Student Testimonials

I had a fantastic time abroad with Elective Africa. They were present every step of the way, from pre-departure planning to the entire stay. They coordinated our clinical experience, accommodations, transportation, and additional excursions in the area. My classmates and I enjoyed exploring the area and learning more about African culture and lifestyle with a visit to an orphanage, primary school, and a city tour. This was a unique experience that broadened my perspective on healthcare and patient care.

"It was very well organised and the organizers were very accommodating."

"Overall the program was a fantastic experience. I gained an immense amount of invaluable skills."

I completed the first part of my elective at Port Reitz District Hospital in the mental health and substance abuse department. This was an interesting experience and very different from home. Despite it being the second largest psychiatric hospital in Kenya the facilities were extremely limited in terms of staff, medications and other necessities. While here I spent my time mainly contributing to the ward rounds, handing out medications and taking histories from the patients. The vast majority of patients had been admitted due to the effects of drugs and it was very interesting to hear all of their stories. I spent the first week very confused about who were students and who were members of staff. I then realized it was in fact nursing students who were just starting their psychiatric placement who were running the outpatient clinic. There were perhaps two qualified nurses working at any one time for approximately 60 inpatients. I was able to meet the only public psychiatrist in Mombasa region and arrange further meetings. This allowed me to see the medical side of treating the patients and we had many interesting discussions about the difference between psychiatry in the United Kingdom and Kenya. He worked in a large number of roles ranging from forensic psychiatry, running a methadone clinic and seeing general psychiatry inpatients. I have been interested in forensic psychiatry for a long time and I spent 2 days with the psychiatrist while he decided whether suspected criminals were fit to stand trial. It amazed me how quickly this could be done. It also allowed me to see some fascinating cases; including terror and murder suspects. The methadone clinic was something which could be directly compared to the United Kingdom. It is a relatively new government run programme and so unlike most of the health care in Kenya it is available free of charge. When the patients are first seen a general and specific history is taken by the nurse and then they are tested for many substances including: heroin, cocaine, methadone, cannabis, barbiturates, benzodiazepines and amphetamines. This to my opinion is a single most recent show of effort by the Government to improve the health services. I spent approximately a week of my elective in the Emergency Department of Coast General Provincial Hospital where I was mainly in Minor Injuries. It was clearly characterized by chronic shortage of staff and extremely busy. The majority of the work involved changing dressings, draining abscesses and suturing. Before my elective I had not done any suturing and so I gained a lot from this. While I was in A&E the most fascinating and worrying thing I saw was a male patient who had had his foot run over. The accident had happened a few days previously and his family had brought him into minors to have his dressing changed. The patient was unable to walk and appeared delirious. He was clearly very ill and in the UK would have immediately been treated for sepsis, one of the staff however thought he had "hysteria". After the discussion among the staff we convinced him this was not the case we were finally able to admit him. The rest of my elective I spent in pediatricians with emphasis on neonatology. The most difficult aspect here was the inability of parents to pay for their children's medications. A 9 year old female diagnosed with encephalitis was unable to be treated with IV acyclovir as her mother could not afford it. The contrast of this to my pediatrics placement at home was vast. A baby who had transposition of the great arteries was in a similar difficult situation, the closest place she could be taken for the operation was India, and again this was far more than the parents were able to afford. I really enjoyed my time in Kenya and I am extremely glad I chose to do my elective there despite many people discouraging me from the idea. It was an amazing experience and one which I learnt a lot.

Since I was a child I dreamt of coming to Africa, a soulful desire. Now, with Elective Africa, I am in Kenya. The people are truly lovely. I am well cared for in my Diggs here with a cook, a driver to take me to and from the hospital, and someone here to help me with EVERYTHING else. The government hospital is definitely for the poor. The last 3+ days I have been in Labor and Delivery where life is not taken for granted. Both clean and sterile gloves can be hard to find, no soap, no hot water... supplies, in general, can be scarce. Today while holding a woman’s leg and letting her squeeze my fingers with the pain of delivery, the ocean breeze gently blew through the window. In between contractions, I watched monkeys play outside. Happy to say the baby and mom are fine. I LOVE BEING A NURSE!! The ER Experience The ER experience was absolutely amazing. I learnt so much. The doctors wanted to keep me and show me how they work and what they see on a daily basis. The nurses were kind and welcoming and they let me work. Everyone answered all my questions. Anthony also made sure I was included in his department and was welcomed. I am still working in the ER. It is amazing. The doctors are fun and easy to talk with. The nurses are kind. Today I was starting an I.V. (Branula) on this young man with a Broken ankle. I would get it just under the skin and he would pull away. The doctor was helping hold his arm. I talked to the pt about relaxing. Finally, he did and it went right in. The doctor said she never heard someone talk to a or like that. She was amused. We are learning from each other Saying goodbye to Kenya My time here is almost over. Way too short!! Sunday I took the day to go up the coast to snorkel. The swimming was wonderful but the dressy seafood was the BEST! So nice to get out of the city. Kenya, the people are proud, their hearts are open, and everyone gets along. Sadly my time is ending. The experience through Elective Africa was intense and fulfilling. The last 4 days I spent on Safari. 3 days in Masai Mara and 1 day in Nakuru. Holy MAGICAL! The photos are a small glimpse of this experience. I am so grateful the Kenyans have reserved so much land! And the Masai living near the park area huge part of this effort. They guarded our camp. And we spent a few hours with them. They don’t like people to take their photos. However, we were invited in and they happily agreed. But no photos outside of this. Really, the best way to travel for me is to volunteer. Through this experience, I had authentic interactions with the locals. Everyone was kind, open and easy to talk to. Phares was so helpful, so was Justina who was also very responsive. A peaceful, intelligent, industrious, authentic people, the Kenyans. My heart is forever fuller!! Thank you so much, Elective Africa. The staff at E.A were nothing short of wonderful.

"All the Elective Africa staff were so welcoming and supportive throughout the entire month. Made our stay much more enjoyable. Dollas cooked amazing food and adequate amounts so we were never hungry. Had a great time that i will never forget, have learned so much and cannot wait to tell others people about the program."

"Thank you for an experience of a lifetime, i really enjoyed my stay, and wish i had time to stay longer. In future i hope i have an opportunity to come to kenya. I will recommend the program to other students. Thank you again for everything."

I loved Mombasa and I had a great experience at the hospital in OB/GYN. I got to deliver so many babies/vaginal and first assist in c-sections and I know I would not have been able to do this in America.

“This was my first time coming to Africa. This program has been a great balance between shadowing at Coast General Teaching and Referral Hospital and a better understanding the Kenyan healthcare system. The staff at Elective Africa have always made me feel welcome and safe. They are very open to working with your wants and needs, and they truly want each participant to have a phenomenal experience. We were able to work with them to not only tour and explore Mombasa, but also to travel to Malindi, Hell's Kitchen, and even Diani. They are so kind and friendly and treat you like you are one of their children. The hardworking staff who have made this trip so smooth and fun. Shadowing in Coast General brings new excitement and. opportunities every day. Most doctors and nurses are happy to answer questions, help you learn, and even let you assist. I have seen cases here that I will never be able to see in the United States, which has been very interesting. My favorite place to learn was the operating room. I was able to stand right beside the table and watch so many life-changing surgeries. It was truly an inspiration!!”

“Elective Africa allowed me to participate In my first extended pre-Medical Shadowing Internship. Coast Provincial General Hospital is an Incredible establishment with Some of the Kindest and most helpful medical professionals I've encountered outside of my time at the hospital .I explored Mombasa and its local culture through experiences Organized by Elective Africa.I am forever grateful and I will cherish my Eight-week program”

“I thought the internship itself was very helpful in helping me gauge what specialty I want to go into in the future. I think Elective Elective and Coast General hospital have set up a good partnership that has helped me career-wise and hopefully many more students in the future.”

“I had a great time during the program and meeting new people. It allowed me to see first-hand medical procedures and the hospital's processes.I was able to go on many trips and see so many sights as well”

I had an amazing experience at Jaramogi Oginga Odinga Teaching & Referral Hospital. Everyone was very kind and eager to teach. I was able to learn a lot about practicing medicine in a resource limited setting. I can’t wait to share my experience with my colleagues in the United States.

This experience was a great experience where I was able to learn about global health and how medical systems work in different countries. From learning about surgeries to getting accustomed to triage in the hospital. I was able to gain such great exposure in the field. All the staff and hospital personnel were great and helpful, truly helping me get accustomed to the healthcare sytem in Mombasa, Kenya. Secondly, the city and local experiences were also fantastic. From the city tour and learning about local life, to seeing and feeding animals at Haller Park, it has been such a fantastic experience. I cannot emphasize how special this experience was and I could not recommend this enough to others.

Elective Africa is an incredible program that goes out of their way to meet student needs. I am so grateful for all the housing and dining accommodations. I have no complaints. The hospital rotations were very flexible and I got to shadow what I was interested in. It’s a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to see certain cases in emergency, dermatology, and surgery. The people at the hospital were usually very welcoming and happy to teach. I never felt uncomfortable asking questions. Dr. Masese was an amazing resource at the hospital giving us introductions to the proper mentors.

I loved it! My time in Kenya will always hold a special place in my heart. I learned so much from CGTRH’s staff and enjoyed my accomodations and interactions with our house staff and program director. We were located extremely close to beautiful beaches and resorts. I was learning and having so much fun that sometimes I forgot I wasn’t on vacation. I would definitely recommend this program and am so grateful to everyone who made it a success!

I have learned a lot on this trip and seen cases in the hospital I will probably never see again. Overall, the program opened my eyes to how hospitals run here when lacking the proper resources and how doctors make do with what they have.

Elective Africa offered me an immersive experience at Coast General Hospital and the opportunity to integrate myself into Kenyan culture. The Swahili classes were helpful in connecting with the local community and communicating with locals. Overall, I was able to gain confidence, compassion, and skills that I will carry with me throughout my PA career.

I got to see a ton of things that I would not see and got to do things that will come in handy if/when resources are limited.

"Once again, thanks so much for all you do. I had a wonderful, enriching experience and look forward to folding what I learned into my courses."

Our first week at the hospital is completed. It has been a week I will definently remember for the rest of my life, both in good and bad ways. Just after this first week, we ve learned so much that it feels like we ve been here much longer.

