Alumni Interview with Angela Ramirez-Chetto

What inspired you to travel abroad?

There are two things that really fulfill me: traveling and helping others. I believe life has so much more to offer us when we decide to explore it. My passion of helping others has influenced my career, but my passion of traveling has helped me learn so much about different cultures as well as the destination itself. 

I believe traveling to different countries offers me a lot of knowledge to better my care for my future patients. Another inspiration was the fact that I was tired of being home...with my parents. I love them to death but I wanted to feel like I could handle a huge traveling experience on my own. I was craving a sense of freedom and independence. Traveling totally did the trick.

Why did you choose International Medical Aid?

I have known I wanted to become a Physician Assistant since I graduated high school. After reading and researching the reviews of the P.A. program with IMA, it was quite a no-brainer. I loved that I would be able to observe doctors in the largest hospital of Mombasa.

It is of my great interest to learn from those who can successfully finish a surgery with minimal resources and limited staff. It is incredibly amazing to acquire the talent, passion, and love to serve others with what you can.

What was your favorite part about Kenya?

It is extremely difficult to choose just one favorite part of Mombasa, Kenya. Overall, the culture, food, and the people made my experience something I reminisce on daily. 

Interacting with the people at the hospital, within the program, and just casually around the city, always enlightened the best conversations. These conversations would make me realize how different yet alike we can be compared to someone living across the globe from them. 

Living in the house and having Joshua as our chef was such a blessing. I loved that he and I constantly connected over our love for food and his ability to serve me delicious plates that were catered to my needs. Learning about the different tribes, communities, and government of Kenya was incredibly humbling but incredible.

What made your experience abroad extraordinary?

I believe human interaction is the best thing that can enhance any abroad experience. Every day in Kenya I interacted with someone new. Whether it was at the hospital, the Safari at Maasai Mara Reserve, or going out for dinner with some friends from the program.

Social interaction can truly allow me to immerse myself with my environment, the culture, and even trying to learn some Swahili. I am able to learn a lot about someone's life and their experiences, which then provokes a story in me that I am able to share with them.

How did the local program staff support you throughout your program?

Everyone was seriously just so attentive, caring, willing, and knowledgeable. Going to a country that I know absolutely no one in, have no knowledge of getting around, and can become hard to communicate with someone can be extremely intimidating. 

Upon arrival, I was immediately greeted with smiles by Benson and Mercy. They both continued to support me in many ways throughout my stay. The staff who cleaned our rooms were always so sweet and provided the best help whenever needed.

I specifically remember misplacing a shirt of mine and they looked with me through all of the clothing they had washed, were drying, or had even returned to the other rooms. I still can't believe that breakfast would be ready for me to eat as soon as I woke up. 

Every morning. Joshua, Pauline, and Esther would make the most delicious meals. I miss their chapati and curry so much. Joshua would always allow me to help and show me the recipes he made, it really filled me with joy that he was delighted to share a huge part of his culture.

Bella, Benson, and Husna were the backbone of every single operation that happened within the program and they did an amazing job. I was able to count on them with any concern, question, and suggestion. Just writing about them I get extremely emotional because they seriously worked so hard for us to enjoy our stay.

What's one thing you wish you would have done differently during your time abroad?

I wish I would have been able to stay longer. I was there 5 weeks and when I was leaving I wished I could have stayed 5 more. Unfortunately, I was only able to afford 5 weeks but I don't regret anything. I did as much as I could with what I had and enjoyed my time so much.

I have made a promise to myself and everyone in the program that I would be back as soon as I became a licensed P.A. I feel that once I am licensed I will be able to help much more than I could've while I was at the hospital last year.

Describe what a typical day in your life abroad looked like.

A typical weekday would start with checking the department I was assigned for the week, and which driver would be taking me. Depending on the department, I would either wake up at 6:00 a.m. or 8:00 a.m. Then I would head over to eat breakfast and finish getting ready right before I had to head in the car for the hospital.

Once at the hospital, I would head over to my department and immediately check in with whichever doctor was there. I would observe them, read hospital charts, patient charts, learn about the patient's case, take notes, and sometimes look for certain resources needed like gloves or needles. 

Finally, again depending on the department I was assigned for the day, I would leave between 12:00 p.m. or 1:30 pm. As soon as I returned to where the other interns and I were staying (I called it home), Joshua and the girls would have delicious lunch ready for us to eat. Sometimes, there would be meetings and lectures that we would have to learn about the culture, government, and healthcare system in Kenya.

During the weekends, I would either have community projects to attend with other interns, or added treks I paid for to go on, like the safari. I hardly had time where I would just sit down and do nothing, but I loved it.

