What inspired you to travel abroad?
My biggest inspiration to go abroad is dedicated to my desire to absorb new knowledge whether it was culturally or academically. I was so excited to have a new cultural experience but I never knew it would pay off as it did. Not only was my interest in other cultures driving my desire to go abroad, but I also wanted to see personal growth in myself.
I wanted to see myself gain confidence in my knowledge. International Medical Aid did just that for me and even more. I truly do believe that all of us walked away as better people due to our new experiences.
Hygiene Clinic!
Why did you choose International Medical Aid?
I chose International Medical Aid because it offers a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for pre-med students, like myself. It is really appealing that IMA is a not-for-profit organization and truly wants the best for its volunteers.
Not only do they offer hands-on experience, but they also offer graduate school admissions guidance. IMA is also very attractive due to the fact that they keep their volunteers safe at all times. I am forever grateful I chose IMA to go abroad. They encourage all of the interns to participate in everything they can.
What was your favorite part about Kenya?
My favorite part about Kenya is the people. Even though I was there for only five weeks, I made long-lasting friendships. I worked in labor and delivery for only a week but I had made close friendships with the physicians and we have talked at least once a week since.
Not only are the people great, but the culture is beautiful. I love the language so much I still make an effort to learn new phrases. I even attempt to make new dishes! I would do anything to go back to Kenya. The people there were so nice I will never forget it.
Another picture at a hygiene clinic.
What made your experience abroad extraordinary?
International Medical Aid really made my experience extraordinary. Not only did we get hands-on medical experience like no other, but the organization also recognized that for many of us, it was our first time in Kenya. They really encouraged us to embrace the culture and go on adventures.
We were given the option to go only weekly trips around Mombasa which I am grateful for because those are memories I will never forget. We also had weekly clinics with the local citizens to help them get medicine where otherwise it would not be accessible.
How did the local program staff support you throughout your program?
The staff of International Medical Aid was so helpful. From the cooking staff to the cleaning staff, they were so nice and I have made forever friends with them too. Throughout this past summer, I was in Africa for July 4th and IMA even had a big dinner for all of us to celebrate like we would back in the states.
We were always encouraged to reach out if we ever needed anything and when we did, they were so friendly. If we ever needed transportation, they were always so willing to take us and they seemed so happy to take us. Our program mentors were so nice and I miss them dearly.
What's one thing you wish you would have done differently during your time abroad?
One thing I wish I would have done differently is participate in more night shifts in the Emergency Room. As we walked into the emergency room, we noticed a little girl that was badly hurt. As we read her chart, we were in disbelief that she was not crying. The ten-year-old girl, Louise, was so strong.
Louise and her mom did not have any means of transportation other than by tuktuk, motorcycles, or buses. So, they both hopped on a motorcycle. On the way home, her right leg accidentally hit the spinning wheel, rupturing her Achilles tendon. In the States, a grown man would be crying if that happened to him.
Furthermore, as they were assessing her injury, pulling on her skin revealing the ruptured tendon and heel bone, a doctor asked her, “How are you?” She replies, “Fine…” The moment she said that, my heart dropped. I knew she was in excruciating pain but she was so brave. This situation changed my life forever.
At a menstrual clinic!
Describe what a typical day in your life abroad looked like.
A typical day in my life abroad consisted of going to the hospital to shadow and having free time to venture to Kenya. We would wake up and breakfast would be already prepared by the generous cooking staff.
Then, we would leave the residence around 8:00 a.m. and it would take about 15-20 minutes to get to Coast General and Referral Hospital. We would all go to different departments where we would shadow for the day. We shadowed and were able to test our skills and then we were picked up and brought back to the residence.
We always ate when we got back and then we had the rest of the day to rest and have free time. The staff planned for us to go to local communities many times throughout the week which was so much fun.
What did you enjoy doing in your free time abroad?
I enjoyed every single second I spent in Kenya. I was there for five weeks but it was not enough because I would go back in one second. During our free time, we would lay by the pool, go to the beach, or even make new cultural dishes with the staff. I will never forget our playlist by the pool, our walks to the beach, and making Ugali with Catherine.
If we just wanted time to relax, we would all hang out in the living area where we would talk and watch television. One weekend, we even went to a beach that was 45 minutes away and it was the most beautiful beach I have ever seen.
What type of accommodation did you have? What did you like best about it?
We had the best residence we could have ever stayed in. There was a huge living room, sitting rooms in all of the buildings we stayed in, a pool, and much more. We also had great rooms. We all had the perfect space.
Breakfast, lunch, and dinner were always prepared for us. If one of us did not make it to a meal, we were hunted down by Catherine so she could make sure we were okay. I can say without a doubt that the local staff supported each and every one of us throughout the program.
If we ever needed anything, we were encouraged to let them know and they would take care of it. If we ever needed to get anywhere, transportation was always accessible. The cleaning staff was great and so nice and I still talk to some of them today. The cooking staff was also so nice and I miss them so much!
The program mentors were always there if we needed anything and encouraged us to go on adventures and work really hard in the hospital. The staff even had a 4th of July party for all of us because we could not be back in the states to celebrate which was so nice.
At the hygiene clinic again!
What is one thing every future participant should know about your program before their program begins?
One thing every future participant should know about going to Kenya before their program begins is to make the most memories you can because it goes by so fast. I would advise them to take pictures, make as many friends as you can within the internship and even with the people of Kenya, and just take in all of the experiences.
I am forever grateful I took all of the experience that was offered to me. IMA really does encourage everyone to experience everything they can and even offers to take us to local communities for us to gain new memories.
Would you recommend your program to others? Why?
I will forever recommend International Medical Aid to other pre-medical/pre-health students. International Medical had a place for everyone, from pre-dentistry to pre-physical therapy.
I gained so much medical knowledge from the physicians in Coast General and Referral Hospital and some I even still talk to and ask questions to. There is so much to gain from this internship. Kenya forever changed my life. It was most definitely a once in a lifetime opportunity and I miss it so much.
At the hygiene clinic!
What do you feel the biggest benefit of traveling abroad is?
The biggest benefit of traveling abroad is gaining new experiences in a new atmosphere. Traveling abroad helped me disconnect from everything that was going on in the United States and helped me recharge which made me happier.
It relieved so much stress and helped me acknowledge that there are so many students like me trying to achieve similar goals. Traveling abroad allowed me to interact with different people and I still keep in touch with those I was super close with. I have made it my mission to go back to Kenya.
Now that you're home, how has your time abroad impacted your life?
There is never a day I go without thinking about my time in Kenya. I think about the countless memories every day. Since I have been back in the United States, I can tell that I am a happier and more positive person.
Like I said before, I can say that my academic performance has been better because of the knowledge I gained from the physicians at Coast General Hospital. International Medical Aid really ignited my passion for health and I am forever grateful for the experiences I gained.
What does meaningful travel mean to you?
Personally, meaningful travel is when travel enriches your life in some way. That could be done by focusing on making your own life better by discovering and learning new things about the world and yourself.
You become a better global citizen and yearn to make a difference in the world. I cannot wait for the day when I am finally able to accomplish my goals and I will, without a doubt, try to make a difference in Kenya for the citizens. The people there are the nicest people I have ever met and I miss them every day.
