Health Volunteering in Colombia

I enjoyed some of the activites , but not others. The rivre walk and the walk to the koppies was 10/10. No intrenet was challenging , so 7/10. Jane , Precious , Patrick and Lucas were 10/10. I woul recommend this project to anyone who needs a detox from Social media.

New culture, new people, New Life. When we exchange our perspectives, ideas and plans to make a world better place for everyone. It's good to go different places it helps me view life in many directions

Hice 5 años en haiti, me se su idioma, se toda su cultura, me gustaría volver y apoyarlos en todas las dificultades que tienen, ya que ameritan mucha ayuda de todos nosotros, para ellos poder sobrevivir

I would really like to volunteer. I am passionate about charity and showing kindness to the world. Please, give me a chance. Kindly provide Certificate of sponsorship too since I'm not able to provide for myself at the moment. Kindly put my request into consideration.

This an increasingly popular way for individuals to make a meaningful impact in communities around the world. With numerous organizations offering volunteer programs, it's essential to review and research these opportunities to ensure a safe and rewarding experience. *Pros:* 1. *Cultural Immersion*: Living and working with local communities provides an immersive cultural experience. 2. *Skill Development*: Volunteers can develop new skills and gain experience in areas such as teaching, conservation, and community development. 3. *Networking Opportunities*: Volunteers can connect with like-minded individuals from around the world. 4. *Personal Growth*: Volunteering abroad can be a transformative experience, fostering personal growth and self-awareness. *Cons:* 1. *Cost*: Many volunteer programs come with a hefty price tag, which can be a barrier for some. 2. *Safety Concerns*: Volunteers may face safety risks, such as health concerns or political instability, depending on the destination. 3. *Cultural Differences*: Adapting to local customs and way of life can be challenging for some volunteers. 4. *Quality of Programs*: Some volunteer programs may lack structure, support, or meaningful work, leading to a disappointing experience. *Recommendations:* 1. *Research Thoroughly*: Investigate the organization, program, and destination to ensure a safe and rewarding experience. 2. *Read Reviews*: Look for reviews from past volunteers to gain insight into the program's quality and challenges. 3. *Choose a Reputable Organization*: Select an organization with a proven track record, transparent policies, and adequate support for volunteers. 4. *Prepare Yourself*: Culturally, emotionally, and physically prepare yourself for the experience to ensure a smooth transition. By being aware of the pros and cons, doing thorough research, and choosing a reputable organization, volunteers can have a safe, rewarding, and life-changing experience abroad.

As a Social worker i often meet with clients to assess their needs, provide counseling, and develop individualized plans to address their challenges. This could involve sessions with individuals, families, or groups.

Fantastic experience if you want to challenge yourself, seek out new cultures and information whilst having a paternal support behind you. The Organisation provides you a great foundation from which to intiate a living abroad experience, with your liasing support person there to assist for all your queires. More so the organisations are forthcoming with educational experiences and allow you to immerse yourself into the work culture. Colombia itself is an amazing country to be explored and by doing an internship you are given plenty of time to do so. Cannot recommend enough!

The Intern Group responded to this reviewDecember 11, 2023

Thank you Jorja for sharing your experience! We are glad that you have had an enriching experience and we look forward to seeing where your career takes you.

I did my internship with The Intern Group in Colombia and I don’t have enough words to describe how amazing it was. The internship experience was beyond my expectations and the activities that were set up by the company were amazing. I cannot express how much this helped me in a professional matter. Also, our coordinator Maria was amazing and was always there for us. Please don’t think twice about doing your internship in Colombia! You will never regret being in such a beautiful country and with such beautiful people.

The Intern Group responded to this reviewDecember 11, 2023

Thank you Helena for sharing your experience! We are glad that you have had an enriching experience and we look forward to seeing where your career takes you.

I did not know what to expect when I originally applied for this program. However, it ended up being everything I could have ever wanted and more! I felt safe and well taken care of during the entirety of my time in Kenya. I learned so much at the hospital and was able to enjoy numerous cultural treks in my free time. I would thoroughly recommend this program to anyone. I have always had an interest in global health but throughout my undergraduate career, I could never find the time to travel abroad. So during my first gap year, post-graduation, I was excited to finally have time to pursue this dream. I spent several weeks researching medical programs in Africa before coming across International Medical Aid. Between the glowing reviews on the website and all the beautiful Instagram photos from past interns, I decided IMA was the program for me. I was ecstatic when I received my acceptance but also incredibly anxious because what was once just an idea was now becoming a reality. I spent the next few months prepping, and then COVID hit, and I had to delay my trip to the following summer. During that year span, I changed jobs and was accepted into medical school. It felt like a lifetime since I had applied for IMA and what was once a fully planned experience, felt more like a dream again. But somehow on June 4th, 2021 I sat down on a plane in the JFK airport and departed for Kenya. When I arrived in Mombasa, a mere 17 hours later, I had no idea what to expect. The first car ride to the residence was a culture shock in itself. Beyond the initial surprise of the road system, traffic patterns, and tuk-tuks, I took immediate notice of the poverty level and the clear economic stratification. According to the World Bank, “ Kenya is East Africa’s largest economy…” and yet “36.1% of Kenyans [are] still living below the international poverty line” (The history of pre-and post-colonial Kenya lecture). This inequality is evident on the street as you see families living in huts only a few minutes away from mansions with tall gates, topped with glass shards so no one can enter. It is also evident in the healthcare systems. Private hospitals, such as Premier, offer superior facilities to those who can pay the cost, while the lower class has access to public-funded hospitals such as Coast General Teaching and Referal Hospital (CGTRH). The public facilities are “under-resourced in terms of equipment and clinical staff” and have “overall, poorer patient outcomes and higher incidences of hospital-acquired infections” (The current state of healthcare in Kenya). Equipt with this information, I was eager to start my hospital rotations and get a better idea of the true healthcare experience in Kenya. My first week in CGTRH was spent in the Obstetrics department. Within my first day, I saw six vaginal births, including a set of twins, and learned all about the different stages of labor, medications given to mom and baby, use of the fetoscope, procedures for cord-cutting and sex determination, and so much more. I felt immediately welcomed into the hospital. Everyone was eager and willing to teach and let us see everything. This was a welcome change from shadowing in the United States where pre-medical students are often treated as more of an inconvenience than anything else. This was definitely not the only notable difference from the hospital settings I was used to. The biggest difference, by far, was in the use of pain medications. In the United States, a woman laboring in the hospital readily has access to multiple forms of pain medication including the well-known and commonly used epidural. In Kenya, however, moms are not given any pain medications unless they have to undergo a cesarean section. This means that women go through the entire labor, sometimes including an episiotomy and later suturing, unassisted by analgesics. This type of strength and personal fortitude is unimaginable in the United States. The other major difference is in prenatal care. Although prenatal care is offered for free in Kenya, most people do not go to the doctor before they are in labor. This is due to a large number of factors, including lower health literacy. Due to this, most mothers go into labor without any knowledge of the sex of the baby or even the number of babies they are having. In the United States, most women receive consistent prenatal care, including “every 4 weeks until 28 weeks of gestation, every 2 weeks from 28 to 36 weeks, and then weekly until delivery” (Lockwood, 2021). This creates much more opportunity to monitor the health of both mom and baby, increasing the likelihood that any complications would be detected early and taken care of. The following week I was in the pediatrics ward. I was able to learn a lot here from the nurses and resident doctors. It was particularly interesting to learn about their top ten most common conditions -gastroenteritis, pneumonia, several acute malnutrition, neonatal sepsis, neonatal jaundice, meningitis, malaria, anemia, bronchitis, and tetanus- because they are so much less commonly seen in the US. I was also shown how to insert a nasogastric tube into a newborn which was very interesting. My third week was spent in the Accident and Emergency Department. Here I was able to see a lot of interesting and varied cases from bandage and catheter changes in the minor theater, to epilepsy and pneumothorax in the beds. But what I really enjoyed about this department was getting to talk with so many of the staff members when there was downtime. Doctors spoke openly with us about the corruption in their government and police force, the lack of resources and staffing at the hospital, the pay delay that they were currently experiencing, and the poverty that surrounds them. Here, I gained a new sense of appreciation for the level of dedication that these people were putting towards their patients. I was told that the staff is paid monthly and that although it was almost the end of June, they still had not received payment from May. They had apparently tried to strike in the past but were unsuccessful. Despite all of this, when I asked the residents if they would continue to work at Coast after their training was completed, most of them said they would because they loved the work they were doing. That is one of the biggest things I will take with me into my future practice of medicine. Always put the patients first and remember why you came into the profession. My last week was spent in the surgery department. This rotation was particularly fascinating as I have had very minimal OR time in the US. During my first day in the theater, I was able to observe a bilateral inguinal hernia repair on a five-month-old baby, a biopsy and excision of a mediastinal mass, and a bullet removal from near the spine performed under local anesthesia. On my second day, I was able to watch a broken femur repair. Then, I was even fortunate enough to get a third day in the OR after another intern had a night shift. During that shift, I was able to observe another inguinal hernia repair with a circumcision, and a skin graft from a woman’s leg onto the right side of her face after they had previously removed a neurofibromatosis. The skin graft was by far the most interesting and intricate procedure that I have witnessed. The surgeon was absolutely amazing and really took the time to teach us and show us what he was doing. I was able to learn so much from this. I was also able to learn a tremendous amount outside of the hospital. Between the clinics, the cultural treks, and the Masai Mara safari, I was able to gain a deeper knowledge and appreciation of the history and culture of Kenya. What stood out to me the most was the warmth we received everywhere we went. In the United States, especially in New York, where I am from, people aren’t very openly friendly to one another. This was not the case in Kenya. At the hygiene clinics, the children would run up to us with open arms for hugs and high fives. At the beach, people would strike up conversations about where we came from and what we thought about Kenya so far. At the grocery store, we had people thanking us for coming to the country and working in the hospital even though we got much more than we were able to give. Time and time again the people of Kenya inspired me to be a kinder, warmer person. When I sat down on my June 4th flight, a year and a half after applying to IMA, I could not have known the impact this experience would have on me. I am so grateful to the IMA staff, the hospital staff, the Kenyan people, and the other interns for making my experience everything that it was. As I start my journey through medical school, I will take with me all the knowledge I gained and the lessons I learned. I will be kinder, warmer, more dedicated, more resourceful, and above all, more appreciative for all the things that I had previously taken for granted. And once I complete my training, I would love to return and give back to the patients everything that was given to me.

