What inspired you to go abroad?
I was inspired to go abroad because I wanted to understand healthcare beyond textbooks and well-resourced hospitals. As a pre-nursing student, I felt it was important to witness how care is delivered when systems are strained and resources are limited.
Coming from an Ethiopian immigrant family, I was drawn to global health not out of curiosity alone,
Last day in Mombasa, Kenya. Receiving my award after two weeks as a pre nursing intern, grateful for every lesson, patient, and moment that shaped my purpose.
but out of a desire to learn how presence, empathy, and resilience function as forms of healing when technology and comfort are not guaranteed.
Why did you choose International Medical Aid?
I chose International Medical Aid because of its strong emphasis on ethical global health engagement, structured clinical exposure, and learning alongside local professionals rather than replacing them.
The program offered supervised rotations, community outreach, and education grounded in respect for local systems.
I wanted a program that prioritized humility, learning, and cultural awareness over voluntourism, and International Medical Aid aligned closely with those values.
What was your favorite part of Mombasa?
My favorite part of Mombasa was the warmth and resilience of the people. Despite economic hardship and systemic challenges, the community carried itself with dignity, generosity, and humor.
Whether in hospitals, schools, or clinics, people welcomed us openly and shared their stories without hesitation. The city itself balanced coastal beauty with deep history, creating an environment that felt alive, grounded, and profoundly human.
What made your experience abroad extraordinary?
Witnessed my first C-section on a mother delivering twins. A powerful, humbling moment that deepened my respect for childbirth and the strength of mothers.
What made my experience extraordinary was learning that healing does not always come from medication or equipment, but from presence and connection.
In labor wards, pediatric units, and community clinics, I saw how calm voices, steady hands, and genuine reassurance could ease fear even in painful circumstances.
Being trusted by patients and allowed into moments of vulnerability reshaped my understanding of nursing in a way no classroom ever could.
How did local staff support you throughout your program?
Local staff supported me not only clinically, but also personally and emotionally throughout my program. Nurses and doctors welcomed questions, modeled patient-centered care, and guided us through real decision-making in low-resource settings.
Hildah, Mitchel, and Margaret became true mentors to me. They took time to teach, encourage, and check in on me daily, making sure I felt supported both in the hospital and beyond it. Their warmth, humor, and guidance made me feel at home even when I was thousands of miles away. They created a sense of belonging that allowed me to learn confidently, grow deeply, and fully engage with my experience.
What's one thing you wish you had done differently during your time abroad?
Looking back, I wish I had asked even more questions early on instead of holding back out of fear of being intrusive. While I learned quickly, I realized that curiosity, when paired with respect, is welcomed.
I would have taken fuller advantage of conversations with local staff about their long-term experiences, challenges, and perspectives on healthcare systems to deepen my understanding even further.
Describe what a typical day in your life abroad looked like.
A typical day began early with breakfast and travel to the hospital or clinic.
Mornings were spent rotating through departments such as OB/GYN and pediatrics, observing procedures, assisting where appropriate, and learning from staff.
Afternoons often involved community outreach in schools or women’s health clinics. Evenings were spent reflecting with fellow interns, journaling, and processing the emotional weight of the day.
What did you enjoy doing during your free time abroad?
During my free time, I enjoyed exploring Mombasa with fellow interns, walking along the coast, trying local food, and learning about Swahili culture and history.
I valued quieter moments as well, journaling, reflecting, and talking through experiences with others who understood the emotional intensity of the work. These moments of rest and connection helped me recharge and fully absorb what I was learning.
What type of accommodation did you have? What did you like best about it?
I stayed in shared housing arranged through the program with other interns. What I liked most was the sense of community it created.
Living together allowed us to debrief after long days, support one another emotionally, and learn from each other’s perspectives. The space felt safe and grounding, which was essential after witnessing emotionally intense situations in clinical and community settings.
What is one thing every future participant should know about your program before their program begins?
Witnessed my first C-section and became the first to hold the newborn moments after birth. A surreal, humbling experience I will never forget.
Future participants should know that this experience will challenge them emotionally as much as intellectually. You will see suffering, scarcity, and ethical complexity that cannot be solved quickly.
Preparation should include mental readiness, humility, and openness to learning rather than fixing. This program requires presence, respect, and reflection, but it offers profound growth for those willing to engage fully.
Would you recommend Global Health & Pre-Medicine Internships to others? Why?
Yes, I would strongly recommend International Medical Aid to students who are serious about global health and ethical engagement. The program balances structured learning with respect for local systems and prioritizes education over intervention.
It provides meaningful exposure while emphasizing humility, safety, and reflection. I left with a deeper understanding of healthcare and my responsibilities as a future provider.
What do you feel the biggest benefit of traveling abroad is?
The biggest benefit of traveling abroad is perspective. Being immersed in another healthcare system and culture forces you to confront assumptions and recognize both privilege and shared humanity.
It teaches adaptability, empathy, and cultural humility. Travel transforms abstract concepts like equity and access into lived realities, shaping how you think, listen, and respond to people different from yourself.
Visited a primary school to teach hygiene care, and they completely stole my heart. Their curiosity, laughter, and smiles made it one of the most meaningful days in Mombasa.
Now that you're home, how has your time abroad impacted your life?
Since returning home, I approach healthcare, education, and service with deeper intentionality. I listen more carefully, reflect more often, and value presence over perfection.
My experience reinforced my commitment to nursing and reshaped how I view patient care, advocacy, and resilience. The lessons from Kenya continue to guide how I show up in academic spaces and clinical settings.
What does meaningful travel mean to you?
Meaningful travel means engaging with a place in a way that prioritizes learning, respect, and mutual exchange. It is not about observation from a distance, but about listening, reflecting, and allowing experiences to change you.
Meaningful travel asks you to leave comfort behind, confront complexity honestly, and return home with greater responsibility, humility, and commitment to the people you serve.
