What inspired you to travel abroad?
Growing up, I was encouraged to explore the world. This seed ultimately led to traveling abroad.
Living in the mountains, next to the river, I had an all-access pass to hands-on learning. In middle school, I studied invertebrates by going down to the river and documenting what we caught with fishing nets.
In high school, I studied the various implications of building a dam and how yet another white man’s choices impacted Native American populations. Most of my summers were spent hiking, biking, and camping.
In the winter, we were skiing all day or traveling to a warmer part of the world. My first experience abroad was a trip to Costa Rica with my family. This same trip would be a turning point for my desire to pursue a career in medicine.
While in Costa Rica, we visited an orphanage my grandmother worked with. Seeing children my age with little to eat and sleeping on dirt floors sparked a lot of emotions. I realized how much I cared for the well-being of others and found myself dreaming of one-day lessening others’ suffering.
As I was only ten years old at the time, there would be a lot of life lessons and growth from then till now. Still, when I reflect on why I chose to pursue medicine in the first place, this experience quickly comes to mind.
It was a foundational experience in which I realized not every child grew up with the love and care I did. Travel became a passion of mine as it shaped a large portion of my understanding of the world.
In college, I fully intended to study abroad, but unfortunately, COVID-19 had other plans. Between my love for travel and feeling lost in my pursuit of medicine, going abroad seemed like the perfect solution. I was further encouraged by a physician I worked with in the Emergency Department. He worked in Iraq and found it to be the most educational and fulfilling part of his medical career.
Why did you choose International Medical Aid (IMA)?
After a few difficult months working in the emergency room and a lot of reflection, I realized I had lost sight of my reason for pursuing medicine. While completing the rigorous requirements of applicants, it is easy to get caught up in the motions of demonstrating your worthiness to study medicine.
I had allowed the goal of attending medical school to consume me and felt disconnected from why I chose this path. I knew I needed to reestablish this sense of purpose if I was ever going to be a successful physician, so I went in search of an abroad medical program.
When I first began exploring programs, I was overwhelmed with the various options. Among the top ten ranked programs, I found International Medical Aid. The program appeared to fit my goal of a safe, culturally immersive experience in healthcare perfectly.
There were plenty of alum testimonials discussing the program’s accommodations in detail, as well as parental testimonials discussing safety and security. It was important to me that my family felt reassured by the arrangements in order to reduce their anxiety regarding my trip.
They have always been supportive of my passion for travel, but it always helps to have some insight into where a loved one is in the world.
Additionally, I was raised to respect and integrate into the communities you visit. This idea is always easier when you have various opportunities to learn about the culture hosting you.
International Medical Aid not only provides medical exposure in the hospital but exposure to the Kenyan lifestyle and values via meals, cultural treks, clinics, and numerous educational sessions including, but not limited to, Kiswahili lessons, afternoon trips to different parts of the city and presentations on the community.
I was further encouraged by the proactive communication I received leading up to my departure. Over several months, I received speedy, detailed responses to my questions and concerns.
Women's Health Hygiene Clinic; demonstration of how to insert a tampon.
What was your favorite part about Mombasa?
The people were easily my favorite part. Kenyans are some of the friendliest, kind-spirited, and lively people you will ever meet. From the moment I was picked up at the airport to the moment I was dropped off, I felt nothing but love and support from people.
I attribute my lack of homesickness to the unconditional kindness I received. People have a large impact on our experiences. The constant radiation of positivity among the culture was a breath of fresh air.
I could talk all day about specific instances where others made me feel at home in their country, but to keep it relatively short, I will only name a couple:
Four days into my stay, I had my initial hand hygiene clinic, which was a happy shock to the system. Upon arrival, we were greeted by the school Mother and learned we would be teaching over 200 primary students. We were then asked to wait in the courtyard (a giant mud pit thanks to the previous morning rains) so they could organize the children.
However, a few students broke loose in the courtyard, unable to contain the excitement of not one but six Mzungu (white people) visiting their school. Before we knew it, we were swarmed by students hugging us, reaching for high fives, asking our names, and grabbing our hair to feel the difference.
Every time we attempted to break free, the army of children followed. I couldn’t help but laugh at my overwhelm. Since this was one of my first experiences with the community I was visiting, it made an impression. I felt at ease with the way in which the teachers and children welcomed us.
About mid-way through my stay, I was reminded of just how much the people I had come to know while abroad had touched me as we said goodbye to our safari guide. For four days, Cornell had driven us countless hours from Nairobi and through the savannah of Maasai Mara.