Overall the experience I've had in Mombasa and with the other students has been memorable. I have made some great new friends and will hopefully be able to visit them when we all return back to the states.

Today was surgery today and was very hectic. 4 women went into labor- 3 of which needed emergency C-sections. As Port Reitz Hospital only has one operating room, the third and fourth scheduled surgeries had to be pushed back to tomorrow so they had room to do the C-sections. Scott and I went into the second surgery- a thyroidectomy (removal of a goiter on the thyroid gland) only to be called out of it about an hour and a half in to "assist with an emergency". The one baby that was born normal was a still born and they were attempting to resuscitate it. The room was very hectic with one member of the team doing chest compressions while the others were hooking up oxygen to pump into the baby. After stabilizing the equipment- the doctors and nurses returned to the maternity ward to help the other 3 women in labor while scott and I continued care on the baby that was not breathing (it did have a pulse at this point). After an hour of giving the baby breathing assistance- it finally started to breathe on its own! Two hours after the baby initially arrived on our table, it was sent back to the maternity ward where it would continue to receive care. The baby's life will be very hard as the lack of an initial heart beat and lack of oxygen will result in cerebral palsy as a best case scenario. Scott and I concluded that we think the baby also had hydrocephalitis (water in the brain) which causes the head to be very large. The baby will have a very hard life- but it is alive!

Doing a medical elective in Kenya was an eye opening experience. I got to see the third world health system and range of tropical diseases not normally prevelant in Australia. It was a really hands on experience. I got to learn and perform skills like administering injections, catheters and suturing patients. I was also able to take part in the examining, differentials, diagnosing and formulating treatment plans. The highlight for me would have to be the amazing new friends I have made and the motivation I have taken back home. I would recommend this program to anyone considering it.

Elective Africa is a highly educative program for all medical students. If you have special interests in fields like Obsterics/gyn, general surgery and tropical medicine this is a very good program. The experience I had in Mombasa has been memorable and I highly recommend Elective Africa to everyone who are considering applying.

"I got everything I wanted out of an elective in Africa; plenty of experience examining patients, lots of opportunities to master practical skills and the chance to be involved in the management of complex diseases not seen in the UK. I gained an understanding of the frustrations of working in an understaffed and under-resourced environment helping me to develop my clinical intuition and appreciation of our system in the UK. The programme gives you the chance to immerse yourself in the way of the developing world in a safe and supported manner. I would recommend it to anyone who wants a challenging but inspiring elective experience."

"Elective Africa ...it's an experience i will never forget. The medicine, the people you meet, the place, the Masai Mara, are just some of the things that would make me go back their in a heart beat. I was able to gain clinical experience that i would never have had the chance as a student in Australia. I got to perform LPs, minor procedures, see diseases that you will only ever read about in textbooks. Overall I can't wait till I get a chance to go back."

"I loved the whole program, logistically great. having other students here was great. Having a music school ( piano) and a pool and beach close by was great. Great food The best part of the whole thing was hanging out with Silvanos."

"A fantastic experience which improved my confidence in many medical skills. Thank you all for all your help and great memories."

"I had a good time and i learned a lot overall, so thank you for all your help"

"Good program. Will recommend it to others"

" Living at the compound was like riding a unicorn down a street of rainbows whilst listening to the laughter of children in magical land of wonder. - spending just a short amount of time in minor theater at the hospital is an Australian medical student's version of procedure power leveling my new stat sheet is a great deal more impressive. i got experience in procedures i would have to be a 2nd year out Dr. to perform and now i can re-roll INT checks and do not provide attacks of opportunity. EA was an absolute fantastic experience. I would not have hoped for any more from my elective."

We had an amazing month in Mombasa, Kenya. Experiencing a new culture and acquiring a lot of knowledge along the way. Thanks to Elective Africa for a job well done! All of the staff have been very helpful and friendly and made the stay unforgettable. If you are a person with a lot of initiative we highly recommend you to attend the program!

I came to Africa with the intensions of participating as both a student and volunteer. The fluidity of Elective Africa’s planning and relationships with cooperating hospitals allowed me accomplish everything I could have ever asked for out of my time spent in Africa. Truly an amazing opportunity that has far surpassed any local shadow experience I’ve had in the U.S. Not only did I have the chance to observe knowledgeable physicians but I also got to engage in active contribution of those in need. Another wonder aspect of this program was learning to communicate a sense of understanding and empathy to patients with a culture and language barrier. Elective Africa has provided me with a unique opportunity for me to grow that I would strongly recommend to everyone pursuing a career in healthcare.

I came to the EA program in hopes of getting more hands-on time in an operating room. I actually got an experience that was a million times better than just OR time. We first assisted in many c-sections and got incredible teaching in the Millenium Theare from some amazing obstetricians. We split our time between OB and ER/Minor Theatre. There were many days when we were the medical staff in the minor theatre - performing minor surgeries and suturing wounds under our own direction. The autonomy was an incredible learning experience that just isn't as prevalent in the US anymore - due to all the hand-holding during training. We learned how to make the most of the resources provided and how to work in less than pristine and perfect conditions. I can say for a fact that this adventure has forever changed me and my future practice as a (future) Family Physician. Every speciality in the Coast Provincial General Hospital opened their wards to us - in hopes of teaching and sharing medical practices between the US and Kenya. We learned from everyone and were treated as equals. Everyone was encouraging and appreciative of us. Aside from medicine, Kenya was amazing. We were welcomed by Phares and the staff at the Mombasa Compound with welcome arms. It was an instant home filled with family. We took awesome trips to the Masai Mara Game Reserve and to Malinidi. We learned a ton in the hospital and then had just as much fun exploring Kenya. One of the experiences that has changed my life, was a trip to the orphanage at St. Patience's school. Bringing smiles to the little children's faces brought a feeling of personal reward that is indescribable. I hope to return to CPGH in Mombasa as a resident, and later when I'm in my own practice. THANK YOU!

The health care system itself is very different than what I was accustomed to, but it was a huge learning opportunity to experience a third-world health care system. I was fortunate enough to work with a great surgeon for my four weeks here. Yes, I learned applicable medical and surgical knowledge. Was that the highlight of my trip? No…The hospital experience in Arusha was grounding, eye-opening, humbling and heart-felt. Not only do you see diagnoses that you won’t see in America, but you realize how much our future profession can be of service worldwide and how many people really need it. I think this experience is a great one, especially for anyone planning a future in the medical field.

I just got home from Egypt last night. I had a great time there, but still couldn't help but miss Mombasa and everyone there. Thank you so much for everything! I absolutely loved my time with Elective Africa and can't say enough great things about everyone there! I miss you all and will have to make a return trip to Kenya whenever I get the chance.

Elective Africa provided me a very unique experience of dentistry. The dentists at the hospital were more than happy to assist you and teach you new things. In my first week I was able to do an injection and extraction! Of course back home you would never be able to experience that until you were a dental student. The help at the house was really great too. I wouldn’t worry about the food. It is actually better than what you could find back home. Of course there is time to travel and sight see, which I did most days and had many unforgettable experiences.

I did not know what to expect coming here.I was very pleasantly surprised by how helpful and knowledgeable every one was(Phabian,Vyonne and Hospital Staff). Immediately,I felt very welcome and at home.The residence was clean,had plenty of great food,electricity(most of the time),and hot water.The hospital staff was welcoming as well.They were great about telling what was going on with patients because most of communication was in swahili. I was also able to climb Mt.Kilimanjaro and go on a safari while here.Both were incredible experiences and I recommend them both.

I completed the past four weeks at Mt Meru Regional Hospital as my final elective in community medicine. I came into the program with an open mind and the willingness to learn and the program itself exceeded my expectations. I was able to get what I wanted to from the experience at the hospital as well and went through various wards. I know I would have never gotten this experience at home and can go home knowing that this will carry on with me through my career as well.

Elective Africa’s program was exactly what I was looking for! I am a pre-med student from the United States and I wanted the opportunity to get a unique experience. At Coast General Provincial Hospital my expectations were exceeded! I was given the chance to learn about diseases and procedures . I also got the chance to learn and shadow on how to deliver a baby and watch up close on surgeries such as a full leg amputation. We were allowed to explore our areas of interest and we were also allowed to explore as many different specialties as we wanted. This was important to me because it helped me decide what specialties I might want to go into when I become a physician assistant. Many of the doctors were really friendly and would take the time to explain diseases, injuries and procedures to us if we asked. Since many of the problems encountered in Kenya are more severe than what we are used to seeing at home, it was highly beneficial to learn about the more extreme cases. Outside of the hospital, Elective Africa provides its residents with the best possible experiences they can. With activities including but not limited to shopping in Nyali and Mombasa, visiting local orphanages, going to the beaches, Haller Park, a weekend trip to Malindi and the Masai Mara safari, there was always something to keep us busy. The people I met and the things I did in Kenya made the experience absolutely unforgettable! I became very close with the people I lived with and the staff at Elective Africa. I would recommend this program to anyone in a heartbeat and I know for a fact I will be going back in the future for it has almost become a second home to me.

I have greatly enjoyed my stay in Mombasa and the entire Elective Africa staff has done an excellent job at organizing everything and taking care of transportation as well as extracurricular outings for us. The accommodations here are very comfortable and the food is great. I have especially enjoyed my time working at Coast Provincial General Hospital. I know I have gained a lot of hands-on experience working here that I may not get back in the U.S. I have been privileged to work with some great doctors, nurses, and fellow students at the hospital. I have not only learned a lot of hands-on skills applicable to my future career in the health care field, but I have also gained an appreciation for how people here overcome limitations of supply shortages and less than pristine conditions in the hospital through creativity and ingenuity. I have witnessed quite a bit of flaws in the health care system here; however, this has left me with a better understanding of public hospitals in third world countries and a greater appreciation for the facilities we have back home in the U.S. I have learned a lot during my short visit to Kenya not only medically, but also culturally. I have been privileged to meet some extraordinary people here and would like to thank the Elective Africa staff for facilitating this great experience. I would definitely recommend this program to anyone with initiative seeking hands-on experience.

