The vacation experience for Nana Twumwaa Pamago-Anane, a second-year Disability and Rehabilitation student, was a period marked by learning, growth and self-discovery; one that took her from hospital wards in Ejisu to navigating life independently in Canada.
Nana Twumwaa spent six weeks interning at the Physiotherapy Unit of the Ejisu Government Hospital. The internship allowed her to put theory into practice, transforming lessons from books and lecture slides into real-life patient care.
“All the things I read in books and saw on slides, I could actually see them in a human being,” she said. “I could talk to the person about the condition, how it was affecting their life and think of solutions while explaining things to them.”
Throughout the internship, she gained practical skills, including administering massages, setting up electromagnetic pulse machines used for pain relief, and monitoring patients during physiotherapy gym sessions.
One challenge she encountered was communication. Many patients preferred speaking Twi, a language she does not speak fluently.
“It was difficult communicating with some patients in Twi, but I was encouraged to try and learn,” she noted.
Despite the challenge, she embraced the learning process and grew more confident with each interaction.
The experience did not end at the hospital. Just three days after completing her internship, Nana Twumwaa travelled to Canada, her first time travelling alone. The journey introduced her to new responsibilities and important life lessons.
“I travelled alone for the first time. I had to navigate on my own and be outspoken when I needed something,” she shared. “I also had my first paid job.”
During the holiday season, she worked with a delivery company, assisting with delivering packages to customers’ doorsteps at a time when demand was high.
“It was interesting and fun,” she said. “During the holidays, people order a lot of things, so they hire extra help. I would ride with the driver and deliver the packages.”
Beyond the work itself, the experience taught her the value of independence and financial responsibility.
“It taught me how to manage myself on my own. I earned my own income and decided how to spend it,” she explained.
By: Abena Serwaa Gyamfi