He taught us about the animals we grew up our whole lives seeing in a zoo but not knowing much about. Every day, we embarked on a new adventure, in which he did his best to show us all that could be seen in the short time we had.
The other interns and I often joked about how there was no one we trusted more in that world than our drivers, but in all honesty, it was true. Foreign driving is very different, not to mention driving a safari jeep through wildlife territory. I always felt safe.
Even though we had only known Cornell for four days, our hearts ached to say goodbye; it was like leaving a family member, a piece of ourselves. This connection was common with most people I met while in Kenya. People have a way of bringing you into their fold without hesitation.
What made your experience abroad extraordinary?
There are so many things that come to mind when I think of Kenya and its beauty, but perhaps the most impactful aspect of my experience was the cultural openness. People ask questions freely, without concern over offending someone or maintaining political correctness.
At first, this can be off putting to an American, but it quickly becomes advantageous. You are able to learn without fear of judgment. There is a mutual understanding among people that curiosity is pure-hearted, and embracing it allows for a better understanding of one another.
It can be difficult while shadowing to find an appropriate time to ask questions without interrupting patient care. Then, you add being an international student amidst many African interns who must attain as much knowledge as possible within the year before becoming practicing providers.
It would be easy to feel like an intruder or, at the very least, highly conscious of your privilege, but not one person made me feel like I should not be there. In fact, they welcomed me and any understanding of medicine I held. We were able to work collaboratively during rounds.
Due to the circumstances of healthcare in Kenya it quickly became clear that the concern for capable enough hands outweighs knowledge. This practice differs significantly from the United States where medical students must have comprehensive knowledge prior to practice.
With this in mind, it would be easy to enter Coast General Teaching and Referral Hospital and frown upon the care patients receive or maintain the view that Western medicine is superior. It was much more fulfilling to listen, learn, and understand their operations.
Their open arms made immersion into the culture and learning from a world much different than my own far easier than it otherwise might have been. This mentality was true both in and outside of the hospital setting.
While in Maasai Mara, we had the pleasure of being invited into a village. We were given a peek into the world of the Maasai and their traditions. Again, their cultural openness and willingness to teach others about themselves served as a humbling moment.
The United States culture is often one of judgment perpetuated by the emphasis on independence, which inadvertently draws boundaries when getting to know your community and people outside of your ingroup. Kenya is the opposite. People rely on one another and recognize each other for their strengths.
It was beautiful to see so many schools practice and teach both Muslim and Christian religions. Mombasa exemplifies what it is like to live cohesively and foster interest in other human beings.
It is said you have never been to Mombasa until you pass through the Mombasa tusks.
How did the local program staff support you throughout your program?
From the beginning of my interest in IMA to becoming an alumni, the local staff have always been accessible day and night for any questions or concerns I have via email. They are quick to respond and typically have thorough answers.
While in Kenya, our mentors checked on us daily, and we had debriefs twice a week to discuss our experience at the hospital, upcoming events, and our overall experience.
Our chefs made sure we always had plenty of food, including to-go meals for night or afternoon shifts. They worked to accommodate any restrictions or preferences. They even went to the lengths of getting us ice cream for dessert.
Meanwhile, our housekeeping staff ensured we always had fresh scrubs, towels, and clean rooms. Not having to cook or clean for ourselves often made the experience feel more like a vacation than an internship.
Nonetheless we were very grateful as not having to perform these daily chores allowed us to focus more heavily on the lessons and interning; it greatly reduced the possibility of additional stress.
What's one thing you wish you would have done differently during your time abroad?
Echoed in many previous alums' statements is the wish that I had stayed longer. It is a difficult decision to make when signing up for the program because there is always the possibility of homesickness.
There are also factors like financials and commitments at home. I am not sure any amount of time in Kenya would have been enough. Between the people, the environment, and the lessons I learned, Kenya captured a large part of my heart and instilled a new passion. It was harder to leave Kenya than it was in the United States.
Aside from the desire to have more time, I wish I had pursued a research project while abroad. I honestly did not know it was a possibility until after my program, but now I wish I had thought to ask about it.
In college, I wrote a paper on the need for the United States to merge public and private health in order to ensure a more well-rounded understanding of patient care. I would’ve liked to have taken inspiration from that paper and developed the idea.
Public health encompasses the understanding of how social determinants like housing, food access, employment, and other factors impact health. Meanwhile, private health is the medical knowledge regarding anatomy and disease.
In Kenya, I saw firsthand how a public health view positively altered patient care. Since medical and clinical officers need to conserve resources, they are less reliant on investigations like bloodwork and imaging than we are in the United States. I would have loved to further investigate my previous findings first-hand at a foreign public hospital.
