GoAbroad

May Term Study Abroad

In the Northern Hemisphere, May is the “Goldilocks” term to travel abroad. It’s not too hot, not too cold, it’s just right. With summer right around the corner, you’ll not only find good weather, but you can also hit popular sites without the crazy long lines and selfie sticks blocking your views, giving you the freedom to make the most of study abroad. Studying abroad during May term is just the ticket for students looking for a short commitment with a big impact, or for recent grads trying to find your footing.
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208 May Term Study Abroad Programs

AIFS Abroad logo

AIFS Abroad

9.16

32

AIFS Abroad in Cannes, France: Summer

Spend your summer in the sunny, international resort city of Cannes, France, with AIFS Abroad! Earn up to 13 credits at the Campus International de Cannes. Courses are taught in English and French. Learn or perfect your French language skills with no previous French language study required. Live on campus in a student residence hall overlooking the Mediterranean Sea. You will share a double or triple room, with single rooms available for an additional fee. If you want to immerse yourself in the French language and culture, a homestay is also an option for housing. Homestay students receive breakfast daily and lunch Monday through Sunday on campus. Enjoy cultural and social activities, including: • Boat trips to St. Marguerite Island and St. Tropez • Museum visits • Afternoon at a French cinema • Trips to Monaco, Nice, Gorges du Verdon (French Grand Canyon), and a Cistercian monastery on St. Honorat Island An optional, 3-day cultural excursion to Paris, France, is available for session 2 students. A 2-night tour of London, England, is included for students on the AIFS Abroad Flight Package.

See All 18 Programs

Arcos Learning Abroad

9.59

117

Top Rated Program Study Abroad in Mexico 2025
Arcos Learning Abroad in Oaxaca, Mexico

Study abroad in the charming colonial city of Oaxaca, Mexico, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Oaxaca’s extensive colonial architecture and deeply-rooted indigenous cultures make it a unique and fascinating destination. Spanish classes are offered for all levels and students can choose from a variety of electives and specialized programs in healthcare and the arts. Oaxaca is nestled in a valley in the highlands of central Oaxaca state surrounded by the Sierra Norte mountains. Within easy access to the city, you will find some of Mexico’s best-preserved archaeological sites. Oaxaca is a vibrant city for the arts and possesses a world-famous food culture with cutting-edge restaurants. The Arcos Learning Abroad program provides an all-inclusive study abroad experience with cultural activities on the weekdays, excursions on the weekends, on-site directors, carefully vetted homestays, tuition, and much more. Arcos invites you to step through the arch and into a life-changing experience abroad. Immerse yourself in the timeless culture and rich history of Oaxaca. Mexico awaits!

See All 5 Programs

Adelante Abroad

8.72

152

Top Rated Program Study Abroad in Scotland 2025
Equine Summer Study in Scotland - Adelante Abroad

Equine Summer Study Abroad is now in its 10th year and sold out. Apply now for next year! Limited to just 16 students, it includes daily English-style riding and coursework in Equine Anatomy & Physiology and Equine Fitness. Ideal for animal science or pre-vet majors, but open to all—no riding experience needed. This 4-week summer intensive study abroad provides students with an out-of-country experience like no other. Get credit for two classes while learning the ins and outs of Equestrianism. The Equine study abroad in Scotland program is exclusive to Adelante Abroad and always fills quickly. Apply now before they sell out!

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SAI Programs

8.67

3

SAI Study Abroad at Syracuse Academy (Sicily, Italy)

SAI welcomes students to experience Sicily, one of the jewels of the Mediterranean! In partnership with The Syracuse Academy, SAI provides specialized summer study abroad programs focused on Mediterranean culture, landscape, and history—in a beautiful seaside setting. The Academy brings together a small community of students interested in a culturally immersive summer academic experience that uses the surrounding region as its classroom. Studies include volcanology on Mount Etna, the history of the Mafia in its birthplace, and archaeology among ancient Greek ruins. SAI oversees and coordinates all aspects of student enrollment, including application processing, course selection and credit, visa advising, housing, student health insurance, transcripts, and cell phone service. In addition, SAI provides comprehensive student services, beginning with pre-departure and leading to our on-site orientation.

