What inspired you to travel abroad?
My main academic and professional focus is social justice's role in mental health and learning how to provide care across different cultures. Kenya immediately stood out as I had traveled a little in Africa beforehand and had loved it. I live in a pretty homogenous community and knew that if I wanted to provide the care I was so passionate about, I needed a very different experience under my belt.
Why did you choose International Medical Aid (IMA)?
I knew that this would be an emotionally difficult internship and wanted to ensure I was best supported from as many different angles as possible. IMA had phenomenal reviews on the staff, the mentorship, and the safety, all of which were my primary priorities. And the reviews didn't fail! I felt supported at every step by both the staff and the friendships that IMA helped cultivate. I read so many reviews just like this and felt they were all written overly optimistically, but having done it all now myself, I now know that they were nothing but the truth.
Alice in their community outreach for mental health at a local high school.
What was your favorite part about Kenya?
My favorite parts of Kenya were the community and the people. As a mental health intern, I had the privilege of having regular in-depth conversations with different Kenyan patients about their own lives, troubles, and culture. I kept being surprised by the value placed on family and community in Kenya; no matter what the patient was going through, they always spoke about their family and loved ones with such respect and admiration.
What made your experience abroad extraordinary?
Every element of my experience was extraordinary, from the moment IMA picked me up from the airport to hugging my friends goodbye after the plane ride from Mombasa. The mentors were so friendly and helpful, that I even had an hour and a half long conversation with one about the politics in Mombasa at the time. The adventures we were led on were so educational and fun; I wasn't able to spend time on a trek, but even the free afternoon ones were extraordinary. Lastly, the hospital was so educational, and it was made evident immediately that IMA would vouch for us to get the best experience possible. While the trip was expensive, I kept feeling gratitude that my money was going towards the staff's salaries and community outreaches.
How did the local program staff support you throughout your program?
I felt welcomed at every step, either through the food, the hospitality, or the conversations. The IMA staff went above and beyond to show us different cultural landmarks, which included tour guides, different types of food, and opportunities to explore on our own while still feeling safe. The hospital staff made sure to ask us how we liked everything, make sure we understood the expectations, and let us engage with patients within reason.
Alice with her so-participants on their last day of internship, it was an emotional night.
What's one thing you wish you would have done differently during your time abroad?
I wish I had stayed longer. I couldn't, for many reasons, but looking back, every moment was so packed full of adventure and learning that I wish I had more of them. I only stayed for two weeks, but between the hospital shifts, the afternoon adventures, nights out, and weekend excursions, I felt like I had been there only a few days and also a month by the time I was leaving.
Describe what a typical day in your life abroad looked like.
We would wake up around 7, eat a delicious and nutritious breakfast, and get bussed to the hospital. Once at the hospital, we would join in on the mental health staff's morning briefing and decide where we would go for the day. The hospital had Kenyan mental health interns from the local universities, so one or two IMA interns would join a pairing of the Mental Health interns. My favorite shifts, however, would be when I would get to join one of the psychologists and shadow her. From here, we would do rounds in our assigned departments. For example, I would go to a ward with my little group, and we would ask nurses if there seemed to be any patients who needed psychological support. The maternity ward, for example, always needed us. After doing our rounds, we would head back for a daily debrief with the mental health department before catching the bus back to the residence. We would have lunch and then were usually given the option to go on an IMA-based adventure or do something with friends. Some nights, I would go to a restaurant with my little friend group or play board games/watch TV with a larger group. Usually, I was in bed by ten and very quickly asleep.
What did you enjoy doing in your free time in Kenya?
I usually don't make friends super easily, but something about the environment or the group of people I was with made socializing so fun and spontaneous that I quickly had close friends. I get intimidated easily, but everyone was so welcoming and fun, plus the shared experience made it easy to get close. A usual introvert, I spent so much time outside of the hospital with different friends that I could barely recognize myself! Whether at the pool, walking to the beach, or out for food, I was barely ever in my room, despite how spacious they were!
Alice’s last Kenyan sunset at the airport.
What type of accommodation did you have? What did you like best about it?
We had a huge residence, much bigger than I was expecting, with a pool, multiple different dormitory-like buildings, and lots of common spaces. I was in the main house, which included the kitchen, the main common space, and the dining room, with only five or six bedrooms above. I loved how quiet and respectful everyone was of each other's space. I had to share a bathroom with five or six girls, but everyone was kind and courteous about it. While there were a few stories of people being kept up by their roommates or others getting home, we had a curfew at 12, and I never personally witnessed anyone breaking it.
What is one thing every future participant should know about IMA Cross-Cultural Care Mental Health Internships Abroad before their program begins?
Bring a blanket and multiple towels if you plan on swimming regularly, but honestly? Don't sweat it. Anything you don't bring, the residence can either lend you or will help you know where to buy it. I freaked out the first day because I had forgotten my malaria pills at home, but one of the mentors was so kind and led me through the process of buying them, even delivering me to the pharmacy personally. Between the staff, the mentors, and new friends, you will end up with everything you could need or want. Lots of other girls, who left the day I got there, passed on their toiletries, scrubs, and gloves so they wouldn't have to pack them going back.
Would you recommend International Medical Aid (IMA) to others? Why?
Yes! I already made one friend sign up for another program through IMA and have been lobbying other friends to do it as well. It is the best experience for anyone wanting to establish their independence while staying supported and thoroughly safe, especially overseas. The work is draining but incredibly eye-opening, and the community outreach that IMA provides is valuable to both the community and their interns. I happened to get there the weekend of one community outreach and leave the weekend of another, so I got to go to two despite only staying two weeks, and each one was a priceless experience.
Alice with her dog and in her natural habitat–the woods.
What do you feel is the biggest benefit of traveling abroad?
My home in a privileged city in Washington State provides me with a lot, but it is a very homogenous culture. While my education has been superb, you would be hard-pressed to find a professor or a book that can provide the insight that travel can on a culture's perspective and struggles. As someone who wants to pursue work with people, in any capacity but especially mental health, I realized quickly that I wouldn't be able to provide the care I am so passionate about without submerging myself in as many cultures as possible.
Now that you're home, how has your time abroad impacted your life?
I've always focused on social justice and helping people across different cultures, but my time with IMA completely changed the way I pursue this. I learned so many different and valuable lessons on mental health across cultures, as well as how to connect with someone who looks, sounds, and behaves nothing like me. There is so much value in different perspectives, especially in mental health, that I truly believe this trip changed my professional trajectory and approach.
What does meaningful travel mean to you?
Meaningful travel needs to be safe, educational, and beautiful. No one can learn without feeling secure, but I believe meaningful travel also involves leaving your comfort zone to a certain degree. IMA provides an amazing balance between newfound independence and making sure you are as safe as possible while away from your support network. Meaningful travel also means escaping a "tourist" mindset, seeing more than just what is beautiful about a location, and seeing how others live and the struggles attached to it.