What did you enjoy doing in your free time abroad?

During the free time I had, meaning nothing related to the program, I would go out to eat with fellow interns to places like Java House. Java House became our signature go-to for things like: cake, breakfast, coffee, and milkshakes.

I would also go out to dance and enjoy some drinks at Moonshine Bar, it would always be so much fun to dance with friends after a week of nonstop learning and early alarm clocks. In our residency we had a pool that I would read by or go for a relaxing swim.

I also enjoyed exploring different areas of Mombasa with other interns, like Diani Beach. Diani was such a mesmerizing experience. I got to lay on white sand, swim in the clearest water, and eat amazing food right by the beach, not to mention ride on a camel's back!!

What type of accommodation did you have? What did you like best about it?

I do not eat red meat or pork therefore, I was a bit worried about the food I would be able to eat. Joshua (our chef) was such an amazing person. He knew my nutrition needs and always made sure I was satisfied.

The food on the beach excursion and safari were also really easily accommodated to my needs. I have probably eaten the healthiest and most delicious food in Kenya than anywhere else. In terms of living situation, it was a property of 4 houses and a pool for everyone to enjoy. 

Each house had three floors and the common area for everyone was the 1st floor of every house. Though, house #1 had the kitchen and the fridge, so we all would eat there. House #2 became the common area of all common areas, which was really neat because it was the house I lived in. I was able to hang out with everyone often and watch movies or shows on Netflix.

Our residency was also gated, guarded, and had cameras around the entire property. What I liked best about it was that we had a chef from 6:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. I was literally fed all day without questioning. SO fun. I love food.

What is one thing every future participant should know about International Medical Aid before their program begins?

If there was one thing I would have loved to know before leaving for Kenya it would simply be this: leave your expectations back home and just enjoy one of the biggest adventures of your life. The program staff will do everything in their power to keep you safe, satisfied, and happy. The hospital will expose you to some of the biggest wake up calls in your life, not all positive. 

Embrace the differences, don't let the culture shock get in the way of your opportunity to learn and become a better healthcare provider. You are going to meet some of the most amazing people to exist in the healthcare field, including your fellow interns. Take time to immerse yourself in Kenya's culture but be extremely respectful. You will never forget this experience.

Would you recommend International Medical Aid to others? Why?

I would absolutely recommend this program to others, in fact, I already did! They applied and got accepted as well, I am so very excited for their journey to begin. This program truly changed my life.

I was able to experience independence, surgeries, mothers delivering their babies, amputations, chronic diseases, safaris, wildlife, delicious food, new friendships, interacting with doctors, observing medical care, gratitude, and so much more. IMA is such a well-rounded program that you can't help but leave Kenya feeling like a new person. 

In addition to all of the internal changes and bonuses this program allows you to experience, it is a great way to start conversations when you return home, including when you are being offered a job. 

Attending this program has opened doors for me left and right.

Hiring managers love knowing that your passion for your career knows no boundaries. That you are willing to learn from other cultures and expand your knowledge.

What do you feel the biggest benefit of traveling abroad is?

Knowledge. Learning about a different culture, different people, and a different environment can truly change your perspective on many things. When I got back home, I began to view absolutely everything in a different light. The warm running water from my shower, the resourceful hospital I volunteer at, the food I eat, the clothes I wear, they all held a different meaning. They still do. 

I appreciate what I have and have a powerful drive to change for the better; as an individual in my community, a future healthcare provider, and a human being on this earth. Traveling abroad can teach more about being a better person and what your purpose in life is, other than school and your everyday surroundings.

Now that you're home, how has your time abroad impacted your life?

I mentioned in my last response that I appreciate my life much more in almost every aspect. I remember coming back home and showering in warm water after 5 weeks. It was bittersweet, I missed it but I knew that it was a privilege to have. There isn't a day I don't think about where my next adventure is.

Whether I decide to intern again or just for my own experience, I am constantly on traveling apps planning a future destination. This time around specifically, I have a better understanding of how to navigate traveling abroad.

It's become my baseline on which activities to try, what cities to visit, and what kind of souvenirs to bring back home. It taught me how to manage my time and how to effectively spend money.

What does meaningful travel mean to you?

Meaningful travel means conscious traveling. You can go to a destination and do all of the things tourists do and fly back home the same person. I believe meaningful travel is about understanding the land you're on, the people you're visiting, and their culture.

Being respectful and curious can take you places your normal tourist plan wouldn't include. If you are able to go back home and repeat all of what you learned while being abroad, as well as remember the significant history of the country/city you were in, I would call it meaningful travel.