What Travel Taught Me - Connection, Perspective, and the Gift of Healthcare

Travel has a way of shifting the way we see the world and, for me, the way I see my work. Last year, I was lucky enough to spend several months overseas, and it changed me in ways I didn’t expect.

I began my journey in Italy with my family, a time I will always treasure, before travelling on to the Philippines, Vietnam, Thailand, Cambodia, India, and Sri Lanka. Each country offered something different, new people, new cultures, new lessons, but the biggest thing I took away from that trip was just how much we, as humans, need connection.

Connection to each other, to our communities, and to a sense of support. No matter where I was, I saw that people’s health, happiness, and resilience weren’t just tied to their physical wellbeing, but to the relationships, care, and networks around them.

It also reminded me how incredibly fortunate we are in Australia to have the healthcare systems, funding, and support that we do. In so many of the places I visited, even the most basic services weren’t accessible, and people were forced to navigate pain, trauma, and disability with little or no support. It was humbling, and at times, heartbreaking.

That experience reminded me that healing is so much more than treatment or therapy alone. Healing is about the human side of care, being seen, feeling safe, and knowing you’re not alone. And that’s something each of us can bring into our everyday lives, whether we’re supporting others, or learning to slow down and connect with ourselves.

Over the next few blogs, I’ll be sharing more about my experiences in each country, including the time I spent volunteering at a women’s shelter in Sri Lanka.

If you have any questions or reflections along the way, I’d love to hear them.

Dr Sachi Degiacomi