As a member of a team of 84 medical volunteers from the UK, USA, Canada and Russia, I travelled to Kazakhstan in August 2013 to take part in an international medical camp covering the town of Saran and nearby villages. Based in the Ophthalmology and Optometry clinics, I was able to gain a better understanding not only of ocular pathology, but also of the attributes needed for a successful medical camp. In this article, I reflect upon the role of the ophthalmologist, medical student and general volunteer in forming a shared collaboration with local doctors and patients, and consider lessons that can be implemented in daily clinical practice.