What inspired you to travel abroad?
I was inspired to go to Kenya because of the opportunity to branch out of my bubble and knowledge of what I thought healthcare meant. Being a Pre-Physician Assistant student, I was motivated to be the best future provider I could be. I had worked in the US as an Emergency Medical Technician for the past year in my hometown.
Though I was able to make an impact, I wanted to see how others made an impact with the resources they had. I had never been out of the country before, so the only healthcare model I knew was the one in the United States. I knew that to become an effective provider, I had to learn and be exposed more to healthcare on a global scale.
Why did you choose International Medical Aid (IMA)?
I chose International Medical Aid (IMA) because, after researching the program, I was captivated by the opportunities the interns were exposed to that I wouldn’t have been able to experience in the US. To be able to shadow providers in my hometown was difficult.
IMA provided not only the opportunity to shadow a plethora of providers, but they also provided opportunities to use the knowledge I had to volunteer and contribute to their community in Mombasa. For example, being able to participate in a community clinic to provide free checkups to impoverished communities made me appreciate the importance of preventive care.
Empowering young women through health education and access to essential resources
What was your favorite part about Mombasa, Kenya?
My favorite part of Mombasa, Kenya, was how I learned something new every day. Whether it was learning a new Swahili word to communicate with people effectively, seeing the way providers at Coast General Teaching Hospital uniquely cared for patients despite a lack of resources, or learning more about the healthcare model in Kenya. I was captivated by it all.
I was intrigued and curious to learn as much information as possible during my time there. I wanted to not take the experience or the trip for granted. It’s not every day you get to travel across the world to make a difference and be immersed in a culture different from your own.
What made your experience abroad extraordinary?
The staff of International Medical Aid made my experience abroad extraordinary. The effective organization of the opportunities we had made me feel safe to know that I was going to be in the most caring hands.
Traveling to another country is scary. Traveling alone is even scarier. However, the staff immediately made me feel comfortable and continuously assured me of their dedication to make sure I got the most out of the experience.
How did the local program staff support you throughout your program?
Local staff always ensured that I was comfortable in whatever I saw or wanted to participate in. With the many departments at Coast General, it is easy to get lost in the sea of information.
The staff’s assistance made it easy to navigate the different departments in an efficient way. The staff, including the cooking, cleaning, and property maintenance teams, ensured our living quarters were well-maintained and that we remained comfortable throughout our stay.
Feeding a giraffe and making unforgettable memories at Haller Park!
What's one thing you wish you would have done differently during your time abroad?
If I would have done anything differently during my time in Mombasa, I would've stayed longer. I stayed the minimum 2 weeks, but I wish I had been able to stay 1-2 more weeks.
There was so much more I wanted to do and experience while I was there. I wish I could have witnessed a few more departments for a longer duration, such as the pediatric unit. I wish I could have rotated in all the departments. However, I was limited to the 2 weeks I was there.
Describe what a typical day in your life abroad looked like.
A typical day for me while I was in Mombasa was that I would wake up and eat the amazing breakfast prepared by the IMA staff. The rest of the interns and I would leave at 8:00 am sharp to go to the Coast General Teaching and Referral Hospital.
Once we arrived, we would go to our designated departments assigned that week. Since I am an Emergency Medical Technician (EMT), I was able to use my scope of practice to help assist the physicians, clinical officers, and nurses with cleaning wounds, feeding babies, and helping with procedures.
After we completed our time at the hospital, we would eat lunch and either go on an adventure to explore the cultural aspect of the city or learn information about different healthcare aspects of Kenya from the IMA staff. We sometimes would give back to the community via healthcare clinics or outreach events for children. Afterwards, dinner was provided and we had the option to pick up additional shifts at night.
What did you enjoy doing in your free time abroad?
I enjoyed learning and experiencing different cultural aspects of Kenya. I always learned something new.
I loved interacting with Kenyans in the city during our time exploring or while interacting with IMA staff to understand more about their background. For example, I rode a camel for the first time along the waters of the Indian Ocean and experienced the Mombasa Agricultural Show.
There, we were able to learn about the innovations that were occurring in different sectors in Kenya. It was an amazing experience that could only be experienced in a beautiful country like Kenya.
Wrapping up a Women’s Health Education session with a fun game of volleyball with local high schoolers!
What did you appreciate most about your accommodation during the program?
The IMA staff washed our laundry and cleaned our room every morning by the time we returned from our hospital rotation every day. It was a nice touch that made all the interns that much more comfortable while in another country.
Making our meals every day, three times a day, made us have one less thing to worry about. I was definitely well cared for.
What is one thing every future participant should know about your program before their program begins?
You should go in with an open mind. Be ready to learn views and values different from your own.
Make the most of the experience because it is not every day you have the privilege to be a part of a cause that contributes to the progress of an unfamiliar society. Like a diamond in the rough, Kenya has plenty of aspects that can be improved, but at the core, the rich culture and values held dearly by the people make it such a beautiful country.
Would you recommend Physician Assistant/Pre-PA Internships Abroad | IMA program to others? Why?
I would absolutely recommend this program. This was a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity that I am extremely grateful to have been a part of.
I am blessed to have been allowed to experience the rich Kenyan culture. There is so much Western healthcare can learn from the healthcare system in Kenya, and vice versa. Hospital staff at Coast General Teaching and Referral Hospital have so much knowledge to give, and I am grateful to have been chosen to receive it.
Teaching primary school students proper handwashing techniques during a Hygiene Clinic
What do you feel the biggest benefit of traveling abroad is?
The biggest benefit of traveling abroad is gaining a broader perspective on quality healthcare and how to effectively empathize with others. It pushes you out of your comfort zone, exposes you to different cultures, and helps you see the world through a new lens.
Since I’m pursuing a career in medicine, traveling is especially impactful as it has strengthened my ability to connect with people from different backgrounds, improved my ability to adapt in unfamiliar environments, and reinforced the importance of patient-centered care.
Now that you're home, how has your time abroad impacted your life?
My time abroad has taught me to appreciate cultures outside of my own. The development of cultural competency is only truly developed when you are placed in others' shoes.
Depending on people’s environment and values, you learn and empathize with why people make certain decisions. For example, the patients I helped care for were more likely to refuse care because they had to think about who would provide food on the table if they couldn’t work.
Their medical decisions were more likely to be influenced by their religious values. You appreciate and learn to understand and empathize with others.
What does meaningful travel mean to you?
Meaningful travel is beyond just sightseeing. It's about the connections and lessons learned.
Immersing in the culture, engaging with the people, and gaining a deeper understanding of their way of life provide meaning to travel. It could mean stepping out of your comfort zone to try new foods or even having conversations with others that shift your perspective.
It’s about leaving a place not just with memories but with a sense of personal growth and a new appreciation for the world.