Every intern and physician I had the pleasure of interacting with was incredibly welcoming and emanated such perseverance, passion, and enthusiasm. I’m forever thankful for the opportunity to absorb the culture of the Kenyan people alongside my fellow colleagues. My involvement in the hospital was a once-in-a-lifetime experience, but being able to have such intellectual and zealous interactions with my fellow colleagues and physicians was incomparable. My fellow colleagues really showed me the true meaning of how to be welcoming of others who may hold foreign ideals or passions that may not necessarily align with my own. They showed me the meaning of gratitude and optimism despite unfortunate circumstances. I will be forever grateful for my experience in Kenya and to International Medical Aid for allowing me this opportunity. My trip to Africa has broken countless boundaries and shown me what it takes to be a successful physician. As I arrived June 18th in Mombasa, I soon realized my experience in Kenya was going to be simply life-changing. On our way to the residence, I stared out the window as we drove through unfinished roads and passed what looked like destitute infrastructure. With this being my first time out of the US, the sentiment towards my journey was filled with times of uncertainty and indications of acculturation. In preparation for my trip, I often found myself looking at pictures on Google of what I could potentially expect in Mombasa; however, pictures could never truly encapsulate the extent to what I felt and experienced during my time. This experience altered my perspective on the healthcare industry while simultaneously promoting a greater understanding of myself. The knowledge I gained while in Kenya has filled me with a greater sense of gratitude and humility beyond what I could have ever found or experienced in the US. My first weekend in Kenya consisted of a tour of Coast Provincial General Hospital, which kickstarted an already eye-opening experience. Our program mentor, Dr. Shazim, began our tour in the Emergency Room where I saw a patient who had just passed being draped with a bedsheet. I had heard stories from other interns about the possibility of seeing patients pass during my time here, but this wasn’t something I could’ve expected to see on my very first day visiting the hospital. As we continued with the tour, despite the prominence of a shortage in both the accessibility of resources as well as clinical staff in the public sector hospitals such as Coast (Nejru, C.), the doctors continuously persevered and were seemingly unaffected by the dire circumstances. They only incessantly provided exceptional care for all of their patients to the best of their ability. There was an understanding amongst the interns, staff, as well as myself that we were in fact walking into a hospital that is incredibly underfunded and built by a system that was completely foreign to our traditional western medical practices. Nevertheless, I could not have anticipated to what extent this was the case until I saw it first hand. The tour was just the starting point, but I was already in amazement at the sense of gratitude for not only the healthcare workers working at Coast Provincial General Hospital, but also for the healthcare we are provided with back at home. As the weekend came to an end, I could only wait in anticipation about getting started in my first rotation, the Ear, Nose, and Throat Department. Given the often up-to-date and medically advanced technology I am used to in the US, I was baffled by the usage of ancient and considerably outdated instruments. An outdated instrument such as a head mirror and light for ear, nose, and throat examinations were being used by the physicians at Coast whereas most physicians in the states use an otoscope, which can be more efficient, reliable, and more effective than the traditional head mirror. However, the concept of reliable and advanced technology coincides with an acknowledgment of the privilege needed in obtaining those “updated” instruments. His knowledge, however, spanned beyond the beneficial aspects the otoscope might have provided through obtaining a proper diagnosis for each patient. This accounts for only one of the many instances where Coast providers amazed me with their ability in providing such admirable and impressive care given the insufficient resources allotted to them. Between each patient, he would take time to explain the different diagnoses as well as their indicators. During this week, I gained extensive knowledge on not only the different parts of the ear but also infections that could occur, which could potentially develop into more serious health issues, such as meningitis. Additionally, I was also able to learn how to conduct hearing loss tests with the tuning fork and how to read audiograms. Due to the continuous technological advancements being adopted in the US, there is often a misconception that the adoption of newer technology will enhance the work of the physician, but in my experience, ENT proved to be more about knowledge and the true understanding of the basics. Oftentimes technological advancements act as shortcuts for a lot of physicians in the US and ultimately inhibit the proper care needed in a place that lacks those same advantages. Moreover, a key component to the proper deliverance of medicare is through proper bedside manner, which was demonstrated so proficiently by the MO’s, CO’s, and nurses at Coast. I can only hope that one day I can adopt their same principle in providing the best care for my patients through extensive knowledge and patient etiquette. In my second week, I was able to conduct a rotation in the Emergency ward. Inherent in its reputation, I found my time in this department to be by far the most hectic yet interesting experience of all my time at Coast. The underlying theme throughout the hospital of being under-resourced was more prevalent in this department than ever, given its chaotic and frantic environment. They had a singular working vitals cart circulating both the triage and outpatient units. Given its inevitable mayhem, a singular working vitals cart isn’t sufficient enough to support a whole department, especially one as tumultuous as this one. Most patients that come into the ER need to be continuously monitored in the prevention of coding. A 70-year-old patient came in complaining of pain on her left side and was evidently severely malnourished, which was, unfortunately, a consistent theme amongst patients I saw during this rotation. Watching this woman pass before any treatment was administered to treat her hypertension left me with a feeling that was incredibly disheartening. I had a million thoughts going through my head and all I could do was just stand there in shock watching her daughter drop to the floor in agony. All I could think was how curable her diagnosis was and how she could have been treated if the scarcity of resources wasn’t such a pervasive issue. The unfortunate reality of the apparent low socioeconomic status amongst the population of Kenya has left a disparaging mark on their health status. Most Kenyans earn only about one US dollar per day, which cannot even cover the dollar fifty(one hundred fifty shillings) baseline pay for a visit to the hospital. Consequently, many patients entering the ER are those with severe injuries or illnesses that require immediate attention, yet the rates are still incredibly unaffordable given the general population’s socioeconomic status, leaving many worse off. My week proceeded to include learning about suturing and other infections taking place in the minor theatre as well as many wounds being re-dressed and sutured. One case, in particular, struck me; a man came in with a severe cut on his hand, which required suturing. Much to my dismay, the Clinical Officer made the patient go to the pharmacy to purchase his own sutures in order for them to proceed with the proper course of treatment. This put an emphasis on my comprehension that Coast General was not acquiring the proper amount of resources to accommodate all their patients. This brought about a state of incertitude and left me with the troubled feeling that had me pondering the luxuries granted to us in the states of never having to be responsible or obliged to bring our own medical supplies. My last day in the ER consisted of a patient who was a known HIV patient. While attempting to place an IV into her arm, blood had dripped onto the floor. As I continued to watch the course of her treatment being carried out, no staff member had attended to the blood laying on the floor. Given that HIV is the highest cause of mortality in Kenya at a rate of about 15%, I was personally taken back by the potential risks that are associated with the lack of urgency in the cleaning and disposal of the infected blood (Njeru, C.). Even so, this common communicable disease is seen by physicians on the daily. The Emergency ward gave me an immense amount of knowledge through not only an observational lens, but also through a more hands-on approach. This consisted of taking vitals and assisting the nurses and Clinical Officers during their suturing and wound dressings. The doctors and Clinical Officers were incredibly knowledgeable in educating us on the understanding of all aspects surrounding their diagnosis. Given that the interns are predominantly made up of pre-medical students, the feeling of being treated as if we were equivalent to the