- Name: Marije Gordinou de Gouberville
- Age: 33
- Current location: Amsterdam, The Netherlands
- Home town: Amsterdam, The Netherlands
- Education: Doctor of Medicine, University of Nijmegen
- Current position: Surgical Resident, hospital in The Netherlands
- Bio: After several years of working internationally, including two years as a medical officer at the Ligula Hospital in Tanzania, Marije is finishing her surgical residency. She plans to continue her work in global medicine.
- Countries I've worked in: Tanzania, Netherlands, Nicaragua, Ghana
- Sector / subsectors: Medicine
- Areas of expertise: Medicine, Surgery
- Country: Netherlands, Tanzania
- Sector: Health
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Tell us who you work for and your role there.Meet Marije Gordinou de Gouberville.
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How did you get to where you are now? Tell us about your career trajectory.Marije tells us how studying medicine took her to Nicaragua, Ghana and Tanzania.
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How did you get your position in Tanzania?
Marije tells us about applying for positions with VSO.
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What is a typical week in the life of a medical officer in Tanzania?If you want to make it to the end of the day, you have got to pace yourself.
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What were some of the professional challenges you faced working cross-culturally in Tanzania?Marije tells us the biggest culture barrier she had to get used to.
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What were some of the personal challenges when it came to moving to Tanzania?When you get rid of everything back home to move to Tanzania for two years…and they have no idea you were coming.
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What skills or attributes do you think someone needs to succeed in this field in this setting?Find out what Marije admits she didn’t have a lot of when she first arrived in Tanzania.
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What’s your best advice for someone who is looking to work in Tanzania?Find out what Marije says you should do to avoid disappointment.
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What made you choose surgery? Are certain specializations in higher demand than others?Marije chose to specialize in surgery, but tells us which ward has the greatest need for improvement.
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You mentioned not having nursing staff, and having to make different medical decisions in Tanzania. Can you tell us more about that?Find out what Marije bought at the local market to use in the hospital when they ran out of supplies.
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Are there common mistakes people make entering medicine in the international context?Find out what Marije didn’t believe when she first arrived, but had to admit was true two years later.
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What is the work-life balance like?Despite a lack of tools and thermometers, find out what Marije says about work-life balance in Tanzania.
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You’ve had several international experiences. Do you think travel is necessary for someone wanting to get into this field?Necessary, no. Helpful, yes. Find out why.
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Do you have advice for someone looking to have an international career in medicine?
Learn your international student associations.
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Do you have any practical tips for someone preparing to go to Tanzania?The hospital you’re working at may not be the same one you’d go to for treatment.
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You went to Tanzania with your husband. Tell us about his experience.Marije talks to us about securing jobs for your non-doctor spouse.
