Redefining Dentistry Through Global Insight: My Internship Experience in Kenya

Joelle Makdessi
University of Ottawa

My experience with IMA was truly one of the most meaningful and unforgettable journeys I’ve ever had. Not only did I have the chance to explore the rich culture, heritage & cuisine of Mombasa, but I also gained invaluable insight into the local healthcare system. I had the unique opportunity to support dental professionals in a clinical setting, which deepened my appreciation for global dental care and patient-centered treatment. The hospitality throughout my stay was exceptional, the staff and medical professionals were incredibly welcoming, supportive & kind. IMA created the perfect balance between cultural immersion and clinical exposure. I wholeheartedly recommend this internship to anyone looking to grow both personally and professionally in the healthcare field.

Read Joelle's In-Depth Internship Reflection

Download Joelle Makdessi’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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Perú !
@criioss
Perú !
Stepping out of my comfort zone was an understatement. My time spent in Kenya has changed me in ways I find hard to explain. I found myself immersed in a…
@gavinstarck
Stepping out of my comfort zone was an understatement. My time spent in Kenya has changed me in ways I find hard to explain. I found myself immersed in a…
jambo jambo! 🇰🇪
@laurenevossen
jambo jambo! 🇰🇪
I am so grateful to have spent some time in Mombasa, Asante Kenya! :)
@tchallasima
I am so grateful to have spent some time in Mombasa, Asante Kenya! :)
Interning with @internationalmedicalaid in their Pre-Med program has been a life changing experience. These are just small clips from a night shift I worked in the Maternity ward with @emilie.muste…
@ijeoma.alimole
Interning with @internationalmedicalaid in their Pre-Med program has been a life changing experience. These are just small clips from a night shift I worked in the Maternity ward with @emilie.muste…
Mental health wasn’t always a language I knew how to speak. Back in high school, we carried heavy things in silence— stress from home, school, friendships— with no real words…
@rosemina._
Mental health wasn’t always a language I knew how to speak. Back in high school, we carried heavy things in silence— stress from home, school, friendships— with no real words…
Two weeks interning with @internationalmedicalaid at @cgtrhmsa in Mombasa Kenya has been a life changing experience. The two weeks I spent in the Obstetrics/Gynaecology and Paediatrics ward truly helped me…
@ijeoma.alimole
Two weeks interning with @internationalmedicalaid at @cgtrhmsa in Mombasa Kenya has been a life changing experience. The two weeks I spent in the Obstetrics/Gynaecology and Paediatrics ward truly helped me…
jambo kenya 🇰🇪
@amanda_chen21
jambo kenya 🇰🇪
First week on the equator 🌍
@gavinstarck
First week on the equator 🌍
Forever thankful for the 2 weeks I spent in the surgery, emergency and maternity department at @cgtrhmsa - I’d travel across the world for these people any day🧡
@rachelkonto
Forever thankful for the 2 weeks I spent in the surgery, emergency and maternity department at @cgtrhmsa - I’d travel across the world for these people any day🧡
someone pinch me right now🌟🐘
@emmablondi7
someone pinch me right now🌟🐘
Week one with @internationalmedicalaid. So amazing!
@jadagrace918
Week one with @internationalmedicalaid. So amazing!
quick break
@noravansweden
quick break
This April, I was fortunate enough to spend a few weeks in Mombasa, Kenya, on a pre-physician assistant internship. Through shadowing healthcare professionals, I witnessed firsthand the stark differences in…
@madisonplattner
This April, I was fortunate enough to spend a few weeks in Mombasa, Kenya, on a pre-physician assistant internship. Through shadowing healthcare professionals, I witnessed firsthand the stark differences in…
Not all classrooms have four walls. Some come with stethoscopes, dirt roads, and stories that stay with you forever 💉🌍 This World Immunization week, take your learning where it matters…
@goabroadcom
Not all classrooms have four walls. Some come with stethoscopes, dirt roads, and stories that stay with you forever 💉🌍 This World Immunization week, take your learning where it matters…

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

My three-week internship with IMA was the most incredible experience I have ever had. Working in Coast General Teaching and Referral Hospital gave me a new outlook on life and such a sense of…
Abigail Brandes
University of Toronto
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IMA has built an incredibly tight-knit family and makes you feel like one of their own. There is nothing more refreshing or reassuring than having a smile greet you at every moment of the…
Nathan Oke
Ohio Wesleyan University
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Coming into the program, I did not expect to explore Mombasa and parts of Kenya with the program. These cultural treks and first-day tours of the country made me feel safer and allowed me…
Elizabeth Bolton
North Carolina State University
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