MAXIMO NIVEL

9.49

637

Spanish Immersion Programs | Learn Spanish in Latin America

Live and study in Costa Rica, Guatemala, and Peru. Maximo Nivel offers the most intensive and professional Spanish immersion program in Latin America. Our Native Spanish Program emphasizes oral communication and integrated skills development to truly help build your Spanish language proficiency - this is a great immersion experience! Our native-speaking Spanish teachers are highly qualified professional instructors with years of experience. Our Tandem Conversation program pairs Spanish program participants with our local English students for free conversation practice.

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International Medical Aid (IMA)

10

69

Physician Assistant/Pre-PA Internships Abroad | IMA

Join the ranks of forward-thinking healthcare professionals through International Medical Aid's (IMA) Physician Assistant and Pre-PA Internships. Our program, rooted in the educational standards of Johns Hopkins University, is designed to propel undergraduate students, PA school attendees, certified PAs, and high school students into the heart of global health care. IMA, a non-profit entity, extends beyond traditional borders to bring essential medical aid and education to underserved regions in East Africa, South America, and the Caribbean. The internship, underscored by an ethics-based approach to care, enhances clinical skills and lets you explore the cultural and societal nuances of healthcare, facilitated by our seasoned mentors. IMA's commitment to improving global health while also enriching the educational journey of each intern is evident in our comprehensive support system. From day one, interns receive personalized guidance, from field-specific orientation to admissions consulting for PA school, ensuring a seamless transition into international medical settings.

See All 6 Programs

CIS Abroad

10

4

Maymester on the Italian Coast

Head to beautiful Sorrento, Italy, on the Southern Italian Coast for the ultimate in culture, adventure, and learning! This unique Maymester program allows you to beat the summer crowds while soaking up the Mediterranean. You can choose to study Italian language, literature, or culture, or take Marine Biology and make the marina your classroom. Want to stay on for summer on the Italian Coast? (We suspect you will!) We have a program for that, too. In any case, you'll certainly make the most of your May Term and memories to last a lifetime. Located atop a seaside cliff, the Sant’Anna Institute is housed in a prominent building offering breathtaking views of the Marina Grande of Sorrento. Courses are rooted in experiential learning, which means you’ll get a unique, hands-on experience.

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Meiji Academy

9.89

62

Meiji Academy - Study Japanese in Fukuoka

Meiji Academy is your gateway to Japan through our numerous Japanese courses! Choose the type of class that fits your interest and learning style. This way you will learn the language in the most efficient and fun way. - Our Standard Japanese course has 20 lessons per week and is taught in small classes with up to 6 people. - Our Intensive Course has 4 extra private classes per week, and your teacher will focus on your needs. - Our Japanese Traditional Culture Course allows you to experience Zen meditation or wear a kimono. - Our Japanese Pop Culture Course helps you learn more about your favorite Manga and Anime, or visit a maid cafe. - Our Japanese Business Course teaches you about ethics and rules in the Japanese workplace. This is an especially useful class if you plan to live and work in Japan without committing typical mistakes. After class and on the weekends, participate in a variety of activities such as singing karaoke with your new friends or eating ramen at a yatai (a shop stand or mobile food stall)!

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JaLS GROUP

9.65

51

Short-term Japanese Course & Cultural Activity in Hokkaido

Hokkaido Japanese Language School, located in the center of the bustling and modern city of Sapporo, offers students the chance to study Japanese conversationally and culturally. No previous experience is necessary and classes are offered for all levels and age groups. Courses begin every Monday and students have the choice between our nine different programs, including: - Standard Course - Standard + Private Course - Traditional Culture Course - Pop Culture Course - Fashion Culture Course - Travel Japanese Course - JLPT Preparation Course - Winter Course - Summer Course Our certified teachers teach standard Japanese, and interaction with local Japanese during school activities creates the perfect environment to improve your Japanese speaking abilities and learn about Japanese culture. Come join us in beautiful Hokkaido!

