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<h3>What inspired you to go abroad?</h3>
<p>"To be loved is to be known" - T. Keller.&nbsp;</p>
<p>I was inspired to go abroad because traveling has always been a necessity in my family to understand my community and continue to diversify our perspectives. Being born and raised in the second most diverse city in the world, Queens, New York, and then relocating to another historically rich community, Atlanta, Georgia, has instilled an expectation of not only diversity but also the practice of inclusion in my personal virtues and services to the community.&nbsp;</p>
<p>Traveling abroad has always been a means to put myself in my neighbor's shoes, learn their history, understand their values, and broaden my own understanding of the world and the community I live in.</p>
<h3>Why did you choose <a title="undefined" href=https://www.goabroad.com/providers/international-medical-aid rel="" target="_self" class="clickTracker" rev="domainID=4&amp;refererType=1&amp;refererID=3403&amp;abbreviation=CSCT&amp;clientID=44980" data-ga-client="International Medical Aid (IMA)" data-contentlink="">International Medical Aid</a>?</h3>
<div class="awesome-image right-aligned wrap-mobile" ><img src="https://images.goabroad.com/image/upload/v1770881514/images2/interviews/Eh3Z27r5TuEHCMEhcLP3UrCZ6hJIoRm4ypQKzIds.jpg" alt="three medical interns and a local student demonstrating menstrual care"><div class="caption"><p>Grade Student demonstrating Menstrual Care during Women's Health seminar at a Mombasa High School</p></div></div>
<p>I chose International Medical Aid because it perfectly maintains an ethical, ever-growing exposure for the interns and sustainability in the communities in which they are located. I was looking for a <a href=https://www.goabroad.com/providers/international-medical-aid/programs/pre-med-health-fellowships-developed-at-johns-hopkins-138576 rel="" target="_self" class="link">program</a> that showed integrity in educating the interns without sacrificing the sustainability in the community these internships were located in.&nbsp;</p>
<p>It was important that tourism and profit were not prioritized over the wellness of the host communities. IMA hosts history and language seminars, cultural excursions, volunteer services, and partnerships with local medical facilities and healthcare professionals, which showed me that they are educating the interns while they prioritize the long-term wellness, education, and support in the community. This is reflected in the premed internship at Coastal General Teaching &amp; Referral Hospital.&nbsp;</p>
<p>As an intern, I was invited to attend CMEs, and the employees were so attentive, which cultivated my knowledge, while on the other hand, interns were allowed to raise money and even host educational classes (i.e, CPR classes) to give back to the hospital as well. The balance of providing an educational space and ethical opportunity is why I chose IMA.</p>
<h3>What was your favorite part about Mombasa?</h3>
<div class="awesome-image left-aligned " ><img src="https://images.goabroad.com/image/upload/v1770881514/images2/interviews/RBDNnhxGrb4u6k0nsn8hzPtWD89wL2vI9yu2izQA.jpg" alt="medical intern practicing intubation procedures on a training mannequin"><div class="caption"><p>Intubation Seminar at Coastal General Teaching & Referral Hospital</p></div></div>
<p>My favorite part of Mombasa was how uniquely different and adamantly welcoming they were to me. I have lived in 5 vastly different cities across the East Coast of the United States of America and traveled to 14 countries, yet Mombasa, Kenya, was the first place where the spirit of the people seemed tangible.&nbsp;</p>
<p>The first thing I noticed was how friendly the people were. It had so many conversations with so many people about their lives to the point that I kept a journal and wrote down every person's name, the lesson they wanted me to remember, the languages they spoke, and the tribes they came from. I have never experienced so many people interested in sharing their family history during the first time meeting someone.&nbsp;</p>
<p>Mombasa, being so diverse in people, diverse in land, welcoming to visitors and refugees, and knowledgeable in so many aspects of their community, definitely made it a city to remember!</p>
<h3></h3>
<h3>What made your experience abroad extraordinary?</h3>
