Internships in Tanzania

My internship with International Medical Aid (IMA) in Mombasa, Kenya provided a truly transformative experience that shaped my aspirations in medicine. The in-country support was exceptional. Every member of the IMA team—from Margaret, Benson, and Hilda to Mitchel—was kind, attentive, and incredibly knowledgeable. They didn’t just answer questions; they offered thoughtful insights grounded in deep clinical experience and cultural understanding. Their steady presence made me feel safe, supported, and at home in a place that was entirely new to me. The accommodations were comfortable and culturally immersive, allowing me to connect more deeply with the local community. The food was diverse and reflective of Kenyan cuisine, adding to the authenticity of the experience. Visiting local schools and engaging with children and staff was especially impactful; their joy, curiosity, and warmth were a powerful reminder of the importance of human connection. This journey reinforced my dedication to addressing global health inequities and making a meaningful impact through medicine. It did not just influence my career path; it left a lasting positive imprint on the communities I served—and on who I am. I have always had a desire to step out of my comfort zone and face challenges on my own, which is somewhat unusual given that I have a twin with whom I share much of my life. Despite our closeness, I’ve always felt called to explore the world independently and push myself to grow. At sixteen, I traveled alone to Quito, Ecuador, where I worked in daycares supporting children in under-resourced communities. That experience taught me a great deal about myself and my drive to help others. At twenty-two, I found myself preparing for something even more profound: a journey to Mombasa, Kenya. When I was younger, I dreamed of opening a nonprofit organization in Kenya. I would buy bracelets with the colors of the Kenyan flag, imagining the day I would wear them there. At nine years old, I wanted to be everything—mermaid, astronaut, chef, doctor, fairy, hero. As high school ended, being asked to choose one path felt unfair. I applied to universities in France and Egypt for engineering, but it never felt right. Learning about community colleges in the United States offered hope: a chance to explore different fields before committing. Taking a leap of faith, I moved to the U.S., despite my father’s concerns about the distance from Egypt. My mother—my hero—encouraged me every step of the way and taught me I could be more than one thing: a doctor, a helper, a dreamer. After a few semesters, I chose Biology and pre-medicine, but a small part of me still hesitated, unsure if I had truly found my calling. On October 8, 2023, I attended a conference at the University of California, Davis. There, I discovered International Medical Aid. Their booth introduced a program that offered hands-on hospital experience and, incredibly, the opportunity to do it in Kenya. I subscribed to their newsletter, and a few months later, I applied for the summer program in Mombasa. My father was worried about my safety, but my mother reminded me, “Do not let anything or anyone hold you back. If you cannot reach the moon, reach for the stars.” Soon after, I was on my way. I left Los Angeles on May 30, flying through Washington, D.C., and Ethiopia. In a surreal twist, I ran into a former roommate from UC Davis who, without us realizing, had applied to IMA the same way, chosen the same country, dates, and flights. We arrived together in Mombasa on June 1 and were driven to the IMA Woolsack residence in Nyali, where I met the interns and roommates who would define the next weeks of my life. My first visit to Coast General Teaching and Referral Hospital was on Sunday, June 2. We met Dr. Shazim, an internal medicine physician, who gave us an orientation and assigned departments for the following day. Afterward, we toured Fort Jesus, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, with a guide who brought its history to life. The experience made me eager to learn not only medicine in Kenya, but also its culture and past. My first rotation was in Obstetrics and Gynecology. As we walked into the department, I noticed monkeys jumping around outside the windows—apparently a normal sight. Our team of six interns was split between the first floor, where vaginal births took place, and the second floor, where cesarean sections were performed under the guidance of Dr. Hirsi. One of the first things that struck me was the equipment. Instead of modern fetal monitors, providers often used a simple plastic cone to listen to fetal heartbeats, due to limited supplies and infection-control needs. I couldn’t help but compare this to Hoag Hospital in the United States, where I volunteer. The contrast in resources was stark: instruments were reused, washed, and repurposed out of necessity. My appreciation for the abundance in U.S. hospitals grew quickly. Initially, I wasn’t sure if Obstetrics and Gynecology was for me. That changed within days. For our first C-section, our group rotated in. I was nervous. One intern nearly fainted and never returned to the department. When it was our turn, I watched as the patient—on her fourth C-section—was prepared. Once anesthesia took effect, Dr. Hirsi made a small incision and then separated tissues with his hands rather than cutting through muscle. I hadn’t expected that, but later learned it is a standard technique to promote faster healing and less pain. When the baby was delivered, I cried. Witnessing life begin is indescribably powerful. In Kenya, C-sections are free at public facilities like Coast General, and once a woman has one, she usually continues with them, which influences birth patterns across different socioeconomic groups. In that first week, I saw multiple