Describe what a typical day in your life abroad looked like.
Our weeks were a well-balanced blend of scheduled activities and free time to choose what our day would look like. Each day of the week maintained a fairly consistent schedule.
Each morning was composed of breakfast at the residence and 4-5 hours at the hospital. My roommate and I quickly adopted drinking our coffee in our room to soak up every last bit of air conditioning of the day.
Every day at the hospital brought new interactions and learning moments as a group and individually. I rotated through the trauma, maternity, surgical, pediatric, radiology, and clinical units. I spent a week in each unit.
Afternoons consisted of lunch at the residence followed by either a planned activity (tour of an area, presentation, clinic, debrief) or free time.
We had the option of adding an afternoon shift or night shift on certain days. Most evenings, we were all so exhausted that following dinner, we retired to our bedrooms. I was lucky enough to bond with my roommate, so we often lay in bed, debriefing our days.
Hand Hygiene Clinic.
What type of accommodation did you have? What did you like best about it?
I was extraordinarily lucky to stay at a private residence in a secure neighborhood in Nyali. Everything about the residence exceeded my expectations. My first impression through sleep-deprived, jet-lagged eyes was a large two-story building within a jungle of foliage and a pool outside.
I don’t know why I was expecting more of a camping experience, but this was not that. We had delicious home-cooked Kenyan meals morning, day, and night courtesy of our fabulous chefs. We had lovely housekeepers who straightened our rooms each day.
They ensured our laundry was done and folded the day after it was placed in the hamper. My favorite part was probably the fact that I had a roommate.
I know most people would not say this, and I admit I was lucky we bonded so quickly, but my roommate made the trip much more enjoyable.
Rather than pairing us based on our specific internship (medicine, mental health, physiotherapy, etc.), we were paired with a different intern type. This pairing allowed for a lot of different conversations about our days.
What is one thing every future participant should know about your program before their program begins?
After a lot of conversations with the other interns I enjoyed my experience with, I strongly encourage anyone who is contemplating this journey to have prior hospital or nursing home experience.
It is my personal belief that this is key to success in this program. Coast General Teaching and Referral is a stark contrast to that of hospitals in the United States.
Not only are you exposed to a different environment, but you are also exposed to far worse health conditions. If you have never seen the inside workings at home, it is difficult to compare, but more importantly, it can be emotionally shattering.
This feeling is not to say you must have these experiences prior to–they won’t necessarily prevent you from feeling any shock or emotion. This type of work will help you better prepare for the experiences you may have during the program.
Coping skills are key to success in the program because they allow you to move forward the next day. Without a practiced form of decompression, it may become difficult to move past things you cannot control.
You will encounter a lot of these things. Unfortunately, this frustration can hinder your learning in future days and, thus, your entire experience. Being able to channel your emotions into something productive is not innate and requires situational experiences that force you to do.
Would you recommend your program/provider to others? Why?
I would recommend my program to anyone seeking a multifactored immersive experience with a healthcare premise. International Medical Aid offers more than a healthcare internship abroad.
Through a variety of experiences, the program works to develop a well-rounded understanding of Kenya’s structure and its impacts on healthcare. By traveling across the country for a safari, you see the extent to which people may need to travel to reach a hospital or the degree of food deserts.
When attending schools to teach about hygiene, you become aware of how stigma and religious teachings create barriers to health education, like female hygiene or the spread of HIV. As you eat Kenyan food, you realize a high salt diet is favored due to the need for preservation.
Additionally, the program prioritizes the safety and well-being of its interns. I personally found the debriefings an important part of the process. A debrief allows for an emotional release of the day's events and reflection.
All of the interns have their own experiences, so being able to listen to different views aids in the formation of connections. Overall, IMA has clearly worked to cater to the interns's needs while making it a memorable learning experience in which you have the opportunity to connect with a community different from your own.
Hospital tour with Dr. Shazim.
What do you feel the biggest benefit of traveling abroad is?
Traveling abroad allows one to reflect on their lifestyle while appreciating that of others. Some cultures cultivate a faster-paced environment with consumption at the helm, while others move slower with a greater value placed on commitment to the community.
Food might be processed differently, leaving one feeling more energized by fresh produce as opposed to greasy fast food. Individual care might be possible due to the presence of resources, while another community is forced to choose which life to save.
All of these examples have something in common: experiencing them can either elicit a greater appreciation for an aspect of one’s own culture or it may cause one to alter parts of their life.
Either way, traveling abroad forces one to experience things outside of their norm and elicits reflection. No place in the world has life entirely figured out, but if we learn from one another we may find ways to improve life.
