Small Acts, Lasting Impact: How Service, Compassion, and Community Defined My Internship in Kenya

Brooke Thayer
Binghamton University

During my internship with International Medical Aid in Kenya, I received exceptional in-country support that significantly enhanced my experience. From arrival, I was warmly welcomed and received through orientations on Coast General Hospital, Kenyan culture, and safety protocols. Throughout my stay, the IMA team was accessible and responsive, ensuring a smooth and enriching experience. They provided unwavering support in every aspect, from safety and accommodations to delicious meals, fostering a supportive environment that facilitated both my clinical growth and cultural immersion

Read Brooke's In-Depth Internship Reflection

Download Brooke Thayer’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 experience with IMA in Kenya was amazing and unforgettable. The program exceeded my expectations. From the moment I arrived, the local team was there to guide me through every step of the journey.…
Lakshana (Lucky) Raja Annamalai
University of Toronto
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My experience with International Medical Aid was life-changing. All of the staff members were incredibly nice, accommodating, and helpful if problems arose. They were easy to reach and made me feel very safe both…
Ashlee Blankenship
Virginia Commonwealth University
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The program was more than I could have ever expected. When I first arrived in Mombasa, I did not know what to expect. I was not even sure there was going to be a…
Katie Manning
Elmira College
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