I went to Mombasa this summer as a pre-med and don’t have enough amazing things to say about my trip! I’ve been home in the U.S. for a little over two months now and haven’t gone a day without thinking about my trip to Kenya. Working in the hospitals was great preparation for medical school, which allowed me to get a realistic perspective on what being a doctor will actually be like. During my time at Coast General hospital, I was able to scrub in on surgeries, deliver a baby, clean and bandage wounds, I learned how to suture, and so many other things that are not even imaginable for a pre-med student in a developed country. The elective Africa staff is an amazing group of people that went above and beyond for me while I was there, and words cannot describe how much love and appreciation I have for them. I may be biased, considering I love everything about Kenya and cannot wait to return one day, but living in Nyali at our volunteer residence felt like home away from home. Being greeted by Benson each day, coming home to Dollas making a homemade Kenyan dinner, playing soccer with Ijah and Franklin the security guards who are there every night, Silvanas, Phares, and Bernard. I miss them all so much, and know my trip would not have been as amazing without them there. I can’t recommend Elective Africa enough, and the Mombasa location in particular. I loved every second being there and can’t wait to go back in the future!

This was a great experience and I would repeat it. I wish that I had more time to spend here. I was at Mt. Meru Hospital, Arusha Tanzania for three weeks in the Obstetrics and Gynaecology Unit and learnt a lot from the medical staff that I worked with. The hospital conditions are a bit different from what I am used to but the staff did the best that they could with what they had.

This program helped me get acquainted with the medical world before I even stepped into medical school; I got to do things that wouldn't be possible in America. Everyone was very friendly and welcoming and I felt at home. It was very hard to say goodbye to everyone when I left, even after only weeks; I will miss everyone and EA very much!

Elective Africa provided us with an excellent placement opportunity for Midwifery students with previous experience conducting vaginal deliveries. The nurse-Midwives were supportive and we were able to have a lot of hands-on opportunity. Experiencing the culture of birth in Tanzania was eye-opening and formative, especially coming from a place where labor is feared and epidural rates are very high. I will go home with a new sense of admiration of the strength of women, more confidence with my abilities as a soon-to-be Midwife and with a better understanding of birth in East Africa context. An overall excellent experience with a great mix of clinical learning, traveling and adventure.

I had a great time with Elective Africa at Mt.Meru Hospital in Arusha,Tanzania.I worked on the OB/GYN ward for four weeks.I was able to deliver many babies,repair lacerations,participate in surgery and cesarean sections.I learned a lot bout working with limited resources.I also learned about the methods of treatment for common deseases in Tanzania-HIV,TB and Malaria.My only regreat is not not staying longer!

My elective Africa experience was completely different from other testimonials I had read before coming to Kenya. But I wouldn't change any detail of my trip. I feel so fortunate to have been able to fully experience the good and bad of Kenya's Health Care system. I was asked by so many Doctors to return to Kenya in a few years and share my knowledge of how to improve their health care system. Over my 4 weeks at Port Reitz Hospital I had the opportunity to see many new lives come into this world, as well as experience the loss of several patients. Losing so many patients during these past 4 weeks really showed me their shortage of medical equipment and lack of patient preventative care. No matter how hard these Doctors and interns worked to spread the word to the community about taking preventative measures, it was a battle that will take many years before the benefit is seen. I am forever thankful to those throughout my four weeks that took the time to share with me their stories and teach me more about their culture. This country is by far the most inviting and friendly country I've been to and even the children have taught me a great deal about enjoying your days, greeting everyone you meet with a hello and a friendly smile and always being willing to learn from your experiences.

Living in Mombasa with the other students was such a great place to be outside of the Hospital it gave you a base to explore shops and cafe. The social side of my elective was the other part that was important to me and I have enjoyed meeting and spending time with the other participants so much. I really like that it is an international mix. I have also enjoyed all the time I have spent with the staff around Mombasa. I think working in a hospital in Africa can feel like throwing yourself in the deep end but it was a plunge I'm glad I took and I hope I'll be a better doctor for it.

My time here in Migori,Kenya with Elective Africa program has been the greatest experience of my life.I have been on the fence for quite sometime about whether or not I wanted to pursue a career in Medicine but wasn't sure where I would get the inspiration that I needed…David was such a great Program Coordinator. Our experience wouldn't have been near what it was without his expertise and connections.I always felt very safe,comfortable and entertained.Thanks for exposing us too to the community health aspect.

The staff of EA were so helpful in providing all of the necessary information for the trip, and went above and beyond my expectations when answering my questions. As our departure date neared, I became more confident and comfortable which wouldn't have been possible without their support. Our arrival was smooth and timely... On an educational level, I couldn't have asked for a better experience…The rural setting gave us the opportunity to connect and feel comfortable with the members of the community and of our surroundings…We got to volunteer locally and focus on community outreach-something that is very important to me. We also did fun activities on the weekends, like taking small trips to Lake Victoria and Homa Bay.

Tanzania has been life - changing for me.The people here are so incredibly warm and welcoming.Since day one, I have been ushered in with open arms.The nurses and doctors of the labor and delivery ward have taken me under their wings and made sure was exposed to everything and given ample opportunity to practice procedures and learn the medicine behind labor and delivery. The medicine gave me independence to work on my own when they trusted the work I was doing.Apprenticeships like this does not exist.Leaving here is so incredibly sad because every thing about the Tanzanian way of life is so much more people- centered.The value of conversations and sharing experiences like eating and spending time is so much significant here and I feel like I have learnt to be a better human just after 5 short weeks .If any thing, I wish I would have come for much longer than 5 weeks. Thank you Elective Africa thank you Tanzania.

My experience with Elective Africa was beyond what I could ever have imagined. My nerves before arrival subsided the minute I was greeted at the airport by an EA staff. I had so much hands on experience in the rural hospital of Migori,Kenya and got an opportunity to to do things I would never have the chance to do in Australia. This is by far one of the best things I have done fro my Nursing career and would recommend this to any health professional willing to take the next step. I was always made to feel safe at home here in Kenya. David was such an amazing Coordinator and Daisy made all the nice food for me.. Its truly a life changing experience!

I have spent 4weeks in Mombasa Kenya, I am a 2nd year Student Midwife studying in the UK and decided to come on the Elective Africa as part of my University module along with a friend on maternity wing. We have had the opportunity to work on Antenatal, Labour Ward, Postnatal, Gynae wards + Theater, NBU and have even been to intensive care, we had the choice to spend time where we felt would be appropriate so decided to split our time over the different wards. All the staff couldn't have been more helpful and were eager to help with our learning experience. It is up to you how involved you get clinically but the staff will support you either way we kept an online blog of our hospital experiences which we found helpful to reflect on what had happened each day. The hospital care was very different to that provided in the UK however it is so interesting to experience another culture approach to healthcare. On top of the hospital we spent a lot of time working with children from a local school and had a fantastic time teaching their lessons, playing sports and dancing, we even got carryout swimming lessons for them each week - it is such a rewarding experience and I would love to organize fundraising events when I am back in the UK. Our Safari was AMAZING and was one of the highlights of the trip for me. The whole program was so well organized and the staff are super friendly and couldn't do enough to help make our trip a good one. I would highly recommend that you come on an Elective Africa program and see for yourself how good it is. Thank you Elective Africa!

I could not have anticipated the amount of love and acceptance we received from the hospital staff, in addition to the exceptional assistance of the EA staff. If you're like I was and you're not 100% sure about attending medical school, this experience will be great for you…This program allows you to observe things you would never see as a premed in North America. In addition to the hospital work, we had the opportunity to visit a girls secondary school and an orphanage, both of which were amazing experiences; and that is just a glimpse of what we did in our 4 weeks…This program is well organized; the people are exceptional and I am looking forward to the next opportunity I will have to participate in an EA program.

I had an amazing experience like no other. Rotating through A&E, pediatrics, and OB/GYN at the Coast Provincial General Hospital gave me hands-on experience that I don't think I would have gotten anywhere else, I met amazing people along the way and I was able to take part in various activities in the beautiful city of Mombasa such as the visit to the orphanage. This was definitely an eye-opening experience for me and I am very grateful for the opportunity.

The whole experience here was so fun exciting, new and completely captured my heart. Mombasa is an amazing City with wonderful people. If I could I would have extended my program longer. I thought 4weeks would be long but it went by too fast. This program is amazing and this experience has taught me so much from the Medical field but in life and culture. A piece of my heart will be left here in Kenya and I have to come back again.

My title, the lyrics of a popular Tanzanian song I heard many times during my 4 weeks at Arusha, in Mt. Meru Regional Hospital says it all. Tanzania is a completely different world than the United States, Europe, or any other place I've been and working in such an environment stretches you as mentally as a student/future healthcare provider and emotionally as a human being. The interns in surgery took me in, pushed me to learn, and encouraged me to participate in procedures in the ward and the operating theatre. You see things and get to do things that would never happen in the developed world and it changes you. Experiencing that and having the support from my supervising interns made Tanzania something I'll always remember and return to do. It's nice to nice to know ya, let's do it again. For sure.

The Elective Africa program in Arusha is a unique and wonderful opportunity for Medical Students.The hospital and Staff are great and provide instruction for students of all years .Additionally, the city of Arusha is a great area to live in and embrace the culture of Tanzania.

Elective Africa was a great program that helped me get to know the medical system in Africa.They were responsive to my needs both inside and outside of the hospital.Plus,the Safari was awesome!

Before arriving at the Elective Africa residence we did not know what to expect, but as soon as we arrived and was greeted by staff, we felt welcome. The program was very well organised, We were given an excellent orientation of the hospital and area. Elective Africa contributed to the great experience we had in Kenya, We were able to make friends with not only the multiple international students at the residence but also with the staff. We thoroughly recommend the program in Mombasa, Kenya, the program exceeded our expectations and contributed to one of the greatest experiences we have had in our lives.

Volunteering in Mombasa at Coast Provincial General Hospital has been an incredible experience I will remember this always. I have learnt so much about myself while being here and I can't wait to graduate at the end of the year and become a Paramedic. I hope I helped people even if I was just a voice for the patients who were not receiving the care they deserved. My advice for future students-You cant change Africa but even the small things like being kind and sympathetic to patients helps and goes a long way. I have become more confident in my skills, history taking and examinations and I am really grateful for the opportunities I have been given. Coast Provincial General Hospital, you have been frustrating, exciting and painfully interesting. A huge eye opener. Thank you.

