What inspired you to go abroad?
Compassion inspired me to go abroad. I have always had a passion for having a healthcare-related career. My dream has always been to be a Cardiothoracic surgeon. CUNY - New York City College of Technology requires students to engage in internships relating to their majors during their junior or senior year in college. This summer of 2021, I was in my sophomore year in terms of years in college. However, in regards to credits, I already had the amount equivalent to a student in their junior year. I then approached my program advisor, and I was given permission to have an earlier internship.
I could have decided to have my pre-medical internship within the United States, but I didn't. I initially stated that compassion inspired me to go abroad because I wanted to see for myself, the state of the healthcare systems in other countries. I am from Nigeria, in west-Africa. I already had the knowledge that there is poor access to medical care in Africa but something within me urged me to go over to see how other African countries are faring. Of the options given to me, I decided to pick Mombasa, Kenya and it was the best decision ever.
Shadowing a Cardiac Catheterization procedure at Coast General Teaching & Referral Hospital
Why did you choose International Medical Aid?
All my life, I have always chosen the first out of all options, and trust me when I tell you it strangely works. What do I mean? One of the reasons I picked my University (NYCCT) was because they reached out and gave me admission first, out of all the schools I applied to. I wanted to study abroad, and I had already done my research about what type of program I would like to apply for (my criterion for selecting is a secret - hahaha).
International Medical Aid (IMA) met the criteria, but I still wasn't convinced so as usual, I decided to go for the first program that accepts my application. That was it! I got an email congratulating me on my acceptance and I told myself, "This is it. This is where I am to medically make a difference for the next eight weeks. Mombasa - Kenya, here I come!".
What was your favorite part about Kenya?
Hospitality! I have been to places and met people but never received the amount of hospitality shown to me while in Mombasa, Kenya. Now I believe the people make the country and not the country itself. I was greatly welcomed. Just the smiles on people's faces made me feel at home. Gradually, strangers became family. Those experiences became lifelong memories. I will always be grateful for being given the opportunity to experience a world outside my usual norm.
What made your experience abroad extraordinary?
Having to witness the healthcare delivery system made my experience extraordinary. I knew I was going abroad for clinical shadowing, but it never felt real until I was at BOMU Hospital and Coast General Teaching & Referral Hospital observing medical procedures. It gave an insight into what it takes to be a surgeon and the expectations.
It encouraged me to be better at what I love doing the most. I increased my reading hours and became much more determined to be part of that medical support system the world needs. It only reminded me of who I am and what I want to be. Continuously witnessing these procedures made my stay in Mombasa - Kenya extraordinary.
Adolescent HIV counseling session with Operation Triple Zero (OTZ) at BOMU private hospital
How did the local staff support you throughout your program?
Out of all the support given, the monthly check-in appointment was a great support system for me during the program. I loved observing not just the medical aspect of hospitals but my environment as well.
I appreciated the local staff for setting up individual check-ins. I am extremely happy with the love shown by each and every IMA staff member and I just want to tell them to keep it up! My IMA program mentor was also another huge support system.
Margaret Kagwanja was always there to give a listening ear and was there to attend to my needs. The kitchen staff, household cleaning staff members, and the drivers are also teams I wouldn't leave out of this category. They are literally the BEST!
What’s one thing you wish you would have done differently during your time abroad?
I wish I had joined other interns in participating in the safaris program. I always felt left out when I stayed behind knowing other students were out there experiencing something unique. I would go over to meet them once they were back on Sundays and make them tell their experiences.
I already made my parents spend a lot to make this dream of coming to Mombasa, Kenya come true. I didn't want to give them an extra financial burden so I never told them about the optional safaris/adventure treks. However, it was fun getting engaged in the program's local treks.
My last week of rotation and an emotional rollercoaster at Coast General Teaching & Referral Hospital
Describe what a typical day in your life abroad looked like.
If asked, I would say a typical day during my stay abroad felt like how physicians and other healthcare professionals spend their days but with long hours at the hospital compared to mine.
I was taking two summer classes while abroad, so I basically did not sleep until 1:00 am Kenyan time, which is 6:00 pm American Eastern time. Before going to bed, I laid down my ironed scrubs and other items needed for the morning.
I had to be up by 5:00 am to have my bath. By 6:30 am I was on the ground floor filling my water flasks and waiting for my breakfast. By 7:00 am - 7:15 am, I was on the bus. Once it was 7:30 am (the pickup time changed depending on your rotation for the week), the drop-off bus left the residence, and by 8:00 am I got to the hospital (this also changed depending on the road traffic).
