Welcome, dear Marina and dear Philip

Starting in October 2026, medical student Philip will be joining our team in Siem Reap. And medical student Marina will be working in Phnom Penh. They’ll introduce themselves here in a moment.

Marina Holdener Costa, 24, Chur GR

When I was a child, I visited pediatricians and went to the hospital quite often. Unfortunately, the experiences I remember were anything but positive. That’s why I was very afraid of doctors for years, and as a teenager, I never would have thought that I’d end up studying medicine myself. At the same time, I was interested in the human body and various illnesses from an early age, which is why I kept reading and researching them.

It wasn’t until I was a teenager that I had a pediatrician who made me feel truly taken seriously and in good hands. This helped me overcome some of my fear of doctors and begin to see them in a different light. A few years later, while I was in high school, there was an information booth set up by Doctors Without Borders in Chur. I was very inspired by the idea of providing medical help in places where resources are limited.

Since I grew up in rural areas of Brazil where not everyone had access to good medical care, I know from personal experience how important that access can be. To be able to work in this field myself, I naturally had to study medicine first. Since I was also interested in the natural sciences but wanted to work with people at the same time, medicine seemed like a pretty good combination to me. Even back then, I began to think that perhaps one day I would work in a country with fewer resources. In the long term, I even have a dream of building a hospital in such a country and founding a foundation that provides people with access to medical care.

During my studies, I realized just how much a doctor can do to ensure that children don’t view medical examinations as something frightening. You can explain to them in a playful way why an examination is necessary and take enough time to address their fears and needs. That’s how trust is built. Precisely because I had some rather negative experiences as a child myself, I find this aspect particularly fascinating. That’s why I can now very well imagine working as a pediatrician later on.

What I’m most looking forward to during my two months at the Kantha Bopha Foundation is getting to know a healthcare system that differs from Switzerland’s in many ways. I hope to learn a lot from the local doctors about pediatrics and medical care in general. Since I could also see myself working in pediatric surgery later on, I’m especially looking forward to getting to know this field and further developing my practical and manual skills in the process. And maybe I’ll even manage to learn a little Khmer.

As someone who loves to travel, I’m really looking forward to experiencing a new culture. Most of all, though, I’m looking forward to working with the children and their families. During other months of my elective study year, I’ve already gained experience working with children and realized how much joy it brings me. I find working with children very rewarding, and I’m curious to see what this work will be like in a different cultural and healthcare environment. Especially when I think about Cambodia’s turbulent history and the country’s development over the past few decades, I consider it a great privilege to be part of the Kantha Bopha Foundation for two months.

I do feel a bit of trepidation, though. I’ve never been away from my family and friends for this long, and I won’t be able to just go home for the weekend. At the same time, I’m looking forward to embracing this new experience and am curious to see what the next two months have in store for me.

Philip Matsch, 33, Zurich

Ever since my youth, I have been interested in human physiology and the processes that take place within our bodies. Through various sports, I developed a particular curiosity about the musculoskeletal system and the complexity of how the human body functions. It wasn’t until later in my professional and academic career that I decided to change direction and began studying medicine. To this day, I remain fascinated by the combination of scientific understanding, hands-on work, and direct contact with people.

What appeals to me most about working in Cambodia is the change of perspective. After several years of training and practical work in Swiss hospitals, I became familiar with the local structures, standards, and procedures. This makes it all the more exciting for me to now apply these experiences in an environment that differs from Switzerland in many ways—whether in terms of available resources, medical challenges, or the organization of healthcare. At the same time, I consider it a great honor to be part of Beat Richner’s legacy. I am deeply impressed by his vision of medical care that is accessible to all children, regardless of their background or financial circumstances. Through my work here, I hope to make a small contribution to this vision while also learning from my experiences on the ground.

I’m looking forward to two intense and educational months during which I’ll gain a lot, both medically and personally. I want to contribute the wealth of experience I’ve gained so far, while also remaining open to learning new approaches and questioning my own ideas about medical care.

I’m looking forward to the day-to-day routine at the children’s hospital and to working with the local teams. I’m especially curious to see how the processes and collaboration differ from those at the Children’s Hospital in Zurich, where I previously worked.

I don’t really have any concerns. In fact, I find the uncertainties and challenges that come with a stay like this particularly exciting. A new country, a different healthcare system, and unfamiliar working conditions will certainly present me with new situations time and again. I’m looking forward to embracing these challenges, learning new things, and working outside my usual comfort zone for a change.