I had always wanted to travel to Africa for my elective and the program in Mombasa well exceeded all of my expectations. The Elective Africa staff welcomed me with open arms and have been supportive throughout and the accommodation and meals have been excellent. As part of the program I was fortunate to visit and help out at the local schools, it was rewarding and eye opening to spend time with these underprivileged children. At the hospital I saw many illnesses that I would rarely or never see see back home and was impressed at how healthcare was delivered despite such limited resources. Another highlight was going on Safari and meeting the Masai people a must do for anyone traveling to Kenya. Overall it has been an amazing and unforgettable experience.

My experience as a pre-dental student was amazing.In the hospital,I was able to witness a variety of procedures and have a hands-on opportunity to participate and learn new skills.The doctors were very welcoming and friendly-always willing to answer my questions.I appreciated that they would try to take me out of my comfort zone in order to get the most of the experience,but at the same time they were understanding and sensitive in the fact that everything was new to me and I had not had any previous experience. The food prepared for me was amazing-I certainly did not go hungry.The accomodations were very clearn and spacious.

My experience with Elective Africa was overwhelmingly positive.The residence that we lived in exceeded my expectations and everything from the hospital to the safari was very well organised. Our Coordinator was always available at a moment's notice to take care of any issues we may have and was always willing to take us into the city or set up any important trips that we wanted to go on. Overall,I thought that Elective Africa did a good job taking an experience that I thought would be filled with logistical issues and uncertainity and making it very smooth and easy to deal with.

This is a great program, and I would recommend it to anyone looking to broaden their horizons, expand their worldviews, and experience new cultures, all while contributing to the community through volunteer work…I stayed in Mombasa for 7 ½ weeks, and experienced beautiful sunny weather, warm sandy beaches, and very friendly people.

I have just arrived back from my trip to Tanzania where I worked at Mt. Meru Regional Hospital, in the Casualty department. Before I arrived in Tanzania I had no idea what to expect and I felt very anxious as the time grew nearer. I need not have been so anxious because my time in Africa was fantastic. The staff who organise Elective Africa were fantastic, we had drivers to take us to our placements and show us around Tanzania and our drivers and course leader made us feel like one of the family. If we needed anything they went above and beyond to help us. This included trips to work, or the orphanages we loved to visit and any trips we were interested in. The leader, Phabian, even took us to change money and would count it each time to make sure we were safe and were not going to be short changed; it was like having a big brother around. Phabian also gave us some Swahili to learn so we could communicate with our patients. We had a welcome meal and as it was two of the girls birthdays on the elective, all the staff came together and made a big effort providing us with a roof top BBQ which was amazing, we were also invited into their life's with invites to watch basketball games and go around the markets and on scenic walks. Elective Africa is an all round amazing experience. We were pleasantly surprised with the accommodation which was clean and spacious and the accommodation is guarded day and night which made us feel safe at all times. Now for the hospital. :) Mt. Meru will really, really open your eyes if you have never worked in an African hospital. The things you see in this hospital are extremely shocking and you will be emotionally challenged every hour of every day. The amazing thing about Mt. Meru though, is that once you have proved to the doctors and nurses your hard working and keen to learn, you will gain experience, insight and skills that will never leave you through your career. The doctor I worked with in Mt. Meru was amazing (Dr. Philemon) and really tested my knowledge and skills. Mt. Meru is in desperate need of medical supplies so we took stacks which were not only needed but greatly appreciated. We always took medical kits to work as the lack of supplies really shocked us. I would recommend to anyone who would like to contribute medical supplies to buy them over there too, Tanzanian shillings go a long way. I would also recommend always taking a big bag of sweets to work some of the children who visit Mt. Meru have nothing at all. We had the most amazing experience on this trip from start to finish. I will never forget the memories of my time in Tanzania and all the amazing people I met there. If I get the chance to go again I will be there in a heartbeat :) I have never cried so many tears of sadness, joy and laughter all in one go. Thank you to everyone at Elective Africa for this amazing experience.

Elective Africa in Mombasa was a great experience. I was well prepared for the trip before leaving home and was made very comfortable once in Kenya. I got to do a lot of work in the Hospital that helped me apply my Medical training on another level. All the Doctors and staff at the Hospital were very patient and supportive. The trip was a great investment both for Medical and Cultural Education.

Overall this experience was very educational, eye-opening and fun!

My four weeks at Mt.Meru Regional Hospital OBS&GYN Department have been an incredible learning experience.The doctors and staff have been welcoming and willing to teach.The department is extremely busy and there lots of opportunities for hands on including deliveries. Where Elective Africa really shines is with their program Coordinators. Our Coordinator in Arusha has been outstanding. He has gone above and beyond to make our experience here unforgettable. I would recommend EA to any Senior Medical Student looking to do an elective abroad.

My experience in Mombasa, Kenya has been life changing and enriching. The people are the friendliest and I've made life long friends. Elective Africa is a true professional organisation with well established and respected contacts at Coast Provincial General Hospital. They take care of us so we can focus on the medical,cultural and social experience while living, playing and working in Kenya. I wish I could have stayed longer but I will bring back with me invaluable life lessons, skills and memories !

As my second time volunteering with Elective Africa in an African Hospital,I thought I knew what to expect.My experience again was heart wrenching , exciting and deeply emotional as I helped the staff at Mt Meru regional Hospital. The locals are incredibly brave strong and never give up when faced with extreme challenges you would never know about. With the little resources in the hospital the staff work tirelessly for hours to do their best to help. From the fearless mothers in the labor ward to the families waiting patiently in the emergency department it had been a priceless experience that will further shape my career as a paramedic. I am again grateful for this opportunity, the sad times and the many happy adventures that went with it. Elective Africa, thank-you, the staff are all amazing. Until next time I come back

We just finished our 5 weeks with Elective Africa. Of those, 4 weeks were in Obs & Gynae at Mt Meru, Arusha, where we were able to muck in with everything from deliveries, patient assessments and restocking supplies, to impromptu swahili lessons. The staff took their time to make sure we were not out of our depth but also stood back and guided us later on in our placement. You will see amazing things and witness the resourcefulness of a hospital with limited funding and equipment. Our time in Arusha was a really fun month, the town is easy to get around, walking or taxi and there is plenty of variety. The safari tourism trade means you are never far from some basic home comforts. Our coordinator, Phabian, and taxi driver, Richard were brilliant at answering our questions, helping us organize day trips and taking us to spots in town. The house was delightful with Neema, the house keeper, making us two cooked meals a day and looking after us. It also has good wifi and a guard at night. We finished with a 6 day trip up Kilimanjaro's Marangu route (you stay in huts rather than camping), which we organized with Elective Africa. Phabian let us change our dates once we'd arrived to fit better with our flights and arranged meeting our guide beforehand. Provided great peace of mind. Climbing was fantastic, a slightly hard way to finish up our time in Arusha but would recommend it to anyone! The scenery is beautiful and summiting the Roof of Africa makes for an amazing sunrise. All in all, we would highly recommend this company and the Arusha program. We felt so welcome, safe and had a lot of fun and feel we are going back with an experience that would have been hard pushed to get at home.

Elective Africa gives students an invaluable opportunity to experience a culture very different from any other. I have yearned to visit Africa all my life and having a company with the resources and skill to organize the logistics is the only way it became possible. The medical experience gives students a real challenge and I believe is a pivotal part of becoming a health professional. Here with my peers, I faced issues that made me analyze and ultimately reaffirm my career path. I believe that the differentiating factor between EA and other companies is their commitment to comfort and most of all safety. Personalized easy to work with staff ensure that the students get the experience they expected. Thank you for keeping my partner and I safe throughout this wonderful experience. I am over the moon that I finally got to live Africa.

From the moment I landed in Mombasa we were greeted by our Director and soon to be friend. I immediately felt at ease.We had flown to Kenya the day after the Garissa attack, an event which made me worried to be near. It was Phares and Benson who made me feel at home in Kenya. Overall a great country full of great people battling many challenges which may sink a weaker nation. Corruption from public officials, violence from a neighbouring country and the complete poverty of the lower class makes life difficult for the Kenyan people. A lesson I learned at Makadara (CPGH) was the ability to improvise, use the unbelievably small amount of supplies and still find a way to help the patient. This skill resonates throughout the entire country and you can physically see it in every hardworking Kenyan. Elective Africa gave me the opportunity to experience this perspective. I am very grateful for all of those in the program who took the time to make this possible. Special thanks to those that were here everyday to see us through; Phares, Benson, Raphael(our amazing cook), Esther,Steve & Patrick (our TukTuk drivers), everyone at the hospital where there are too many to name, Rama (our driver who was never late), Kadii (our swahili teacher) and all of those working behind the scenes at EA. It is not farewell from Kenya, Kwaheri Kenya, asante sana.

I was also able to go on Safari and climb Kilimanjaro which Elective Africa organized...The medical experience is fantastic, you won't struggle to find activities to do, the people are very friendly and welcoming and everything runs smoothly thanks to Elective Africa. I would recommend this program to you!

After spending 3.5 weeks with Elective Africa’s program, I am certain that medicine is the path for my future. Volunteering in the Health Centre as a pre-medical student allowed me many clinical opportunities that I would not be able to have in the States. The comparisons that I was able to make between medicine and healthcare versus the United States will serve me well in my future studies, practice, and medical experiences. Thank you so much, Elective Africa, for this once-in-a-lifetime journey! Asante sana!

I was stationed at Levolosi Health Center…The clinical experience was something else, much different than the world of medicine I was used to before this. Elective Africa offered great accommodations that topped all of the other programs around the area... The excursions were also something that Elective Africa made easy. I climbed Kilimanjaro while I was here, and I went on the 3-day Safari.

Elective Africa has been a great opportunity to learn about another health system, advance my clinical skills and immerse myself in local culture. The program is well-organised,safe and established. I would highly recommend participation to anyone, especially those with some medical knowledge!

Throughout my four weeks spent at Coast Provincial General Hospital, Mombasa doing my elective with Elective Africa, I have had a productive and fulfilling time both academically and socially. The clinical rotations at the hospital were well negotiated as the program went on allowing a personalized program which catered to my learning goals. Being able to see how medicine is practiced in a setting different from my home country was a worthwhile experience. The opportunity to practice hands-on medicine under supervision and guidance was a highlight of the program for me. The accommodation was spacious, food was freshly cooked on a daily basis and all utilities were present. Having contacts at Elective Africa was very helpful as it allowed quick help and advice to be at hand when needed. The program includes a whole range of social activities that participants may choose to do including a safari, scuba diving, visiting schools & orphanages and visiting archaeological sites. Having never travelled out of Australia before, I did not know what to expect, however I found the program to be a great experience. I would recommend it to students considering an elective placement abroad. Sean Westbury.