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Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona

9

1

Study Abroad at UAB: Tailor Made Study Programs for Groups

This is a unique, tailor-made learning and living experience integrated with the academic quality of the Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona. Our customized programs are for institutions and agencies that want to provide groups of international students with an educational experience at a university of international excellence. Participants study on the main campus just outside the city or at a campus in central Barcelona. Individual programs are tailored by selecting from more than 100 elective subjects in English or Spanish across areas like Business, Communication, Medicine and Nursing, Law, Arts and Humanities, and Spanish and Catalan Language. Guarantee maximum flexibility! Programs are available all year round, with flexible timetables and no minimum duration. Students can add accommodation, meals, transport, cultural visits, and leisure activities.

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Go Abroad China Ltd.

9.71

150

Paid Internships in Fortune 500 Companies in China

Go Abroad China’s Paid Internship Program connects international students, graduates, and young professionals with guaranteed placements in Fortune 500 companies, multinational corporations, and innovative startups across China. Since 2003, we’ve placed over 4,000 participants from 50+ countries into 2,000+ paid internships spanning 20+ industries—including business, finance, engineering, IT, marketing, law, hospitality, and more. Designed for ambitious and motivated individuals aged 18+, our year-round programs offer real-world, cross-cultural experience in booming cities like Beijing, Shanghai, Shenzhen, and Guangzhou. No Mandarin skills required—many placements are in English-speaking environments. All-inclusive packages from $1,980 cover accommodation, visa support, Mandarin classes, orientation, business/cultural activities, 24/7 local assistance, and a risk-free refund policy. With 90% of interns securing jobs within 3 months and 20% receiving full-time offers, this is your gateway to a global career. We understand that every intern's needs and budget are unique, which is why we offer fully customizable package options, and we will tailor a program specifically for you.

See All 8 Programs

Siena Italian Studies Program

9.48

54

SIS Semester and Summer in Siena, Italy

Participants are immersed in the Italian language and culture during a semester, academic year, or summer program. Courses include Anthropology, Art History, Cinema, Medieval History, Sociolinguistics, History of Italian Cooking, Business, and Creative Arts. Students live with local host families while making a difference in the local community through service-learning opportunities. They participate in a series of activities and excursions during the semester or summer term. Some of these include cooking classes, grape harvest, hikes in the countryside, museum visits, day trips to Florence, and overnight excursions to the Alps, Tuscan coast, or other destinations of interest.

Cracow School of Art and Fashion Design

9.46

13

International School of Fashion Design in English

The Cracow School of Art and Fashion Design offers a two-and-a-half-year full-time program that enables students to release their full potential. At the school, students are in the heart of a vibrant community—alive with creative energy, surrounded by people who love what they do, have ideas and talent, plans and passion. The school is for self-motivated fashion enthusiasts who have the flexibility and passion to succeed, mature enough to commit to a course that is demanding in both its breadth and depth. Students receive an intensive education with individual attention and are encouraged to interact freely and often to exchange ideas. The informal, lively atmosphere creates a community of working artists. The program introduces students to the essential skills of fashion and textile design from sketchpad to catwalk. It includes textiles, fashion illustration, pattern making, and styling.

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Therapy Abroad Inc.

9.6

43

Dominica: Speech-Language Pathology in Paradise

Take your classroom abroad! Immerse yourself in rich Dominican culture and history while experiencing all the “Nature Island” offers. Embrace the tropical climate while exploring the biodiversity of the coral reefs, mountains, rivers, hot springs, and beautiful sights and sounds of the rainforest. Spend your clinical time conducting speech and hearing screenings, running group therapy camps, administering formal and informal assessments, and learning about quality patient care from licensed, American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA) accredited Speech-Language Pathologists. Our one-of-a-kind agreement with the government of Dominica allows students the most diverse experiences possible -work in hospitals, skilled nursing facilities, schools, and home health settings! Gain observation and/or clinical hours and increase your cultural competency as a future clinician. Broaden your horizons as you try new adventures such as snorkeling the famous Champagne Reef, jumping into the Emerald Pools, exploring Trafalgar Falls, and Whale watching. This program is the perfect combination of those seeking adventure and hands-on learning.

