What inspired you to go abroad?
I have always been raised in an international context in countries like Argentina, Bolivia, Trinidad and Tobago, Spain, and the USA. Throughout my life, I have moved to six different countries, allowing me to experience six completely different cultures and ways of life.
When I started college, I knew it would be the most sedentary period of my life, and as someone who has constantly moved, traveling was a non-negotiable part of my college experience. In every country that I have lived in, my family and I would give back to the community in some way; giving has always been a big value to me.
When I learned about IMA, I knew an experience like the one offered was the perfect fit for expanding my knowledge and experience in the dental field. Not only could I travel, but I was making an impact on communities.
Women's health clinic
Why did you choose International Medical Aid (IMA)?
I chose IMA because when I learned about it, I contacted alumni who had a spotlight on IMA’s Instagram account. They all had amazing advice and stories to share with me and encouraged me to continue my application process. I had not talked with any pre-dental students since the majority were pre-med or nursing. Although reading through IMA’s website, I was confident it was a good fit for me.
During my interview with IMA, I was especially drawn to the wide range of activities offered, including outreach clinics in underserved communities and educational sessions with school-aged children. I also appreciated the strong emphasis on safety, professionalism, and meaningful engagement. It was clear that IMA is committed not only to providing international exposure but also to developing thoughtful, responsible future healthcare professionals—an environment I was excited to be part of.
What was your favorite part about your host country/city?
My favorite part about Mombasa was, without a doubt, the people. Every person I encountered was open, warm, and eager to share their knowledge.
In the hospital or at historical sights, I would always learn something new. The people I spent most time with were the dentists I rotated with. They taught me technical skills, allowed me to ask, assist, and grow. Not only did they share these valuable skills, but they also helped me understand distinct perspectives on working in a hospital with limited resources and on what healthcare looks like in their community. I learned to value not only the available instruments but also technical and thinking skills.
It strengthened my confidence in pursuing dentistry; every day confirmed that I was exactly where I needed to be. The patients also left a deep impact on me. Their gratitude, patience, and trust reminded me of why I am pursuing a career in healthcare. Pediatric patients had the greatest impact on me, alongside the mothers I met during an overnight rotation in maternity.
Outside the clinic, I felt at home. My cohort and the staff at the residence became my family for three weeks. I made friendships that I keep in contact with to this day. I can not talk about Mombasa without mentioning Grace. She was a kitchen staff member who greeted us every morning with positive affirmations and gave us life advice that I will carry with me for the rest of my life.
What made your experience abroad extraordinary?
Something I will never forget is the sense of fulfillment from alleviating someone's pain or insecurity. A specific case will always stick with me: a young man about 20 years old came into the periodontics clinic seeking help to fix his smile. He had an extreme case of fluorosis due to the high amount of fluoride in the water in Mombasa. His oral health was poor, as well as his low bone density. He came in because he had a goal, to work abroad, although he had to correct his smile.
Assisting Dr.Ian, alumni of the Universidad Europea de Madrid.
Hearing him speak about his dreams made me realize how deeply a person’s smile can influence not only their health, but their confidence, opportunities, and overall quality of life. It was so much more than a cosmetic concern for him; it was a barrier between where he was and the future he envisioned.
Watching the doctor carefully examine him and then build a comprehensive, step-by-step plan tailored to his needs was inspiring. It reminded me of the incredible impact healthcare professionals can have on someone's life trajectory. That moment solidified my desire to be part of a field that empowers people, restores confidence, and gives them the chance to pursue the life they dream of.
Another aspect of my internship that was unforgettable was the pediatric patients I was able to assist. There was a side of me that I did not know existed, and a passion that I got to explore. One of the cases involved a 3-year-old with advanced cavities in his front incisors. While Dr. Maria, an intern at Coast General, stepped out for supplies, I used the time to build trust with him by showing him the suction, water spray, and materials, hoping to reduce his fear. Once the procedure began, I distracted him as Dr. Maria administered anesthesia.
These experiences taught me that pediatric dentistry requires not only technical skill but also patience, empathy, and creativity in creating a safe environment for children when resources are limited. In Spain or the US, pediatric clinics are designed to create a comforting, welcoming environment with toys and more; here, I tried to create that with my presence and words.
Pediatrics became my favorite specialty because each child reminded me of my dual mission: to relieve pain and to create a safe, welcoming space for them.
How did local staff support you throughout your program?
Throughout my internship, my mentors were by my side, ensuring I settled in well and was prepared to embark on this journey. The staff at the residence were very attentive with every one of us, as well as security. The kitchen staff introduced us to the local cuisine and their traditional way of cooking, such as having cooking classes with some of the interns and cooking delicious Kenyan food.