My time at the Mbagathi District Hospital in Nairobi was a challenging but enriching experience. I split my time between the paediatric and newborn units and the hands-on experience I received was invaluable. The doctors were friendly and approachable and willing to explain anything you didn't understand.The program is well organised and the program coordinator in Nairobi was excellent at ensuring that everything was running smoothly. I would highly recommend this program to any senior medical student who is looking for a safe, enjoyable and highly practical elective program with the benefit of immersing yourself in a new culture!

The health care system itself is very different than what I was accustomed to, but it was a huge learning opportunity to experience a third-world health care system. I was fortunate enough to work with a great surgeon for my four weeks here as a Pre Dental. Yes, I learned applicable medical and surgical knowledge. Was that the highlight of my trip? No…The hospital experience in Mombasa was grounding, eye-opening, humbling and heart-felt. Not only do you see diagnoses that you won’t see in America, but you realize how much our future profession can be of service worldwide and how many people really need it. I think this experience is a great one, especially for anyone planning a future in the medical field.

I chose Elective Africa because it was something I had never experienced before. I was a little bit nervous because it was my first time in Africa and Kenya alone. The program representatives were very supportive to me and assisted me no only settle down in a home away but also became part of family for me guiding me through my stay at all times. I enjoyed my time at Mbagathi District Hospital in the dental department. It was very interesting to see a public hospital setting in a developing world for the first time. I enjoyed this experience because I was able to observe conditions that are normally not seen back in the states. I was also able to assist the medical professionals such as dentists during root canal and dental scaling procedures. Overall the program allowed me to experience Kenya and my internship to the fullest I would recommend this program to others who wish to have an outstanding experience in Africa.

As a pre-med, I was in search of an international program through which to expand my scope of the world and gain unique experiences in the field of medicine. Luckily for me, I found Elective Africa. Despite never having traveled so extensively in my life, I found Elective Africa to be a welcoming and friendly program that instantly put me at ease. Rotations with Dr. Nikita Raval at Mbagathi District Hospital allowed me to experience the full extent of hospital life, which was truly thrilling as before now my experiences with medicine had been purely academic instead of clinical. My first week was spent in Internal Medicine. As a future Neurologist, I was extremely interested in a few neurology-related cases that came through the door, as well as a wide variety of other cases. There, I also got the opportunity to learn how to fix an IV line. I spent the next week in the Maternity ward, allowing me to connect with patients during this important time in their lives while also learning about maternal and fetal care in a foreign country. Observing a C-section was an amazing opportunity for me that I never would have experienced at this stage in my education back home. While a C-section was the epitome of the mundane for the doctors there, for me it was an eye opening journey into the world of surgeons and OBGYN’s. It was also fascinating seeing the amount of creativity involved in how a hospital with minimal resources works to secure the best patient care possible. Of course, participating in Elective Africa wasn’t just an exciting journey for me as a pre medical student, but also because I was able to travel and see sights entirely unique to Kenya. The Maasai market was an extremely unique experience and I’m so glad I got to go. I was able to get traditional souvenirs for all my friends and family. As an animal lover, the Giraffe Manor and Elephant Orphanage were also highlights of the trip. I was able to feed giraffes and pet baby elephants, a once-in-a-lifetime experience. However, my favorite part of my trip would have to be the 3-day Maasai Mara safari. It had been a lifelong dream of mine to go on safari, and having that fulfilled is something I will never forget. Finally, I have to give a shout out to Christabel Njeru and Richard Kariuki for taking me around Nairobi, teaching me some Swahili (asante sana), and for being genuinely awesome company and individuals. Also thank you to Caren and everyone else at Elective Africa for allowing me such an incredible opportunity to travel across the world to learn and live .

The overall program has been a good experience which I am happy to have done. The program outside the hospital has been very good with Swahili lessons, Safari and experiencing the town of Arusha. The food, accommodation and transportation have all been good. It has been an experience of a lifetime that I am happy to have had.

The stay in Arusha has been very rewarding and I have experienced so much. The accommodation and food was way above expected and everyone has been very helpful to us. We were met at the airport on time and everything ran smoothly on our way to where we were supposed to stay. During the time we were in Arusha we have been on a Safari, visited the orphanage, swam at the hot springs, been to Maasai market and visited the snake park. Our driver has been fantastic. We just had to say the time and place and he would drive us. The hospital is so different from what I am used to back in Norway. The equipment here are very limited and the patient rooms are so small. All in all I have had an experience of a life that I will never forget .I have heard an amazing time here in Arusha

Working in Africa had always been something I wanted to do. This summer I wanted to gain some insight in to what it would be like, so taking part in a summer medical elective with Elective Africa was the perfect opportunity. As I am soon to qualify as a doctor back home, I was keen to experience how medicine differs internationally. I wanted a totally different experience from what I had already got back home, and that’s exactly what I got. I was nervous and didn’t know what to expect when starting my 6 week placement in Mombasa. This quickly changed and I was put at ease by all the staff that I encountered during my time there. The first half of my placement was spent in Obstetrics & Gynaecology. Under the supervision of Dr. Faiza Nassir, a consultant Obstetrician, I got to experience how obstetric care differs from back home. I found it tough at the beginning, as the conditions didn’t quite live up to what I was used to. The lack of resources was apparent from the beginning and often the doctors and midwives had to make do with what was available to them while treating such a huge number of patients coming through the door each day. As time went on, I was amazed by how much was possible with so little equipment. I got some great hands-on experience during this time, too. I was helping with antenatal clinics and neonatal care. I also got the chance to practice taking blood and inserting IVs, and of course delivering babies. I was nervous at the beginning because I was unsure of my own skill level, but the staff were very willing to teach me and supervise me so I could develop these skills. The second half of my placement was in Internal Medicine, but the programme was fluid enough that I could spend some time in other departments, too. I spent time on the General Medicine ward, dialysis day unit, Radiology and the Emergency Department. This meant I got to see a huge variety of cases in the short time that I had left of my programme. Staff were always willing to introduce me to someone in a different department, if that’s where I had my interests. The Mombasa location turned out to be the perfect locations for me. Meeting lots of other students from different countries and different backgrounds made the whole programme really enjoyable. Multiple times during my placement, the coordinators organised dinners out, where we got to feel like true locals eating authentic Kenyan food which was delicious! There were plenty of other activities organised by Elective Africa, too. They work closely with a very disadvantaged local school in the area, Pentrose Community School. We were given the opportunity to visit the school multiple times to teach and play with the children. I helped to teach them English and they in turn helped me to improve my Kiswahili. This was an incredibly rewarding experience, as we saw the poor conditions in which these children went to school each day, but also their excitement and enthusiasm that they were lucky enough to go to school. My placement in Mombasa was a truly unique experience and one that I will never forget. I got to develop my skills within the hospital, truly experience the Kenyan culture and made some friends that I believe will be for life. I would like to genuinely thank every person who made my experience so fulfilling and enjoyable, and I definitely plan on coming back!

When I decided to go to Mombasa, Kenya with Elective Africa, I had three years of medical training under my belt – one of which was clinical work. I was excited by the possibility of experiencing a culture much different from my own, and being able to provide care to patients in a limited resource environment. Culture shock is something you cannot prepare for, but must simply embrace and enjoy the experience. I don’t specifically remember why I chose Mombasa, but I can tell you it was a good choice. Mombasa is a busy, friendly, exciting and beautiful city. There are beautiful beaches to explore. There are a number of restaurants and shops to see. The people of Mombasa are hardworking and welcoming. The Coast Provincial General Hospital is the second largest hospital in Kenya. They provide all services and see a large number of patients. This allowed my peers and me to have a vast and rewarding experience. We were able to participate in the OB/GYN Department, assist with vaginal deliveries, cesarean sections and miscarriage management. We were also involved in the Emergency Department and Minor Theatre Surgical Department. Here is where we could triage and treat a variety of pathology. We were involved in a number of minor surgical procedures and many post-traumatic suturing. The staff at CPGH welcomed us and readily involved us in the care of the patients. For a developing country healthcare system, it’s beneficial if you can bring a lot of supplies to the clinical setting where you will be rotating. We collected donations of gloves, sutures, surgical masks, tools, etc. We also had a fundraiser before we left, to raise money for donations while in Kenya. We donated some to the orphanage we visited, some to the hospital, and purchased an air conditioner for the Minor Theatre operating suite. The hospital is very different from most westernized facilities. There is no hand sanitizer outside every patient’s room. There are no patient rooms but wards with beds aligned against the wall. The windows and doors are open to the outside. There is no endless supply of equipment. Most things are reusable and not disposable. While preparing for travel you’ll need: a checkup – you’ll need certain shots and prophylactic medications; approval from your school; a passport and a visa; a mosquito net for your bed, bug spray, sun block; all other general travel stuff. Most importantly, be prepared to feel unprepared. You’ll frequently find yourself in situations you haven’t experienced before, and it is essential to remain calm, apply all of the years of training, collaborate with others and work your way through. This is a unique experience that will forever change your life, your perspective of medicine and the way you practice medicine in the future.

Alexandria Dawe

St.George Hospital, Melbourne, PL

My experience with Elective Africa was beyond what I could ever have imagined. My nerves before arrival subsided the minute I was greeted at the airport by an EA staff. I had so much hands on experience in the rural hospital of Migori,Kenya and got an opportunity to to do things I would never have the chance to do in Australia. This is by far one of the best things I have done fro my Nursing career and would recommend this to any health professional willing to take the next step. I was always made to feel safe at home here in Kenya. David was such an amazing Coordinator and Daisy made all the nice food for me.. Its truly a life changing experience!

Kenya Pre-medical Elective: A Rural Approach

Memorial University of Newfoundland, PL

The staff of EA were so helpful in providing all of the necessary information for the trip, and went above and beyond my expectations when answering my questions. As our departure date neared, I became more confident and comfortable which wouldn't have been possible without their support. Our arrival was smooth and timely... On an educational level, I couldn't have asked for a better experience…The rural setting gave us the opportunity to connect and feel comfortable with the members of the community and of our surroundings…We got to volunteer locally and focus on community outreach-something that is very important to me. We also did fun activities on the weekends, like taking small trips to Lake Victoria and Homa Bay.