C-sections and vaginal births, as well as the difficult realities behind them. One case that stayed with me involved a mother giving birth alone. Everything happened quickly. Her placenta became retained, and only a few medical student interns were nearby. With limited staff—only about two doctors assigned per day—Kenya’s physician shortage was painfully clear. Eventually, a doctor arrived and used a technique I’d never seen to manually remove the placenta. It was intense, chaotic, and bloody. The lack of privacy, emotional support, and cleanliness was heartbreaking, yet the strength of the patients was extraordinary. By the end of the week, I was sad to leave the department. I had formed meaningful connections with nurses and doctors whose dedication I deeply admired and hope to work with again one day. My second week was in Pediatrics, divided between inpatient and outpatient. I worked closely with Clinical Officer Ken, who taught us through case after case of sepsis, tuberculosis, anemia, and malaria. While the patterns were repetitive, they reflected real epidemiology and exposed the weight of preventable illness. I preferred the inpatient ward, where I could build longer-term connections with children and families. In the mornings, Dr. Sharifa rounded thoughtfully on each patient, teaching and challenging her interns along the way. Her presence as a wise, compassionate female physician inspired me deeply. We also saw how cultural beliefs shaped care. One newborn with jaundice needed phototherapy and an NG tube, but the family hesitated. The mother believed she lacked sufficient breast milk; the father didn’t want to buy formula, which was too expensive. Traditional beliefs and financial barriers overshadowed medical recommendations. In the U.S., a psychiatric or social work consult might be standard in such a scenario. In Kenya, the extreme shortage of mental health professionals and social support systems leaves many families on their own. On my final days in Pediatrics, I met a mother who quietly asked me to adopt her three-year-old son, Imran Ramadhan. He had developed meningitis, which led to seizures and severe muscle weakness. He’d been hospitalized for weeks beyond his discharge date because his family couldn’t pay the bill. In Kenya, patients who cannot pay are sometimes detained until their balances are cleared. Leaving his room, I fought back tears. That night, I started a GoFundMe and raised over $2,000. Before I could pay the bill, I had to leave Mombasa, but I worked with IMA afterward to transfer the funds so Imran and his mother could finally go home. Since then, I’ve stayed in touch, helped them secure housing, and continued supporting his treatment. While $2,000 may not stretch far in the U.S., in Kenya it changed the trajectory of a family’s life. They have become part of mine. That experience is engraved on my heart and continues to motivate me to return one day as a physician, not just an intern. Every week, we had debriefs, simulations, and lectures with IMA, including a powerful session on Kenya’s disease burden and mental health challenges. There are roughly 100 psychiatrists in the entire country, most based in Nairobi, leaving many regions effectively without access to specialized mental healthcare. Psychiatry had always interested me; I’m often the listener among my friends, and I know firsthand how critical mental health support is. Hearing stories of loss, stigma, and limited access made the need feel urgent and personal. It strengthened my resolve to advocate for mental health, both clinically and culturally. Beyond the hospital walls, we visited schools to lead hygiene, reproductive health, and mental health education sessions. These schools lacked technology and basic supplies, yet they were full of bright, hopeful students. The children greeted us with high-fives, hugs, and unfiltered joy. Teaching them how to brush their teeth and talk about mental wellbeing felt both simple and profound—a reminder that meaningful impact can begin with small, human interactions. Throughout my time in Mombasa, I became acutely aware of all the details I had once taken for granted: adequate staffing, reliable equipment, infection-control protocols, protective gear in operating rooms, timely lab results, accessible medications. At Coast General, I saw surgeries performed with limited protective equipment and pediatric patients waiting too long for critical labs. I saw conditions like hydrocephalus and severe malnutrition tied to gaps in prenatal care and health education. I learned how cultural beliefs, systemic constraints, and economic hardship weave together to shape outcomes. Witnessing these realities strengthened my resolve to pursue medicine—specifically Psychiatry—and to one day establish a nonprofit organization supporting healthcare accessibility in Kenya. I want to stand at the intersection of clinical care, mental health advocacy, and structural change. I am profoundly grateful for my time with International Medical Aid. Coast General Hospital, the IMA team, my fellow interns, and the communities we served changed me. Stepping out of my comfort zone revealed my purpose. Waking up excited for each day in the hospital confirmed that medicine is where I belong. This journey humbled me, sharpened my awareness of my own privilege, and ignited a fire to give back. One day, I hope to return to Mombasa as a physician with the skills, resources, and team to expand critical services—much like the Italian cardiac surgeons I saw performing life-changing surgeries that were previously unavailable in the region. International Medical Aid didn’t just offer an internship; they created the space for a lifelong commitment to grow. My experience in Mombasa will guide me as I work to build a future where compassionate, equitable care is accessible to all.

