Alumni Interview with Chloe Jay

What inspired you to travel abroad?

It was during my final year of completing my prerequisites for nursing school and I received an invitation to study abroad in Cape Town with my college, as I am a member of Pi Theta Kappa Honor Society. I was extremely intrigued. I had longed to travel to Africa since I was a little girl.

I was raised with an abundance of privilege and opportunity, but my world was so small. I craved service, education, awakening, and adventure. However the program that my school offered was not the type of hands on volunteering that I was looking for.

Why did you choose International Medical Aid?

I began to do research and I found International Medical Aid's website. I was incredibly impressed with their non-profit organization, values, and initiatives. They had the perfect pre-nursing program for me and as I read deeper into the testimonials, I knew that I had to go to Kenya with this organization. I would be able to make an impact on lives within the community and work clinical rounds in a local hospital. 

The thought of expanding my education while volunteering aid to a country in need was extremely invigorating. Thoughts of the country consumed me from the moment my research started until this day—one year after returning from my trip. I reached out to alumni participants and I heard one positive, inspiring story after another. From the moment I applied to the internship, I have been nothing but impressed by the communication, transparency, and professionalism of International Medical Aid.

What was your favorite part about Kenya?

The most impactful part of my trip was by far the people of Kenya. It was there that I realized, the poorer the country, the greater the love. The warm, personal greeting that I received at the airport was representative of the level of care that I experienced throughout my entire trip.

The people that I met in Kenya were among the finest, generous, graceful, and warm individuals I have ever met. I have never seen anyone work so hard with such joy in their eyes, smiles, and hearts. 

The staff that took care of us in our residence provided the best hospitality I have ever received. 

Every one of the chefs, house cleaners, groundsmen, and guards knew each one of us by name. The chefs knew that I had a special diet and prepared exactly what I needed to get through the day. They even knew my favorite breakfast and had it ready each day with a smile and a warm greeting.

At the hospital, the nurses and doctors welcomed us with the same authenticity and joy. These individuals had so much on their plate—working overtime in poor conditions in the heat without pay for months. The last thing they had time for was to provide education to a bunch of American students, and yet, they did it enthusiastically and with pride. 

I learned what hard work really means from these heroes. It isn't about punching as many hours as possible in a week and rising to the top. It is about attitude, teamwork, and perspective. It is about making the best of what life has provided you with and never playing victim to your circumstances. It is about always including others. We can only survive if we stick together.

What made your experience abroad extraordinary?

My time spent in the hospital made my experience abroad extraordinary. My first day there I witnessed a cesarean section delivery of twins. I was beyond fascinated, moved, and thrilled. My whole body was filled with electricity and it didn't leave my body for even weeks after I left Kenya.

To witness such incredible things in medicine for the first time, and to have it explained to me by the welcoming doctors and nurses, I was on cloud nine. I watched live births, amputations, brain surgeries, and autopsies and it was the best thing that had ever happened to me. It were as if all my senses were heightened at once; I was blind and now I could see.

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

The local staff went above and beyond for us. I was so incredibly blown away by their hospitality, service, and ingenuity. They treated us with such kindness, like family. We had three mentors that supported us throughout the trip and were always available at any time, day or night. 

They worked around the clock for us. Our chefs, drivers, house cleaners, groundsmen, and guards were all absolutely phenomenal at all times. We would work late and early morning shifts and our drivers would be there to pick us up with smiles on their faces and food in their hands. I was honestly so impressed, humbled, and touched by the kindness of every individual I encountered from this organization.

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

During my trip I was studying for an exam that allows you to apply to nursing school. You are only allowed to take it twice in a limited period of time and you must get above a certain score. I was a bit stressed and focused on this exam and after our shifts at the hospital, I would spend my time searching for wifi to study.

Looking back, I think I still would have passed the test without the unnecessary stress. I definitely took full advantage of my trip and spent every weekend exploring, but it would have been ideal to have gone when it wasn't a stressful time in my life.

I would also give anything to return to Kenya or another part of Africa having more advanced skills in nursing and phlebotomy. I longed to do IV's, injections, wound care, and so much more during my time there.

