My first time in Base Hospital wasn't how I expected it to be; this is mainly because it wasn't on my induction, but was the time of another volunteer's infamous fall down a Panadura gutter. Whilst waiting for him to be bandaged up, I saw a man trolleyed past with his arm wrapped up with what definitely looked like a hand in a bucket next to him. This made me a bit apprehensive to say the least, but really intrigued to start at Base hospital.

When I actually started my placement it wasn't as terrifying as that night was though. All the doctors were really friendly and keen to teach me. I started out in general medicine where I did ward rounds in both male and female wards, and I helped out in the clinics as well. Seeing how different the hospital was to any British hospitals really opened my eyes, especially after seeing a woman literally on the verge of death from dehydration just because she'd had diarrhoea for three days really made me think.

In clinic, I told them I could take blood pressures, and before I knew it I was sat at a desk with all these people coming to me with their books, telling me all their other problems in Sinhala, so I did a lot of arm waving and head shaking until they understood that I really had no idea what they were talking about.

My second week I was in paediatrics, and although I'd just done five weeks of similar stuff at Kethumathie, it was still really interesting. There were always loads of other medical students around who were all really good at English. Not only was it nice to have their company, but they had an exam coming up so were really keen to teach me what they knew. I probably learnt more from them than the doctors as they had more time to stop and explain all the little details to me and bits I didn't understand. They taught me how to do a full body examination and how to do a neonatal development examination, which I got to practice on all the patients; that was really cool.

My favourite week however, was definitely in surgery. I got to see loads of different operations like tyhroidectomies, cholecystectomies, hydrocelectomies, paediatric dental surgeries and a mastectomy (which was actually really sad as the woman had breast cancer). I was also allowed to see a forensic autopsy, although I didn't stay for most of it because it freaked me out too much!

It was so nice to have the freedom to be able to see all those procedures though, unlike in England with the stricter rules and regulations. Although I did feel sometimes find it harder as I was pre-med, they had a lot of patience with me and would slow down to try and let me understand.

Kethumathie is a small but beautiful woman's hospital. I mostly spent my time in the well-baby and at-risk baby clinics, where the doctor did general checks on tons of babies each morning (who were all so gorgeous!) and I got to write the record books whilst they were doing it. I also sat in obstetric and gynaecology clinics, did Premature Baby Unit ward rounds, and observed in the scanning room, labour room and surgery.

The labour room was definitely most memorable since I'd never seen a live birth before so was worried it would be totally gory, but I actually really enjoyed it! I got to rock all the new borns to sleep as well who were just so cute! Surgery was also really interesting to watch all the c-sections and although I was just observing the whole time, the doctors would explain and take me through what was happening so I understood what was going on. I was always with a doctor, so someone was always there keen to teach me anything I wanted to know as soon as I asked.

I really enjoyed working at both the hospitals more than I thought I would, and I was pretty excited to start out with! Everyone was so lovely to me and the only bad thing about it all was how frustrating it was that I didn't know more. I think I definitely got the most out of it though, because as long as you act keen with a pen and paper out, they'll want to teach you no matter what your ability.

Jackie Kopelman

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On an elephant ride

Playing with bubbles

Saying bye to the kids

Wedding outfits

Host family house

Host family

Kandy town