From 26 June to 9 July 2016, Cardiff Sixth Form College students visited Kuala Lumpur and Kuching, Malaysia as part of our annual Goodwill Ambassador Programme (GAP); a diverse, super-curriculur programme of work observation opportunities, volunteering at a local orphanage, sight-seeing and more. Read more about GAP here.
This is the first in a series of student blog posts written from Malaysia, featuring Queena Lee, an AS-Level Malaysian student:
“The Goodwill Ambassador Programme in Malaysia has been one of the most shocking, yet humbling experiences I have ever partaken in. Undertaking positive hospital work observation in Kuching was deeply enriching and thought-provoking.
In particular, witnessing a trauma case was deeply grounding; standing by silently as the first year dental officer worked tirelessly on the patient, who had severe lacerations to his face and a completely fractured jaw; all without showing an air of worry or nervousness on his face.
Being able to shadow a wide range of clinics, including the paediatric oral specialist and the dental labs, was especially interesting as it allowed me to gain a well-rounded view of dentistry in East Malaysia and I will no doubt be able to draw parallels with my previous UK work observations.
However, perhaps the most rewarding part of the programme was visiting the orphanage, where I was given first-hand insight into the conditions that some children are placed into; which made me value my own place in society. Seeing the smiles on each of the orphans faces as we devoted time to them really cemented my passion for dentistry; for it allowed me to realise that the power of a smile will always shine through, despite other hardships that you may be facing.
Thank you for organising such a brilliant trip!”
Picture opposite shows Queena Lee and fellow CSFC students taking part in a dentistry workshop.
Categories: Student Blog
