From Nursing Student to Global Health Advocate: My Pre-Nursing Internship Experience in Kenya

Casey Kirchschlager
University of Minnesota Twin Cities

Overall this internship with IMA was amazing in several aspects. In country support, accommodations and day to day communication made me feel safe and at home. The staff was very friendly and catered to any need we had day or night. The hospital was welcoming and so many doctors and nurses were eager to help me learn. The community outreach was one of my favorite aspects of the program. Being able to teach children in remote area about sensitive health topics and them fully embracing the information and asking a million questions made every bit of our hard work pay off. I have a new found respect for this country and healthcare system and will take back so much new knowledge about procedures, protocols and the nursing role within CGTRH.

Read Casey's In-Depth Internship Reflection

Download Casey Kirchschlager’s comprehensive reflection paper detailing their learning objectives, clinical observations, ethical insights, and takeaways from their IMA program—an excellent resource for students, parents, and advisors evaluating the depth of our internships.

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What Stays With You After an International Medical Aid Experience in Kenya?🌍 For HOSA members and IMA alumni Sarah Benish and Sid Girada, their experiences with International Medical Aid in…
@hosafhp
What Stays With You After an International Medical Aid Experience in Kenya?🌍 For HOSA members and IMA alumni Sarah Benish and Sid Girada, their experiences with International Medical Aid in…
Knowledge is power and power is from knowledge. Asante sana Kenya 🇰🇪 For the last month, I have been able to gain not only medical experience, but also be immersed…
@juless2400
Knowledge is power and power is from knowledge. Asante sana Kenya 🇰🇪 For the last month, I have been able to gain not only medical experience, but also be immersed…
already planning my next trip 🇰🇪🤍
@kaylasmedjourney
already planning my next trip 🇰🇪🤍
This past week, I had the opportunity to deliver the care packages I put together to patients and families at Coast General Teaching and Referral Hospital in Kenya. I delivered…
@care_in_motion_
This past week, I had the opportunity to deliver the care packages I put together to patients and families at Coast General Teaching and Referral Hospital in Kenya. I delivered…
Thank you @internationalmedicalaid for an experience of a lifetime Asante sana Kenya!💙🇰🇪
@emily_curtiz
Thank you @internationalmedicalaid for an experience of a lifetime Asante sana Kenya!💙🇰🇪
Ili bamba 🇰🇪🤍 For two weeks, I had the opportunity to learn alongside healthcare professionals, experience different hospital departments, participate in community health clinics, and immerse myself in Kenyan culture.…
@_mai.hall
Ili bamba 🇰🇪🤍 For two weeks, I had the opportunity to learn alongside healthcare professionals, experience different hospital departments, participate in community health clinics, and immerse myself in Kenyan culture.…
Thank you @internationalmedicalaid for an incredible experience! Kwaheri Kenya🇰🇪♥️
@madisonsentz
Thank you @internationalmedicalaid for an incredible experience! Kwaheri Kenya🇰🇪♥️
Hakuna matata in Maasai 🇰🇪❤️🦁 feeling like the luckiest lady in the world
@dylanrclarkk
Hakuna matata in Maasai 🇰🇪❤️🦁 feeling like the luckiest lady in the world
forever grateful for this opportunity. asante sana kenya 🇰🇪
@sophie_hazard09
forever grateful for this opportunity. asante sana kenya 🇰🇪
Inca-redible 🩺
@maddiesine.08
Inca-redible 🩺
looking back on this once in a lifetime experience with @internationalmedicalaid i am filled with so much emotion. truly inspired by the healthcare professionals here and the love and dedication…
@nae.colemann
looking back on this once in a lifetime experience with @internationalmedicalaid i am filled with so much emotion. truly inspired by the healthcare professionals here and the love and dedication…
Grateful beyond belief for this adventure which in the end was an opportunity for personal growth and enlightenment in an unfamiliar setting, it was indubitably empowering. Thank you IMA mentors…
@madeoblechich
Grateful beyond belief for this adventure which in the end was an opportunity for personal growth and enlightenment in an unfamiliar setting, it was indubitably empowering. Thank you IMA mentors…
Thank you, Mombasa 🌴🌊🇰🇪 Kwaheri Kenya
@lrogers.17
Thank you, Mombasa 🌴🌊🇰🇪 Kwaheri Kenya
Asante sana, Mombasa 🇰🇪
@berlyn_nickerson
Asante sana, Mombasa 🇰🇪

Hear What Other Alumni Have to Say About Us on the individual testimonials

I had an absolute amazing experience during my time in East Africa through the International Medical Aid program. The staff and mentors were phenomenal, they were available 24/7 and truly listened to our feedback…
Eleanor Stokes
Eleanor Stokes
Texas A&M University
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To say my experience in Kenya was amazing would be an understatement. My experience in Kenya with IMA was truly life changing. It opened my eyes to many things including the differences in health…
Judy Birchmier
Judy Birchmier
Morningside College
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My experience in Kenya was amazing. I loved fully embracing the culture and meeting so many new people. The people who worked at IMA and in the hospital were wonderful. From the moment Michelle…
Kayla McBride
Kayla McBride
University of Georgia
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