Author: Kylie Creasser
When UNC Charlotte student Nethika Hettiarachchi arrived at Nawaloka Hospitals PLC in Colombo, Sri Lanka, she stepped into an experience few pre-med students ever get — shadowing across dozens of hospital departments, observing more than 80 consultations and procedures, and learning firsthand what it means to care for patients in a different healthcare system.
Exploring Medicine Abroad
With support from the Career Center, Nethika was encouraged to seek out unique opportunities that would help her prepare for medical school. Through a mutual connection, she connected with Prof. Lal Chandrasena, who reviewed her resume and career aspirations and offered her a position as a Pre-Med Student Intern at Nawaloka Hospitals.
“The Career Center assisted me in pushing me to look out for new and unique experiences in order to further my academic profile for medical school,” Nethika explained.
A Hands-On Look at Patient Care
Her internship allowed her to shadow and observe across a wide range of departments, from cardiac bypass surgery and ENT surgery to the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit, Bone Marrow Transplant Unit, Dialysis Unit, and Sleep Lab. She even gained exposure to behind-the-scenes operations like pharmacy protocols, laboratory testing, and physiotherapy.
“This experience allowed me to widen my scope of understanding on how various medical fields function in order to treat patients to the best of their abilities,” she said.
Networking with Experts
Nethika also built meaningful relationships with healthcare professionals who shared their expertise and guidance. “I was able to spend dedicated time with a Bone Marrow Transplant Doctor, Hematologist, Psychiatrist, Family Medicine Doctor, Anesthesiologist, and Rheumatologist,” she shared. Staying in touch with these professionals has expanded her network and opened doors for future opportunities.
Building Career Skills Abroad
Her internship challenged her to adapt to cultural norms and strengthen her professional skills.
“Living in a new country and learning their norms, way of life, and how work is conducted was something I had to work on learning. Since I was familiar with the native language of Sri Lanka, I was able to communicate with patients and staff who had difficulty speaking in English,” she explained.
From professionalism in how she dressed and communicated, to critical thinking when researching conditions after observations, Nethika gained valuable skills that will carry forward into her future medical career.
Advice for Other Students
Reflecting on her journey, Nethika encourages other students to embrace new challenges:
“Do not be afraid to try things outside of your comfort zone! Experiencing something outside what we find to be normal helps us grow both in knowledge and as a person. Since I pushed myself to get into an environment that was new to me, I was able to learn more about my abilities and put in the extra effort I did not think I was capable of.”
Looking ahead, Nethika plans to continue using the Career Center for career fairs, resume building, coaching, and internship opportunities as she pursues her dream of medical school.