Our second-year apprentice completed a 4-week internship abroad at St. Benedict Hospital in hashtagNdanda, hashtagTanzania (https://lnkd.in/eJfrfKF4), supported by the “Ausbildung Weltweit” program. The following text is her report on this
hashtagexperience abroad.
Tanzanian hashtagculture is the complete opposite of German culture: punctuality is not a significant concern. No matter who you have an appointment with, you always have to wait. People there have a lot of time and, therefore, do not rush or hurry. Hierarchies are barely noticeable. Everyone is hashtagequal, whether hashtagdoctor or farmer. The tone of hashtagcommunication is always the same. People speak to each other in a very relaxed and direct manner. Indirect communication is highly valued, and you can quickly read your counterpart. Often, you find yourself in the midst of great chaos, yet everything functions according to plan.
Regarding my internship, I can say that my hashtaggoal of making the internship unforgettable was achieved. It was a hashtagrollercoaster of hashtagemotions. Every day presented new hashtagchallenges and realities. Before starting the internship, I did not think much about how it would go, and I am glad I did not because I could never have imagined it the way it turned out. People living in shacks are common there. You only have to drive 15 minutes from the capital to see the Tanzania you know from TV and books. Initially, it was very hard for me to see the poverty of the people there. Over time, it got a bit better, but you never really get used to it.
Regarding my weekday routine, I can say that I was always well taken care of. Many employees trusted me a lot and let me help out. The locals showed me that life is about the essential things and that you should incorporate as little stress as possible into your daily hashtagroutine. This is something you quickly forget in the hustle and bustle of German life. Four weeks in Tanzania showed me that I am capable of much more than I previously thought. In retrospect, I can say that I am very proud of myself for having mastered these four weeks with all their highs and lows so well.
To conclude, here is a saying an old man told me when I was upset about having made a mistake during patient admission: “Elimu haina mwisho” – “You learn as long as you live.”