<p>Mombasa showed me a level of pride in their history and home that I've never seen before. The culture, landscape, knowledge, and neighbor mentality were so rich that it pushed my experience from unique to extraordinary.&nbsp;</p>
<p>From hearing the call to prayer for the first time to seeing a universal respect and exchange from people with different religions, tribes, and nationalities, every person I encountered shared something with me that I will keep with me forever. It was so rich that it led me to find out my ancestry.&nbsp;</p>
<p>Even outside of the hospital and internship,I was learning. The locals would approach me to teach me about themselves and Mombasa as a people, a land, and a history. Mombasa gave me more than what I can ever give back. I've learned so much from so many people, and they were all so adamant about teaching me about myself.&nbsp;</p>
<p>I was taught how to use parts of mkone trees that are native to East Africa to wash my hair; I was taught so many special words in their "mother language," I was taught how Mombasans view my hometown, New York, as their Nairobi; I was taught so many things about them and myself. Everything from the people to the land was such an intimate exchange that made my experience extraordinary.</p>
<h3>How did local staff support you throughout your program?</h3>
<div class="awesome-image right-aligned " ><img src="https://images.goabroad.com/image/upload/v1770881515/images2/interviews/d3eN9lCLBvCyGSH8CPANAuu4ilWrYCRAv4TKSCT5.jpg" alt="a man and woman mixing flour and eggs in bowls"><div class="caption"><p>Making a Cake with Resident Staff during Free time</p></div></div>
<p>Local staff were extremely helpful in my program. Many of them were closer to my age than most of the interns, so they became very familiar with me. They always made my mornings easier with their enthusiastic greetings, they kept me on top of the schedule, and they would also talk with me, which helped me get comfortable in the program and the city.&nbsp;</p>
<p>There were moments I would ask them to help me relate to the children in the community service projects we attended, and even places to sightsee in Mombasa.</p>
<h3>What's one thing you wish you would have done differently during your time abroad?</h3>
<p>I wish I would have experienced Mombasa with the employees I made relationships with at the hospital, rather than just experiencing Mombasa with locals "adopting" me and the friends I made in the internship.&nbsp;</p>
<p>I fostered fruitful relationships with some of the CGRTH employees, but I wish I had been able to see Mombasa through their eyes as well. It would have increased the level of gratitude I have for Mombasa to experience that with the CGTRH employees, who are now my friends and mentors!</p>
<h3>Describe what a typical day in your life abroad looked like.</h3>
<p>Typically, on a weekday, I would go to the hospital and shadow the physicians or their medical students. I would talk a lot with the Kenyan students in training and trail the physicians to observe their technique and patient care through conversations with patients (mostly) and their medical students. If time allowed, many times the physicians or the students would take my notebook and draw or write explanations for my questions and tips for their care.&nbsp;</p>
<p>I left with a few mentors from the hospital by doing this. Most of the day consisted of the doctors and med students explaining what they just told the patient, their medical reasoning, and their medical knowledge. If the department I was shadowing closed for the day or had a slow patient load, I would float to a department of interest or to a friend of mine from the internship to learn from the doctors and medical students there.</p>
<h3>What did you enjoy doing during your free time abroad?</h3>
<div class="awesome-image left-aligned " ><img src="https://images.goabroad.com/image/upload/v1770880508/images2/interviews/GS1TGsIs9b9dwp1b6ZEChvQFAmEJGYYVFnJ3oZ8Z.jpg" alt="three people posing for a picture together on a stone-like surface under a large umbrella"><div class="caption"><p>Nyali Beach with new friends from Mijikenda tribe</p></div></div>
<p>During my free time, I enjoyed making friends with the interns and locals in Mombasa. We explored the streets, the beach, tourist spots, the zoo, and the malls of Mombasa. My favorite free moments were running into people who wanted to talk while we were exploring!&nbsp;</p>
<p>My friend and I frequented Nyali beach, where we met a Mijikenda man who let us ride his camel from Sudan, then introduced us to a Luo waitress who told us about the best spices of Kenya, which I eventually went to the historical market to buy a curry spice for myself.&nbsp;</p>