See All 6 Programs

The Lex Fellowship

9.86

7

One New Firm Each Day: #1 Pre-Law Summer Abroad Program

At Lex, pre-law students rotate to a new law firm each day, where they can expect to gain a deeper understanding of day-to-day life in the legal field. This is done by completing case studies and meeting with firms and attorneys throughout the host cities. In addition, they develop a deep appreciation for the rich cultures our site locations have to offer. For 6 years, Lex has been the best opportunity for real-world legal instruction to interested pre-law students. With fellowships in the US and Europe, our programs are for students who are ready to take their law school applications to the next level. What better way to gain hands-on experience with diverse cases, fields, and lawyers than in the fast-paced and beautiful cities of Madrid, Barcelona, Rome, and Washington, DC!? Law school is a significant investment of time and financial resources. Through the Lex Fellowship, you can determine if law school is right for you.

See All 3 Programs

Atlantis

10

3

Join Atlantis: Pre-Health Shadowing 60+ Hours w/ Top Doctors

Atlantis is the #1, largest, and most reputable pre-health study abroad organization for US undergraduates. With shadowing experiences in Italy, Spain, Portugal, Croatia, and other countries, our multi-country programs are perfect for students who are ready to see the world. What better way to gain clinical hours than jet-setting all around Europe?! Shadow in top European hospitals with well-esteemed physicians and have the opportunity to explore the rich culture that Europe has to offer. As pre-health students, we know how hard it can be to travel and balance a rigorous course load. However, professional schools are looking for students that can critically think about the world we live in and how to improve the patient experience. With alumni in 40 of the top 50 MD programs, Atlantis prepares students for a future career in healthcare.

Intercultura Costa Rica

10

8

Spanish + Cultural Immersion - Beautiful Beach & City Campus

Learn Spanish and immerse yourself in Costa Rican culture at one or both of our two unique locations – Samara Tropical Beach Campus and/or Heredia Historic City Campus. Study Spanish in small, dynamic groups with students of all ages and nationalities. Live with a Costa Rican family or in a student apartment. Learn to dance salsa and bachata, cook local foods, learn to surf or do yoga. Travel to volcanoes, beaches & rainforests; make friends for life. Our caring and experienced staff & professors provide you with support every step of the way. Standard Group Immersion Course: 4 hours a day, Monday - Friday (20 hours a week) Private/Semi-Private Spanish Lessons: 10 to a maximum of 20 hours per week Intensive Spanish Course: Add a maximum of 5 private lessons per week to your standard group classes We offer a series of 18 courses designed by curriculum specialists, using interactive small groups in an environment of total cultural immersion. Our professors are dynamic, experienced, native speakers with minimum a BA, teaching certification and/or MA in Spanish as a Second Language. All are trained in the communicative approach, ensuring a fun and enjoyable learning experience!

GLS German Language School Berlin

0

0

Learn German @ GLS Campus Berlin

The GLS Campus Berlin is a green oasis in the very center of Berlin - and the only language school in Germany with a 14000 square meter campus, including accommodation on site. The facilities on campus are second to none in Europe: 60 classrooms, 50 student apartments, 70 hotel rooms, a restaurant serving German food and a cafeteria. The most spectacular building on campus is a Berlin landmark under monument protection. The location is absolutely central, within walking distance to Berlin attractions like Museum Island. Two trams stop in front of the campus. German courses start every Monday on all levels. If you plan to study at a German university, GLS will get you ready for it: GLS is an official testing center for TestDaF, the language entrance exam for university studies in Germany. A special offer: the combination of German course + internship in a Berlin company or institution Awards: GLS has received the Star School Germany award 5 times - in 2008, 2010, 2013, 2014 and 2015. The awards are bestowed every year in London and honor the best language schools worldwide, country by country.