International Medical Aid did a fantastic job of making sure all of the interns were well taken care of. There was never a time when I needed something and IMA was not immediately working to fix the issue. The IMA team in East Africa was so accommodating, welcoming, and overall kind to all of the interns. They genuinely wanted to get to know each and every intern in order to make your experience the best it could possibly be. Personally, I became really close with the transportation team and the kitchen staff whilst in Mombasa. These individuals made my day every time I got the opportunity to talk to them and get to know them. The kitchen staff made amazing food from all different cultures to accommodate everyone's different tastes. I was able to taste classic Kenyan dishes as well as my favorites from home, like pancakes in the morning at breakfast. If you have an allergy or dietary restriction, the kitchen staff will not rest until your dietary needs are not only met but exceeded. They would go above and beyond at every meal, making the whole experience better for everyone as we were all well-fed. As for the transportation team, my favorite thing to do was sit in the passenger seat of the bus on the way to/from the hospital or community outreach and chat with the drivers. I was able to get to know the transportation team on a more personal level, making the drives more fun when you had someone you considered a friend driving rather than just an employee. As for the in-country support, the staff of IMA did a great job of communicating with us quickly when we had a question. They were also clear with us on what was going on around Mombasa that we as interns should be aware of (politically, socially, and culturally) as we made our way throughout the city. As for the living accommodations, the residence was nicer than I could have ever imagined. From the pool the interns would frequently hang out in at night, to the spacious living quarters, the residence gave us more than enough room to play games at night, live amongst 50+ other people comfortably, and rest and relax after a long day. The residence was sparkling clean with comfortable accommodations and, again, the best staff taking care of the living spaces and grounds. Given that the residence was located in a gated community in one of the nicest neighborhoods in Mombasa, I always felt safe and at home. Whenever we would leave the residence, I still felt extremely safe and cared for by the staff members and my fellow interns. However, Mombasa as a whole is made up of some of the nicest, most welcoming people who almost never make you feel as though you are in an unsafe situation. All in all, I would rate this experience a 10/10. I was on the phone with my dad the night before I left, begging to push back my flight just a few more hours to spend more time with all of the amazing interns and staff I met during my six weeks in Mombasa. I did not want to go home, and I still miss it every day. In my opinion, Mombasa changed me for the better, not only as a healthcare professional but also as a person. As a nursing intern going into my senior year of nursing school, I was able to help out the nurses and doctors in the hospitals. Whether I was providing the patient with a hand to hold during a procedure, or doing head-to-toe assessments and giving authorized medications to help relieve the nurses of their heavy workload, I was able to see the impact on not only myself but also the community through the things I did. Mombasa changed me as a future nurse, teaching me how to problem solve in situations where resources and staffing are at the absolute minimum. In the future, I will be able to think quicker on my feet and problem solve in my workplace thanks to my time in Kenya. I was also able to see my impact on the community of Kenya through community outreach set up by IMA and through my patients getting better in the hospital. Whether I was watching a malnourished patient get better over my weeks in the hospital or teaching a child at the local school how to brush their teeth, I was seeing the impact not only myself, but the entire organization of IMA had on the community around us. This program is very special, and anyone who has the opportunity to participate should consider themselves very lucky. Thank you, International Medical Aid. Kwaheri, Kenya! It has been about a year exactly since I called my parents to tell them my wishes of spending my summer in Africa as a nursing intern. Although they were on board with me going abroad to experience other healthcare systems and help those in need, they were not sold on the idea of me flying by myself for the first time to a continent so far away from home. With my fantastic marketing skills, I was able to convince them that I would, in fact, be killing three birds with one stone by going on this adventure. I would gain vital clinical hours to set me apart for nursing job interviews coming up sooner than I would like to admit; I would get the opportunity to study abroad in a sense which I would not have otherwise been able to do due to the constraints of the nursing school