medical interns or residents was incredibly refreshing. The substantial amount of unique cases and knowledge that I gained during my time in this unit is incredibly valuable as I embark on my future endeavors. Once again, I was confronted with a new outlook on the healthcare field and seasoned my determination towards the pursuit of my future profession. My following two weeks consisted of my placement in two new departments: Radiology and the CCC. Personally, I could not have foreseen the possibility of either of these two units becoming of interest, but astoundingly I found that some of my favorite experiences lied in both of these departments. It was less so about the subject matter and more about the excellence exhibited by both the physicians and radiographers. Beginning in Radiology, the radiographer on staff during my week, Kelvin, provided us with the most engaging and thoughtful teachings. I imagined my time in Radiology to consist of simply viewing scans all day; however, this was not the case. As soon as we walked into the room, Kelvin immediately stood up, offered his seat and spewed his knowledge on all the doctrines associated with the operations behind understanding the usage of the CT machine. His astounding yet personable character, demonstrated through as simple of an act as giving up his seat, was striking as many radiographers in the US would have never evinced that same tutelage. Kelvin made us feel as if we were wanted and meant to be in that control chair. He started explaining the capabilities the machine could carry out, what each one was for, and how the contrast works after being injected into the patient. His esse exemplified through his eager and willful nature in trying to teach me made me feel at home given my real home being 9,000 miles away. Throughout the whole week in radiology, Kelvin took us under his wing and taught us more than I could have ever imagined. This corresponding theme was carried over into the commencement of my next department: Dermatology in the CCC. My original discernment regarding this department was once again refuted. The physician on staff during my week in dermatology within the CCC, Dr. Matunda, was by far one of the most charismatic and knowledgeable doctors that I had the pleasure of meeting while at Coast. Dr. Matunda took the time to make us feel as if we belonged in this department, similar to that of my previous mentor, Kelvin. Dr. Matunda’s effervescent self was displayed by his salutations towards every patient in the introduction of us interns as “his friends from the United States.” Shadowing Dr. Matunda was a pleasure due to his solicitude for both his patients and us interns. One instance that I remember so fondly was when he took forty-five minutes to simply explain to us everything he knew on leprosy. I found this to be one of the most intriguing parts of dermatology because of how HIV and leprosy go hand in hand. Dr. Matunda was in no way inclined to spend time outside of seeing his patients to go into such depth about leprosy given how busy he already was, but he wanted us to understand every detail of the disease because of its prevalence. Another aspect that amazed me about Dr. Matunda was the considerate and thoughtful nature he exuded on a daily basis. One patient came in with a very severe bacterial infection, but due to the socioeconomic status of the patient, he did not have the means to acquire the antibiotics necessary in treating his infection. Dr. Matunda’s following actions spoke true to his character and will be a moment that will stick with me forever. He told them to meet him outside around one o’clock, so Dr. Matunda himself could purchase the antibiotics needed for the patient to treat his infection. This was not the only time I witnessed what I believed to be a heroic doing by Dr. Matunda. He continuously upholds his values in being a good person before being a doctor. In a country that is so socially and economically challenged, oftentimes there are limitations to the value of human life. Dr. Matunda was the perfect example of what it means to uphold the value of every human life no matter the circumstance. His upstanding efforts went beyond the scope of just medicine alone, in which, on multiple occasions, patients would ask for money in order to buy food because they could not afford any. His willingness to always lend a helping hand to his patients not only clinically but in other hardships as well showed just how compassionate he really was. These two departments not only taught me a lot of the necessary medical knowledge, but also how to treat those who may be learning from me in the future. Kelvin taught me to always be welcoming to those who are new and how to make others feel as if they are equals in the healthcare field. Dr. Matunda taught me how to put being a good human being before being a doctor and how to take the time to teach others who are learning from you. These two experiences will forever stick with me through my journey into the healthcare field. I can only hope that one day I will be able to make future doctors, nurses, physician assistants, etc. feel the way they made me feel. Coast alone could never make up the entirety of the extensive knowledge I gained; infact, the cultural treks and clinics that were held outside of the hospital were some of the most memorable parts about my experience. The hygiene and menstrual clinics were incredibly educational, nevertheless, my interactions with the students at the schools was where I believe I gained the most. Upon arriving at every school, we were invariably greeted with lots of smiles, hugs, high fives, and a multitude of additional friendly gestures. All of the students emanated such enthusiasm with their ecstatic greetings and interactions. It was like nothing I have experienced before. I was ambivalent about how the interactions between us and the rest of the Mombassan community would manifest, but I could not have asked for a more inviting and heartfelt welcoming from the community. I was fortunate enough to be given the opportunity to learn more about the Kenyan culture on different treks throughout my four weeks in Kenya. The two that really stand out to me are the treks to Bombolulu and the Maasai Mara. Bombolulu was incredible in that their mission made the entirety of my experience there that much more meaningful and heartfelt. At Bombolulu they give disabled adults the chance to learn different skills in order to help provide for their families as well as themselves. My interactions with the people in Bombolulu really showed me the amazing capabilities people can possess. One of the other cultural experiences we had there was having the opportunity to watch tribal dances and walk through re-creations of the different tribal housing. The ability to see how different tribes lived and how they were able to maximize the resources offered to them given their geographical location was indelible. The tribal dances in particular were very intriguing to me because the tribal dances I have seen on the internet were nothing in comparison to witnessing one in person. Their expression through every little movement and the meaning behind each of the individual dances was captivating. Additionally, my participation in some of their dances was marvelous. It really made me feel like they wanted me to immerse myself in a part of their culture. The other experience of being able to visit the Maasai Tribe in the Masa Marai was one of the highlights of my trip. I was delighted by the welcoming presence from the members of the tribe and was grateful for a sneak peek into their lifestyle. I met some of the happiest people I have ever met during my time at the Maasai village. This really put things into perspective for me, especially when comparing it to the western world’s adoption of what I believe now to be a materialistic outlook on happiness. They were all so willing to answer the many questions we posed and even welcomed us into their homes, which was mesmerizing. We were able to watch and perform a dance with many members of the tribe. It was an amazing experience being able to meet these people and learn more about the Maasai tribe and its history. These experiences outside of the hospital will help me in my future endeavors in the healthcare field, but also have changed my outlook on my life back here in the states. These opportunities allowed me to get out of my comfort zone and really showed me that when you break the boundaries you’re used to then that's where you learn the most. Every intern and physician I had the pleasure of interacting with was incredibly welcoming and emanated such perseverance, passion, and enthusiasm. I’m forever thankful for the opportunity to absorb the culture of the Kenyan people alongside my fellow colleagues. My involvement in the hospital was a once-in-a-lifetime experience, but being able to have such intellectual and zealous interactions with my fellow colleagues and physicians was incomparable. My fellow colleagues really showed me the true meaning of how to be welcoming of others who may hold foreign ideals or passions that may not necessarily align with my own. They showed me the meaning of gratitude and optimism despite unfortunate circumstances. I will be forever grateful for my experience in Kenya and to International Medical Aid for allowing me this opportunity. My trip to Africa has broken countless boundaries and shown me what it takes to be a successful physician.

