What inspired you to go abroad?
As a pre-med student, I wanted to experience healthcare outside the United States and get a better understanding of what a career in medicine involves. Going to Kenya gave me the opportunity to observe doctors in a different healthcare system while experiencing a new culture. I was especially interested in surgery and emergency medicine, so being able to shadow in those departments made the trip particularly meaningful.
Why did you choose Go Elective?
I chose this program because it offered the opportunity to shadow at Coast General Teaching and Referral Hospital while also experiencing life in Mombasa. I wanted a trip that combined medical learning with opportunities to explore Kenya. The hospital placement, meals prepared by the chefs, and excursions were all valuable parts of the experience, and that combination made the program a great fit for my interests.
What was your favorite part about your host country/city?
My favorite part was getting to experience different sides of Kenya during the same trip. Spending time in Mombasa gave me a chance to explore the city, while the safari was an incredible opportunity to see wildlife in person. I especially enjoyed the Mombasa tour because it helped me experience more than just my daily hospital routine. Together, those experiences made the trip memorable both inside and outside the hospital.
What made your experience abroad extraordinary?
What made the experience extraordinary was the combination of medical exposure and everything we experienced outside the hospital. I spent my hospital days observing general surgery and emergency medicine, then had opportunities to explore Mombasa and go on a safari. The visit to the orphanage was another memorable part of the trip. Having so many different experiences within a few weeks made my time in Kenya stand out.
How did local staff support you throughout your program?
The local staff contributed a lot to the experience, especially through the meals and excursions. The two chefs cooked really good food for us, and having those meals to look forward to after spending the day at the hospital was a highlight. The safari, Mombasa tour, and orphanage visit also added a lot to the program. I appreciated the effort that went into making our time outside the hospital enjoyable and memorable.
What's one thing you wish you would have done differently during your time abroad?
I wish I had stayed for longer and made sure to pack better tee r for the occasion that I get sick. I definitely wish I could have stayed for more time to get even more valuable experience from the hospital and immersive myself even further into the culture of Mombasa and stay as long as possible there.
Describe what a typical day in your life abroad looked like.
A typical day involved getting up early and arriving at Coast General Teaching and Referral Hospital around 8 AM. I spent most of my time shadowing in general surgery or the emergency department, observing the doctors and learning from the cases they were managing. After the hospital, I would have time to unwind and enjoy the food prepared by our two chefs. On excursion days, the routine changed and we had opportunities to explore more of Kenya.
What did you enjoy doing during your free time abroad?
The excursions were some of my favorite parts of my free time abroad. I really enjoyed the safari, which was a memorable way to experience Kenya beyond the city. The tour of Mombasa was also a lot of fun and gave me a chance to explore the place where I was staying. I enjoyed the visit to the giraffe feeding place and the orphanage as well as relaxing in the apartment band watching TV. Between those outings and the excellent meals, there was plenty to look forward to outside the hospital.
What type of accommodation did you have? What did you like best about it?
I stayed in a very comfortable apartment during my time in Mombasa. My favorite part was definitely the food prepared by the two chefs. They cooked really good meals for us, and I appreciated having that part of my daily routine taken care of while I focused on the hospital experience. Coming back after a full day of shadowing and having a good meal to look forward to was one of the things I enjoyed most about the stay.
What is one thing every future participant should know about your program before their program begins?
Come ready to learn, be respectful, and keep an open mind. Shadowing in a different healthcare system is an opportunity to observe how local professionals work and understand their perspective. I would encourage future participants to ask appropriate questions, respect patient privacy, and make the most of their time at the hospital. Also, leave room for the excursions, because exploring Kenya was a major highlight of my experience.
Would you recommend your program/provider to others? Why?
Yes, I would recommend this program, especially to students interested in medicine or other medical adjacent fields in their future who also want to experience another country. Shadowing at Coast General Teaching and Referral Hospital gave me valuable exposure to general surgery and emergency medicine.
What do you feel the biggest benefit of traveling abroad is?
Definitely experiencing a lot of other cultural differences between the US and places so far away, and getting a different perspective on how healthcare operates in completely separate parts of the world. It’s also great to meet new people who you wouldn’t get a chance to meet in your home country at all.
Now that you're home, how has your time abroad impacted your life?
My time in Kenya gave me experiences that I can connect to my studies and my goal of becoming a physician. Observing general surgery and emergency medicine helped me better understand the daily work of doctors beyond what I could learn in a classroom. It also gave me another perspective on healthcare by allowing me to observe a hospital outside the United States. The trip remains an important part of my experience as a pre-med student.
What does meaningful travel mean to you?
Meaningful travel means taking the time to learn from the people and places you visit and returning with a broader perspective. In Kenya, that came from both shadowing at the hospital and exploring outside it. Observing local doctors, touring Mombasa, and going on a safari all gave me different ways to experience the country. For me, a meaningful trip creates memories while also giving you something to reflect on after you return home.