<p>For fun, the staff and the interns would socialize at Moon Shine, a club on the same beach where I met so many other locals, where we would sing karaoke and share stories for hours! For educational purposes, my last free time adventure was a personal tour of Mombasa Hospital, a private hospital, so I could see for myself the stark difference between the funding and resources of CGTRH, a public hospital.&nbsp;</p>
<p>The free time really made the trip a well-rounded experience.</p>
<h3></h3>
<h3>What type of accommodation did you have? What did you like best about it?</h3>
<p>I had a communal accommodation in which I shared a room with two other interns and a communal living and wash space with an entire floor of people. This was similar to my living situation in my college experience at Fisk university so it was very familiar and nice.&nbsp;</p>
<p>I love how communal spaces open opportunity for "built-in" friends, meaning you automatically have a familiar face at the end of the day.</p>
<h3>What is one thing every future participant should know about your program before their program begins?</h3>
<p>The one thing every future participant should know about the IMA program before it begins is that cultural sensitivity is important for traveling abroad and healthcare etiquette. There is a huge importance in understanding cultural and medical differences and how to appropriately respond without disrupting or co-opting people of different backgrounds or different communities, while being educated.&nbsp;</p>
<p>Another intern and I made a presentation that our IMA mentor accepted in order to highlight this topic and go over the healthcare background in Mombasa, the differences and shared aspects between a medical and a cultural space, and culturally appropriate healthcare etiquette.&nbsp;</p>
<h3>Would you recommend International Medical Aid to others? Why?</h3>
<p>Yes, I would recommend IMA to others because it is an educational experience at its core, fruitful for the community, and life-changing for the intern. The immersion, balanced with the wellness of the community, is always optimal for education, sustainability, and community.&nbsp;</p>
<p>Any future healthcare professional committed to being a lifelong learner and an active community member should participate in IMA's global health internship.</p>
<h3>What do you feel the biggest benefit of traveling abroad is?</h3>
<div class="awesome-image right-aligned " ><img src="https://images.goabroad.com/image/upload/v1770881516/images2/interviews/nANkSsiuVvWWApUIdjsqFHzyBqGTYmIf2rXuGe40.jpg" alt="medical interns presenting a dental health chart to a group of local children"><div class="caption"><p>Singing a Swahili-English Teeth Cleaning song to small grade school students during a Dental Hygiene Seminar</p></div></div>
<p>I think the biggest benefit of traveling abroad is broadening my perspective to be a well-educated person who is inclusive and accepting of all people.&nbsp;</p>
<p>I was raised in a family big on community, so traveling to see people's history and culture firsthand is important to getting to know our history, current world events, and understanding the people we share the world with and call our neighbors more intimately.</p>
<h3>Now that you're home, how has your time abroad impacted your life?</h3>
<p>Now that I'm home after my internship in Mombasa with IMA, I have grown to appreciate my work as a medical assistant more. My plan is to become a gynecologist, but working in an entry-level position and having more intimate and grunt work with patient care is important as well.&nbsp;</p>
<p>Also, after appreciating the resourcefulness in CGRTH employees despite the severe underfunding and lack of resources, it helped me notice similarities in low-income areas such as Queens, Atlanta, and New Orleans, which makes me more resourceful and efficient in my work and community as well.</p>
<h3>What does meaningful travel mean to you?</h3>
<p>Meaningful travel means letting the destination teach me as much as it can, and second, giving back to the destination as much as I can. This looks like respectively familiarizing myself with the people, land, animals, food, architecture, history, and culture of the land, and being a servant leader wherever I travel. This practice not only gives meaning to traveling, but it also gives meaning to the community I call my home.</p>


