Global Health in Durban, South Africa

Participating in CFHI’s Health Program in Durban was an unforgettable journey in my global health career. CFHI’s structure gave me a unique opportunity to learn about South Africa’s healthcare system not just from a clinical perspective, but also through lived cultural experiences. From our daily clinical shadowing in hospitals and clinics to our immersion in my homestay, CFHI ensured that our learning was authentic, ethical, and grounded in community realities.

My experience in Durban, South Africa with CFHI’s Global Health Program was truly transformative. I gained hands-on exposure to HIV/AIDS, tuberculosis, and non-communicable diseases, working alongside dedicated local physicians in resource-limited settings. The local team’s passion and willingness to teach made this experience both educational and deeply impactful. Beyond clinical work, I had the opportunity to immerse myself in South African culture and explore its incredible history. From hiking Table Mountain in Cape Town, visiting Nelson Mandela’s historic sites, and spotting rockhopper penguins, to trying Durban’s famous Bunny Chow, every moment was unforgettable. This experience strengthened my passion for global health, patient advocacy, and health equity. I highly recommend this program to anyone seeking to broaden their medical and cultural understanding while making a meaningful impact.

My time with CHFI was unforgettable and enriching. Over the course of 4 weeks, I had their opportunity to rotate through the surgery unit, pediatric wards, malukazi clinic and Hillcrest aids center. It was great clinical exposure. Seeing firsthand how healthcare providers navigate challenges with limited resources while delivering compassionate care gave me a whole new perspective on medicine. I had so much mentorship and support from the physicians, interns, students and other medical students who came from medical schools in the U.S. They took their time to explain pretty much everything to me. Beyond that, Durban is such a beautiful place. There was always something to do, beautiful beaches and nice sunny weather!