During my time in Kenya, I not only learned about healthcare in Kenya, but I also gained so much respect for the medical officers and nurses. I saw first-hand the struggles and difficulties they faced due to the lack of resources, staff, and support. Despite their limited resources and long workdays, they were resourceful, using the available equipment and supplies in unexpected and non-traditional ways, to make up for what they were lacking. International Medical Aid guided me in investigating new directions in medicine I had not previously considered. Through the doctors I shadowed, I have learned how to see and treat a person as a whole, considering their lives beyond their conditions, not just seeing the symptoms and finding a cure, but to understand the person and their individual needs for their long-term health. This will be my continued intent as I pursue a career in medicine.

This opportunity has been an eye-opening and life-changing experience that I never could have hoped to achieve without the help of IMA, the staff, and the other interns that came along with me. From even before I boarded my first flight for the trip, the IMA staff, especially my program mentor, Margaret, and director Phares, were both very hands on about answering questions quickly, and in making sure I made it to Kenya safely. Also, after arrival in the country, the staff was waiting for me with a sign, which gave me a sense of comfort and familiarity in a country in which I was completely unfamiliar. Furthermore, the staff made sure that we were comfortable and safe at all times, not only when at the residence, but also on cultural treks and community outreach events, but also during day trips that were planned by ourselves. Not only did they make sure we were comfortable and safe, but also the staff at the residence were very accommodating and made sure that we had good food, and on occasion Swahili food, to eat at all meal times, and made sure the house was always clean for us, which is especially nice during COVID. In regards to the hospital, Coast General was very helpful in my medical interest and knowledge, and helped me along every aspect of my internship. Even in a scary and traumatic place, the doctors, and other staff, and also the IMA mentors made sure I was working within my comfort zone. After each day, we followed the hospital with a debrief session at the residence, which was very beneficial for me, not only in gaining insight on what other parts of the hospital were going through that day, but also helped me to get the day off of my chest in order to move on to cultural treks, or just my next day at the hospital. In regards to the cultural treks, the staff did an amazing job ensuring that I gained full emersion into the Kenyan culture and the people during my stay in Mombasa. The treks helped me to not only gain an understanding of the medical hardships in Kenya, but they gave me a sense of cultural appreciation and admiration for the people of Mombasa, helping me to gain a greater understanding and sense of social empathy. As for the people of Kenya, from my experience, I was completely accepted in every situation I found myself in. The people of Kenya were very embracing and loving, and shared their knowledge and lives with me. Finally, I would like to say thank you for this opportunity, I never would have found myself in the position I am today had I not gotten the chance to grow as both a healthcare provider, and as an individual. This experience has been life-changing for me, and I can never thank you all enough for your support and the chance to learn and grow in Kenya with IMA. Coming into my experience with International Medical Aid, I would describe myself as a very quiet and reserved individual, so naturally I gravitated towards the idea of travelling to a third-world country alone. However, I never could have imagined the cultural, social, and emotional impact this internship would have on me and my healthcare journey. Looking back, I remember my nerves more than anything. Arriving in Mombasa, Kenya for the first time, I experienced a whirlwind of emotion. The large array of new people, culture, sights, smells, etc., swirled through my mind as a prepared for the two-week adventure I was bound for. As we headed to the residence, out of the bus window, I saw young men pulling carts full of fruits by hand, barefoot people walking along the uneven dirt roads, there were even men lining the road, with shovels and cement, paving by hand. This being not only my first experience in a third- world country, but also my first time travelling internationally, I was nervous and did not know how to cope with these newfound realities. As I reflected and learned about the culture and work ethic of the Kenyan people, my nerves quickly turned into excitement. I developed a true desire to fully immerse myself into the Kenyan people and culture, which gave me insight and knowledge on life that I had never experienced. Week one of my internship was spent in the radiology department, and prior to my time in Kenya with International Medical Aid, my career goal was to become an interventional radiologist, so the idea of spending a week learning hands-on from doctors and nurses in the field excited me. As I went throughout my week in the department I learned and grew as a healthcare provider more than I ever could have predicted. Throughout the week, I travelled throughout the different sections of the department, including x-ray, CT scans, MRI scans, and ultrasound. These rotations in the hospital lit a fire driving me into the healthcare profession more than ever before. As I watched these men and women work, I developed a passion for the field of radiology that has followed me back home. When I first found International Medical Aid’s website, I had found myself in a slump. I was losing interest in school, and healthcare, and I was ready to begin a new career path. However, I knew the internship in Kenya would give me clarity on whether I truly was dedicated and passionate for the pursuit of a medical degree. My time with IMA, and Coast General in Mombasa, gave me the clarity I was looking for, and provided me with the insight and the true passion to pursue a career in interventional radiology. My first day was spent learning how to operate the CT Machine and read scans. For around four hours, the radiologist sat around the computer with my fellow interns and I, and taught us how to read the scans effectively, and how to reach a diagnosis. This was an experience that I never could have imagine experiencing first-hand, and as I continue my studies and my career in radiology it will have a tremendous impact on my insight and overall knowledge of human anatomy. Along with learning to read CT scans, we were also guided through the process of preparing a patient and running the machine. This technical aspect of radiology also interested me because it provided me with patient interaction and hands-on care. Although patient interaction is much more limited in radiology than other medical fields, this small communication and care gave me a heart-warming feeling that has followed me back home. However, this key piece of healthcare delivery was largely impacted by the lack of access to healthcare equipment, and funding. Throughout the following weeks, Coast General was going to be using their old CT machine which does not function as effectively as their new machine, because the new machine was broken, and it was going to take at least two weeks to fix because they had to order the part to fix it from China. Coming from America, this was a surprising concept. In the United States, when any item related to healthcare is broken, it seems to be the top priority, and from personal experience, is normally fixed within the same day. After doing research, America spends an estimate of ten thousand dollars per capita on healthcare, while Kenya’s current expenditures per capita come out to an estimate of ninety dollars (The Current State of Healthcare in Kenya). This statistic gives insight into the root cause of the differences between healthcare in the United States and Kenya. Without funding, hospitals are unable to buy supplies, grow staff size, or grow the hospital. Therefore, as a result, hospitals in the United States can more effectively serve the needs of the patients because supplies are more readily available, and easily accessible. Throughout my time in Kenya, I not only noticed differences between healthcare, but I also noticed a variety of different cultural and political differences between Kenya and my home of the United States. One of the major differences I was presented with was the way people interacted with police officers in Kenya. While on our Mombasa city tour, our tour guide warned us of the corruption involved with the policing system in Kenya. This struck a nerve in me that opened my mind to understand the true differences between my home and Kenya. Also, with the prevalence of the COID-19 virus, I could also see the disastrous impact this pandemic was having on the people of Kenya. During my stay in Mombasa, due to COVID-19 restrictions, there was a city curfew at ten o’clock every night. This alone was an experience that I never had before. Coming from the southern states of Louisiana and Texas, I never had a curfew forced upon me, but the Kenyan government required its people to be at home every night before ten. These small differences in the political system and cultural norms in Kenya provided me with an insight into the culture and how the people of Keya live. Coming back to the United States I had a newfound appreciation for the freedom which can be found in America. This thought gave me recollection into an idea which we had learned in a lecture from IMA, that the Kenyan healthcare system was struggling because of “brain drain.” This “brain drain” idea is that doctors and other professionals from third world countries leave their homes in order to work in a less impoverished country (The Current State of Healthcare in Kenya). This proves to be a real problem in Kenya because while in America there is one doctor per every five thousand patients, while in America there is one doctor per every three hundred eighty-five patients, according to The World Bank (The Current State of Healthcare in Kenya). This disparity causes many problems which were prevalent in my experiences in Coast General Hospital. The lack of healthcare workers in Kenya was obvious from my first experience within the Coast General Hospital in Mombasa. During our tour o the hospital I noticed the crowded outdoor waiting rooms, the busyness of the doctors, and the tiredness in the eyes of Dr. Shazim. Because of this “brain drain’ concept, doctors and other healthcare professionals are leaving Africa in order to find more promising opportunities. This is causing these crowded waiting rooms, which lead to more disastrous complication in patients because of wait times, and less professional assistance. This acknowledgement of the complication in healthcare due to understaffing inspired me to work harder to pursue my career in healthcare. I watched the work0- ethic of the Kenyan people, and learned from their stories of hard work to become a doctor, and I realized if this was my career choice, I needed to be all in. This internship gave me that passion and provided me with the skills and cultural understanding to move forward in my career. The work-ethic, and true content spirits I found among the Kenyan people is beyond belief. From conversations witch many different doctors, nurses, and residents of the city, I learned how to find happiness, and how to want to learn and grow and move on. This experience, and these differences in how the culture, and politics, and social norms are in Kenya truly inspired me to crave knowledge and interaction with others. As I stated in the introduction, I came into this internship as a shy, reserved individual, however I learned how to love, and communicate with patients, fellow employees, interns, Mombasa citizens, and IMA staff because of the knowledge I gained from the Kenyan people. Although life is conveyed as different, and not the “American Dream,” there is love and happiness that can be found within third-world countries such as Kenya. A friend of mine once told me “You are where you’ve been,” and looking back on my experience in Mombasa I truly understand this statement. The people, the culture, and the knowledge I discovered within Kenya during my internship will stick with me throughout my entire schooling, career, and personal life. I truly learned how to love, live, and grow through knowledge and friendship not only from the Kenyan people, but from my fellow interns.