Melody Vail

Check out this GoAbroad Interview with Melody Vail who participated in International Medical Aid (IMA) program.

Melody Vail | International Medical Aid (IMA) Alumni Interview

International Medical Aid (IMA) Alumni Interview with Melody Vail

Kathryn Page

Check out this GoAbroad Interview with Kathryn Page who participated in International Medical Aid (IMA) program.

Kathryn Page | International Medical Aid (IMA) Alumni Interview

International Medical Aid (IMA) Alumni Interview with Kathryn Page

<h3>What inspired you to go abroad?</h3>
<p>A goal of mine, ever since I developed an affinity for altruism and human compassion, has been to serve in underprivileged parts of the world.&nbsp;</p>
<p>When I was just in third grade, I learned that my elementary school had begun a fundraiser to build an elementary school in Kenya. For some reason or another, I felt compelled towards this cause; thus, out of the one thousand dollars that my school had raised, I managed to contribute two hundred of my own through bake sales, personal savings, and donations from family members.&nbsp;</p>
<p>Fastforward to 2025, I stumbled on the opportunity to actually go and visit Kenya on a study abroad trip, the same country where I helped build a school 13 years prior. It was something that I knew I had to do right when I first learned about it. I had been approved to do study abroad trips in other parts of the world as well, like Portugal and Greece, but I chose to go to Kenya to help an area that is less fortunate and where I could gain the most learning for my personal career.&nbsp;</p>
<p>I would have never in a million years known in the third grade that the country of school I was helping build would be my first study abroad later on; it is definitely the most inspiring full-circle moment of my life to date.&nbsp;</p>
<h3>Why did you choose <a title="undefined" href=https://www.goabroad.com/providers/international-medical-aid rel="" target="_self" class="clickTracker" rev="domainID=2&amp;refererType=1&amp;refererID=3404&amp;abbreviation=CSCT&amp;clientID=44980" data-ga-client="International Medical Aid (IMA)" data-contentlink="">International Medical Aid</a>?</h3>
<div class="awesome-image right-aligned " ><img src="https://images.goabroad.com/image/upload/v1770884621/images2/interviews/E02X0vMSWwbrMb2VQoMU2S81EQfWj8TftptJm8RD.png" alt="a medical intern and a doctor shaking hands and sharing a certificate"><div class="caption"><p>Completion of Internship</p></div></div>
<p>I chose International Medical Aid (IMA) because of the location of the internship they offered, which was Mombasa, Kenya, as well as the fact that they provide an all-encompassing approach to their internship, where I would be supported for years after I finish my actual trip in terms of medical school applications, letters of recommendation, and more.&nbsp;</p>
<p>To me, it felt more like a long-term career investment to go with IMA rather than just a trip or unique experience.&nbsp;</p>
<h3>What was your favorite part about Mombasa?</h3>
<p>The best part of the host city, Mombasa, Kenya, was definitely the people. Everyone was so nice, kind, and caring. They viewed us foreigners in their country with curiosity that stemmed not from a place of ethnocentrism, but from a place of wanting to accept us into their home country.&nbsp;</p>
<p>Moreover, despite a lot of the hardships and poor circumstances these individuals face on a daily basis, they still found ways to remain happy and to cultivate a positive atmosphere, no matter where I went. It was truly inspirational seeing people be grateful for what they have and the position they are in. It made me reflect a lot about my own personal satisfaction with my life in Canada.</p>
<div class="awesome-image right-aligned " ><img src="https://images.goabroad.com/image/upload/v1770885158/images2/interviews/fbEDtHcRkYkfjtM3YTcACGg5TYSGiWylOVmxeydp.jpg" alt="three medical interns in a covered hallway"><div class="caption"><p>Visiting the hospital for the first time</p></div></div>
<h3>What made your experience abroad extraordinary?</h3>
<p>I think what made the trip extraordinary for me was the level of immersion we students were subjected to in Kenyan healthcare and community outreach.&nbsp;</p>
<p>Before leaving, I was worried that there wouldn’t be enough things to do in Kenya after completing the hospital shifts. This was a false belief, as when I got to Kenya, the program providers had devised a complete schedule that ensured that we did something new every day.&nbsp;</p>
<p>It was truly remarkable how much I was able to witness and accomplish in just four weeks, not only in the hospital, but outside of it as well.&nbsp;</p>
<h3>How did local staff support you throughout your program?</h3>
<p>The local staff on residence and in the hospital during my trip were absolutely wonderful. On residence, everyone was so cheerful and kind. They provided me with everything I needed without hesitation and were very hospitable, as if the program residence was genuinely my home. Hospitality is a huge part of Kenyan culture, and I definitely felt the benefits of their accommodation throughout the trip.&nbsp;</p>
