Travelling the World as a Medical Student

It is strange to think about travel in the midst of a pandemic. Despite not actually travelling just now, it almost feels like a selfish pleasure to soak in the memories many have been prevented from experiencing. On the other hand, thinking about my travels has also allowed me to reflect, learn and re-prioritise. This has involved learning and acknowledging how I have been able to have all the experiences I have so far, how they have built me and how I know there is still a future for all of us to have similar experiences.

For context, I am a fourth year medical student who, like everyone else, has currently put life on pause to work towards escaping the inconvenience, the plan-destroyer and, for so many, devastatingly life-changing experience that is covid-19. Before becoming an unexpected ‘key worker’ during my clinical placements, I travelled anywhere and everywhere, whenever I could. So far during my studies, I have travelled to over 50 countries across 5 continents.

Before the (understandable) assumption crosses your mind: no, I am not rich. My background is a state-educated, young carer (or what the university like to call ‘widening participation’) who also is disabled and has severe food allergies. Despite my family being located all over the world, my parents did not like nor could afford to travel far, so it became natural that, as soon as I left school, I explored to learn more about my background. This long list of challenges may make it seem difficult, if not impossible to class travel as a hobby. However, there are ways to get around it to make travel accessible for all. By keeping an open mind, planning well and be willing to delve off the beaten track, the world can, and should, be anyone’s oyster.

PRACTICALITIES: Broke Backpacker and Full Time Studies

Firstly, it is important to prioritise your own wellbeing and basic needs. Therefore, it is important not to get yourself into long term debt (that overdraft interest can go up fast once you graduate!) or stretch yourself to compromise your health or your studies. Medicine is a challenging degree and requires long term commitment. With this in mind, it is also important you take time for yourself too; do not feel guilty about going on an adventure, rather than waiting until you have finished so-and-so (spoiler: the to-do list will not end anytime soon). So be realistic, and don’t book a trip to the Maldives if you cannot afford it or taking the time out for a 2 week break!

To help pay for my trips, I work a zero-hours job. This is incredibly helpful as I can change my hours to work around studying and if I want to go away for longer than a week (such as over summer). Similar options include tutoring and gig economy jobs. It is also worth looking out for specific student travel schemes, such as the Presidents’ Go Abroad Fund, as well as bursaries to attend conferences abroad (you could present a SSC abroad, then get sponsored flights and accommodation to a new place). I also try not to spend much on material goods (I get most of my clothes from charity shops and only when something else is irreparable and half my flat is filled with freebies from freecyle groups)

Furthermore, if you want to regularly travel, it is worth investing in discount providers such as an international student card (ISIC), Wizz discount club (allows you fly to many places in Europe for less than £20) and an American Express Card (the airmiles I earned from smaller purchases over the years has finally got me a return Business Class flight to Japan with British Airways for the same price as economy on a budget airline!). Other worthwhile considerations are sticking to the same booking site (I find booking.com often the cheapest, most flexible - often not needing payment upfront - and their loyalty scheme gives you free breakfast and upgrades) and reliable annual insurance (I use LV.com and they cover my health conditions at a fair price, including many other areas other insurance companies do not, such as altitude). By getting annual insurance, it makes spontaneous trips easier and less stressful!

HIGHLIGHTS: Where Everyone Should Visit

I would like to think I have had a wide variety of experiences whilst travelling, from jungle trekking in Australia and underground cave kayaking in Laos to drinking Ice Wine in Canada and having conversations over Google Translate with strangers in Serbia (who then bought me a free hot chocolate). It is almost impossible to pick favourites, so I will just pick a few highlights.

The Balkans: This region is in South East Europe and is often, with the exception of Croatia, forgotten about by travellers. Despite being so close by, we are taught very little about its history and I think it is something our generation has a responsibility to learn about. The region is also very cheap and has some of the loveliest people I met. Highlights in the region include Lake Ohrid in North Macedonia (pictured right), Mostar in Bosnia and Herzegovina and Prizren in Kosovo (Europe’s newest country!). The train network is slow and buses are unpredictable, however the scenery is outstanding and makes a lovely backdrop to do coursework to; I wrote my highest scoring intercalation essay whilst on a bus in the Albanian Highlands.

Vietnam: Although pretty well travelled, it is completely understandable as to why so many people go here. For longer journeys such as to Asia, I would always recommend paying a bit extra for a good airline (the sleep often lost on cheaper, more cramped flights often makes me feel like I have missed out on a day) but once you are there, accommodation and food can cost only a few pounds each. It is a nation that has something for everyone, from chaotic motorbikes and partying in Ho Chi Minh to the serene nature along and beautiful temples in Hoi An and the northern coast. It is also next door to beautiful Cambodia and Laos, which have some of my favourite food in the world.

Lisbon: This is a really good place to go if you haven’t travelled solo before. The hostels are some of the best in Europe and surprisingly cheap, with regular flights from all over the UK. The place I stayed even did a 4(!) course dinner with unlimited drinks. This was such a fun way to meet people and the free walking tours are brilliant. The climate is great (I went in January) and there are so many interesting areas to explore. The seafood and Pasta Del Nata are also incredible.

THE UNKNOWN: Becoming Familiar with the Unfamiliar

It has to be said that medics do tend to be a bit like sheep. This is only natural: many of us go through the same application process and tick the same boxes, making us streamlined to becoming the ‘perfect’ doctor. It therefore can make it extra intimidating to do the unexpected, such as a weekend away in the middle of the semester, travelling alone or going somewhere completely different. Many of the trips organised during medical school, such as electives or group ski trips, are organised in a way that risks being homogeneous and overpriced. Not only does this dampen the chance to really explore a country (think British resort in Tenerife - heaven for some, hell for others), it is often out of reach financially.

I would therefore highly, highly recommend travelling somewhere solo during your medical studies. Not to complete an elective or do something medical, but just for fun! It can be so beneficial to your confidence, independence and creativity. Furthermore, from doing something completely different makes you learn fast and in a way that works best for you. I have learned so much about food, cultures, religions, languages and more from just getting out there with nobody or nothing to clutch onto for support. It has allowed me to understand my own privileges whilst also truly realising how beautiful the world and its people are. I truly believe I have learned more about people whilst travelling than during formal education and, for that, I hope it will make me a better doctor.

---

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Heather McAdam is a fourth year medical student at the University of Edinburgh, intercalating in Global Health Policy. She is the founder and president of WellMed, the medical school’s mental health peer support group, and president of Edinburgh Psychiatry Society. She also writes in her spare time for the University of Edinburgh, Inspire the Mind, the Royal College of Psychiatrists and is a media volunteer for SAMH and the LetsTalk Podcasts.

Twitter @HeatherGKMcAdam

Instagram @heather_gm