What did you enjoy doing in your free time abroad?
In my free time abroad, I spent a lot of time reading and journaling, especially after eventful days at the hospital. It was during this time that I began to formulate an online scrapbook to guide my family and friends through my journey.
I also chose to fill a lot of my free time with optional treks, orphanage visits, and other activities that one of the interns discovered through research.
While in Kenya, I participated in three of the four offered treks: Maasai Mara, Watamu & Malindi, and Shimba Hills. Maasai Mara was a four-day safari excursion. We flew into Nairobi (the capital of Kenya,) where we met our safari guide.
The first day consisted of bouncing between an elephant orphanage, a national park, and a giraffe center. The second and third days were spent cruising the savannah of Maasai Mara National Reserve, scouting beautiful animals.
Our fourth day was largely made up of the return trek home. We were all exhausted but dreamy-eyed after seeing the wildlife. Watamu is ranked the 3rd best beach in Africa and is the best place to snorkel in East Africa.
These moments are the main reasons Italians flocked to Watamu. Even local Africans who live in Watamu and Malindi speak Italian. It was an out-of-body experience seeing so many white people dressed up with lots of jewelry in the area. It hit us particularly hard because all of us had only been around one of three outfits–scrubs, a swimsuit, or a t-shirt/shorts combination.
We visited three different spots. The biodiversity is extensive. My snorkeling experience was easily comparable to Hawaii with the bright fish and even sightings of a Manta Ray. The area is also known for sea turtles and whale sharks.
In addition to snorkeling, we were further exposed to African sandbars. Some of these extend outward into the ocean for miles. Others are miles away from shore but provide a shallow area in the middle of the sea. The tide near this area changes with a breeze. One day, these long sandbars were present, and by night they would vanish.
After snorkeling and touring the mangrove inlet, we stopped at Waka Waka Island for lunch and a tribal harvest dance. For lunch, they heaped our plates with rice and coconut sauce.
As the seafood came off the grill, the hosts circled the tables with large plates. Our already full plates were filled with fish, lobster, prawns, and octopus.
Following lunch, we participated in a harvest dance. We were adorned with a fabric hula skirt and began to dance in a circle. All of the women then formed a line before individually dancing with the man. This event symbolizes the planting of seeds.
Following this, pairs of women rotate pounding maize with a wooden rod. To complete the dance, each person sifts the maize three times.
Shimba Hills National Reserve is located approximately 20.5 miles south of Mombasa Island. It is one of the largest coastal forests in East Africa. Within the reserve is a hike that ends at a beautiful waterfall, our ultimate destination.
At each reserve and park, there was an entry point where Kenyan bureaucracy always posed a battle. The hike is a mile-and-a-half descent into the valley, where you are largely exposed to the sun. Despite its short length, many people struggle to make the round trip due to the heat and steepness.
We took a few short breaks where the guards would point out different plants. By the time we reached the waterfall, everyone rushed to the cool water. The pool below is a little over ankle-deep, making it easy to sit and enjoy the crashing water from above.
After the first three weeks, there are a lot of free afternoons so a few of us who stayed more than three weeks sought outside engagement opportunities. One of the interns had read about a ship dedicated entirely to books docking in the Mombasa port, so we decided to check it out.
The Logos Hope II is the world’s largest floating book fair, with over 5,000 different book titles. The ship’s history is one of faith and resilience. The original Logos was built in an effort to alleviate travel struggles for a Christian organization seeking to spread the word of God across the world.
In the following weeks, we were invited to visit an orphanage in the area, where we brought the children toys and coloring books. We spent over two hours just playing with the kids in the courtyard.
When our weekends were not packed with pre-planned activities, we visited various resorts around the island. For the price of 1000 Kenyan shillings (about 7 USD), you can enjoy poolside reading and beach views for the entire day.
Since we were spoiled with home-cooked meals, we did not go out very often, but occasionally, we made an effort to try new restaurants that our mentors recommended.
One of our first outings together as a group to tour the Logos Hope II.
Now that you're home, how has your time abroad impacted your life?
When people ask me, “How was your trip?” I can barely form words. It is such an overwhelming question. I suppose my response could be, “Do you have six weeks to listen?” I have stuck with “eye-opening” and “incredible.” These words are a less than adequate description, and many people wait for me to say more.
But the truth is, I myself, am still processing. It is easy to recount the shocking differences in healthcare delivery and lifestyle. It is much more difficult to express how these experiences uprooted and altered my perspective.
Within the often frustrating limitations of Kenyan healthcare, I discovered a new regard for human life which has reignited my passion to become an empathetic provider dedicated to my patients’ stories.
