd year medical students - Northern Clinical School
• 2009 Scholarships for 2nd year medical students - Northern Clinical School
• 2008 2nd year medical students from University of Sydney
• 2007 Scholarships for 2nd year medical students - Northern Clinical School

2010 Scholarships for 2nd year medical students

Marianne Dowsett, Mark Er, Arabella Lindsay Walker

On the morning of our first day in Hanoi, Dr Duong and Dr An introduced us to Viet Duc Hospital and our clinical supervisors. Over the next month, we witnessed the working intricacies of Viet Duc Hospital and the ways in which life at the hospital reflected many of the virtuous qualities of Vietnamese culture. For instance, at first glance Viet Duc appeared over-crowded with patients, however, we soon learnt that many of these people were family members there to comfort and support their loved-ones - highlighting for us the strong family values held by many Vietnamese people. Our supervisors introduced us to both the hospital and HaNoi. In theatre and on the wards they showed great diligence, spirit and concern for their patients - qualities that we aspire to match in our future careers. In theatre our supervisors gave us the opportunity to scrub-in, assist and practice skills such as suturing. We were shown interesting diseases and presentations that would be a rarity in Australian hospitals. Outside on the streets of HaNoi, over memorable conversations, we were introduced to Vietnamese food and coffee. Overall, our experiences at the hospital were invaluable and we are so very thankful to be given such an opportunity. Continued

2009 Scholarships for 2nd year medical students - Northern Clinical School

Reflections of Marianne Dowsett

Last summer I was one of the very fortunate students to be selected for the Hoc Mai Scholarship to Vietnam. I worked at Viet Duc Hospital in Hanoi with the Plastic Surgery team under Dr Ha for the four weeks, which I thoroughly enjoyed.

I found the first day of hospital very overwhelming; learning how to communicate with basic English and hand gestures, finding my way around and working out where I fitted into the team, were what I remember most. However I quickly found my place and started enjoying the routine of ward work and surgeries. Dr Ha was a fantastic supervisor and encouraged me to participate in examination on both the ward and in clinic, and whenever he had a spare moment he would teach me an aspect of plastic surgery. The rest of the team was incredibly welcoming and would invite me to assist in surgery and teach me skills such as suturing and drilling.

Continued...

Report on Học Mãi Scholarship Experience by Lauren Hammer

The Học Mãi scholarship to Viêt Nam was an invaluable learning experience for me. I feel I have gained a wealth of new knowledge and understanding and achieved all of my objectives for the placement and more. As well as fantastic medical teaching, I have had insight to circumstances that challenged my thoughts on health equity, medical ethics and responsibility. These experiences have shed new light on my view of patient care and will make me a better doctor. I was provided with ample opportunity to gain surgical experience in Việt Đức hospital. This experience has opened my eyes to new specialties that I thoroughly enjoyed. At Việt Đức hospital, I also saw the traumatic outcome of Viêt Nam’s primary public health problem; motorbike accidents. This allowed me to have the opportunity to address one of my main objectives of the scholarship; to explore my interest in surgery and public health.

Continued...

Hoc Mai placement report, December 2009 - Viet Duc Surgical Hospital, Ha Noi. By Edwin Ho

I was fortunate to be a member of the Hoc Mai placement at Viet Duc Surgical Hospital in Ha Noi, Viet Nam, which took place in December 2009. This was a medical and cultural learning experience in the developing world that has left an incredible impression on our budding professional careers. The resilience, passion and generosity of the Vietnamese people are qualities that will inspire my personal journey for lifelong learning and contribution in the global community. So, our placement was true to the meaning of “Hoc Mai” – Forever Learning.

On our first day at Viet Duc Hospital, we realized that this was going to be different to any hospitals in Sydney in most ways. It looked different; crowded, busy, chaotic, and some equipment that would be considered outdated at home. It sounded different; we had to pick up some Vietnamese phrases quickly. It even tasted different; the Vietnamese like their coffee very strong, but the sweet condensed milk took away some of that bite! Our clinical supervisors and enthusiastic medical students from Hanoi Medical University worked hard to welcome and orientate us to their domain, despite their busy schedules.

Continued...

2008 2nd year medical students medical students from University of Sydney

Five students (Kate Larkins, Renee Burton, Chris Brunsdon, Chloe Wilcox, Susanna Lam) undertook their Học Mãi student scholarship for clinical placement in HaNoi from 29 November to 26 December, 2008.

The students are seen here with Dr Nguyen Huu Tu (a Học Mãi fellow from 2007 and a strong supporter of the Học Mãi Foundation).

Học Mãi second year student report:

"They say you come to Vietnam and you understand a lot in a few minutes, but the rest has got to be lived…."

Five fortunate second year medical students realised this was just as true for the hospitals of HaNoi as it was for Thomas Fowler’s Viêt Nam in the film The Quiet American. We spent four weeks in HaNoi as part of the Học Mãi Scholarship program. This experience introduced us to an incredible culture, a dedicated and committed people and of course offered a unique insight into medicine in a developing world. Continued...

2007 2nd year medical students from University of Sydney

Scholarship recipients

For each of us the Vietnam experience had its different highlights. From becoming budding neurosurgeons, to colorectal surgeons, nephrologists, obstetricians, pediatricians and emergency medicine doctors, each of us were touched by the doctors that took time out of their days to teach and inspire us. Through their eyes we were able to learn about health care in Vietnam; to engage in discussions about diagnosis, management and the intricacies of the Vietnamese health care system. Continued...