During my time volunteering at Euro Kids, a preschool in Nepal, I had the opportunity to support young children with their daily activities, assist with basic care needs, and observe their development in an educational setting. As someone of Nepalese heritage, who has spent most of their time abroad, this experience was particularly meaningful as it allowed me to reconnect with my culture in a professional setting and explore how family dynamics, culture and educational environment influence a child's health and behaviour.

Working with young children, I developed childcare skills such as assisting with hygiene, encouraging health and wellbeing, and providing emotional support and guidance. I also gained a deeper understanding of childhood development and how early experiences influence long term health outcomes. Seeing how cultural expectations and social norms influence caregiving helped me recognise the importance of adapting care to an individual's cultural background, a skill that is crucial in my field of study, adult nursing, where patients come from diverse backgrounds with unique needs. 

This experience also helped improve my ability to assess individual needs and communicate effectively with both children and their families. I was also able to recognise and respond to early signs of health concerns. My exposure to safeguarding policies and emergency responses in a childcare setting reinforced the importance of patient safety, which is essential to my adult nursing career.

Beyond the practical skills gained, volunteering at the preschool highlighted the importance of holistic care. Whether working with children or adults, understanding a person's background, early experiences and emotional well being is key to providing compassionate person-centred care. This experience broadened my perspective on healthcare and will continue to shape my approach to nursing in the future.