I clocked in for my rotations and observed medical procedures until 12:30 pm. The pickup bus left by 12:45 pm and I got back to the residence by 1:00 pm for lunch. During or after lunch, we had departmental check-ins to discuss our day at the hospital.
By 3:00 pm, lectures started, and these could be theoretical, practical, or both. By 5:00 pm, dinner was ready and after dinner, you were allowed to use the remaining hours for personal reasons.
Usually, I would take out my laptop, do assignments for summer classes, continue the independent student research I was collecting articles on, read novels, watch K-drama movies, or join a few groups to get personal items at a nearby mall. This routine continues weekly but changes slightly on weekends.
In afternoons where I did not partake in lectures because I had already participated initially, (they were repeated for newly arrived interns, I just joined other students in leisure activities. We spend our afternoons doing things like playing soccer, hanging out by the poolside, visiting local malls, etc. At times, I just went to bed in the afternoon, knowing I would be having a night shift that day.
What did you enjoy doing during your free time abroad?
I got into the habit of computing all the medical procedures observed during my internship and I enjoyed doing this during my leisure times. I witnessed a lot of surgeries that I never knew of.
Out of curiosity, I would bring out my laptop, tabulate the new words or terms I learned during the day, and then compute their meanings. At times, I rewrite my medical journals and make copies of them on my phone and laptop. Aside from that, I loved going out in groups and getting to know other interns outside our busy schedules.
Receiving my eight weeks of Internship certificate
What type of accommodation did you have? What did you like best about it?
I got to stay at the program residence. It was the best. My accommodation was basically like a school dorm and had two other roommates. I have never stayed at a school dorm before, but this experience made it feel like one. I got to meet the most amazing roommate-became-bestie ever, Laura and that is what I loved best about the accommodation.
Since I stayed at the program residence for eight weeks, I kept meeting new roommates because some stayed for a shorter period of time. That means newly arrived interns will have to move into the empty space(s). I got to meet other amazing student-interns as I nicknamed them; Maddie, Dayanie, Saskie, Kelsie. It was life-filled and fun-packed!
What’s one thing every future participant should know about the Pre-Med/ Health Fellowship before their program begins?
Be mentally prepared! It is going to be exhausting and even traumatic no matter the department you chose to be in. At first, I wanted to spend more hours at the hospital than the given hours but after spending some days seeing all sorts of happenings, that confirmed that being a physician isn't an easy job.
Till today, some events get replayed inside my head. Yes, that is what personal experience does to the brain. Make sure you want this and are ready for this! Trust me, having a passion for medicine is worth it and eventful.
Would you recommend International Medical Aid to others? Why?
I would definitely recommend the International Medical Aid program to others. IMA is a unique healthcare-packed program, and you will get the most out of it. I have read about other summer programs, but none is as eventful as IMA.
I love how the IMA staff makes the most out of our weekends as well. One of the best Saturday events is the "Team-Building" activity. In IMA, you get the educational aspect of it and the bonus social life package that comes up with it. Metaphorically, you get to see a different world in the same universe.
What do you feel is the biggest benefit of traveling abroad?
The biggest benefit of traveling abroad is that it expands your horizons. You get to see, touch, feel, taste, sniff, and hear for yourself the medical management differences between your hometown (or where you stayed) before visiting abroad. You can only boldly and gladly defend the things you know.
I know I can even make Mombasa, Kenya part of my future advocacy plans, namely, starting a non-governmental organization. By traveling abroad, you fulfill dreams and the knowledge acquired helps give to the world and cultivate a better version of yourself and your future contributions to the medical field.
Weekly hygiene education session at Milele Elimu Centre/School
Now that you’re home, how has your time abroad impacted your life?
I see the future of medicine from another perspective. I got to understand that not everyone is privileged to have access to a better healthcare system. I got inspired to bring my clinical experience in Mombasa, Kenya to the United States for people that are yet to visit. This made me come up with the idea of making inspirational videography as soon as I got back to the States.
Ten years from now, when I have already become a board-certified attending surgeon, M.D. Okemeta, I know I would look at my Kenyan clinical experience and appreciate every aspect of it again.
What does meaningful travel mean to you?
A meaningful trip to me would be one where I get back after my travel, reflect on the events, and feel fulfilled. It means traveling where I feel accomplished and achieve more than expected. It is traveling that touched and changed lives positively. It is a journey that constantly reminds me of where I came from and where I am to be in the nearest future. This type of traveling encourages me to have an impact on others' lives and challenges me. That is meaningful travel.
