Mr Ross spent a fortnight in the city of Cusco in southeastern Peru as part of a student group on a work placement study tour through Charles Sturt University.

The nursing students spent time in a hospital emergency department, children’s ward, maternity ward and infectious diseases ward.

They also were involved in children’s health clinics in outlying areas.

“It was an experience that was an eye-opener,” Mr Ross said.

“It made me feel very humbled looking at what we have here in Australia compared to what these people have over there,” he said.

Mr Ross said he felt privileged being able to help.

The group stayed with host families which Mr Ross said was one of the highlights.

Mr Ross is nearing the end of a CSU nursing degree through distance education.

He plans to return to Cusco to volunteer in an emergency department as a registered nurse at some stage in the future.

The students in the CSU School of Nursing, Midwifery and Indigenous Health were led on the study tour by nursing lecturer Cathy Maginnis and CSU Global assisted the study tour.

Ms Maginnis said the international placement in Cusco was both thought-provoking and challenging and led to a lot of discussion and reflection by the group.

“The language spoken in Peru is predominantly Spanish so we had a team of interpreters to assist us to overcome this barrier but it was difficult to communicate with the patients and staff as we would in Australia,” she said.

“The healthcare system in Peru is very different to Australia with a limited health budget reflected in the equipment and maintenance of the hospital. 

“Supplies and medication are sparse and many patients are required to pay for treatment before it is given, something that we take for granted here in Australia.”

The group also visited Inca ruins and learnt about the history from Inca to Spanish invasion and the religious influence in Peru.

A visit to Machu Picchu was another trip highlight.