The staff at the hospital are medical professionals to look up to. The drive, grit, and perseverance they had were truly inspiring. Information was not spoon-fed to you like in the US, because the time to do so was not a luxury they had.
I asked questions and actively engaged with them, getting to build good relationships, both in the dental department and in my afternoon and night shifts in other units. I learnt that immersing yourself was the way to get more exposure in the hospital, as well as gaining experience from the professionals around me.
What's one thing you wish you had done differently during your time abroad?
I wish I had signed up for more night shifts and afternoon shifts to fully be able to squeeze every second I could at the hospital. The night shifts I did truly changed my experience of life and healthcare.
I did a rotation in maternity, in which some girls from my cohort and I accompanied a mother during her labour and delivery. Doing so was incredibly emotional and rewarding. I wish I had done more night shifts in the labour and delivery area. There were nights with 30+ deliveries, and other nights that were slower, although you got to build bonds with patients and be by their side throughout their labor and delivery.
There was one mom in particular, she was 20 like me, and was expecting her first baby. Two other girls from my cohort and I were by her side through each contraction, since her husband was not able to come to the hospital due to work. This patient had to undergo a c-section and she was extremely nervous, not really understanding what was going on due to the lack of time the doctors had to properly explain. We were by her side through every step, and when she gave birth, it was very emotional, because we were right by her on the OR table, talking to her and keeping her calm. After the baby was born, the two other girls and I did the APGAR score and kept an eye on the baby while the C-section finished up.
Experiences like this are hard to replicate. The more time you spend at the hospital the more you will learn.
Describe what a typical day in your life abroad looked like.
A typical day in Mombasa consisted of doing things nonstop.
We would wake up at around 6 am, get our scrubs on, put on some bug spray, and head down for breakfast. We would all fuel up for the day with a high-protein breakfast and a must-have coffee. The bus would leave the residence in time to arrive at Coast General Referral and Teaching Hospital at around 8 am.
Once we arrived, our rotations started. I would typically shadow Dr. Raj and Dr. Maria, assisting on certain procedures and learning how to read certain types of imaging. We would also take patients to pick up X-rays. I would sometimes pop by the prosthetics room to watch and learn how they did dentures and bridges.
The time in the hospital would fly by, and before we knew it, we were heading back to the residence, where we would quickly eat lunch, change scrubs, and head out to our clinics about women's health or oral and hand hygiene.
In the exploration section in a out reach clinic, young kids were showing me their teeth cleaning skills.
We would go to schools and talk to kids aged 4-18. Once we were done with the group presentation, we would split into small groups, and this was my favorite part: getting to interact with a smaller group and getting to know each and every one of them made it incredibly special.
After this, we would say bye and head back to the residence, where we would have dinner and debrief about our day. I loved this part because you got a glimpse at everything that could happen at the same time, in the same place. We would then typically watch a show together or play cards, maybe go swimming if it was nice out. We would all share what we had learned and experienced at the hospital, this made me observe different things once they were pointed out, and realize how big of a hospital CGTRH was.
Spending time with my friends and colleagues was the perfect way to end the day.
What did you enjoy doing during your free time abroad?
My friends and I loved to go out and about in Mombasa, especially the beaches. We would talk about all of the patients we saw the past week, what challenges we faced, and how the staff worked around them. These moments made the experience that much richer because you got to see how much was going on, all in one hospital, showing the complexity of medicine and dentistry.
Trying Kenyan cuisine was also at the top of our favorite activities, although chapati was the overall winner.
My cohort was big but united; we would all do everything together. My favorite memory is singing karaoke with all of them at the Moonshine Bar and Grill. After dinner, we would all hang out in the living room and share stories about our lives. I got to meet mesmerizing people. We all still keep in touch and update each other; it is a very special bond that we formed.
What type of accommodation did you have? What did you like best about it?
I had a shared room with two other girls, and I enjoyed my time with them a lot. We got to talk before going to bed and create a stronger bond. What I liked the best about it was how homey it felt and how quickly you can form a friendship. We had bunks and a bathroom for three girls. We had a routine on who would go in first in the mornings, depending on how long we each took, it was a very smooth way to organize ourselves. One of the girls was in the nursing program, and the other was pre-med, making us a very diverse trio, and we had a lot to talk about. I keep in touch with them to this day.
The staff, both kitchen and cleaning staff, were very accommodating to our dietary needs, as well as ensuring that we had clean scrubs for the hospital.
What is one thing every future participant should know about your program before their program begins?
It truly flies by, and that is something I wish someone had emphasized to me before I arrived. The three weeks pass much faster than you expect, so it is important to be fully present and intentional with every day.
