Go Elective

I took a gap year because I didn’t want to rush into the next stage of school without being sure about what I wanted. I also didn’t want the year to become just more studying and applications. Spending part of it abroad gave me the chance to stay connected to medicine while doing something completely outside my normal routine. Some days were spent at the hospital, while others were spent exploring. I also liked being able to connect with other students who were figuring out their next steps too. Now, I feel less pressure to have everything figured out and much more certain about why I want to continue pursuing medicine.

The program was good overall. The staff, especially Jackie, were really helpful and made the experience easy to settle into. I was able to get the clinical exposure I needed and also had time to explore, which was a nice balance.

I was looking for a program that would help me complete my elective requirement while also giving me real clinical experience. During the program, I spent time in surgery, pediatrics, obstetrics, emergency care, and cardiology. I saw cases involving trauma, normal deliveries, post-op care, and a variety of other conditions that I would not normally be exposed to during my training back home. That made the experience much more valuable for me. I’d definitely recommend it to anyone looking for a clinical elective with a lot of variety and opportunities to learn.

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I came to Africa with a friend, and I'm so glad we got to share this experience together. From our time in the hospital to exploring and experiencing the culture, we learnt so much and made some amazing memories. The Go-Elective team was also very welcoming and made us feel comfortable throughout our stay.

My time in Kenya gave me the chance to experience healthcare in a way I had never seen before. I was able to spend time in different wards, learn from healthcare professionals, and witness moments that were both inspiring and difficult. Some of the cases I saw were heartbreaking, while others, like witnessing births, were incredibly moving. Seeing patients and families go through such different experiences gave me a much deeper appreciation for patient care and showed me how important compassion is in medicine. Outside the hospital, I really enjoyed learning more about Kenyan culture, meeting local people, and exploring Mombasa. Everyone I met was warm and welcoming, and the GoElective team made the whole experience feel organised, comfortable, and easy to enjoy. It was a trip that gave me so much to reflect on, both personally and professionally.

I learnt a lot during my nursing elective in Kenya, especially from seeing how nurses manage busy wards and care for patients with limited resources. I was able to observe patient assessments, wound care, medication rounds and how nurses communicate with patients and their families. The experience gave me a better understanding of the responsibilities nurses take on every day and helped me feel more confident in my own clinical skills.

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One of my favorite parts of this program was seeing how healthcare is delivered in a resource-constrained environments. The hospital rotations exposed me to conditions such as severe malaria that are uncommon in the United States, and I was inspired by how healthcare teams provided excellent patient care despite limited resources. The Global Health seminars helped me better understand how factors such as poverty, access to healthcare, and healthcare infrastructure influence patient outcomes. I also enjoyed exploring Mombasa! I left Kenya with a greater appreciation for global health, new friendships, and lessons that I know will carry with me throughout my medical career.

This program gave me the perfect balance of clinical learning and adventure, with the safari being one of the highlights of my trip. It was my first time seeing elephants, lions, giraffes, and so many other incredible animals in the wild, making it an experience that I will always cherish.

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I learned so much throughout this experience, both in and out of the hospital. The clinical rotations, Global Health seminars, and Swahili classes gave me a better understanding of medicine in a different healthcare system, while exploring Mombasa and meeting students from around the world made the experience even more memorable.

The clinical experience exceeded my expectations. I was able to observe a wide range of procedures, ask questions freely, and learn from physicians in Coast General Hospital. I especially enjoyed my time in the pediatrics department, where I gained valuable insight into caring for children and working alongside a supportive team. Every department offered something different, making each day engaging and educational. I would highly recommend this program to anyone interested in global health or pursuing a career in medicine.

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I can't thank Go-Elective enough for providing such an incredible experience in Africa. I highly recommend this program to anyone looking to gain meaningful clinical experience in an actual hospital with a really supportive team

I spent a month in Mombasa and it was genuinely one of the best experiences I've had. I met some great people from all over who I now consider friends. The clinical work was rewarding and we also got to explore on weekends together. Truly unforgettable!

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I learned so much during my time in Kenya and the doctors were surprisingly generous with their time, always willing to teach even on their busiest days. I'm already planning to go back after med school

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Stepping outside my comfort zone and traveling to Kenya for this program turned out to be one of the best experiences of my life, challenging me in ways that helped me grow both personally and professionally. Working alongside healthcare professionals and seeing the impact they have on patients every day made me realize just how important medicine is and strengthened my passion for pursuing a career in healthcare.

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My clinical experience in Kenya was both eye-opening and rewarding. The program allowed us to work with physicians across several departments, and the hospital staff were incredibly welcoming and involved us in daily patient care and clinical activities. Each department offered a different learning experience. I practiced basic patient examination skills and observed hands-on activities such as triage and surgical procedures, which gave me a broader understanding of how medicine is practiced in a real hospital setting. During my rotation, I spent time in general surgery, pediatrics, obstetrics, and dermatology, and I also had opportunities to shadow physicians during specific procedures and consultations. Outside the hospital, experiencing Kenya’s culture and seeing the Big Five on safari made the trip truly unforgettable and one I will always cherish.

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I stayed 3 weeks with GoElective in Mombasa, Kenya. This trip was truly life changing and the best experience ever. I would highly recommend this organization to many people. The people involved in this organization are truly the best.