timeline; I would get to go to the continent I had always dreamed of traveling to, Africa. Fast forward about ten months later, and I was on a plane en route to Mombasa, Kenya, where I did not have a single clue what I was about to experience over the course of the next six weeks of my life. Upon my arrival to Mombasa, I had an instant culture shock. For starters, Kenyans drive like crazy in comparison to Texas drivers—and that is saying something—and all of the people are very friendly and welcoming, which is uncommon in the United States, even in the South. Thankfully, International Medical Aid did a wonderful job of properly introducing not only Mombasa, but also the country of Kenya to all of the interns within less than 24 hours of their arrival. We learned about the political, social, and religious cultures of both Kenya and Mombasa specifically. We were also given a “Swahili survival guide” of sorts to jumpstart the interns’ typically rocky journey of learning the language. These first few lectures and tours of the city helped put into perspective where our planes had touched down just the day prior, immersing us into the culture and welcoming us into a place like no other. Upon applying to IMA, I expected to learn and grow as a nurse and as an individual. What I did not expect was how much I really would learn during my six weeks with IMA. Throughout my time at Coast General Teaching and Referral Hospital in Mombasa, Kenya, I was able to experience nursing in a multitude of different specialties. Naturally, each specialty came with its own challenges and learning curves. Through encountering these obstacles head-on in each unit, I was able to come back to the United States as a much more well-rounded nurse. My rotations made me think quickly on my feet and problem solve as I went, namely my rotations in the OB-GYN, Pediatrics, and A&E units. During my OB-GYN rotation, I encountered mistreatment of patients. Throughout my rotation, I saw healthcare professionals slapping patients and pinching their lips shut if they made noise while in labor. I saw patients ignored when they voiced their pains and fears as they progressed through labor. I saw a lack of patient consent for procedures such as episiotomies. Witnessing these events taught me how, as a nurse, I must step up to enforce patient-centered care and advocate for my patients to receive the best possible treatment, even when the unit is short-staffed and running low on resources. I did this by taking initiative in the care of the patients—providing them with non-pharmacological pain management methods I had learned and used during my OB-GYN rotation in the United States. These measures included massage, changing the patient’s position, and lending a hand to hold in order to calm their nerves. While on the OB-GYN unit, I learned not only how to take initiative in uncomfortable situations for the good of my patients, but I was also able to show staff members how comfort measures can help enhance a patient’s entire birthing experience. Pediatrics taught me the importance of time management as a nurse. During this rotation, I had the pleasure of shadowing and assisting Nurse Wafa in the pediatric inpatient ward. During my time there, the ward was full, and we had approximately forty patients needing medication administration. Given that there was only me, Wafa, and a nursing student available to help all forty patients, it was very difficult to make sure all medications were given to every patient on time. Therefore, we created a system where the nursing student would chart, Wafa would draw up the medications, and I would administer all medications I was approved to administer as a student nurse. In working with Wafa and the other student nurse from Kenya, I was able to learn about time management while still providing my patients with safe, timely medication administration. Arguably, my rotation in the Accident and Emergency Department at CGTRH taught me the most out of all my rotations. Whilst in the A&E, I learned how to think quickly on my feet to help solve unforeseeable problems as they arose with the ever-changing patient conditions present in this unit. I learned how to jump in where needed to assist doctors and nurses in doing assessments and vitals, as well as IV insertions, as I had previously been trained and approved to do such things. This was a huge help to the staff, as there were also things I could not do, such as comforting family members who had just lost a loved one, administering blood, or giving high-risk medications, to name a few. That being said, I was able to learn so much with the guidance of the staff in the Accident and Emergency Department as they gave me opportunities to learn new things, practice my skills, and ask questions when appropriate. For example, the physicians would point me toward a patient to assess and ask me to guess their presenting diagnosis. By doing this and reporting back with my notes, I was able to receive instant feedback and advice on my assessments. My learning did not end in the hospital. Much of it took place outside the clinical setting in the