CEA

9.15

82

CEA CAPA Education Abroad in Barcelona, Spain

Barcelona—Spain’s second-largest city—features a cosmopolitan atmosphere, a temperate climate, marvelous art, and fantastic opportunities to learn. Gaze upon Antoni Gaudí’s gothic Sagrada Familia church. Enjoy delicious tapas while socializing with new friends. Experience the thrill of soccer at Europe’s largest stadium, Camp Nou. CEA CAPA partners with some of Spain’s best institutions giving you various options, including the University of Barcelona, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, University of Vic, ESADE Business School, CETT-University of Barcelona, and Pompeu Fabra University. You can study at one of these prestigious institutions, at CEA CAPA’s Barcelona Center – located in the heart of the city, or experience both with a hybrid learning program. In addition to study abroad programs, you can explore CEA CAPA Internships Abroad in Barcelona. Gain hands-on, pre-professional experience that helps you dive into a career field, develop the skills you need, and help you rise above the competition. Interested in going abroad with CEA CAPA? Contact us to get started!

See All 8 Programs

Euroace

9.07

72

Internship and Academic Programs with Euroace

Looking to boost your career while improving your Spanish? Why not combine both in an unforgettable and unique study abroad experience? At EUROACE, we partner with top companies across various industries in Valencia, Madrid and Barcelona, offering internship placements that enhance your academic studies, help you transition into a new professional field, or give you first-hand insight into the business world. It's an unforgettable experience! What's more, complementing your internship with Spanish language classes can provide you with the ultimate learning experience. These classes, tailored to all levels and designed to fit your work schedule are only available in Valencia (where our school is based). However, you can always choose the online Spanish classes to complete your experience!

A Guide to May Term Study Abroad

Why Study Abroad in May

Studying abroad during May term has tons of appeal. If you’re a bit timid to go for a whole summer or semester, May term is the perfect opportunity to get your feet wet. You can also literally get your feet wet by dipping those toes in the Mediterranean Sea or perhaps the Pacific Ocean, depending on where you choose to study abroad in May. There is nothing like the act of getting out there and doing it. You can try out this whole studying abroad thing for just a few weeks, and chances are you’ll want to go back for longer! 

Another bonus of studying abroad in May? Heading overseas in May to earn credit won’t interfere with summer job plans or family commitments at home. On the flip side, it’s also the perfect excuse to stick around after your course is through to backpack, volunteer, or write your very own adventure-novel. 

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Latest Program Reviews

A Pre-Physician Assistant Internship Program in Kenya With IMA: Global Health Perspective, Cultural Immersion, and Growth Beyond My Comfort Zone

December 25, 2025by: Taylor Breiby - United StatesProgram: Physician Assistant/Pre-PA Internships Abroad | IMA
10