Renee K. Bartlett

Memorial University, PL

My time here in Migori,Kenya with Elective Africa program has been the greatest experience of my life.I have been on the fence for quite sometime about whether or not I wanted to pursue a career in Medicine but wasn't sure where I would get the inspiration that I needed…David was such a great Program Coordinator. Our experience wouldn't have been near what it was without his expertise and connections.I always felt very safe,comfortable and entertained.Thanks for exposing us too to the community health aspect.

Meghan Quinlan

Memorial University of Newfoundland, PL

I could not have anticipated the amount of love and acceptance we received from the hospital staff, in addition to the exceptional assistance of the EA staff. If you're like I was and you're not 100% sure about attending medical school, this experience will be great for you…This program allows you to observe things you would never see as a premed in North America. In addition to the hospital work, we had the opportunity to visit a girls secondary school and an orphanage, both of which were amazing experiences; and that is just a glimpse of what we did in our 4 weeks…This program is well organized; the people are exceptional and I am looking forward to the next opportunity I will have to participate in an EA program.

Simon Ho, Thomas Yang and Andrew Albantow

Deakin University

Before arriving at the Elective Africa residence we did not know what to expect, but as soon as we arrived and was greeted by staff, we felt welcome. The program was very well organised, We were given an excellent orientation of the hospital and area. Elective Africa contributed to the great experience we had in Kenya, We were able to make friends with not only the multiple international students at the residence but also with the staff. We thoroughly recommend the program in Mombasa, Kenya, the program exceeded our expectations and contributed to one of the greatest experiences we have had in our lives.

Grace Maina

University of Adelaide

My time at the Mbagathi District Hospital in Nairobi was a challenging but enriching experience. I split my time between the paediatric and newborn units and the hands-on experience I received was invaluable. The doctors were friendly and approachable and willing to explain anything you didn't understand and the resilience and resourcefulness of the staff, often in dire circumstances, was incredible to witness.The program is well organised and the program coordinator in Nairobi was excellent for answering any queries I had and checking that everything was running smoothly. I would highly recommend this program to any senior medical student who is looking for a safe, enjoyable and highly practical elective program with the benefit of immersing yourself in a new culture!

Elyssa Metas

University of Arizona

My four weeks at Mt.Meru Regional Hospital OBS&GYN Department have been an incredible learning experience.The doctors and staff have been welcoming and willing to teach.The department is extremely busy and there lots of opportunities for hands on including deliveries. Where Elective Africa really shines is with their program Coordinators. Our Coordinator in Arusha has been outstanding. He has gone above and beyond to make our experience here unforgettable. I would recommend EA to any Senior Medical Student looking to do an elective abroad.

My Name is Tanya Raven a second year Mental Health Nursing Student from The University of Nottingham in England. Mmmh okey, I was looking for a place in Africa to work within the gender based violence. In the course of my search elective Africa came up and appeared to me as the best opportunity for eme and this opportunity packaged in the way I desired was present in Kenya and Mombasa Kenya to be precise. It was easy for me therefore to choose it as it presented what I exactly wanted. 1. What was your general expectation as you travelled to Kenya, and as you started off your rotation? After my choice of Kenya, of course informed by my desire to learn and experience mental health nursing, my general expectation was to see how the health system here deals with issues relating to GBV. I also expected to much learn on how the nursing care differs with England. It was also in my expectation to learn about culture and social effects that influence on the health and possibly borrow leaf and learn something to take back to England 2. What are some of the key health concerns in the region you were placed for an elective? If I was to state one, I would definitely agree with the statistics of Kenya that HIV AIDs is a major problem for the health system. Besides the inadequate accessibility to the health services and the inadequate resources makes the delivery of care unique across the various conditions. 3. What are some of the experiences you had in the hospital of placement, that shaped your rotation/elective? One of such was in the labour ward where I got to see the Ceasarian section and how it is conducted. This was both an amazing experience and a tragic experience for me but very educative I must say. With regards to my main area of objective working with the nurse at the gender based centre and listening to her counsel people was definitely amazing and the Nurse was friendly and overly inspirational 4. What would you say in your opinion are the challenges in the delivery of care in the hospital you were placed at? Low resources levels(funding) would be my number one challenge in the GBV center that was evident and also in the labor wards its something that was out rightly observable. The health care professionals have to greatly improvise but some services can only be delivered when the resources are adequately present. Resources shortages is a big challenge. 5. What was your best moment during your placement in Kenya ? At the hospital, seeing people being counselled was amazing but the best of it was the sight of relief in the patients when for example a HIV test came out as negative. Basically the whole experience of a new health system, new ways of care delivery and different culture was all very rewarding. On the Recreational aspect, Visiting Holla park, seeing Giraffes and getting to hold a crocodile and put it on my head was very amazing. Visiting the South coast beach and having other students from Hong Kong and sharing perspectives with them was actually a very great experience. 6. Is it something you would like to have again? Absolutely this is an experience I would like to have again. Once I qualify I would like to come back and volunteer for a longer period and be able to help. I would definitely choose to come with Elective Africa and my advice to anyone out there thinking of travelling for the elective to choose Elective Africa but more so to get to learn a bit of Swahili. I end by saying Kwaheri – goodbye and Asate – Thankkyou, The top Swahili words I earnt . Learning Swahili was very amazing as well.

1. What are the main reasons as to why you choose Kenya as your destination of choice? In my opinion, having clinical attachment in developing countries is the best experience in medical school. The health care system and diseases in developing countries are entirely different from that in developed countries. It would be the best chance for me to learn tropical disease and HIV related diseases in Kenya. If I have elective in other countries e.g. England, I could not appreciate the difference of health care facilities and resources between Hong Kong and developing countries 2. What was your general expectation as you travelled to Kenya, and as you started off your rotation? I would like to have more hand on experiences e.g. taking blood, setting intravenous line, assisting delivery and Caesarean section. In addition, I wanted to learn more about tropical disease e.g. Dengue fever and malaria. I also expected to interact with doctors in Coast Provincial General Hospital, to let them know more about the health care system in Hong Kong. 3. What are some of the key health concerns in the region you were placed for an elective? I like internal medicine so I spent most of the time in the medical ward of Coast Provincial General Hospital (CPGH). The major health concerns would be HIV associated illness. The most commonly encountered conditions would be cryptococcal meningitis and pulmonary TB. Poor compliance to antiretroviral drug is also a major concern in Kenya. 4. What are some of the experiences you had in the hospital of placement, that shaped your rotation/elective? After the elective, I have learnt more about the clinical presentation and management of various tropical diseases. Moreover, I have deeper understanding on different classes of antiretroviral drugs, side effect of each class and various complication of HIV infection. In addition, I had intensive hand-on exposure to various procedures especially blood taking and setting an intravenous access. Attachment in CPGH provided me chances to polish up my clinical skills prior to commencing residency. Since Kenya is a developing country with serious corruption problem, resources in hospital are very limited. There is limited investigations. Therefore, clinical judgment would be the most important diagnostic tool. I have learnt how to manage and stabilize patients when investigation is not readily available. 5. What would you say in your opinion are the challenges in the delivery of care in the hospital you were placed at? Because of the limited resources in the hospital, the result of investigation usually come late. Therefore, it delays the proper treatment of a patient. Moreover, imaging and investigation are limited in Kenya. Even the investigation is available for the patient, he/she may not be able to afford the cost of the investigation, which also significantly affect the delivery of care in the hospital. 6. How different is it from Hong Kong? In Hong Kong, investigations and imaging can be easily ordered. Hence, we tend to overlook history taking and physical examination. In CPGH, I have learnt how important the history taking and physical examination are. In addition, blood transfusion cannot be available all the time in Kenya. Hence, the hospital encourages the relatives of the patient to donate blood to the patient instead. However, there will be risk of transmission HIV and hepatitis to the patient. Therefore, in Hong Kong, blood donation from the relatives of the patients is not allowed. On the other hand, health care system in Kenya is extremely different from Hong Kong. For example, we have various sub-specialties in internal medicine and surgery, but, there is none in CPGH. Moreover, infection control is poorly done in CPGH. There is no isolation for patients who have pulmonary tuberculosis. There is no air-conditioner inside the ward and each patient is surrounded by dozens of flies. However, infection control has been a great emphasis in Hong Kong. 7. How did you find patients’ awareness and involvement in care within your placement hospital (Ethical Issues that you encountered that differs with your home country) Most patients in Kenya lack of health awareness while people in Hong Kong are always anxious about disease. There are lots of body check program and screening program in Hong Kong, so that we can detect diseases in asymptomatic stage. Prevention is always better than cure. Hence, people in Hong Kong do a lot in disease prevention e.g. safe sex, vaccination and healthy lifestyle. However, people in Kenya usually seek help in an advanced stage of illness, which makes management become difficult. 8. What was your best moment during your placement in Kenya? The best moment during my placement in Kenya was my interaction with patients. Since I cannot speak Swahili well, I was too shy to talk to them. Unexpectedly, they are all very friendly and some patients could even remember me because I followed the medical ward round every day. They were willing to talk to me in English and their smile could always melt my heart. 9. Any unexpected event that you came across during your placement? Unexpectedly, I joined the case discussion organised by the physicans in the hospital. I have learnt a lot by joining the discussion especially on the management part. I could learn how to prescribe medication in the correct dosage and choose the best drug in the class. 10. What would advise student seeking/ considering an elective abroad (Africa)? Don’t hesitate. Having attachment in Africa would be the most memorable experience in your life. Just stepping out of the comfort zone. 11. Is it something you would like to have again? I would like to come again in the future after I have become a specialist. I hope I can help more and do more for the developing countries when I gain more experience in Hong Kong. 13. Any Swahili word that you can remember? I can remember words which can be used in daily life: Jambo, Asante, Karibu, Pole, Sawa, Wapi, Ngapi 14. What will you miss most about Kenya? I will miss the medical students and doctors in Kenya because they are all very friendly. They were very helpful and taught me a lot during my attachment. Moreover, I will miss Elective Africa especially Phares and Benson. They have arranged our trip and attachment very well.

The 4 weeks I spent working at Mt. Meru Regional Hospital in Arusha, Tanzania were some of the most memorable of my life entire medical school journey. Arusha is a wonderful place to call home for one month and the staff at Mt. Meru was so warm and welcoming towards us as medical students. Given that the hospital is regional referral center, there is a large volume of patients and the variety of unique pathology that provided a wonderful learning opportunity to all kinds of students. I am so grateful for this wonderful opportunity provided by Elective Africa and I leave Arusha with a new appreciation for Tanzanian culture and all of all the new friends I made along the way. These couldn't have been a more perfect ending to medical school.

