What inspired you to travel abroad?
Coming from an underprivileged country, I'm well aware of healthcare injustices and the critical need for medical help and education in communities like mine. This early realization has fueled my interest in medicine and public health, inspiring me to explore opportunities that allow me to make a good impact while learning from a variety of healthcare settings globally.
The chance to go abroad offered a unique opportunity to see how other countries manage healthcare challenges and innovations, with the goal of applying these lessons to help improve conditions back home.
Why did you choose International Medical Aid (IMA?
I picked my particular internship with International Medical Aid (IMA) because it provided an unequaled chance to immerse myself in the hospital setting, surpassing any other program I considered.
The framework of IMA's internship allowed me to be actively involved in the hospital for the greatest length of time, engaging in morning shifts, night shifts, and afternoon shifts. It gave me endless opportunities to connect with the people there and learn more from them.
Volunteering at an elementary school in Mombasa for a hygiene talk.
What was your favorite part about Mombasa?
Besides the beautiful landscapes and the rich cultural heritage, I really connected with the people of Mombasa on a family level. The friendship I had with local doctors, who would enthusiastically remind me not to miss our prayers and accompany me to the mosque, was gratifying.
I remember walking to the mosque for our Friday prayer with Dr. Shazim. This sense of belonging went beyond professional bounds, and I felt as if caring aunties and uncles surrounded me.
Specifically, Charol, who was one of the chefs at our residence, treated me like her son. After exhausting night shifts at the hospital, I would often sleep through the day, only to wake up to a saved plate from lunch, thoughtfully kept aside by Charol.
These acts of kindness, along with a comforting hug before my lengthy shifts, exemplified the real concern and support that encompassed me during my stay.
What made your experience abroad extraordinary?
Prior to my arrival in Kenya, I had imagined a rigorous regimen that resembled my life at home. The program was merely hospital duties in place of classes.
My days were perfectly planned: get up, attend the shift, hit the gym, study or work, sleep, and repeat. This tight attention to routine sprang from my conviction in the need for discipline and balance in life.
However, as I settled into my new surroundings, my viewpoint began to change radically. The first week was a period of adjustment, but when I heard about the chance for extra shifts at the hospital, my initial enthusiasm for the job grew.
It wasn't long until this affection turned into a passion, and consuming it seemed like an addiction. I enthusiastically accepted whatever extra shift I could get, destroying the delicate balance I had achieved. I always feared a lifestyle like this.
I thought nothing could be accomplished if there was no balance. I read books and attended webinars about how to be successful and achieve whatever project you want. None preached obsession over discipline.
Upon my return, my newfound enthusiasm catapulted me to extraordinary heights. In the fall semester, academic excellence became my new obsession. I took challenging classes at two different institutions, including Organic Chemistry, Physics, Cell Physiology, Ethics, and my EMT licensure requirements.
This extreme attention to my academics paid off, with a 4.0 GPA in each area, demonstrating the power of focused passion. This shift in my life from rigid routine to passionate obsession has allowed me to achieve goals I previously believed were out of reach.
While the long-term consequences of this change are unknown, it is apparent that accepting a fierce commitment to my goals has transformed my trajectory in significant and potentially long-lasting ways. And that all came from this shift of mindset during my internship.
Operation of an open heart surgery on a young male patient.
How did the local program staff support you throughout your program?
The mentors were extremely helpful, agreeing to do whatever was necessary to accommodate my enthusiastic and determined demands. I was obnoxious, asking for last-minute adjustments to the crew, attempting to attend all shifts, and requesting that we have even more shifts away from the residential chef team; they obliged without question.
Despite my numerous requests, which might have easily annoyed anyone else in their position, they showed extraordinary tolerance and flexibility. Their willingness to reschedule, add days, and give additional learning opportunities demonstrated their dedication to my professional and educational aspirations.
This supportive culture went beyond the mentors to the whole staff, especially the residential chef team, who looked after my well-being despite my hectic schedule.
This degree of assistance and accommodation was more than just about providing a more meaningful educational experience; it was a demonstration of their commitment to developing the future generation of healthcare professionals.
Bella used always to make sure all of us were ready for the day. Phares always organized workout sessions to make sure everybody was keeping it moving. Ben was just being Ben, kind and trustworthy without being too outgoing. A winning team that made us all happy.
What's one thing you wish you would have done differently during your time abroad?
There is never enough time on an outstanding journey to do all you desire. Every day, I wanted more time to sleep, but one part that I truly regret not fully embracing was spending weekends with the residents.
My dedication to the hospital was vital, and in my efforts to enhance this experience, I unintentionally lost priceless times of camaraderie and leisure with my peers. The weekends provided an excellent chance to interact, explore, and share experiences in a more relaxed atmosphere.
Still, my desire to recover from the long week frequently kept me away from these communal times. Looking back, I understand that these contacts were just as important to my journey as the work itself.
They provided an opportunity to unwind, share tales and thoughts, and form lifelong connections that may have improved my experience in ways I didn't realize at the time. But I do not complain. The invaluable friends made during exhausting all-nighters were as valuable.