I had a really positive experience with IMA. The prospect of traveling after spending the past year and a half indoors was daunting, to say the least. However, I felt safe throughout my entire stay with IMA and found myself willing to embrace the entirety of the experience through this comfort. Safety and health were never a concern for me. The Program Residence staff were warm and welcoming and the food was pretty good as well.

I truly enjoyed my experience with International Medical Aid. From the very first day the staff made me feel right at home, from getting picked up from the airport to my final exit. During my free time, I immersed myself in the Kenyan culture by going to local restaurants and trying the local cuisine, as I wanted to really get the most out of my experience. When I became slightly ill, I informed the Program Staff and was quickly taken to the private hospital five minutes away from the residence; my problem was handled in the quickest manner which made me feel very safe. I felt we made the biggest impact on the community during our bi-weekly free medical clinics, as we were able to do something hands-on to really help so many different communities. International Medical Aid was truly one of the best experiences I've ever had, and I will cherish it forever." Upon arriving in Kenya, I had no clue what the outcome would be after completing my internship at Coast General Teaching and Referral Hospital, but I couldn’t be more thankful for what I’ve learned about healthcare, as well as myself. Although I had done research on International Medical Aid in the past, there was no amount of internet research that could prepare me for the experience I was going to have. It has taken me thirty days to be able to summarize my experience and what I learned from it, as it has completely changed my perspective on life as well as what I want to do as a career. For the past thirty days, I have been researching and digging through the internet to find a career that could encompass everything that I felt while I was in Kenya, and that has led me to Nursing. Before arriving in Kenya, I was set on becoming a Physician Assistant, which has recently been changed to Physician Associate in The United States. I was even a part of a club in college called The Association of Pre-Physician Assistant Students, or better known as APPAS. Given this information, I signed up for the Pre-Physician Assistant internship through International Medical Aid. In Kenya, the “equivalent” to a Physician Assistant is a Clinical Officer (CO). It was extremely interesting to me to learn the multitude of different names for their health care providers such as Medical Officer (MO), Clinical Officer Intern (COI), and so many more. In the beginning, it was a little confusing, as I was referring to CO’s as MO’s, and CO’s as COI’s, and I had to be corrected a few times by interns who were there weeks before me. The one thing that was perfectly similar to the name in the US, was a nurse. I may not have always known who the CO or the MO was, but I always knew who the nurse was in the room, as I came to learn they are extremely autonomous in Kenya, and often are running the wards. My time in the different wards is what truly shaped my experience in Kenya. My first week, I was in the Internal Medicine Ward. Before going into the week, a few of the interns who had already been there asked me which wards I would be in during my time at Coast General. When I mentioned Internal Medicine, I would constantly hear that people found it to be boring, but as it was my first week, I still went into it with high hopes. Upon my arrival in the ward, I was introduced to the MO, a few medical students, and a few nurses. The other interns and I were then taken around the ward and we went patient to patient, doing major work rounds, which is done on Monday and Thursday of the week. I found the major work rounds to be extremely enriching as I was able to see how the MO figures out what is wrong with the patient, and then determines the plan of treatment. After the MO determines the plan of treatment, it is the medical students and the nurses/nursing students who actually handle the treatment. The students welcomed us with open arms and allowed us to follow behind them closely to every patient and watch every single thing they did. Not only did they welcome us, they also perfectly explained what they were doing, as they wanted us to be as engaged as possible. I personally found my time in Internal Medicine to be very rewarding, and I feel this ward is where I learned the most medicine during my entire time in Kenya. My favorite part of Internal Medicine was being able to draw connections between the diagnosis and plan of treatment to my knowledge of microbiology. Being able to understand a lot of what the healthcare providers and the students were talking about allowed me to be engaged, and even give my input when asked. Starting off in Internal Medicine was the perfect start to my internship. My second week in Kenya, I was in the labor ward. Prior to going into the ward, I was expecting it to be like an OBGYN office. To my surprise, the entire room was labor and delivery. One side of the room is called first stage, which is for women who are thought to not have any complications giving birth. The other side of the room is second stage, for women who are more likely to have complications and/or possibly need emergency caesarean sections. I split a lot of my time between both stages, but the most interesting births were in the second stage. The labor ward was where I discovered my love for the Nursing profession, as the nurses and nursing students ran this entire ward from triage to the actual birth. I loved seeing how autonomous the nurses were. The week that I was in the labor ward happened to be the last week for the nursing students in that ward, as they had been there for three months. Due to this, a majority of the births that week were “final assessments” for the students, and we were unable to watch the assessment births. Luckily, there was one assessment birth that the lecturers allowed me to watch, and it was the most interesting thing I had ever seen, as I’ve never seen a live birth. The nursing students were extremely welcoming; as soon as I told them I had never seen a live birth, they came to find me in the ward when someone was close to giving birth, just to allow me to see. The nursing students in the labor ward were some of the smartest and nicest people I have ever met, and I fell in love with their love for health care, as it was truly inspiring. The most interesting thing was the differences between a labor ward in Kenya, in comparison to the US. There are no family members in the ward with the women while they’re giving birth, and this was a shock to me, as birth is such a special time in a woman’s life. Aside from it being special, it is also painful, as they do not use epidurals in this labor ward. Learning this, I was able to see how the nurses try to keep the women as comfortable as possible, given the resources. They have to be more than nurses; they have to exude such a warm energy for these women going through