My experience in Kenya was absolutely amazing and I would go back in a heart beat. I went to Mombasa and worked in Coast Provincial General Hospital. It is a larger hospital and you have a lot more opportunity. I was worried when I first found the program that I would maybe just be observing or something. That was definitely not the case at all. As a Pre-PA I was paired with a Clinical Officer there, which is our equivalent to a PA pretty much. I spent my four weeks going around the different wards seeing and doing a bunch of things I could never do here in the States. When I was there there were 4 English, 4 Australians, 6 Norwegians, and 2 American interns. Most of them were studying to be doctors. Having them around and in the hospital really helped as well because I would go with them some days to minor theater (where minor surgeries are done) and would first show and then teach me how to do it and then I was able to assist. I was able to shadow in variety of procedures such as Catheters, injections, IVs, sutures, resuscitate a baby, watch C sections, watch a major surgery, and examine women in the AnteNatal ward. I found that for the first week I was just getting used to the hospital and doing a lot of observing and learning. So the first week was a lot of observing but also getting to learn how to examine patients. The weeks following were when I got to assist in minor surgeries and other exams. Besides the hospital though you do so much with the program. We volunteered at two schools and one we went 2x a week and taught in their classrooms (just simple math or something) and then played sports with them after or sang and danced. Then on Wednesdays they would come to our residence and we would teach them how to swim. This is where I found I learned the most about the people there, the culture, and a lot about myself was during this time with the children and adults. You also get a chance to go on safari which I definitely recommend. It will give you a break and is so amazing. I found that I enjoyed the hospital even more after my safari.

Elective Africa allowed me to make a real difference in Arusha. I was able to shadow in many different areas and do many things I never could have done back home. Volunteering in Tanzania was rewarding in many ways. This experience has changed me in more ways than one and I will remember it for the rest of my life. I highly suggest volunteering abroad and doing so with Elective Africa.

This opportunity was given to me by a partnership between my university (Princeton University) and Elective Africa. I worked in Levolosi Health Center, a public clinic in Arusha, mainly in the minor theater, where I assisted and later oversaw other performing minor procedures such as cleaning/dressing wounds, sutures, and circumcisions. The doctor in charge of the theater, Dr. Jonas, was very informative and kind, and instructed us in basic skills such as changing dressings and wrapping wounds at first, and later more complicated tasks such as assisting directly in circumcisions. Since I had an 8 week internship, for the first few weeks I was mainly involved in observing the doctor, but later felt more comfortable to assist the doctor directly, such as handing tools needed during circumcisions and stopping any bleeding areas. Later the other interns and I organized a fundraiser from friends and family to raise money, which was then used to by supplies that the hospital constantly lacked, such as gloves, gauze, and surgical tools. The accommodations are quite nice, and the staff does a good job to make sure everyone is well taken care of and has all they need. For example, despite having electricity and water problems, our local coordinator would be ready to answer our phone calls and come to the residence to fix the issue.

Claudèle Brault

McGill University, Montréal, CA

My experience with Elective Africa was more that I would have ever expected. Even if I was only able to participate for 2 weeks. I had the time to work in 2 departments general surgery and obstetrics + gynecology where I met wonderful people to assist me in my learning. I would participate in ward rounds, clinic duties and had exposure to the theater. More importantly, I had the chance to understand the challenges that health professional face in offering health services. Talking of outside the hospital, many activities were organised, including Swahili lessons, visit of snake park. The program was flexible to organize a 3 day trek to Mt. meru which I highly recommend. As I was traveling alone security was my main priorities and EA was very good at making sure I feel safe and would accompany me to all my activities which allowed me to do as much as I wanted. It was truely a pleasure to get to know Tanzanians and especially the team that was taking care of me during my placement and it was a very unique relationship that we developed. I had a special experience in Arusha and I definitely plan on coming back

As my elective plans fell through, I organized a last minute four week medical placement with Elective Africa in Mombasa Kenya. I was pleasantly surprised at how seamless and stress-free the whole process was. I requested and was placed in A&E for 2 Weeks and Psychiatry for 2 weeks. In doing so I received exposure to the cultural, legal, psychological and hands-on procedural aspects of medicine I was seeking. It was such a privilege to access that level of understanding as a non-Swahili-speaking-not-yet-doctor foreigner! As a bonus, I also got to go on the safari of a lifetime which EA also organised for me. It is rare to encounter people who deeply care about and genuinely love what they do – I highly recommend EA to you.

Elective Africa allowed me to undertake my final year medical elective at Coast Provincial General Hospital in Mombasa, Kenya. The pre departure support was exceptional and I felt well prepared for the experience. The hospital challenged me academically and provided me many opportunities for improving my clinical skills. Accomodation was very comfortable and staff were always available to help with daily life in Mombasa. In addition to the hospital, Elective Africa facilitated Swahili lessons, visits to local communities and orphanages (and even Christmas lunch!). I can also recommend Skydive Diani and Baracuda Diving Centre for weekend adventures!

I had a really lovlely expereince during my four weeks in Arusha with Elective Africa. Mount Meru Hospital was a great learning experience with a wide range of pathology. The nurses and doctors I encountered were so friendly and welcoming and they went out of their way to ensure I got a lot of hands on experience. There was great support on the ground - our coordinators was always available when issues came up. He also helped us get involved in the local community - I so enjoyed the weekend hikes, coffee tours he suggested. On the whole, this was a great enrichment to my education and I highly recommend it to anyone.

Elective Africa offered me a truly memorable experience that enriched my view of a culture that exists on the other side of the world while also offering me a place to expand my skillset in my profession. During my time at the hospital, I was constantly exposed to cases and conditions that I would never get a chance to see at home and the doctors that I worked with were incredibly valuable resources to learn from. Everyone I encountered through this experience was very welcoming and friendly, which helped to make this a pleasant and safe place to come to. The staff was extremely helpful in showing me around my placement city showing me as many of the sites and cultural highlights Mombasa had to offer most of which are top of the major tourist attractions like Fort Jesus and Haller Park. I was taken to local villages and markets as well as an orphanage to interact with the babies and children. These experiences really opened my eyes to the differences between the world I come from and the world they live in every day. Throughout my time in Mombasa, I was able to accomplish all of the objectives I had originally set and so much more.

My experience in Mt. Meru Hospital, Tanzania for 2 weeks was very short but a substantial one. Many of the cases I encountered at the hospital were ones that I would never see in my country and they were shocking and heartbreaking. The doctors were working very hard to help these patients and it was very stimulating to see them. The coordinator cared very much that I felt comfortable in the hospital and was able to have some hands-on experience. If I stayed longer, I think I could have been able to have more hands-on experience. It takes a few days to get used to the ward, so after that, you would be able to do many things. There were elective students from other countries so it was nice talking with them about the medical conditions in Tanzania and discussing what we can do. The stay, in general, was very comfortable as well; it was more comfortable than I expected. The organization prepared me a nice house with a wonderful ‘Mama’, and I was able to experience the everyday life in Arusha. The coordinator took me to many places on the weekends, so I was able to have great experiences there as well. The coordinator was very caring and made sure I was feeling comfortable every day, so I was able to feel very safe during my stay. I’m sure to say that my two weeks here are unforgettable and I would take back my experience and make good use of it, so I can come back again next time, hopefully as a doctor.

Before coming to Kenya through Elective Africa, I was unsure of what exactly to expect. I had never left the country before and I was very nervous to do so all on my own. However, upon arriving Mombasa, I was pleased with how helpful and sweet my advisors and caretakers were. This program has allowed me to meet some amazing new people from all different walks of life, whether it was my roommates, the doctors in the hospital, my program advisors or even the people I met on the Safari. I saw so many incredible things that I never in my life would have encountered in an American Hospital. Some of it was sickening and heart wrenching while at other times it was jaw-dropping and awe-striking but nonetheless it only solidified my passion for medicine and showed me that this is the only career I can see myself having. I really enjoyed this program for helping me to see how different the facilities are from those at home. While it was very shocking to see at first, it's very admirable that these men and women work with what they have to provide care to the local community. This program also gave me an inside look at surgeries and my first theatre procedure which is something I will forever be thankful for. I was also very happy to get to know this culture through the excellent Kenyan cuisine. I learned many new recipes and tried more new foods than I ever have, probably in my entire lifetime. This is an experience I will forever cherish and hold onto in my heart and will gladly recommend to anyone considering travelling to Africa. Thank you, everyone, at Elective Africa for allowing me to be part of this amazing program.

Coming to Africa, I was unsure of what to expect. I felt like I had been prepared but still had some nerves and hesitations as I think many people do when entering a new and unfamiliar situation. I was, however, pleasantly surprised by Elective Africa and my experience as a whole. I felt immediately comfortable when Benson was waiting outside the airport to take us to the residence and answer any questions or hesitations we had. Elective Africa has provided me with one of the most memorable experiences of my life. My entire time here, I felt nothing but comfortable and welcomed by everyone that I have encountered including both the hospital and Elective Africa staff. During my time at the hospital, I was able to experience everything I hoped for. I was also able to see cases that I would never witness anywhere other than here this early in my medical career. All of the doctors, nurses, and students were open and happy to answer any questions that I had and actually wanted to help me learn. I am thankful for this experience and would easily recommend Elective Africa to anyone thinking about traveling to Africa.

My decision to come to Africa definitely did put me outside of my comfort zone but I am happy I chose to do it. I was excited to go someplace new but also very nervous to travel so far away from my home and family. However, after meeting Benson at the airport, more Elective Africa staff and our roommates, I settled into my new home very quickly. Elective Africa was very accommodating and allowed me to choose the departments I wanted to shadow and they were very flexible in case I changed my mind. In the hospital, I gained so much knowledge and perspective that I would be unable to see in the hospitals in the United States. The days we spent there only reaffirmed my desire to do something in the medical field. I feel so lucky to have had these experiences and to have met so many people who have changed my outlook on life forever. Whether it was doctors in the hospital, people on the safari, or my roommates with me in the program. I learned so much about Africa and other parts of the world and made memories that I will hold close to my heart forever. Thank you again to Elective Africa for letting me be part of their program and sharing a little piece of Kenya with me.