<p>Similarly, at the hospital, the nurses, doctors, and surgeons were also very kind and humble. They recognized the gravity of their work without compromising other aspects of their character or life, a trait that is so admirable to me and something I strive to develop as I grow older myself.&nbsp;</p>
<p>Most staff members in the hospital went above and beyond in teaching us during patient consultations or procedures, which made the experience that much more informative and fascinating.&nbsp;</p>
<h3>What's one thing you wish you would have done differently during your time abroad?</h3>
<div class="awesome-image left-aligned " ><img src="https://images.goabroad.com/image/upload/v1770884622/images2/interviews/Hj9rLPJi8gtVVRoPH1IbKK9RoWdvxrNXmCxer0Z3.jpg" alt="a person looking out at the ocean"><div class="caption"><p>At the beach, looking over the Indian Ocean</p></div></div>
<p>Kenya borders the Indian Ocean, and our program residence was about a 10-minute drive from the beach. I went to the beach a few times, but my biggest regret was that I didn’t actually get to swim in the ocean (it would either be too late in the day, raining, etc.). I would have liked to have swimming in a major ocean crossed off my bucket list, but maybe next time.&nbsp;</p>
<h3>Describe what a typical day in your life abroad looked like.</h3>
<p>Typically, my hospital day shifts would be from 8 am to 1 pm; this meant that I would get up by 7 am, take a quick shower, grab my scrubs and day pack, and head downstairs to the main living quarters. At 8 am, after eating breakfast, a bus would pick us up and take us to the hospital.&nbsp;</p>
<p>At the hospital, we would be assigned to a specific unit with other interns, where we would spend the whole day observing doctors, helping and talking to patients, and learning as much as we could during our shift. At 1 pm, the bus would pick us up from the designated drop-off and pick-up area and would take us home.&nbsp;</p>
<p>After coming home, we wouldn’t have much time before we had to leave for a mandatory second event of the day, whether it was a city tour, hygiene education session, debriefing, or more. These would typically start at around 3 or 3:30 pm, which gave ample time for lunch and a quick nap.&nbsp;</p>
<p>After our second event of the day, we would be home at around 6 or 7 pm; dinner would be served right away, and we had the rest of the night to ourselves. I would typically go to a local gym to work out and FaceTime my family and friends. At around 11 pm, I began my nighttime routine and went to sleep for the next day.&nbsp;</p>
<h3>What did you enjoy doing during your free time abroad?</h3>
<p>During my free time in Kenya, I really enjoyed going to a local gym and working out. It was pretty small, and the equipment would be rusty, but it got the job done.&nbsp;</p>
<p>Additionally, alongside some of my friends in residence, we enjoyed going out to eat dinner at nice restaurants in Kenya. We even went to a restaurant on a boat and got to sail on the river as we ate lobster, which was definitely a highlight of my trip.&nbsp;</p>
<p>On the weekend, we also enjoyed going to a local club with music, pool, and a beach view. This was kind of like the residence hangout spot on weekend nights, as it was very fun and was relatively close to the residence.&nbsp;</p>
<p>Other than that, I stayed to myself on residence, completing work on my computer or facetime my family any chance I could.&nbsp;</p>
<h3>What type of accommodation did you have? What did you like best about it?</h3>
<p>The program residence was very big, comfortable, and accommodating. It was like one large building with separate houses for the boys, girls, and the main living quarters. It even had a pool, which we spent a good amount of time in throughout the week. Every room had an air conditioning unit, which was well needed in the hot and humid weather in Kenya.&nbsp;</p>
<p>We had all three meals made and served to us buffet-style in the morning, afternoon, and evening. The food was very good, and the menu would constantly be changing, from traditional Kenyan food to classic burgers and barbecue. There would also be snacks available at our disposal in case we were still hungry.&nbsp;</p>
<p>Moreover, while we were on shift, we had people come in and clean our rooms, shoes, and scrubs. I would come back to my residence to my room being spotless, which was very considerate of the local program staff. I have absolutely no complaints about my stay in Kenya whatsoever!</p>
<h3>What is one thing every future participant should know about your program before their program begins?</h3>
<div class="awesome-image right-aligned " ><img src="https://images.goabroad.com/image/upload/v1770885158/images2/interviews/40k0iBWixEICC1If7reSccC9donaqjzp7rkw673S.jpg" alt="a medical intern cradling a newborn baby"><div class="caption"><p>In the maternity ward at Coast General Teaching and Referral Hospital</p></div></div>
<p>The main thing that someone should anticipate before going on their own trip is that the internship is unfiltered and sometimes unforgiving.&nbsp;</p>