an uncomfortable experience, and I loved every second of my experience in the labor ward. At the conclusion of this week, I was so inspired to the point that I wanted to also pursue nursing. My third week in Kenya, I was in the Emergency Room. The Emergency Room physicians were some of my favorite physicians that I met during my internship, as they wanted to engage the interns as much as possible. I spent a lot of my time in the Emergency Room split between “Minor Theater” and triage. Minor Theater was for patients that needed things such as wound dressing, debridement, stitches, and many other small things. The Minor Theater was ran by some of the most amazing nurses, who also wanted the interns to be as engaged as possible, and allowed us to watch every single thing that they were doing. They were open to any question we had, and never once did they seem annoyed at the amount of questions I had, as there were a ton. Triage had many different types of patients every day, such as patients with broken ribs. I learned a lot of medicine in Triage from the physician and medical students, as they explained everything from the patient coming in to them either being discharged or admitted to the Emergency Room ward. During this week I also did an overnight shift in the Emergency Room, which was very enriching. This was the first time I had ever done an overnight shift in a hospital, and I had no clue what to expect. Due to Kenya having a curfew, there are less people coming into the Emergency Room for things such as car accidents, as people are in their homes. Patients were coming into the Emergency Room mostly from at home accidents. Because there were less people in the hospital at night, the interns were able to be engaged in the plan of treatment, and even more engaged with the physician, as there were no medical students at night. We also spent a lot of our overnight shift in the Emergency Room ward, following the physician around patient to patient, checking on things such as catheters, and making sure they were comfortable. I found the Emergency Room to be very exciting, as you never knew what the next patient was going to come in with. My favorite case was a one year old baby coming in that had a disease called Hydrocephalus, which is the buildup of fluid around the brain. As soon as I saw the baby, I knew exactly what they had, which made me so excited to be able to know what was going on. An interesting part of my internship, I actually contracted food poisoning, after going out to a Japanese restaurant and eating raw sushi. Although this was a painful and excruciatingly uncomfortable experience for me, I was able to experience another hospital known as Premiere Hospital. The differences between Coast General Hospital and Premiere are drastic, as Premiere Hospital is in the Commercial Private Sector while Coast General is in the Public Health Sector. As we learned in our lecture series, hospitals in the Public Health Sector is considered more accessible and affordable for citizens in Kenya. Public hospitals are also under-resourced when compared to the private sector. On the other hand, hospitals in the private sector offer much higher quality healthcare when compared to the public sector. One of the interesting differences I noticed in the under sourcing of hospitals in the public sector, is that at Coast General, to take blood they tie gloves together to be used as a tourniquet, while at Premiere, they use actual tourniquet. I even noticed simple things such as automatic doors, and automatic hand sanitizer dispensers at Premiere Hospital. It was very evident that the private sector is well funded in comparison. Although I was sick, I was grateful to be able to experience the difference as a patient hands on. My last week was in Surgery, which to my surprise, was my favorite. When doing surgery, you split your time between the surgical theater and the surgical ward. My first day was in the surgical theater, which started my week off on the highest note. The other interns and I were able to see an adenoidectomy on a baby, a broken femur repair, and the beginning of a skin graft surgery. I stood as close as possible without being in the way of the surgeons, as I was extremely interested in everything they were doing. One of the more surprising things that I found interesting was the nurse anesthetist. During the broken femur repair, there was something about the surgeons inserting multiple rods into the patients leg, and the patient feeling absolutely nothing due to anesthesia. I was very intrigued by all of the different machines used for the anesthesia and to make sure that the patient stays asleep during the surgery. It was after this surgery that I found an interest in being a Nurse Anesthetist, as I loved the surgery atmosphere and all that goes into having a successful surgery. When I mentioned this new found revelation, many of the interns asked me why I don’t want to pursue surgery, but this is when I mentioned that in the previous weeks I found a love for the patient care experience, and Nurse Anesthetists get the best of both worlds, by handling pre and post-operative patient care, and also getting the full surgery experience. Finishing my internship with surgery and figuring out what I want to do in life, was the perfect conclusion. As mentioned in the beginning, this internship really put my life into perspective, because even though I figured out what I want to do career wise, something still seemed to be missing. This is when I came across the area of Global Health. After spending a month in Kenya, I felt that I wanted to be a part of tropical medicine, and have a hand in some of the neglected tropical diseases such as malaria, dengue fever, rabies, and many other diseases. I had hands on experience with dengue fever, as of my roommates contracted it while we were in Kenya. This caused me to do a lot of research on how to not only keep myself protected, but what I could do to help her feel better, as she was miserable. As I’ve been home for a month doing research, I found that it is possible to be a nurse and also take part in global health in the US and also in other countries through organizations such as the World Health Organization. Completing a healthcare internship abroad allowed for me to understand the importance of cultural competency, especially if I’m going to be working in a country like the US, as it is a melting pot, full of people with many different beliefs and cultures. It is important to be able to place yourself in your patients shoes to treat them to the best of your ability. To conclude my reflection on my internship, I am beyond appreciative for the experience. I feel if I didn’t participate in this internship, I would be pursuing a career that isn’t my dream. I truly feel that being a nurse anesthetist and also incorporating global health is the perfect career for me. I am extremely thankful for International Medical Aid allowing me to understand the importance of cultural competency, as I will carry that lesson with me for the rest of my life, for my future patients. I have left Kenya as a completely different person, but a much better person.

