Work experience

“Without the support of Warwick donors, it would have been very hard to take up a placement with The Economist as I did this year - and for that I am extremely grateful.

I think the scheme is very important, especially as a London bias exists on placements/internships in this sector. If you live in London, great; if you don’t, you have to take a big financial hit for something that may not work out.

My placement was inspiring: just being a small part of an organisation that responds in real-time to changing world events was a sensational feeling, and it’s galvanised me to work even harder for a career and way-in to this line of work.”

Student, Philosophy, Politics, Economics

Helping medical students to work abroad

Meet two of the 13 students helped by Warwick donors to take medical electives, exploring healthcare in new settings:

“My elective was at the Victoria Hospital on the island of St Lucia, and I spent time there in general medicine, surgery, and accident and emergency.

I was to spend a bit more time with the patients than the local clinicians could, and was able to help explain their conditions more.

In particular, we saw some children with asthma who’d been prescribed inhalers, and hadn’t actually be shown how to use them, and we were able to take the time with them to show them how to use their inhaler properly – and hopefully that’ll make a difference in helping them.

Without the funding I couldn’t have afforded it, even though I did part-time work.

Thank you to everyone who donates to these - it makes a massive difference in students’ lives.”

Gavin Atherton, Medicine

“I did a six week placement on the West Coast of Ecuador.

The community that I helped out in was a small, poor village where the hospital was government-run.

I think I’ve been able to bring my experience from there and give people a bit more time and sensitivity when I’m speaking to them here - it’s built me up further as a potential Doctor.

The donation meant that I could travel and take medical Spanish lessons in Ecuador before my placement.

I’d like to say ‘Thank you’ to those that give donations to the University. Without their generous gift, I would not have been able to undertake my elective abroad and have such a rich experience as I did.”

Amenah Shoaleh, Medicine

Warwick in Africa 2012-13

Warwick in Africa has developed over the years from one small student volunteering project, to a multi-layered volunteering programme which supports learners, highly talented learners and their teachers with Maths and English education in South Africa, Tanzania and Ghana.

Over 160,000 learners have benefited so far.

By enhancing the education of young people in Africa, we hope to offer a direct route to liberation from poverty.

• Read the Warwick in Africa Report 2013

Kids say:

“I'm now more confident, my self-esteem is boosted and I'm becoming more and more fluent in English. They made a huge change in our lives in just a few weeks. They have boosted my creativity and they taught me how to work hard.” (Nkweba Landiso)

“I was bored of maths. Now I enjoy it and at home I practise so hard.” (Unathi Tisani)

“English was so hard to understand but now I like it and how she explained things. Their presence changed something in me.” (Nosiphiwo Mangamane)

“They make me feel excited to be taught by them. They never leave you confused.” (Itumeleng Mathibe)

“I want to be like one of the WiA teachers, I want to be a successful teacher, making a difference to my country.” (Ramokgola Mahlako)

“You have changed my mind, my life, my everything.” (Victoria Nkrumah)

Students say:

“Teaching in Africa is so much more than just teaching, it's dealing with the harsh realities of an almost parallel universe.

The daily struggle that confronts these learners is always there, be it through obvious substance abuse in school or corporal punishment.

It's absolutely impossible to convey through words exactly how elated I was the first time a learner came to me in their own time and asked me for help.

Seeing how committed these learners were and witnessing the huge strides they had made in just 6 weeks made me realize just how important this experience was for them.

I can't think of any other way I would rather have spent those 6 weeks.”

Mark O’Connor
Tsosoloso Ya Afrika School Ivory Park
Johannesburg SA