Physician Assistant & Pre-PA Internship Abroad | Go Elective

I was a little nervous about traveling to Africa by myself, especially since I didn’t know anyone before arriving. That feeling disappeared pretty quickly. I met students from different places, and within a few days we were going to the hospital together and exploring on the weekends. One of my favorite rotations was in the labour ward. I got to see babies being born, which was something I had never experienced before. Seeing a new life come into the world right in front of me was honestly amazing, and each delivery felt just as special as the first one. I learned a lot during my time abroad, but those moments in the labour ward are something I know I’ll always remember.

I went to Kenya mainly for the clinical experience, but I ended up getting much more out of the program than I expected. I enjoyed being in the hospital every day and getting to know the doctors and other students along the way. There were definitely things that took some getting used to, but that was part of what made the experience so valuable. I also really enjoyed trying the local food. Everything was so fresh and flavorful, and I definitely ate more than I expected to while I was there.

What I enjoyed most was not feeling like I was just there to watch. I joined ward rounds, listened to case discussions, observed wound care and other everyday procedures, and had plenty of chances to ask questions along the way. I also learnt a lot from communicating with patients and seeing how much trust and understanding matter in healthcare. By the end of the four weeks, the hospital felt much less unfamiliar, and I felt a lot more comfortable in a clinical environment.

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 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.

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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