IMA offered me an experience that ultimately will forever change my life. From the community outreach activities, to the rotations at the hospital - IMA offered me the most beneficial learning opportunity I could have ever asked for. From the amazing staff, to the luxurious living, and especially the knowledge I gained during my stay, Kenya and IMA will forever have a piece of my heart with them, wherever my life decides to take me. I will NEVER forget my time in Mombasa. At this point I am a walking IMA Ad! When I originally applied for the International Medical Aid internship in 2020, I never imagined just how much the internship would have impacted my life. Until traveling to Kenya, I was a doubtful young woman unsure of what my future in the medical field could hold. After a short month in Mombasa, I learned so much information, met so many wonderful people, expanded my cultural horizons, while also growing into my confidence within my career path (Shulsinger, 2021). Each week in Mombasa led me to discover more and more about myself and the beautiful country that I was staying in. From learning about all the different diseases that were affecting Kenya (International Medical Aid, 2019), to the local clinics and the rotations in the hospital – Kenya had taught me more in one short month than any other medical field job I had ever had the privilege of working. Although the internship had taught me a lot about the medical field, this internship also allowed me to see the differences amongst the same career paths in different countries while also understanding just how fortunate I am to live the life that I have. What Was Learned Week 1:Pediatric Department During my first week in Mombasa, I spent most of my time learning about the Mombasa culture while also getting used to my new job at the hospital. In my first week, I had the privilege of working in the Pediatric department and working closely with many doctors, nurses, and consulting officers. During this time, I met a consulting officer intern, Erick, who helped me intensively understand every case all the interns observed. From explaining medical plans and diagnoses – to understanding why doctors are ordering certain tests, Erick allowed me to understand the day-to-day preceding’s of doctors at Coast General while also explaining many cases that I would never have the chance of seeing in the United States, such as malnutrition, malaria, HIV and many other cases. While the interns got to view and manage many cases, we wouldn’t have the privilege of seeing them elsewhere, we also learned a lot about the cultural life and healthcare in Kenya (Njeru, 2019 & International Medical Aid, 2019). Throughout my time in Mombasa, I believe that some of the most beneficial information I gained during my stay was from the lectures and local clinics that were developed by the IMA staff and program mentors. In these lectures, we learned about the diseases the affect a vast majority of the Kenyan populations, such as different types of cancers, sexually transmitted diseases and even chronic illnesses. From what we learned in the lectures, we not only got to witness the same diseases within the hospital but also through the weekly clinics we put on for the community. The local doctors from Coast General and IMA staff not only taught us about these diseases, but how to treat them, and just why these disease’s affect so much of the country’s populations based on basic hygiene, access to medical supplies, and even medical literacy (Njeru, 2019 & International Medical Aid, 2019). Week 2: Emergency Department While my second week in Mombasa was shorter than the rest of my stay, the information I had learned in the Emergency department was some of the most impactful. From learning how to read a hairline fracture on an X-ray, to determining the effects of occipital brain tumor, to even figuring out how to test for COVID-19 in an area where COVID testing supplies are limited. Even though the information that I learned in the ER was some of the most helpful and knowledgeable information, this was not the information that impacted me the most during my stay. On the second day of my ER shift, I had witnessed one of the most heartbreaking experiences, unexpected death. Early into the shift, a patient had come in kidney failure and psychosis from a road vehicular accident and drug abuse. While the case seemed treatable for the most part, I slowly began to observe the patient’s vital signs drop and oxygen levels began to slowly deplete. After about ten minutes of observations on the patient, the blood pressure and oxygen levels were at an all-time low and it was clear that CPR was needed in order for us to save this patient. As the interns and I began CPR – we were immediately stopped by one of the doctors. She stated that CPR was not to be started and the patient would have to pass. In complete and utter disbelief, most interns stormed off in anger while I was left with the patient, I had just saw take their breath for the very last time. I was heartbroken, shocked, and in complete disbelief. I could not understand why we were to leave the patient to die when our entire job was to save the patient and make the most rational call for their wellbeing. By the end of the shift, it was apparent to the doctor that most of the interns were thrown off by the experience with the deceased patient. The doctor came up to all of us and explained why the patient could not have been revived. She stated that healthcare in Kenya is handled much differently than in the United States. For one, the protocols that would have been necessary to save the patient’s life in America would not have been easily accessible in Kenya. Secondly, she explained that even if CPR was administered, the patient would then have to be placed in the ICU to ensure adequate care could have been met. While it would not have been a second thought to do so in America, the people in Kenya and Coast General Hospital does not have the funds or room to be able to afford and transfer the patient to another department. She stated, “If the patient had survived and had been successfully transferred, the patient’s family would ultimately face the financial burden of taking care of this patient's life. They wouldn’t be able to afford the medicine, the continuous care or even prolonged stays at Coast General or any other facility in Mombasa.” After the doctor explained this information to us, the other interns and I realized just how fortunate we are to live the life we come from. While the interns and I had been introduced to the Kenyan life through lectures and local tours, none of us understood the extent of our privilege until working this shift. We knew that not everyone had access to healthcare, and we knew that supplies were limited to the area, but none of us had really realized just how much all these issues really affected Kenyan’s day-to-day life until experiencing the death of this patient. Week 3 and 4: Obstetrician and Gynecology Department Throughout the last half of my stay in Mombasa, I experienced the most influential and knowledgeable information during my rotation in the OBGYN Department. During my rotation in OBGYN, I got to personally shadow Dr. Malkia during my two weeks in the department. Dr. Malkia taught me the most knowledge about medicine while also giving me something no other medical professional had given me – confidence in my knowledge of medicine. In my shifts in OBGYN, I was able to palpate a fetus in the womb, listen to a fetal heart rate with a fetal scope, learned about pre-eclampsia, how to treat pre-eclampsia, shadow in surgeries and so much more. Unlike other medical professionals I met in Kenya, Dr. Malkia took a special interest in me and took me as her mentee. She frequently challenged my knowledge in the department, gave me homework assignments to study and work on for the next shift and even occasionally quizzed me on my knowledge of medicine. Although Dr. Malkia gave me all the tools to be a successful doctor in the future, she also gave me the reassurance and confidence that I will be very successful in what I would be doing one day. While this seems rather minuscule to the other information I learned from this internship, Dr. Malkia was the most influential person during my time in Kenya. Never before had I met a medical professional who “took me under her wing” as she did and seriously take the time out of her day, each day, to make sure I was fully grasping the information she had given to me. Dr. Malkia saw something in me no other person had seen in me before. She saw my passion for medicine and the kindness I had for others and reassured me that those are all the tools for being a successful doctor. Dr. Malkia believed in me and gave me the tools to believe in myself. Conclusion Before traveling to Kenya, I never expected to love and learn as much from the country that I thought I would. Going into this experience, I assumed I would get some shadowing hours and learn some information that would further advance my career. I would have never thought this internship would completely change my life and the way I view it. While I did get to learn more knowledge about the medical field, this internship allowed me to grow both as a person and as a medical professional, challenge my thinking on a daily basis, and even learn to appreciate the life around me a little more. It was evident during my stay in Mombasa that I got to learn and grow in my medical knowledge, but I also got to grow on a personal level as well. This internship allowed me to see and meet some of the most beautiful people in this world. From the staff at the residence to the other interns and even the local citizens in Kenya, Mombasa taught me just how fortunate I am to experience this adventure of a lifetime. Kenya not only taught me how to take better care of people’s lives, but it also taught me how to love the life I live and to take better care for my life in the process. By getting to take care of the amazing people in Kenya, I was able to reignite my passion for medicine while also learn how to take better care of those who are needing help, no matter the financial situations, supply shortages or disease burdens. Kenya gave me the confidence to continue to pursue my dreams and reminded me why I chose this field. Even though as an intern I experienced hardships from my patient’s life and loss, it also allowed me to grow into my confidence as a medical professional. It taught me that even the most trained professionals need second opinions and that even the most knowledgeable doctors were once in my shoes. Kenya taught me life lessons that will last forever, and that is why I could not be more thankful for this adventure and all the unforgettable life lessons I will cherish forever.