This program was a great experience in exploring global health differences and disparities, gaining shadowing experience, and immersing myself in a different culture. The mentors were very welcoming and supportive, even checking in on us when we seemed down or quiet. Hilda in particular checked in on us frequently. The food was 10/10, and the kitchen staff was very hospitable. I enjoyed Dr. Shazim's collaboration with the program, where I learned a great deal from his knowledge and experiences. He was always witnessing to discuss clinical experiences and took it upon himself to give us new facts or wisdom. Additionally, I enjoyed the effort put into the cultural treks, and the mentors always encouraged us to explore while giving us tips on staying safe in the area. I appreciated the gated location of the residence with a guard and locked doors in keeping us safe at night. I gained a lot out of observing the public health system and the impact that access, socioeconomic status, health literacy, local diseases, etc. has on a population's health outcomes. I tend to be a shy person as well, and so this opportunity helped me grow out of my comfort zone a bit in getting to know the other interns and the staff at CGTRH, as well as exploring the city. Lastly, I appreciate that IMA enforces the ethical standards of students participating within their scope of practice. Because the vast majority of interns are students with minimal to no experience, it did feel as though not much of an impact was made from us to the hospital, at least for my duration (except for the medical clinic, where I felt useful). Everyone comes into this world with nothing. Most people spend their whole lives working to have something—then leave this world with nothing again. So, your soul must gain more than your hands. That sentiment has come to define the way I view my daily life after my internship in Mombasa, Kenya. I've always struggled to find my passion and purpose. Yes, I have things I enjoy doing, but nothing defines who I am as an individual. It's something I’ve prayed about for as long as I can remember but never quite felt to come to fruition. That changed during my time in Mombasa. I found the importance of being a part of a community greater than myself and the impacts small actions can have on others for an eternity. I can truly say it set me on the path to becoming a better version of myself—a better future physician and a better friend. I witnessed the beginning of life, formed lifelong friendships, and saw the end of life. The full cycle. And through it all, I was challenged to value every part of my life more deeply. Birth. As Dr. Shazim would say in every debrief, “Let’s start at the beginning of life. Maternity.” Before arriving at Coast General Teaching and Referral Hospital, I was pretty determined to become a pediatrician. I have always been somewhat apprehensive about going into a specialty where death was on the line, and admittedly I had never stepped into a surgery prior to theater 2 at Coast General. Thus, I have spent most of my shadowing hours in a pediatric clinic. However, surprisingly, the maternity ward quickly became my favorite rotation. I could directly see my feelings about Kenya correspond to labor. Mothers spend months preparing to deliver their babies. They feel everything—excitement, fear, anxiety. There’s always an adrenaline rush. No one knows exactly what will happen, but the mothers, nurses, and physicians prepare for the moment a baby finally comes into this world expectantly. That’s exactly how I felt arriving in Kenya—a rush of emotions and so much uncertainty. A dream I’d held since high school was finally coming true, but I had no idea what to expect. The culture shock, the unknown, the lack of healthcare resources—it was all very real. But the maternity ward shaped me into the kind of physician I want to become. Witnessing a woman’s intense pain during labor to then peacefully hold her newborn is a moment I will carry with me. Despite the challenges of pursuing a career in medicine, like labor, being a part of some of the most shaping and important aspects of someone’s lives will make it worth it. In Mombasa I thought I’d be most influenced by the physicians, but it was the strength of the women that inspired me. They made me want to be the best physician I can be—for them. From C-sections to natural births, witnessing the beginning of life reminded me that nothing is guaranteed. I walked away with a new calling: to pursue a career in obstetrics and gynecology. I looked back on my journal entries for my rotation in the maternity ward, and I couldn't help but smile. The women I directly got to help, either by stretching with them during labor or holding their hands, I will always remember, and that empathy I learned while in Kenya will shape me into the best physician I can become. Friendship. Throughout my life, many people have influenced me. I’m a firm believer in “friends for different seasons”—some friendships fade, and some stand the test of time. Friendship is an impactful aspect of a person’s life and shapes who they are and become. In Mombasa, I saw the true value of friendship: in patients, mentors, fellow interns, and strangers. Growing up, I attended the same private school from kindergarten to senior year. I graduated with seven people, and I was not challenged to step outside my comfort zone and interact with different types of individuals. However, during my time in Kenya, I was able to reflect on different friendships I had encountered and truly what I had learned from other individuals in my daily life. There were friends who rallied together after tough shifts at the hospital. Friends like Hilda and Michelle, who made Mombasa feel like home. Patients who opened up to me—confided in me—as if we had known each other for years. Strangers asking me what I was doing in Mombasa and fully welcoming me into their city and culture. There were friends who became like family. I watched physicians rally around one another to care for a community in need. That kind of camaraderie—rooted in compassion—deepened my belief in the importance of human connection in medicine. According to Harvard Medical School, medicine has somewhat lost its human connection due to technology: “At its best, being a doctor is an extraordinary and intimate privilege. We build relationships with our patients and see them through times of both