What inspired you to work for your organization?
I've always enjoyed meeting people from different parts of the world, learning about their cultures, and sharing my own. That's what initially attracted me to Go-Elective. I loved the idea of helping international students experience Kenya beyond the usual tourist attractions, through clinical placements, volunteering, cultural activities, and everyday interactions with local communities. I was also inspired by the organization's commitment to making international clinical experiences more affordable and accessible. What makes the work especially rewarding is watching students arrive in a completely new environment, gradually become comfortable, build friendships, and leave with experiences they'll remember for years. Sometimes they even wish they could stay longer, and that's always lovely to hear!
What advice would you tell your pre-travel self?
I'd tell myself not to worry too much about having everything figured out before leaving. Planning is important, but some of the best travel experiences happen when you embrace spontaneity and step outside your comfort zone. I'd encourage myself to meet new people, try unfamiliar foods, experience different cultures, and appreciate the little moments instead of focusing too much on taking photographs. I'd also remind myself that not everything will go according to plan, and that's okay. Unexpected challenges often lead to valuable lessons and unforgettable memories. Most importantly, I'd tell myself to travel with an open mind, enjoy every experience, and remember that travelling is as much about discovering yourself as it is about exploring new places.
Describe a typical day at work.
My day usually involves checking in on students, making sure they're comfortable, well-fed, and getting the clinical experience they hoped for. I also assist with coordinating hospital schedules, arranging transportation, and planning excursions and safaris. A big part of my role involves working with our team and service providers to ensure everything runs smoothly and addressing any issues that come up. No two days are quite the same, and that's what makes my job interesting!
Why do you do what you do?
I enjoy helping people and knowing that my work makes someone's experience better. It's rewarding to see students arrive in a new country feeling a little nervous and leave feeling confident, happy, and grateful for their experience.
What is your favorite part of your job?
Definitely interacting with students from different parts of the world! I enjoy hearing their stories, learning about their cultures, and watching them experience Kenya, or even Africa, for the first time. Seeing them make new friends, enjoy their stay, and eventually wish they could stay longer or come back again is always the highlight of my job.
How do you use your education and international background in your current role?
My role requires good communication, people-skills, organization, and problem-solving skills. Working with students from different countries has also taught me to appreciate different perspectives, understand people's needs, and communicate clearly.
What challenges do you often face and how do you overcome them?
Sometimes plans change unexpectedly, whether it's transportation, weather, schedules, or students needing extra assistance. I've learned patience, staying calm, communicate clearly, and find practical solutions. Having a supportive team also makes a big difference.
What are some current projects you are working on?
We're currently exploring a new destination in Sri Lanka, Asia, and I'm excited to be part of the preparations! I'm assisting our team in assessing potential partner hospitals, checking that facilities meet our students' and faculty's expectations, and reviewing safety, accommodation, and other essential arrangements. We're also looking to expand beyond healthcare by introducing exciting new study abroad opportunities, including pre-teaching and pre-law programs.
Why should someone choose your organization over competitors?
What sets Go-Elective apart is our commitment to making meaningful international clinical learning opportunities accessible without compromising the overall experience. We understand that many students would love to gain clinical exposure abroad but are often discouraged by the costs involved. That's why affordability and value are central to what we do. We also believe that a great experience involves much more than simply securing a hospital placement. From comfortable accommodation and meals to airport transfers, clinical mentorship, and cultural activities, we strive to ensure students feel supported throughout their stay. Our goal is for every participant to feel welcomed, cared for, and confident that they're getting a valuable educational and cultural experience.
What is your organization's mission and how do you continue to work toward it?
Go-Elective's mission is to make international clinical learning opportunities meaningful, affordable, and accessible while encouraging cultural exchange and personal growth. In my role, I contribute to this mission by helping ensure students have a smooth, comfortable, and enjoyable experience from the moment they arrive. This involves paying attention to both the big and small details, whether that's ensuring accommodation is ready, transport arrives on time, or students feel supported when adjusting to a new environment. I believe even the smallest acts of care can make a significant difference. When students feel comfortable and supported, they're better positioned to focus on learning, exploring, and making the most of their time in Kenya.
What makes your organization special?
What makes Go-Elective special is that we don't just focus on academic learning. We also want to make a positive social impact because we believe in leaving the communities we work with better than we found them. That's why we encourage students to take part in our volunteering and community outreach activities, from visiting local schools and children's homes to organizing mini career fairs where they share their journeys into medicine, healthcare, and STEM. We also organize activities such as basic CPR lessons and menstrual health education for girls in rural communities. For us, it's about creating meaningful experiences for our students while giving back to the communities that welcome us.
What hopes do you have for the future for your organization?
I'd love to see Go-Elective welcome more students from around the world, expand to more destinations, and continue building strong relationships with hospitals and local communities.
Are there any developments with your organization that you would like to share with us?
We're excited about expanding our programs to new destinations, including Sri Lanka in Asia! We're currently exploring partnerships with hospitals and local institutions to create more opportunities for students. We're also looking beyond healthcare by developing new study abroad programs in fields such as pre-teaching and pre-law. Our goal is to give more students, regardless of their academic interests, the opportunity to learn, travel, and experience different cultures.
What makes your organization easy to market to potential participants?