The very moment I took my first step into the designated program residence in Mombasa - Kenya, I was astonished. "Welcome home!", said one of the housekeeping team members. The hospitality shown was immense. I remembered how I was given a tour around to residence, as well as the two specific medical institutions; BOMU hospital, and Coast General Teaching & Referral Hospital (CGTRH), I would be working with. The various students I worked with while in the program were totally amazing. I am personally a student that one can regard as an introvert before participating in this healthcare internship abroad program. I barely come out of my shell or socialize. International Medical Aid taught me the importance of teamwork. The importance of having a me-time even after a long day. The importance of setting a moment or few apart for relaxing, networking with my peers, and getting a goodnight rest. How? I am the type of student that gives my all to the extent of overworking myself. Even while participating in this internship, I was taking two summer classes that requires me to stay up at night from 11 PM to 2 AM Kenyan time. One of my life-changing roommates, Laura, would always say, “Lola, you’re crazy. That is a lot of exhausting activity” and we would both laugh it off. But International Medical Aid brought out the best in me and I will forever be grateful for those shared moments. I realized that I do better when I pace myself and give myself time to Breath. I saw life outside just education. I met wonderful peers and it changed my perspective about been a “Perfectionist”. I realized that even when it is necessary to give our best and all, it is our flaws and imperfections that make us perfect and unique. What an irony! Sitting up at 6 AM and listening to piano songs while writing this exit survey only brought back memories that makes me emotional. To every student out there, I want to leave you with this, “Education is important, and doing what you love is equally important. However, while doing what you love, and getting educated, approach it with your whole heart. You will be surprised at how much you made a difference! You will be surprised at how much this life-changing experience prepares you for the future. You will be surprised at how this program positively brings out the best in you”. A huge thank you to International Medical Aid for pushing me a step closer to my dreams of becoming a Cardiothoracic Surgeon. I will take this gathered knowledge of mine and hold unto it dearly while continuing my medical journey. I promise to not only work hard for this dream but also enjoy the journey. You taught me this! I cannot wait to share my experience at International Medical Aid, the clinical and program teachings/mentoring, the weekly community outreaches, the sightseeing of the cities and local places, the adventures, the salivating Kenyan food, and all the love felt. I cannot wait to inspire every student out there. I cannot wait to make a difference. Thank you, IMA!

My time in Mombasa, Kenya with International Medical Aid was the most fulfilling, educational, and enjoyable months of my life. All of the staff was helpful, caring, knowledgeable, gracious, and so much more. I could (and did) write an entire essay over the staff and how grateful I am for each and every one of them. The accommodations, transportation, and food could not have been more ideal. The lodging surpassed all of my expectations and I was constantly outside to enjoy the beauty of the residence we were in. The food was always delicious and more than I could have asked for. In-country support ties hand in hand with the staff of IMA and how I could not have been more thankful for them. This summer they had more interns than ever before, which I was one of the many that was considered lucky and blessed to be accepted again post COVID, and the staff handled it with grace and ease. Even though it may not have seemed like that behind the scenes, there was not a moment where I thought the staff did not have everything under control and was on top of everything. The attention to detail and each aspect of every intern still blows my mind to this day. On day 1, the entire staff had memorized my name and knew everything about me. I could go on and on, but overall the experience was an 11/10. I would, and will, recommend this program to everyone that I can.

Reflecting on the days when the region of Mombasa, Kenya became my home as well as that of other colleagues, only emotions of nostalgia and joy return. My experience began from the moment I got off the plane at the Mombasa airport, where I met some of the International Medical Aid staff, who immediately made me feel not only welcome, but accepted and protected. At that very moment, I knew that it would be a long journey, but that it would be an experience that I will never forget. After they picked me up at the airport, they took me and the other colleagues who shared similar dates. Upon arriving at the residence they introduced us to the rest of the staff, who were very humble and above all welcoming, they helped me with my bags and showed me around the residence until finally showing me where I would be staying for the next three weeks. After putting the suitcases in place, I met the rest of the interns who were present at that time, with whom I created a friendship, which I will keep for my whole life. The next day we went on a tour of the hospital, where they were showing us the location of each department and a brief explanation of how situations are handled in the hospital. That same day, they took us to different places in Mombasa, where we got to learn about history and a bit of culture. Finally, when we arrived at the residence in the afternoon, as every day, they received us with a very exquisite dinner prepared by the chef. The next morning was my first rotation at the hospital, where I met many of the doctors who were assisting and teaching us as if we were one of their students. The experience in the hospital, day after day, week after week, was shocking in every way. The procedures, the handling, the love for the patient, the fragility of life and above all the respect for the patient were values that each medical officer forged while we were in their care. If I had to decide which department was my favorite, I would easily have to say that it was emergencies or casualty department which was how they called it. It was full of activity, it was very busy, but above all it was where I learned the most in all the rotations I did in the hospital that became my second home while I was there. I am very grateful for all the doctors, nurses, surgeons, anesthesiologists, all health care professionals who took their valuable time not only to teach us, but to have the intention of knowing us and knowing what our passions were. One of the most gratifying experiences that I will take from Mombasa was the visit to the school where we were conducting the hygiene sessions. Many of those children will be in my heart forever, especially those with whom I managed to interact. Secondly, it would have to be the clinics that were carried out, the trust and acceptance of the patient with which we were present and provided a service to them was something that not only impacted me, but also moved me. I am grateful to have been able to be a participant in such an internship, where I managed to expand my horizons and not only learn a little medicine and expose myself to cases that are atypical in my nation, but also learn from another cultu re, learn history, feel more human, but above all, create bonds that, no matter the distance between them, cannot be broken. Thank you very much International medical Aid for allowing me to live such an experience and sow a seed that will germinate in the future.

My trip to East Africa was an absolute success thanks to all the IMA staff who protected us and worked hard on our behalf during our stay. From our daily drivers: Javan, Teddy, and Benson to our housekeepers and chefs, we were able to have every one of our needs met due to their efforts. Our safety was a top priority during our trip and we never had to sacrifice the feeling of comfort. I am grateful to have experienced the way of life and the Kenyan culture during my two-week stay abroad. I was able to grasp the true meaning of a developing nation as I was faced with the reality of Kenyan's way of life. Whether it was through the constant bus rides and the observations I was making of the roads, the houses, and the civilians. Or whether it was face to face on a daily basis at the public hospital where I interned in the dental unit, it was under these circumstances that I was exposed to a lifestyle that will forever linger in my memory. This mission trip will serve as a personal reminder for my long-term aspirations in the health care field. I would like to return as a dentist in the future and aid these people with my time, effort, and resources. I would like to extend my gratitude towards the International Medical Aid organization for allowing me to participate in this educational experience so early in my dental career.

I did the Colombia Internship Programme as part of my Year Abroad at university. I saw this as a chance to both improve my Spanish and develop skills which would improve my employability further down the line. TIG delivered this and more! Living in Colombia for three months without knowing anyone there is a daunting prospect, but TIG set my mind at ease on so many levels: they found me a great internship; lovely accommodation in a great part of Medellín (El Poblado); and organised all the logistics of the taxi from the airport etc. During my internship I was afforded a great level of responsibility and independence, which really helped me develop my independence and organisation. I was supported by my team and enjoyed getting to know my colleagues. I also loved the social aspect of the programme. I met some great people and really enjoyed the excursions planned for us including trips to Guatapé and Comuna 13, and a tour of Medellín with a coffee tasting. All in all, I came out of Colombia with much more confidence in my Spanish, in myself and in my career. I won't forget my time there, and I'm really grateful to everyone at TIG for making it run so smoothly. I can't wait to go back to South America soon!