Finding Purpose Between Life and Loss: My Internship with International Medical Aid in Mombasa, Kenya

IMA was one of the best experiences of my life and will definitely always stay that way. The in-country support was always top-notch with comfort and punctuality. I highly appreciated the 24-hour security and how there was a guarded gate to be let into the residence. This gave my parents and myself relief, allowing us to sleep better at night. I really appreciated how the guards were always ensuring we reported our whereabouts for safety reasons and allowed us to have freedom with what we ordered and how we operated our external outages. The accommodations within the residence is one I am very grateful for. I heavily appreciated having our beds being made while we were away and helping us do our laundry. It allowed me to focus more on the program and hospital, never having to worry about more than catching the bus. The food was outstanding. The day I came in, I told the chef I do not eat beef, and every single day they always ensure to have an option for me that does not contain beef. To Grace especially, I am very grateful for the friendship we built and how she was always looking out for me, whether it was after a shift or just seeing her around the residence. I remember once she gave me a plate of chicken which the kitchen had prepared because the main course were beef burgers. I always appreciated how well done and thorough each buffet was, with more options than I could have wished for. The kitchen staff is spectacular and truly were the people I was most grateful for during my internship. Lastly, the outreach and community impact this program highlights is done very well. From the weekly clinics to the specific lessons we teach at schools, these moments have stuck with me the most, prompting the most introspection and reflection. From seeing the way we are treated as interns in more underprivileged areas was incredibly eye-opening and truly fueled my passion in the field of medicine once seeing how much doctors and valued and needed to better society. Even just in high school, I was allowed to perform eye tests and get involved in the nutritional aspect of a medical review — experiences I have been gifted with very early on in my prospective career and life. The multiple avenues that IMA sends their interns down, from all the hospitals departments to real-world scenarios where we apply our knowledge to help others, I am still processing all the events but I can confidently say it has made me a much more empathetic, gentle, observant, benevolent individual. I listen much more now and think extra before I talk, simply because I have seen how unforgiving yet also gifted life can be for certain people. I always want to be mindful of that and truly serve my community to make it a better place. I could not thank IMA more for this opportunity and carry heavy gratitude in my heart.