It is my opinion that we have lost sight of this basic step in American healthcare. As a result, individualized care is largely generalized. We apply diagnoses and medications to similar situations with little additional thought. As a country that has resources, we are actively choosing not to progress in this respect.
Providers must find it within themselves to go above and beyond for their patients rather than conform to the little box their specialty places them in. My experience in Africa will always serve as a reminder to do just that.
For example, as a medical assistant, I take the patient’s history and verify their medical background. Patients do not always know what information is pertinent or could help in diagnosing them, so it is my job to dig a little deeper before reporting to the provider.
In a world where everything is electronic, it could be tempting to copy and paste or click verify without giving the information a second thought. However, having seen first-hand what a well-written history can do for a patient, I make it my mission to spend time asking about their life.
On the flip side of things, my understanding of a healthcare provider's role was further developed through witnessing many patient deaths. There were days when this endless stream of difficulties and impediments weighed heavily.
Having been a clinical technician in the Emergency Room, I am trained to act quickly. Not only was I restricted in what I could help with as an observing student, but it felt like those around me were also restricted.
As I watched many patients die, I couldn’t help but feel useless. It was in these moments, though, that I came to appreciate a different way of valuing life. My family and I have previously discussed how, culturally, the United States holds on to life even when it means a poor quality of life.
For instance, we may perform CPR well past the time it takes for oxygen deprivation to alter that person’s brain function. In many cases, this is a result of family members trying to hold on.
In Kenya, I found that families have a healthier relationship with death. They are quicker to recognize the peace death may offer a suffering family member. While they are deeply saddened, their faith allows them to find solace in loss.
Death is a natural part of life, yet in my home country, it produces a lot of fear. When exploring areas of healthcare, I have avoided pediatric specialties for fear of not being strong enough to handle pediatric deaths.
With this new perspective, I have found that it is not entirely about strength. It is also about having a healthy relationship with grief and viewing death as a life without suffering. I have since been empowered to pursue pediatrics, where I feel there is far more fulfillment than fear.
Healthcare providers cannot stop death. Instead, we have to minimize suffering while the patient is alive. This practice is not to say I am unappreciative of the American way of life. My appreciation has only deepened and made me more cognizant of choosing kindness in a fast-paced world.
Returning to the United States was a larger culture shock than traveling to Kenya. I sat through an entire stoplight cycle one day because I was so overwhelmed by the noise and traffic. Kenya reconnected me to living in the moment and enjoying what I have.
My experience allowed for some much needed reflection of not only the type of physician I want to be, but the type of person. Sometimes, I still feel like the trip was one giant fever dream, like maybe it was never real.
Other times, it is hard not to be homesick for Africa. Homesick for the sun. Homesick for the food. Homesick for the people. Life is simpler and slower. People are kinder and more tolerant. There is less judgment, which makes learning more enjoyable.
The sense of community is obvious almost everywhere you look. They find happiness with next to nothing. But then, I pull myself back to the present and feel rejuvenated to pursue a career where I can listen and learn people’s stories.
At the center of healthcare is human life. Regardless of where you are in the world and how healthcare is performed, you are providing care for a fellow human with a need: sutures, medication, surgery, or an ear to be heard.
What does meaningful travel mean to you?
Meaningful travel is the ability to step outside your comfort zone and embrace the lifestyle of the area in which you have landed. Many people travel, but it is not always meaningful.
Whether it be for work or pleasure, there is always an opportunity to make it more meaningful by exploring what is unique or important to the place. One of the things my parents taught me early on was to try new things.
Today, fast food or chain restaurants are present just about everywhere you go. This convenience makes it easy to stay within one’s comfort zone while traveling. It is human nature to gravitate toward what we know. However, by choosing something one knows one has removed an opportunity to experience this new place.
Food is just one of the many ways to form a connection with your destination. My time in Kenya was largely healthcare-focused. Healthcare delivery around the world differs greatly, each system with its issues to address.
Still, the degree of limitations is never fully understood until one experiences it for one’s self. As I previously mentioned, it would be easy to enter the public hospital I shadowed with preconceived notions of what healthcare should be and thus frown upon all the work done in Kenya.
Instead, I remembered what my parents taught me and chose to step out of my comfort zone in order to learn from the differences. There will inevitably be barriers when traveling to a new place.
Language is among the most common. It is not as important that you speak the language as it is that you attempt it.
When you attempt to connect during travel, you invest time and interest. Thus, there is a greater likelihood that you will walk away having learned or developed from the experience. Again, when there is a willingness to immerse yourself within the location you have traveled to, it is likely you will enjoy and find greater meaning in it.
