What inspired you to travel abroad?
When I went on my first volunteer abroad trip in 2019 to Ecuador I gained valuable cultural insights.
I wanted to continue seeking similar trips that positively impacted the local communities. After the COVID-19 pandemic, I wanted to learn about more cultures and volunteer in rural communities.
Why did you choose your Pre-Med/Health Fellowships | IMA?
After months of researching for a travel abroad opportunity that would make an impact, a peer from my university recommended International Medical Aid.
IMA was a unique program that offered flexible dates and destinations to tailor the experience to my own needs.
I found it inspiring that the program was able to intertwine physician shadowing, community volunteering through hygiene workshops, and community outreach clinics.
On top of all that, they offered lectures about local health and political issues on a weekly basis.
Rural community pop-up clinic
What was your favorite part about Mombasa?
After staying in Mombasa for two weeks, my favourite part of my experience was speaking and interacting with the local residents.
The culture there is very friendly and kind-hearted. When meeting the families and their kids during the community outreach workshops, I was able to connect on a personal and caring level.
Despite having a language barrier, the locals would greatly appreciate it when we attempted to speak Swahili.
What made your experience abroad extraordinary?
International Medical Aid is one of the few organizations that incorporate community engagement.
For example, during my two-week stay, I was able to participate in and lead workshops on mental health, feminine hygiene, and oral hygiene for primary and high school students.
Talking to the students and seeing their excitement and eagerness to learn made me reflect on my experiences. Seeing their joyous reaction to learning truly made my experience unforgettable and reflective.
Hygiene clinic with primary school students
How did the local program staff support you throughout your program?
The team that works with International Medical Aid is one of the main reasons I would recommend this experience to my friends and family.
From the day I got accepted into the program, the local staff has been amazing with responding to emails regarding flight schedules and what to prepare for the trip.
Upon arrival, I was picked up at the airport, and once I arrived at the student residence, I felt welcomed with kindness and hospitality immediately.
The team goes above and beyond to make us feel safe and comfortable
What's one thing you wish you would have done differently during your time abroad?
Although my trip was amazing, the only thing I would have done differently is extend my stay.
My two-week stay flew by, and it was extremely hard to leave the friendships and connections I had built in such a short time.
As I heard about my peers from the program continuing their experience, I wanted to participate as well.
By extending my trip, I would have had the opportunity to experience more rotations at the hospital as well as partake in the local excursions they offered, including the Maasai Mara trip.
Describe what a typical day in your life abroad looked like.
The first day abroad included settling in and having the optional opportunity to participate in the community workshop. After orientation at the student residence and at the hospital, the schedule throughout the week was relatively the same.
The day would begin with hospital rotations until the afternoon. Afterward, students would either attend lectures on global health and local culture or go on a field trip.
Field trips would include taking the new group of students to see local landmarks and food markets.
At the end of the week, we would debrief what we learned from our rotations and share our experiences with the group.
On the weekend, we hosted hygiene workshops at local primary schools to educate them on mental health, feminine hygiene, and oral hygiene.
Nyali Beach during one of our cultural tours
What did you enjoy doing in your free time abroad?
When students had free time, we would often explore the city as a group. We visited local cafes and shops during the weekend when it was safe to do so.
Since the student residence also had a beautiful outdoor pool, many of us would go swimming together and enjoy the outdoor scenery.
In the evening, most of the students would gather in the main living room to watch a show or movie together.
What type of accommodation did you have? What did you like best about it?
During my trip, I stayed at the student residence offered by IMA. I loved that the rooms were in an enclosed and gated community therefore, I felt extremely safe with my staff.
The residence truly felt like a home because there was a living room, kitchen, dining room, and an outdoor pool. The staff on site were extremely accommodating to different dietary needs at all times.
The staff were friendly and helpful whenever we needed assistance. Laundry was done on site every day, which was helpful since many of us did not have scrubs for every day.
What is one thing every future participant should know about your program before their program begins?
For anyone interested in going abroad, the key thing to having the most fulfilling experience is to go in with an open mind to try new experiences.
I would also recommend students learn the local language, including basic phrases such as "hello," "thank you," etc.
By doing so, it shows locals that you are willing and attempting to learn about the culture and not only restricted to your own cultural beliefs.
Would you recommend your program/provider to others? Why?
I would 10000% recommend the program to any student individual interested in pursuing a healthcare profession.
I think it is extremely important to learn about the healthcare environment in cities such as Mombasa, which has a drastically different system than North America.
By doing so, you learn how to communicate with patients who have diverse cultural beliefs and various language barriers.
Programs like this can teach empathy and critical thinking skills, both of which are essential in medicine.
Bombolulu Cultural Workshop Centre to support individuals with disabilities.
What do you feel the biggest benefit of traveling abroad is?
Travelling abroad has many benefits, but the biggest takeaway has been the opportunity to see how other people live beyond my own culture.
It is important to recognize and see first-hand different experiences to be grateful and reflective of your circumstances.
Seeing how different cultural and religious beliefs influence choices is very insightful and eye-opening. It will teach you how to interact with different populations with equal empathy and care.
Now that you're home, how has your time abroad impacted your life?
After my trip abroad, I have become more mindful of my daily interactions. I demonstrate more empathy and compassion in all my social interactions at school, at work, and within the community.
I have also become reflective on my personal growth and how certain experiences have influenced my beliefs and values. I have learned to live every day with gratitude and appreciation for many of the privileges I have, like safe drinking water, free health care, etc.
What does meaningful travel mean to you?
Travel and vacation are terms that are not synonymous to me. My goal when travelling is to gain purposeful and meaningful experiences.
I aim to learn about the local culture, including their cuisine, language, and history. Although I enjoy visiting tourist attractions and landmarks, I strive to understand the historical significance of different monuments and sites.
To have a memorable travel experience does not need to include a luxurious experience but genuine interactions with residents. If I have learned something new about myself and the place I have visited, then I would say the travel experience was meaningful.
