SWISS STUDENTS IN CAMBODIA

Starting in January 2026, the three medical students will be joining our team in Cambodia. They will be working for two months at our children's hospital and maternity ward in Siem Reap. Here they introduce themselves. Bjarne von Götz, 23, Zurich I decided to study medicine because of my interest in science and because I enjoy working with people. A nursing internship then cemented my interest. During my junior year, I would like to see other healthcare systems and circumsta

Two examples of how endoscopy saves lives at Kantha Bopha. During the week of 10-14 November 2025, a Swiss mission led by four physicians and two nurses from the KiSpi took place at Kantha Bopha. Several topics, focused on the concrete needs of sick children and newborns, were addressed: intensive care, infectious diseases, nephrology, and gastroenterology. It is this last field that will be the focus of this article. Here, we present two diseases for which the use of endosco

During our time as students in Cambodia, we were able to gain countless experiences in the pediatric intensive care units, the maternity ward, and also in surgery. Of course, there are many other wards in this hospital, and I would like to tell you a little more about one of them. As of November, the oncology ward in Siem Reap is the hospital's newest department. It was officially opened on May 2 this year. The first patients were admitted to one of the 24 available beds at t

With a suitcase filled to the brim and barely complying with the airline's strict rules, I made my way to the airport with a heavy heart. It was a hasty farewell to a time that I had lived so intensely. I don't want to forget any of it: the rattling tuk-tuk rides, the sunsets captured over ancient temples, the rain showers, the friendships that formed quietly and grew stronger than expected. The first surgical knots that my hands tied hesitantly at first, then more confidentl

Cambodian-style hospitality. The two months I spent at Kantha Bopha Hospital were an extremely formative and enriching time for me, which I will look back on with great gratitude. From the very beginning, we were welcomed with remarkable openness, which made it extremely easy for me to settle in. The atmosphere towards us Swiss medical students was warm, uncomplicated, and often accompanied by humor. This made many situations that could quickly become stressful in everyday cl

Pierre will be joining our team in Cambodia in November 2025. The medical student will be working at our children's hospital in Siem Reap for two months. Here he introduces himself. Pierre Roux, 25, Grimisuat VS After high school and during my community service, I decided to study medicine. I wanted to help other people and at the same time complete a scientific degree. Since high school had given me the experience of knowledge and community service had given me the experie

Dr. Bunthong (right) with his team, whom I had the privilege of following for a week. Incubators, the constant beeping of monitors, and the smallest babies you have ever seen – these are the first impressions when you enter the neonatal intensive care unit in Siem Reap. Here, day after day, tireless efforts are made to ensure the survival and recovery of newborns and premature babies. The diseases and medical problems remain essentially the same as in Switzerland: infection p

«When life hurts – Siem Reap heals.» A saying we often heard from hospital staff and proud residents of this special city. For two months, I had the privilege of witnessing how the team at Kantha Bopha Hospital works every day to ensure that a stay in Siem Reap can truly heal, in the truest sense of the word. For this, I would like to express my heartfelt thanks to the directors, doctors, nurses, midwives, and all the staff at the hospital and the Kantha Bopha Children's Hosp

I traveled to the small town of many temples in September, at a very special time of year. It is the rainy season, thick clouds hang in...

Jason will be joining our team in Cambodia in October 2025. The medical student will be working at our children's hospital in Siem Reap...

My first few days at Kantha Bopha Hospital were full of new impressions: a different language, a new work rhythm, and a hospital routine...

There is a small consultation room here which, unlike the other rooms in the clinic, is decorated with colorful carpets, toys, and...

Devanshi and Jan will be joining our team in Cambodia in September 2025. The two medical students will be working for two months at our...

It's been a few weeks, since my time in Cambodia came to an end. It was a wonderful and enriching experience, just as impressive as it...

Marah will be joining our team in Cambodia in August 2025. The medical student will be working at our children's hospital in Siem Reap...

It is currently the rainy season in Cambodia, which brings with it lush greenery and frequent showers, but unfortunately also the peak...

For us Swiss students – Andrin and Simeon – our time at the Kantha Bopha Children's Hospital has already come to an end. These two months...

Elodie and Lars will be joining our team in Cambodia in July 2025. The two medical students will be working for two months at our...

We make many new acquaintances every day at Kantha Bopha Hospital in Siem Reap. One of the most valuable things for all of us is the...

Rebecca will be joining our team in Cambodia from June 2025. The medical student will be working in our children's hospital in Siem Reap...

Narong San After a long journey, we - the new group of Swiss students - arrived safely in Siem Reap towards the end of April and have...

Time has passed quickly! We have experienced and learnt a lot since our arrival in Siem Reap. We were warmly welcomed by everyone at...

Andrin and Simeon will be joining our team in Cambodia from May 2025. The two medical students will be working for two months in our...

On our very first day here at the hospital, we were given a guided tour. We noticed that certain diseases such as dengue fever, HIV and...

Arkun cheeran means «thank you very much» in Khmer, and if I have to think of something to say to end these two wonderful months in...

We have arrived well in Siem Reap and have already experienced a lot in our first few weeks. The care is great, and our interests are...

Blood is a vital resource for saving lives, and the ability to perform safe transfusions can make the difference between life and death...

When I heard about this job, I knew immediately that I had to take it. It was exactly the kind of experience that others always talk...

Sophie and Samuel will be joining our team in Cambodia from March 2025. The two medical students will be working for two months in our...

On Monday afternoon, Menglis, a 5-year-old boy, is brought to the pediatric intensive care unit by his father, who is visibly worried...

In 2024, Jayavarman VII Hospital recorded a total of 406 patients with significant burn injuries. Of these, 225 patients had burns that...

Laura will be joining our team in Cambodia from February 2025. The medical student will be working in our children's hospital in Siem...

The decision to take up a two-month internship in Cambodia was anything but easy for me. Especially the thought of spending my birthday,...

Chetra Ma is a boy who faces great challenges due to his clubfoot. He finds it difficult to walk as the deformity causes his feet to turn...

I still remember my first day at work very clearly. I was excited and full of anticipation. Accompanied by Rachel and Jan, I made my way...

Anett will be joining our team in Cambodia from January 2025. The medical student will be working in our children's hospital in Siem Reap...

What do candles have to do with an intensive care unit? If you assumed it’s for festive reasons, I’m afraid I must disappoint you. Before...

Let's take a little trip back in time. Four years ago, on 14 April 2020, on the same day as the Khmer New Year and during the COVID-19...

Luca will be joining our team in Cambodia from December 2024. The medical student will work for two months at our children's hospital in...

After two intensive months at Kantha Bopha Children's Hospital in Siem Reap, it is time for us to say goodbye. Our assignment here was...

During our internship at Kantha Bopha Hospital in Siem Reap, we were able to rotate in the paediatric surgery department, among others....

The story of a newborn with a complex heart defect. We first met Lo Tian in the cardiac intensive care unit. At this time, he was a...

Morgane will be joining our team in Cambodia from November 2024. The medical student will be working at our children's hospital in Siem...

After a long and exhausting journey, we finally arrived in Siem Reap. We used the first few days to explore the city and its...

Rachel and Jan will be working there from October. Let them introduce themselves. Rachel Puthukara, 25, from Adliswil ZH   I have always...