For many international students, the journey abroad is a dual calling, driven by the pursuit of personal growth on one hand and by a genuine desire to contribute to the development of our home countries on the other.

One of the greatest privileges of studying abroad is that learning extends far beyond academic discussions in the classroom. Every day presents a valuable opportunity to learn and experience firsthand how another country functions, including its culture, institutions, and policies. 

For Mary Joy (MJ) Padilla, an ADB-KFP scholar working at the Philippine Department of Health, that experience came recently through something surprisingly ordinary: an annual health checkup.

Foreign students enrolled in South Korea’s National Health Insurance System (NHIS) are entitled to certain healthcare benefits, including a free annual health screening for eligible contributors. MJ, curious about the healthcare system that has often been portrayed in Korean dramas and widely recognized for its quality, decided to take advantage of this opportunity.

“With the help and referral of Nurse Kim, I was able to get an appointment for my annual health checkup in a clinic here in Sejong City. From scheduling my appointment to completing the examinations, the entire process was remarkably smooth and well-organized. The healthcare professionals guided me through each step with efficiency and courtesy, and the medical examinations were completed comfortably within a relatively short period. What impressed me most was not simply the modern equipment or the speed of service, but the strong emphasis on preventive healthcare. The comprehensive test results that were emailed to me included valuable information on disease prevention and lifestyle improvements,” MJ shared.

The health insurance covered examinations, including an X-ray, blood test, hearing test, measurements of weight, height, and waist circumference, vision test, and urine test. In MJ’s case, she also chose to undergo additional ultrasound examinations that were not fully covered by health insurance. But the doctor and the sonographer patiently explained each procedure, along with the corresponding insurance coverage, which helped her make informed decisions. She also casually shared fun details about her experience, such as the Hanbok-inspired patient uniform, which she found both unique and enjoyable.

Working in the health sector of her country, this experience gave MJ a glimpse of what a well-functioning and efficient healthcare system looks like in practice, something that developing countries aspire for their citizens. While the Philippines has made significant strides toward Universal Health Care, quality and timely health services remain inaccessible for many Filipinos.

While the local context between South Korea and the Philippines may be different, many of the underlying principles behind South Korea's healthcare system offer valuable lessons that can be thoughtfully adapted to the Philippine setting.

These lessons include the value of streamlining healthcare processes and helping patients navigate administrative procedures with ease. They also underscore the importance of making preventive healthcare a routine rather than an option to help detect diseases early and reduce long-term healthcare costs. Equally critical is providing patients with clear explanations of their health conditions and personalized recommendations that empower them to take an active role in managing their own health. These insights collectively contribute to a healthcare system that is efficient, accessible, and centered on the well-being of patients. Ultimately, policies matter most when they are translated into practical actions and improved services for the people they are intended to serve.

Unexpectedly, a visit to the clinic became a policy lesson. As someone who hopes to contribute to strengthening public health programs in the Philippines, seeing and experiencing an advanced health system operate in everyday practice offered insights that no classroom lecture alone could fully provide. Experience, after all, is the best teacher.

Beyond earning an academic degree, one of the most valuable yet often overlooked benefits of an international scholarship is the opportunity to experience life in a different society and observe how governments address real-world challenges. These experiences broaden our perspectives and encourage us to think creatively about solutions that can be adapted to our own country's context. In addition, they provide a powerful source of inspiration and practical ideas that can help improve the lives of the people we serve back home.

Indeed, for many international students, the journey abroad is a dual calling, driven by the pursuit of personal growth and a genuine desire to contribute to the development of our home countries. For MJ, this simple experience has sparked a renewed sense of purpose and strengthened her commitment to work even harder toward improving healthcare for every Filipino.