Students are often looking for opportunities that combine practical learning with travel, and Go-Elective offers both, along with accommodation, meals, transportation, and local support. But beyond that, we want students to feel like they're among friends, not just with fellow students, but also with our staff and the doctors they meet at the hospital. We encourage them to smile, be curious, ask questions, and build genuine connections with the people around them. It's amazing how these little things can make students feel more comfortable and completely change how they experience the destination.
What do you hope participants take away from your programs?
I hope students leave with much more than additional clinical experience. I want them to develop a deeper understanding of global health and the realities of delivering healthcare in different settings, particularly in low- and middle-income countries. Experiencing another healthcare system can challenge assumptions, broaden perspectives, and encourage students to think differently about healthcare access, resources, and patient care. Beyond professional learning, I hope participants become more compassionate, adaptable, culturally sensitive, and open-minded individuals. I also hope they form genuine friendships, discover something new about themselves, and leave with wonderful memories of Kenya and East Africa. Most importantly, I hope the experience stays with them and positively influences the healthcare professionals they eventually become.
Why is it important for people to travel abroad and experience new cultures?
I believe traveling abroad is one of the best ways to broaden your perspective and understand the world beyond what you're familiar with. It gives you the opportunity to interact with people from different backgrounds, experience new traditions, and appreciate different ways of living. Travel also challenges stereotypes and encourages you to approach unfamiliar situations with curiosity rather than judgment. You quickly realize that while cultures may differ, people often share similar hopes, values, and experiences. I think these encounters help us become more understanding, adaptable, and appreciative of diversity. They also remind us that there's always something valuable to learn from others.
How do you help support participants?
I help students settle in when they arrive, coordinate their daily schedules and transportation, and make sure they feel comfortable throughout their stay. I'm also there to answer questions, help them navigate cultural nuances, explore the city with them, and address any concerns or challenges along the way.
If you could participate on one of your organization's programs, where would you go and what would you do?
I absolutely love Mombasa for its rich cultural diversity, beautiful beaches, history, and amazing people. There's always something new to discover! Arusha, Tanzania, is equally exciting. But I'm especially looking forward to seeing how our new destination in Sri Lanka turns out. It shares quite a lot with Mombasa, from its coastal culture and history to the tropical climate and Indian Ocean influences. I'd love to experience those similarities and differences firsthand!
What questions do participants often ask you, and how do you typically respond?
Students often ask if they'll be joining other students, what their clinical schedules look like, and what activities they can enjoy outside the hospital. I always reassure them that they'll meet students from different parts of the world. For clinical placements, students typically complete at least 30 hours per week, with the flexibility to extend to 50+ hours through additional, evening, or weekend shifts, depending on hospital arrangements. We also have weekly Global Health Seminars, where we invite local healthcare experts to discuss important health topics and broaden students' perspectives. And there's plenty of fun outside the hospital! In Mombasa, students can even feed giraffes at Haller Park, just five minutes from our main student residence. There is also an option to go on safari! I love sharing these little details because they help students realize just how much there is to experience beyond their clinical placements.
Why do you think learning a new language is important?
Learning a new language helps you connect with people and understand their culture better. Even knowing a few words in Swahili can make a difference when interacting with locals in Kenya. It's also a nice way of showing respect and appreciation.
What does meaningful travel mean to you?
To me, meaningful travel is about much more than visiting beautiful places, ticking destinations off a bucket list, or taking photographs. It's about the people you meet, the conversations you have, the things you learn, and the connections you build along the way. It's about stepping outside your usual environment, experiencing another culture with an open mind, and allowing those experiences to change how you see the world. I also believe meaningful travel should involve respect for local communities and a willingness to learn rather than simply observe. Ultimately, it's the genuine connections, shared experiences, and personal growth that make a journey truly memorable. It's also about returning home with a deeper appreciation for different ways of life and carrying those lessons into your everyday life.
What advice do you have for individuals thinking about going abroad?
Go for it! It's normal to feel nervous about traveling somewhere new, especially for the first time. Do your research, ask questions, and choose a program that offers good support. Most importantly, be open to learning and enjoying the experience.
What issues do you see in the world of international education that don't line up with your values and expectations for mutually beneficial & educational relationships between providers/programs and the communities in which they are located within?
I'm a huge advocate for responsible travel and cultural exchange that benefits both visitors and the communities that welcome them. I believe international education should go beyond what students gain and also consider the impact they leave behind. That's why, at Go-Elective, we encourage students to respect local cultures, learn from local professionals, and participate in meaningful community outreach activities. For me, a successful program is one where both the students and the host communities benefit from the experience.
What does ethical global engagement mean to you?
To me, ethical global engagement means treating people and communities with respect, listening to local professionals, and being open to learning rather than assuming you know everything. It's also about understanding your responsibilities as a visitor and being mindful of local cultures and customs. I believe this also makes the experience much more rewarding for students, as they build genuine connections, feel more welcomed, and gain a deeper understanding of the communities they visit.
What hopes do you have for the future of international education?
As AI continues to advance, I believe travel and international education has become even more valuable. Technology can teach us about almost any place in the world, but it can't replace the experience of being there, meeting people, sharing stories, and seeing life through someone else's eyes. I hope more students get the opportunity to experience the world firsthand, build genuine connections, and appreciate different cultures. Some of life's most important lessons simply can't be learned from a screen.
What qualities in program & host community relations are important to you? (And your organization?)
Respect, trust, communication, and cooperation are very important to us. Good relationships with our local partners, teams, and communities help us provide better experiences for students while also creating value in the very communities we work in.