Take advantage of every opportunity, even the ones that push you outside your comfort zone. Ask questions whenever you can. At first, it may feel overwhelming or difficult to fully understand what is happening around you, but curiosity is welcomed, and learning happens through engagement. Do not be afraid to speak up at appropriate moments; those questions often lead to the most meaningful conversations and learning experiences.
One of the best decisions I made was journaling every day. Writing allowed me to process what I was seeing, feeling, and learning, and it helped me make sense of experiences that were emotionally and intellectually intense. That notebook has become something I hold very close to my heart, as it captures moments and lessons I never want to forget.
I would also strongly encourage future participants to explore different areas of the hospital, especially during afternoon and night shifts. Those shifts often reveal the realities of healthcare in the rawest, most authentic way, and they ended up being some of the most impactful and memorable parts of the entire internship.
Girls from my cohort and I with some girls at a hygine clinic
Would you recommend Dentistry/Pre-Dentistry Shadowing & Clinical Experience to others? Why?
Without a doubt, I would recommend this program to others. It offers high school and college students a rare opportunity to step into a healthcare system that operates under vastly different constraints, pushing you to rethink what quality care looks like when resources, time, and infrastructure are limited.
This exposure goes far beyond observation; it actively places you in environments where adaptability, creativity, and compassion are not optional, but essential. Experiencing healthcare in this context provided me with clarity and reassurance about my career path, confirming that I am pursuing a field where I feel both challenged and fulfilled.
The program challenged me academically by forcing me to apply my knowledge in unfamiliar and unpredictable situations, and emotionally by exposing me to the realities patients and providers face every day. At the same time, it fostered immense personal growth by teaching me how meaningful impact does not depend solely on advanced technology or ideal conditions.
What do you feel the biggest benefit of traveling abroad is?
The biggest benefit of traveling is perspective. Stepping outside of familiar systems and comforts forces you to reevaluate what you take for granted, whether that is access to technology, patient education, or even communication. Traveling allows you to understand people within the context of their culture, resources, and lived experiences, rather than through assumptions and prejudices.
It deepens empathy, encourages humility, and ultimately makes you more adaptable and open-minded, both as a person and as a future healthcare professional. Traveling has always been a part of my identity, although traveling with a purpose and feeling like you made an impact was a whole different level of traveling.
On my last day in Mombasa, since my flight was late at night, I took the opportunity to go to one last outreach clinic. During my break from doing cleanings with Dr.Ian, I stepped out of the designated dental area and saw a line of people waiting to get medications, see a professional, or accompany their elders. Seeing that line made me feel both humbled and deeply fulfilled.
In that moment, I realized that even the smallest contributions, educating a child, easing someone’s pain, or simply being present, mattered more than I had fully understood before. It was powerful to know that my time, energy, and compassion had tangible value beyond myself. I felt that I had left something behind, even if it was just a moment of relief, reassurance, or understanding for someone who needed it.
That experience gave me a profound sense of purpose and reinforced my motivation to work even harder. It made me want to return one day, not as a student or intern, but as a fully trained professional with the knowledge, skills, and resources to make an even greater impact. Traveling showed me that perspective can change how you see the world, but purposeful travel changes how you see your role within it.
Oral and Hand Hygiene clinic
Now that you're home, how has your time abroad impacted your life?
Now that I am home, my time abroad has deeply influenced how I view healthcare, dentistry, and my role within it. Being an intern at Coast General Teaching and Referral Hospital showed me that dentistry goes far beyond technical procedures; it is about communication, cultural understanding, advocacy, and dignity.
Seeing patients navigate care with limited resources, little preventive education, and significant financial barriers reshaped how I understand access to healthcare. I became more aware of the privilege embedded in the systems I have trained in and more intentional about never taking resources, patient education, or informed consent for granted.
Experiences in pediatrics, outreach clinics, prosthetics, and even maternity reinforced the importance of empathy, patience, and creativity when caring for patients, especially in environments where comfort and explanation are not always prioritized.
What does meaningful travel mean to you?
Meaningful travel, to me, is travel that immerses you in realities different from your own and challenges you to grow through them.
In Mombasa, meaningful travel meant contributing where I could, learning from limitations, and forming genuine connections through language, presence, and care. It meant understanding that every x-ray, every fractured tooth, and every waiting patient represented a person’s struggle with comfort, confidence, and dignity. This experience did not end when I returned home; it continues to motivate me to work harder and remain curious.
Thank you to all my mentors, doctors, nurses, PA´s, and staff that I met in Kenya. Thank you to my mom, dad, family, and friends for supporting me every step of the way.