<p>Something I admired about the program was how we interns were not shepherded or protected from any of the harsh realities present in the hospital. This allowed me to grow my sense of humanity and compassion at an unprecedented scale later on during my experience, but initially, seeing these truths about Kenyan healthcare came with a hefty shock value.&nbsp;</p>
<p>Just being mentally prepared and ready to see a side of the world that the individual has most likely never seen is crucial to overcoming this shock value and to fully understand the severity of the Kenyan health crisis.</p>
<h3>Would you recommend <a href=https://www.goabroad.com/providers/international-medical-aid/programs/pre-med-health-fellowships-developed-at-johns-hopkins-138576 rel="" target="_self" class="link">Global Health &amp; Pre-Medicine Internships</a> to others? Why?</h3>
<p>I was very anxious about leaving for Kenya. I had spent a lot of time and money preparing for this trip, and what I dreaded more than anything was returning from the trip and not feeling satisfied or fulfilled with the experience.&nbsp;</p>
<p>However, what made this experience so amazing is that it was valuable in more aspects than I could have ever imagined. Of course, I gained valuable clinical experience, but apart from that, I learned how to navigate relationships with other brilliant individuals, discovered the meaning of life, and gained a renewed perspective on my purpose in this world. I came home genuinely satisfied with everything that the trip had to offer, not just what I was anticipating from the start.&nbsp;</p>
<p>For all these reasons, and for reasons I simply do not have the time to convey through this interview, this trip was undoubtedly worth it.&nbsp;</p>
<h3>What do you feel the biggest benefit of traveling abroad is?</h3>
<p>There are so many benefits to studying abroad that it is genuinely hard to choose one. However, I feel like learning about different cultural norms and traditions is crucial to these experiences.&nbsp;</p>
<p>However, I also learned that simply learning is not enough; it’s about integrating different practices that resonate with you from another country or culture into your moral compass, habits, behaviour, and way of life.&nbsp;</p>
<div class="awesome-image left-aligned " ><img src="https://images.goabroad.com/image/upload/v1770885159/images2/interviews/OCrRndNNc3TyFZCeBohj0CQdBHFMACVsdWUeT5rN.jpg" alt="A medical intern carrying a local child with other local children and interns while it is raining outdoor"><div class="caption"><p>Hygiene education session in a rural primary school</p></div></div>
<p>For instance, in Kenya, I witnessed a different perspective on being grateful and content in life, which helped me realize that my worries in Canada were relatively insignificant in the grand scheme of things. As a result, my life has become more stress-free, I have become more confident, and I have more control over controllable aspects of my life. This realization may have been delayed, if ever it occurred, had it not been for this experience.&nbsp;</p>
<h3>Now that you're home, how has your time abroad impacted your life?</h3>
<p>It has been 7 months since I returned from my trip. Frankly, the trip in its entirety does not even feel real to me. It still feels like it occurred in a distant dream to me because of how distinct my life was there compared to my life back in Canada.&nbsp;</p>
<p>However, I still hold on to the lifelong lessons that I learned from the trip. Most importantly, I carry myself in school and in my professional endeavours with a renewed sense of purpose to achieve my goals in medicine. I came back feeling almost intoxicated with motivation to become a doctor to the point that I wanted to relinquish all other things in my life, like sports, to pursue this goal.&nbsp;</p>
<p>When the time is right, that’s what I intend to do, and I intend to come back to Kenya to visit and hopefully practice in the same hospital that welcomed me in 2025.</p>
<h3>What does meaningful travel mean to you?</h3>
<p>To me, meaningful travel is when the trip reinforces an individual’s sense of purpose. It sparks the individual’s passion and instills within them the motivation to carry forward with what they feel they are destined to do. This holds true for me in medicine, but could also be the case for lawyers, photographers, athletes, entrepreneurs, artists, or any other line of work that sparks the interest of the individual.&nbsp;</p>
<p>This reinforcement can also be accomplished with the temporary withdrawal from passion, such as a vacation, to restimulate the brain, provoke new ideas, and avoid burnout. I truly do believe that travel can always have meaning if the traveller chooses to attribute meaning to it themselves. Luckily, I did not have to look too deeply to figure out how meaningful my study abroad truly was.&nbsp;</p>


Saboor Zeeshan

Check out this GoAbroad Interview with Saboor Zeeshan who participated in International Medical Aid (IMA) program.

Saboor Zeeshan | International Medical Aid (IMA) Alumni Interview

International Medical Aid (IMA) Alumni Interview with Saboor Zeeshan

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