form of cultural and global health discussions. Through IMA-led lectures and conversations with fellow interns, I was able to better understand how different healthcare systems operate based on each country’s laws, cultural beliefs, and available resources. With interns from around the world, I learned how the U.S. healthcare system differs from those in Australia, Dubai, the UK, Kenya, and more. Thanks to International Medical Aid, I have begun to pay closer attention to healthcare differences worldwide so I can become a more globally aware nurse for my patients. By understanding how a healthcare system works, it becomes easier to recognize inequities in hospital infrastructure and patient care across countries. One of the major differences I noticed between Kenya and the United States was how few patients were insured in Kenya. Even at what U.S. citizens would consider the low price of five dollars a month for insurance, “the insurance scheme is still unaffordable to a majority of Kenyans” (IMA, 2024). This means that many Kenyans are paying out of pocket for healthcare services, making care less accessible and affordable for a vast portion of the working population. Throughout my time in CGTRH, I saw hardships and challenges in every unit I encountered. Many of these issues stem from socioeconomic disparities among different populations across Kenya. In 2020, BMC Health Services Research conducted a quantitative study on the “cost-related unmet need for healthcare services in Kenya” (Arsenijevic et al., 2020). The study found that multiple factors drive unmet healthcare needs due to cost, requiring a multifaceted approach to address inequities, especially among the most vulnerable and marginalized populations. In short, lack of health insurance, limited access to services, and socioeconomic disparities all contribute to patients’ challenges in acquiring necessary healthcare. Throughout my rotations at Coast General, I saw the effects of these factors firsthand. One patient in particular came in with extreme malnutrition during my night shift in the Pediatric A&E during my third week in Mombasa. A couple of weeks later, during my Pediatric rotation, I saw the same child looking much healthier and in better spirits, ready for discharge. When I came back in my last week with IMA to say goodbye to my favorite nurse in Pediatrics, I saw that my patient had been moved to a “waiting” area where children and their mothers stay until they can pay off their medical bills. Their bill continued to increase each day they remained in the hospital, as they were still using bed space and resources. When I asked the mother what was happening, she said they were 30,000 Kenyan shillings short. This mother and son were still there when my internship ended, and I will never know if they were able to go home. This is a real-life example of cost-related barriers affecting real patients. Each day during my rotations presented different challenges and complications. I learned that many of these issues were linked to the political approach taken toward healthcare in Kenya. I witnessed the effects of government shortcomings firsthand, particularly regarding healthcare worker pay and support. During my time in Mombasa, I observed the country struggle under growing tension over how citizens and healthcare workers were being treated. The Kenya Medical Practitioners, Pharmacists, and Dentists Union (KMPDU) “has accused county governments of failing to prioritize healthcare workers’ welfare, with some counties owing salaries for up to five months” (Aura, 2024). Due to strikes by healthcare professionals, staffing became even more limited, making it harder for hospitals to meet patient needs. This even affected interns in the IMA program, as there was a week when no surgeries were available to observe in the Surgical Ward. These issues between the Kenyan government and the healthcare system are deep-rooted and affect many more people than those whose voices are heard. Unfortunately, it is primarily the patients who are put in danger by not receiving proper or timely treatment due to these systemic inequalities. Throughout my time at CGTRH, I learned how these political and structural challenges shape patient care. I learned so much from my six-week adventure in Kenya. Whether I was in the hospital, doing community outreach, or just sitting in the living room with my fellow interns, I was constantly learning—professionally and personally. Professionally, I worked alongside some of the smartest people I have ever met from all over the world, collaborated across specialties, and witnessed a completely different way of practicing medicine due to limited resources and staffing. I also saw stark inequalities and recognized many things we take for granted in the U.S. Personally, I met some of the kindest individuals I have ever known, was welcomed into one of the most vibrant cultures I’ve encountered, and reignited my love for adventure. Thanks to International Medical Aid, I experienced the greatest period of personal and professional growth of my life so far, and for that, I will forever be grateful.