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in the Middle East for almost 150 years The Nazareth Trust Healing in the Name of Jesus Since 1861
in the Middle East for almost 150 years The Nazareth Trust Healing in the Name of Jesus Since 1861
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UK Medical Student Mary Cox with a very young patient
I am Interested in Learning More The Nazareth Trust
Each year Nazareth Hospital EMMS hosts medical students from across the world for short placements as part of their training.
We caught up with Mary Cox for an interview just as she was about to return to the UK .
Q: How long have you been here Mary?
A: 6 weeks
Q: How does this placement fit into your medical training?
A: I have completed 4 out of 5 years of my medical training, during this summer it is compulsory to undertake a 6 week placement at another hospital.
Q: Where did you come from?
A: Scotland! Edinburgh is home, but I study in Dundee.
Q: Why did you choose Nazareth Hospital EMMS?
A: I wanted to go somewhere which was a different culture to my own but where I'd find the medicine useful for my work back in the UK. I also wanted to go somewhere which was accustomed to having students. A friend had heard of the Nazareth Hospital and when I looked into it, it fitted everything I was looking for and being a Christian hospital I knew I'd also have the opportunity to share in fellowship with other believers which was also important for me.
Q: How did you find out about us?
A: Word of mouth: a friend who is a doctor has visited Israel several times and had heard of you. After making initial enquiries via the website I then discovered I knew 3 other students who have been on placements here and all thoroughly recommended it.
Q: Is it what you expected?
A: I purposefully tried not to think too much about it before I left so that I wouldn't have fixed expectations before I arrived. That said, because I knew several people who had already been at the hospital they had told me a lot about it and therefore I had a good idea of what the hospital and Nazareth would be like before I arrived. I had expected to be able to do more practical work, but otherwise it was as good, in fact better, than I had dared to expect!
Q: What struck you the most?
A: At the end of the day although we are all unique, people are essentially all the same. Even though there are such variations in culture and beliefs, I really noticed that in times of stress - when loved ones are ill and in hospital - people have the same emotions irrespective of their background: hurt, sadness, fear, joy, relief. This relates to the staff too - in a land where there is so many reports of hostility between people it was really wonderful and humbling to see Arabs, Jews and other nationalities, working together, caring for each other and treating each other as equals.
Q: Would you recommend us to other medical students?
A: Yes - definitely.
Q: Why?
A: Israel is a fantastic place to discover, with such Biblical importance, and spending time in Nazareth is a really great way to get away from the tourist sites and see the everyday lives of Israelis.
I learned alot during the placement: the teaching was excellent, and there was a good balance of work and leisure. Being a smaller hospital it is easier to meet people and has a real "family" feel. For me the main purpose was to meet and learn from diffferent people, which it really fulfilled, however I would advise students that they will probably not get to do much in terms of practical procedures.
The arrangements for students are also great; it is a very safe environment with the chance to make friendships with volunteers and students from other countries too, plus opportunities to spend time in fellowship with other Christians.
Q: What observations do you have from a clinical point of view?
A: Essentially the practice was the same as that in the UK, with procedures and facilities being up-to-date and generally well equipped. I was interested to learn about the medical education system and although the Israeli medical schools are very well respected, many of the doctors trained elsewhere therefore I did find that on occasions the junior staff were not as knowledgable as might be expected. However the standard of care seemed very good and patients generally seemed very satisfied.
Q: Any other observations?
A: I was made to feel extremely welcome by everyone I met and I am very grateful to have had this time to meet people from different backgrounds, of different beliefs and cultures and learn from them. Israel is a fascinating place and spending time in an Arab population helped to give a more balanced view of the country.
Thanks Mary - very best of luck with the rest of your studies, and stay in touch!
If you are a medical student and want to know more about joining us for a medical elective, please contact Christine Farah