Alumni Interview with Emily Hill

What inspired you to travel abroad?

I wanted meaningful education and exposure to healthcare beyond the scope of what I was accustomed to. Many of the schools I wanted to apply to required additional shadowing experience, and I did not want to shadow someone in a setting where I had already worked.

I felt that being able to go abroad would likely give me a unique opportunity to see healthcare from a different perspective. I also wanted to explore possible places to work once I finish school. I would eventually like to spend part of each year working outside of the United States.

Why did you choose International Medical Aid?

My primary reason for selecting this program was the autonomy I had in orchestrating it, which freed me of the time constraints of applying through my school and made it less stressful to organize. There was also a great deal of flexibility in the dates they had available and I was able to select a timeframe that worked best for me once I was accepted into the program. They offer a variety of department options in which I was able to do rotations. IMA also offered to help organize a safari if I wanted to do that while I was there, which is a bonus. 

What was your favorite part about Kenya?

My favorite parts about my host country were the people and the culture. I met many people with dynamic cultures and history. I could not get enough of the cultural and history enrichment lessons and outings. I would always ask questions and listen intently to everything. Everyone was very direct when answering questions. They get to the point of things quickly and are willing to share what they know. I left with deep respect and admiration for the culture and history both locally and throughout Kenya.

What made your experience abroad extraordinary?

I was the only student at my site at the time, which I was told has never happened. It made every interaction profoundly educational and intimate. I was able to learn an abundant amount about healthcare and have extensive discussions with the providers in the short time I was there. I also had the opportunity to learn about the people I worked with and even meet some of their family. It also gave me the chance to get to know the IMA staff.

It was a bit strange the first few nights, but it allowed me to reflect on my experiences and review the notes I had taken throughout the day while still there. The days were busy with plenty of human interaction and the evenings were calm and allowed the time to take in events. I am an introvert, and for me this was a perfect experience.

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

The local staff at IMA and the hospital were very supportive. At first, I was a bit uncomfortable being taken care of by other people. I was fed three hearty meals a day, the house was cleaned, and laundry was done every day. The IMA staff were always available to help or answer questions. They gave me a tour of the area, recommended places to go and to avoid, and were always very kind.

The staff at the hospital was wonderful. There were certain things I was accustomed to seeing done differently in the United States, and when I would ask why they did things a certain way they would walk me through the logic. They were also quick to display the hospitality of their culture. When working overnights, one of the doctors bought breakfast for the entire emergency department staff and made sure everyone took a break to eat. The compassion shown by everyone there made leaving a bittersweet event.

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

I would have liked to spend more time learning the language. I learned a little bit before going, but it was not quite enough. In the hospital, I would frequently hear words that I didn’t know. I wrote down these words and asked the International Medical Aid staff what they meant or looked them up when I was at home. They were typically words related to symptoms, parts of the body, or actions.

I was able to learn a lot from the IMA staff and everyone at the hospital, and some words I could infer from the context, but I would have liked to know enough to respond to patients and to better communicate with them.

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

A typical day began early for me. I got up and called my family before they went to bed. I prepared for the day and ate breakfast. On weekdays I would typically go to the hospital, report to my assigned department, and learn as much as I could. I returned home for lunch and then left for an afternoon/evening event. 

Afternoon events included: tours, teaching primary students about health and hygiene, visiting local artisans workshops, taking supplies to orphanages, lectures, or clinical simulations. On days with community events, dinner was ready by the time I returned home.

Weekends were not as busy; there was typically an outing on Saturday and free time on Sunday. One weekend I chose to work overnight in the emergency department. I stayed busy, but I enjoyed it.

What did you enjoy doing in your free time abroad?

I did not have an abundance of free time, but when I did have free time, I would typically walk around the area where I lived. There was a nearby mall with a variety of shops and a grocery store. It was a great place to wander around and get away from the heat or the rain. Other times I would sit at home or go to the pool and read. 

I also enjoyed chatting and spending time with the International Medical Aid staff when they were not too busy; I enjoyed hearing about their families and thoughts. I was happy with not having too much free time because I was able to see and experience so many things in the brief time I was there.

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

I stayed in a shared apartment during my time in Mombasa. It was in a gated complex with a guard. The apartment was spacious with a great view.

My favorite part was the guard, Emma. She was always cheerful and kind. Between my limited Swahili and her limited English, we did not have any deep conversations, but we were still able to communicate. I would let her know where I was going when I left, and she would make recommendations. I always felt safe and welcome with her around.

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

Many of the things on the list of recommended items to bring were available onsite at a lower cost and sometimes better quality, such as rubber shoes for working in the surgical center. I could have contributed more to the local economy by making purchases there, and I would have had more room in my luggage to pack things that were not as readily available locally, such as gloves.

I would tell future participants to pack with the intention of giving away most of what you bring. Doing that will also give you space to pack souvenirs to take home.

Would you recommend International Medical Aid to others? Why?

I would absolutely recommend International Medical Aid programs to others. They work hard to make the program run as smoothly as possible, and it shows.

One thing I quickly became accustomed to once I arrived was “Kenyan time,” which is quite the opposite of the United States’ obsession with punctuality. The program mentors bridge this divide almost seamlessly.

What they do and the quality with which it is done is impressive. It made my time there effortless. I was able to focus on learning, teaching, and helping others. The only thing I had to worry about was getting myself up and ready each morning.

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

The biggest benefit of traveling abroad is the realization that kindness and compassion are universal. 

Having a sense of humanity and benevolence transcend differential barriers is something that can be done anywhere in the world.

People will always try to hold onto what is good. To share goodness in a time of need can change someone’s life. I know I would not be the person that I am without the kindness that has been shown to me. I am grateful to have the opportunity to be a part of the wonderful work International Medical Aid does in demonstrating compassion.

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

I started studying the Swahili language when I decided to apply for the internship. I know people are almost always willing to make an effort to connect once you make an effort to connect with them. I think the unique and diverse factors that make the Kiswahili culture make them more eager to connect with everyone.

People would try to speak to me in Swahili and when I responded in what little I knew of the language, they would teach me more and speak to me in English. It is a culture that has brought me joy and I made many friends during my stay. I look forward to the opportunity to return with a better grasp of the language and the ability to provide medical attention in the hospital and the community.

What does meaningful travel mean to you?

Meaningful travel is travel with the intent of improvement, either for oneself or others. I think I accomplished both of these. 

I went to many primary schools to teach children about hygiene. I know that for me it was a unique experience because the children were all so attentive and well-behaved, which I was not used to. It was also a little scary for me because I had never led any kind of instruction for such large groups before.

In my last week, I was on a tour of an area with a primary school, and from behind me I heard a voice yell my name. I turned around to see a young boy that I recognized from the school, along with a few other children. I felt like my heart might explode with love at that moment. Something about my visit with him had enough of an impact for him to remember me. It may have only been the medication I handed out, but I think it was more about the fact that someone cared enough to come to his school to visit him.

I think it was in that moment that I realized that sometimes just being present is all that is needed to have a lasting impact on someone else's life. 

I know my travels have fortified my commitment to helping others and I hope to have a positive and lasting impact on those I encounter.