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

A typical day in Kenya, something I remember so vividly and miss so dearly. We would wake up for our scheduled clinical round, put on our scrubs, and go downstairs to eat breakfast. We would take the van into the hospital and spend 4.5 hours in our assigned area (mine were labor and delivery, emergency, surgery, and pediatric). Afterward, we would be picked up or dropped off lunch if we were staying for a double shift. 

Those of us who were heading back home would then eat lunch at the house and freshen up for an afternoon activity. These activities included: trips to historical sites, orphanages or slums to provide healthcare demonstrations, and educational sessions. Afterwards we had free time, dinner at the house or on our own, and then bed time.

What did you enjoy doing in your free time abroad?

During my free time in Kenya, I had an absolute blast. I went on the sea safari with International Medical Aid where the highlights were snorkeling, feeding monkeys that climbed on our heads, seeing ancient ruins, and staying overnight in an amazing hotel.

I went boating with a group of friends, watched dolphins, and snorkeled in Tanzanian waters. I went to Diani beach and rode camels and saw the whitest sand I've ever seen. I went out to restaurants—Italian, Indian food and BBQ (amazing in Kenya!).

We even ate at a floating restaurant. We went to the markets, the mall, and to the historic sites. We went to a Wildlife Preserve and fed giraffes, saw hippos, buffalo, and alligators.

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

I stayed in a house on the top floor with three other women in a large room with beautiful beds with mosquito nets, our own bathroom, and a balcony overlooking the pool. Eventually two women went home and I shared the space with just one other woman. I had a queen bed all to myself, a huge closet, and we had air conditioning. 

The bottom floor of the house was the kitchen and our chefs made us all of our meals there. There were three other buildings with other interns and a pool outside. My favorite part was the kitchen, seeing the chefs with the smiles on their faces and everyone come together for a meal at these long tables. It was cozy and fun.

What is one thing every future participant should know about your program before their program begins?

One thing that every participant should know about the pre-nursing program before it begins is that it will change you—forever. You will never be the same person you were, and it's okay. You will walk through life afterwards with meaning, purpose, and so much gratitude.

Your dreams, goals, and plans may change after this trip. A positive attitude, an open mind, and willingness are key on this journey. You get out of it what you put in. And you will never be able to find a riper mango than in Mombasa, Kenya.

Would you recommend International Medical Aid to others? Why?

I would absolutely recommend the pre-nursing program with International Medical Aid to others, and I have. It was consistent with the website, the information I received prior to arrival, and the testimonials. The organization and the people were honest, transparent, and genuine. I felt safe and protected the entire time I was there. They made us feel at home.

I came to learn, give back, and have an adventure, and that's what they gave me. They provided us with a beautiful home with full amenities, guards 24/7, transportation, and an abundant education. I had the experience of a lifetime in the hospital and in the clinics. One that I will never forget. I truly, wholeheartedly hope to go back with this program and organization.

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

I feel that the energy and motivation that has carried with me after Kenya and to this day (one year later) is the biggest benefit of traveling abroad. 

My entire outlook and perspective on life has changed based on that single trip. 

Traveling abroad makes us realize how small our problems are, how unnecessary our conflicts are, and how much we need to give back. If I had never set foot in Kenya, I would never had seen problems such as broken healthcare systems and world poverty firsthand. It would all still be abstract. I am so incredibly grateful that I was able to take this trip and see what life is like outside of the bubble that I live in. World travel is something that I now recommend to anyone I can.

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

Kenya truly sparked a fire within me... It made me question everything: my values, my relationships, my goals, and my future plans.

I am not the same person I was before Kenya. I am awake. I now know what my purpose is in life. Because of my experience with this internship, I want to dedicate my life to service beyond nursing. 

I plan to volunteer with Nurses Without Borders in third world countries after I get my degree and continue to give back what has been so freely given to me. I find myself mentioning Kenya and this program at least every other day, in some kind of context. This journey shaped me, strengthened me, and brought me character. I am forever grateful.

What does meaningful travel mean to you?

Meaningful travel to me is any kind of travel that provides a purpose for more than just the individual. Ever since I left Kenya, all I can think about is where I can lend a hand next. The more in need, the better.

We are here to serve a purpose in life, and I have found it. I couldn't imagine continuing to go on meaningless vacations after I obtained my degree—all I wanted was to get my hands dirty. I want to impact lives and make changes, however small they may seem.