Dancing with the crew after discovering the amazing tribal history there.
Describe what a typical day in your life abroad looked like.
Every day brought a turning point in the road, leading to two unique routes.
On the one hand, my devotion to the hospital frequently led to me extending morning shifts into the afternoon, only to return home for a brief lunch before heading off to a gym session with Phares ( one of our mentors ) and other residents.
The day would conclude with a night shift, followed by another morning shift, and finally with cultural activities that provided a brief but profound glimpse into the local heritage and communal spirit.
Alternatively, I had to step back after the morning shift when no afternoon shifts were available. After lunch, I would participate in cultural events, which provided an amazing opportunity to deepen my connection with the local culture and my peers.
The evenings were set out for lifting sessions, movie nights with peers, or going out, which was my little time to relax with my friends and recover totally.
What did you enjoy doing in your free time abroad?
I spent time connecting with those I could.
One day, I was sitting with a friend named "Jane." Although we were only acquaintances at first, a single night of talking changed our relationship. We chatted for hours, revealing our deepest thoughts, ranging from personal traumas to future doubts.
It was a unique and meaningful interaction that left an indelible mark on my spirit. The program allowed like-minded individuals to unite. The spirit of the intership like removed all normal social blocks most people hold to connect in a more meaningful way.
Thus I would say that having a meaningful conversation with people was the thing I enjoyed in my free time.
Trying to flex my muscles for graduation... maybe a little too hard.
What type of accommodation did you have? What did you like best about it?
During the program, we stayed in a big mansion with 50 other residents. What I liked best about this environment was the strong sense of community it established among us—it felt like we had become siblings, sharing a place like a large summer camp for children.
This setting fostered a familial atmosphere that was both relaxing and stimulating, allowing us to establish strong ties and share experiences that enriched our entire experience. The house, with its open spaces and social areas, fostered connection, cooperation, and the sharing of ideas and cultures, symbolizing the sense of unity and togetherness that filled our stay abroad.
What is one thing every future participant should know about your program before their program begins?
The only expectation you should have is the following:" This is going to be different," that is it. Just enter the program with an open mind and flexible attitude.
I witnessed all kinds of amazing things I never saw before, within the hospital and outside. When I say different, I mean it in every sense of the word. I have never been so close to surgery before, and I have never encountered such strong personalities as the ones I saw in Mombasa.
You should be ready to see what you have not seen before (I saw a brain twice, once held in the hand of a doctor, another surgically pierced during a craniotomy operation).
Would you recommend IMA? Why?
I do! Without a doubt, this internship has been a spark in my journey. Many alum interns I came in touch with afterward told me that it was the highlight of their year.
Any type of person can enjoy it; the curriculum is meant to appeal to a wide range of interests, backgrounds, and objectives so that everyone may benefit from it. Its varied character means that there is something for everyone, whether you are fully involved in medicine, passionate about cultural study, or looking for personal growth and new challenges.
The program's strength is its diversity—not just from the individuals but also from the experiences it provides. From hands-on clinical work and community participation to cultural immersion and adventurous adventure, it offers a diverse range of options that might appeal to anybody interested in learning and exploration.
Furthermore, the program's setting promotes a distinct sense of community and support, making it accessible and pleasant to people from many walks of life. Whether you're an extrovert who thrives on conversation or an introvert who enjoys calmer times of thought, the curriculum provides opportunities for everyone to find their niche.
Training with my mentor, Phares, trying to show him I was stronger than him.
What do you feel the biggest benefit of traveling abroad is?
The greatest advantage of visiting overseas is the ability to move outside of the comfortable bubble in which we frequently find ourselves.
It is a voyage that exposes us to the true colors of the world, exposing how lucky we are, how much ignorance we may retain, and how many possibilities there are for us to learn from others.
This immersion in various cultures, surroundings, and ways of life confronts us with both the beauty and the difficulties of our world, prompting us to think about our own beliefs and actions.
Now that you're home, how has your time abroad impacted your life?
Now that I'm back home, my experience overseas has profoundly altered how I perceive and interact with the world. It has had a significant impact on how I approach new hobbies, bringing a new perspective to everything I do.
Immersion in a new culture offered me priceless lessons about empathy, adaptation, and the beauty of variety. I've returned with a larger perspective, more curiosity, and a stronger commitment to making a good difference.
This travel has not only broadened my comprehension but also ingrained in me a sense of global connectivity, motivating me to live life with an open heart and mind.
In a nutshell, my time overseas has been a transforming journey that has improved my life in several ways.
What does meaningful travel mean to you?
For me, meaningful travel means interacting with significant people. It is about the depth of encounters and the relationships that develop along the way. These relationships go beyond the surface; they include interacting with people, learning about their stories, and sharing experiences that create true understanding and empathy.
Travel is important when it changes the way we perceive the world and ourselves. It is through sharing with others intentionally, looking through their eyes, and exploring the different facets of the world.
