Joanna Anderson

I would like to thank the Vaughan Williams Medical Fund for financially supporting my paediatrics placement at the William Soler Hospital, Havana.

Cuba is an intriguing country and I learned a lot during my placement. I spent time with several paediatric teams and was given many opportunities to practise history taking and examination, skills which are valued very highly in Cuba as it is not as easy to order the investigations we often take for granted in the UK. I was made to feel very welcome and made lots of friends among the doctors and medical students, which of course gave me the chance to improve my Spanish!

I was very fortunate to stay with a lovely dentist who works at the hospital – she treated me like family and we are still in touch. It was a joy to experience life in Cuba – filled with colourful buildings and music in the streets – but I was also made aware of how difficult life can be as supermarket shelves are often empty and food is still rationed. It has made me think more deeply about how I can live my life in a way that helps others, and how my medical training will play a part in that.

This is just a little glimpse into my experience in Cuba; it has impacted me in so many ways and I am so grateful for the time I spent there. Once more, I wish to express my thanks to the Vaughan Williams Medical Fund for making it possible.