joy and suffering; our relationships with each other help us through the same. It's hard to do that in a way that's truly satisfying when we spend most of the day at the computer screen” (Harvard Health, 2016). At Coast General, resources and technology are very limited, and these physicians and nurses must communicate with the patients and peers, which depends on human connection and in turn often creates a more positive experience for the patient. I specifically saw this at the medical clinics, as physicians had limited resources but collaborated and did their best to help every individual, which is something I deeply admire. Death. I wasn’t prepared to see someone take their last breath. I expected panic, sadness, maybe fear. Whenever I have had a loved one die in the past, I usually view it in a negative way. But the death I witnessed was peaceful—like the patient was ready. In a strange way, that’s how I felt leaving Mombasa. I expected to be in tears, not ready to leave the place I had called home for the past month. But instead, I felt peace. Peace that I had experienced something life-changing. Peace that I had grown spiritually, emotionally, and personally. Peace that I had found friendships that would last a lifetime. In a way, this feeling of “death” will stick with me as I start my career to become a physician. The feeling of peace is advice I can pass onto others who are losing a loved one. Death is inevitable, but while in Kenya I learned it can also be peaceful. Death does not have to have a negative connotation, but the narrative of death can be changed for the better. “If you think about it, life is nothing but thoughts, and our thoughts come from the mind. Our thoughts are an internal path leading us somewhere. To the next thought, the next idea, the next life. Everything is created with thought—emotions, designs, and theories. Where thoughts lead us is the most important thing; it’s our inner path leading to freedom or suffering” (At Peace With Death | Bennington College, n.d.). The people in Kenya were steadfast in their faith, and this helped me realize that in some way we are all just walking each other home. I feel like this is an important lesson to take with me in my journey to become a physician, as I have to come to peace with death and help loved ones keep moving forward in their lives. Souls. Souls tie people together. A soul is what makes someone who they are—and it’s shaped by every experience, every relationship. Kenya changed my soul for the better. I poured into others. I learned patience. I experienced a completely different culture and let it shape me. In the pediatric outpatient ward, I met a young girl named Nora who became obsessed with a balloon glove I made for her. That small gesture—something so simple—brought her joy, and in turn, filled me with joy. It made me more aware of how even the smallest acts can have a big impact on someone else’s soul. Yes, Kenya was culturally different from my small town in Georgia. But what struck me most was the people—their outpouring of love and gratitude. They valued what they had. They didn’t take life for granted. In the Western world, we often measure worth by material things—by how much we have, not by how full our lives are. But in Kenya, I saw the meaning of the phrase “Make sure your soul gains more than your hands.” Even amidst poverty and corruption, people remained faithful, grounded, and fulfilled. That lesson is one I’ll carry for life. Before Kenya, I struggled to articulate my "why" for medicine. My answer was something generic—“I enjoy helping others.” But now, I understand it's deeper than that. Medicine isn’t just about helping others—it’s about having a soul-level impact. What I saw, experienced, and endured in Kenya wasn’t easy. The children begging for food outside our Ubers, the lack of basic life-saving devices in the hospital, and people dying due to lack of ICU beds. None of this was glorious, but the community of people that rallied around each other was. Despite differences in ethnic and religious backgrounds, I saw new mothers look out for each other and their newborns, which is a testament to the people in Kenya and the type of person I want to be for others in my life and when I become a physician. Following my arrival home from Kenya, I was asked to speak at church about my experience. I gave my presentation about my time in Kenya and the ways Mombasa and Coast General impacted my life. I will still struggle to put into words the impact the experience had on me. However, unbeknownst to me, the sermon directly following my speech was about souls. About how people have started to value what they materially have in this life over friendships and the impact they have on others. But whenever one dies, none of those materialistic things goes with them, but their soul does. The experiences and impacts that others have on their soul go with them to their next life. Thus, I realized that the impact Kenya had on my life will stay with my soul forever, and consequently the impact I had on others will stay with their souls. Those who connect medicine with the soul are the difference between a good physician and a great physician. The main physician I saw this connection in was Dr. Faruk. Spending the day with him in the diabetes and thyroid clinic, he taught me the importance of finding my voice and passion in medicine that subsequently has an impact on others' lives. He is starting his own nonprofit to help children with type 1 diabetes get access to insulin. This is something he is passionate about and will have an amazing impact when accomplished. Dr. Faruk is an inspiration for me, as he is the physician I want to become. A physician who is not in it for the money or for the fame but is in it for the direct impact that they have on others' souls and daily lives. As Sir William Osler said, “The good physician treats the disease; the great physician treats the patient who has the disease” (Centor, 2007) International Medical Aid has shaped me into the physician I want to become. My time in Mombasa taught me the importance of understanding each patient’s story and beliefs, and the responsibility I have now to leave a lasting impact on everyone I meet. These challenges and lessons will stick with me forever and my growth as an individual is all accredited to my experience in Mombasa, Kenya.

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