My 6 weeks in Mombasa were a whirlwind of exciting opportunities. As a pre-med student I got amazing mentorship that I wouldn't have gotten at home. The doctors were always willing to teach me new skills or show of rares of diseases we may not get at home. The coordinator was very friendly and always there to help organise activities outside of the hospital. To sum up in 3 words :challenging, rewarding and memorable.

Spending time working in the medical field in Africa had long been a dream of mine, and thanks to Elective Africa that dream became a reality this Spring. From the moment I arrived at the airport in Mombasa, I felt welcomed and supported by the team. My accommodations had all the comforts of home, including delicious meals prepared by a wonderful cook! I spent my month at Coast Provincial General Hospital in the maternity ward where I was carefully paired up with doctors who took great pride in their work and loved to teach. I felt more included in patient care at CPGH than on many of my medical school rotations back in the United States. Many of the cases I saw would be extremely rare to witness back home. The Elective Africa team worked tirelessly to ensure I got to see and experience all aspects of their local healthcare system that I had initially expressed interest in seeing during our pre-trip discussions. I was also pleased with the flexibility of my schedule, which allowed me to work varying hours throughout the week to see the most interesting cases at the busiest times. Kenya is a beautiful country with many hidden gems, so the team helped direct my free time to be able to fit in as much sightseeing and community service as possible. I highly recommend the Maasai Mara and Lake Nakuru safari option. These were the most breathtaking landscapes I have ever seen in my life and a provided a relaxing balance to my days spent working in the hospital.

This program provided by Elective Africa is the best program I've ever joined. The people are the important factor making it such a fantastic experience. They take care of our needs as much as possible even if it is outside of their duty. They treat us sincerely, help us kindly and tried very hard to make our experience as perfect as possible. We could see their efforts. If you are looking for an organization you can trust, an organization which can take care of all your needs so that you have a fabulous experience, this is it. Apart from the organization, the people here are also very nice to us. The staff in the hospital and the local people made me feel very welcomed here. And of course, we gained a lot of knowledge and experience than we would be able to have in our own country. As long as you take the initiative, you can learn and try a lot.

I thoroughly enjoyed my experience at Levolosi Health Centre in Arusha, Tanzania. I got to help with various activities at the hospital and learn from the medical proffesionals through guided activities during my 2 weeks stay. I also saw plenty of diseases I had never seen before. All the doctors and nurses were friendly and kindly answered all the questions I had. I definitely recommend this program.

This was a great experience. I was not sure what to expect but this program exceeded my expectations. At the hospital, everyone was helpful and even though there was a language barrier at times, I still feel like I received a lot of helpful information about different diseases and conditions. I met people from many areas of the world. Our coordinators tried the best to make us as comfortable as possible. They were there for us when we needed them. I have many memories, pictures and stories to take home with me.

Overall I enjoyed my time with Elective Africa. I got a lot of hands-on experience I was looking for in OB/GYN. One of the best parts about EA is the cultural enrichment provided such as Swahili Lessons and trips to local markets and waterfalls. The safari was fantastic as well. I would recommend EA to others looking to experience a new country and culture while enriching their medical skills and knowledge.

I decided to do Elective Africa after hearing how incredible the experience was for some fellow classmates. I am interested in doing medical missions after graduating and thought this would be a great opportunity to see what that would be like. I honestly wasn’t entirely sure what to expect, but this experience has definitely been one I won’t forget. The coordinators were all extremely helpful, going out of the way. It was amazing to ensure we were taken care of each step of the way. It was amazing to see how well doctors utilize the limited resources they have giving the best care they can for their patients. It has definitely been an eye-opening experience. All of the physicians in the internal medicine team were welcoming and allowed us to grow in our education as physician assistant students. I loved getting to explore Arusha and the surrounding areas. Everywhere we went was beautiful and the Tanzanian people were all very friendly. The Safari coordinated by Elective Africa was amazing and is a can’t miss! Overall, my experience with this program was excellent and I would definitely do it again. If you’re contemplating doing it, go for it! You will not regret it!

This experience was wonderful. I am so glad that I came here. I loved every minute at Mt Meru and feel blessed to have had the opportunity to work alongside and learn from such naturally gifted doctors. I never realized what a valued resource, but also the crutch, technology was for us. There is so much information that I don’t have to bother to memorize because I don’t have to. However, the doctors here know it all, because they don’t have a choice and don’t have the luxury of looking it up on the internet at a moment’s notice. They’ve made me realize that I could be so much more than I am and that I can do so much better than I have been doing. It’s so unfair that we have so many resources in the US, and they have so few, but the patients here are truly blessed with the best minds Tanzania has to offer and for that I am grateful. I have developed such a deep admiration, respect and love for this place and its people. While here, I’ve often been mistaken for a Tanzanian, but I felt honored. The western world paints such a monochrome view of Africa, only showing its needs, but never its beauty, history, spirit or feel. I thank God for this opportunity and pray that I have the ability to come back one day soon. I don’t want to forget Tanzania, and I want to remember it’s people. Until then I hope to help in the best ways I can with what I have where I am. I don’t want to sound cliché, but I’m definitely not the same person I was when I came here, and that’s a blessing in and of itself. Thank you for your hospitality. I pray your program continues to flourish.

My trip to Kenya was such a last second thing for me. I was planning to work this summer and I was looking at places to research at and Elective Africa’s page popped up and after reading into it, I was really interested in it. The rest is history;2 weeks later I’m in Kenya. When I got here, I thought the differences weren’t going to be that bad, but on my first day here, I was in for a pleasant surprise. I was shocked to see such major differences between the 2 countries. In Kenya, they take notes/write everything by hand but in the US, everything is basically digitalized and is in a computer. Another thing was that there were no machines at all at the hospital. All measurements were taken by hand, which to me was totally different. The one thing that I noticed was that most children had 1 of 5 diseases which back home those weren’t even on the top 5 list, which was new to me. My 6 Weeks in Kenya have been very eye-opening and also a great and wonderful experience. I got to shadow in drawing blood, insertion of an IV in, giving vaccines, taking vital signs I was also able to watch a surgery and have a first-hand look into suturing. The doctors who I worked with were also amazing mentors to me, showing me what they do and why they do it in a certain way, which gave me info to see if any cases like this back home are treated the same way which helped me think and also a learning point to see if I would do anything different back home. Heading home is almost bittersweet. I really want to stay and learn more and get more experiences that were amazing for my learning and that I can’t say anything bad about Kenya. The city was amazing from the beaches to the mall; the people were so friendly and kind. I definitely want to come back again sometime soon and go back to Coast Provincial General Hospital. I can’t thank Elective Africa enough for making this possible. And Kenya, I’ll be back real soon.

During my 3 weeks in Mombasa, Kenya, I learned so much about the healthcare systems and lifestyles. I was warmly welcomed by Benson and brought to where I would be staying. If I had any questions or concerns, Benson was there. I had 3 meals per day and laundry done twice a week which was efficient. At the hospital, I was able to witness live births, learn about the childhood diseases and help draw blood. It was an incredible and knowledgeable experience and I thank Dr. Simiyu for always being willing to teach and Dr. Chenene for allowing me help. I was also able to watch 2 orthopedic surgeries, which was another amazing experience. Outside of the hospital, I was taken to Haller Park where I got to feed giraffes as well as see hippos, crocodiles and more. I also got to visit a primary school and orphanage, where I was able to spend time with the kids and help run a hygiene clinic. One weekend I went on a safari in Maasai Mara for 3 days. Elective Africa made sure everything was taken care of for me and I had the best time on the safari. I wouldn’t change anything about this program or my stay here. Overall it was an amazing experience and I can’t wait to come back!

During my time in Mombasa, I have learned so much about medicine and have ultimately become a better person because of this experience. The Elective Africa staff, specifically Benson and Richard, who I worked with most were always available to talk and were very helpful before and during my stay here in Mombasa. This program is very organized and I never felt confused or worried while I was here. My time in the hospital was great because all the doctors were helpful and want to teach you as much as they can. During our free time, we were taken to local tourist attractions as well as an orphanage and school. One weekend I also went on a safari to the Masai Mara which was breathtaking. The accommodation and staff were just as nice and helpful as they are when I was staying in Mombasa. Overall, this program has changed my life for the better. If you are looking for a program in which you can learn and get first-hand experience in a hospital, experience the wonderful culture of Kenya and meet many fantastic people. Elective Africa is the program for you.

My main reason for choosing Kenya was due to the resonance of the name Kenya and what its known for especially Olympics and the language Swahili. I was inspired to come to Kenya by the Vice Chancellor of my school called Christopher Wanyonyi who is Kenyan. During my rotation, I expected most Physicians to have done their schooling outside of the country but that was not the case. All their doctors went to school in Kenya which shows how structured and upheld their doctors' schools are. The workers at Coast Provincial General Hospital are very competent and always think on their feet because they're faced with diverse illnesses and limited hospital equipment. I believe if anyone wants to know how real medicine is done or executed the person should come to Kenya through Elective Africa.

This has been the standout moment of my entire nursing program and I feel no other part of my training has been as engaging, as challenging, as educational or as enjoyable. This did not feel like a tourist experience and nor did it feel like any nursing placement I have had before. It was immersive and immediately I was learning new things. Culturally, both the hospital environment and the local area are very different. The unique thing about Elective Africa is the step it takes to allow you to embrace and learn from this cultural shift in a way you never could on a holiday. Trips to local schools, orphanage take on more meaning alongside your role at the hospital and you feel for a short time part of this vibrant, colorful human and beautiful country. The value of life and simple things in life take on new beauty. At the hospital, I was rarely a bystander; I developed practical skills, which at home in England, I did not have the chance to learn and the momentum of the hospital experience carried me towards trying something I had not previously considered in Midwifery. I was honored and delighted to have the chance to help deliver babies and gain hands-on experience in this area.

Elective Africa was a great experience that aided in my learning for my future career.The hospital work was exciting offering something new everyday.The doctors and patients were very welcoming and kind. The activities that the company provided were great opportunities to learn about the country of Kenya and the culture. Overall, I would recommend this program to students and friends.

On my arrival, Carol and Justina made me feel welcome and safe immediately. As soon as I saw the accommodation, I was surprised that it was a lot better than what I had expected. The 24/7 security made me residence feel safe. The meals were amazing. They were authentic, good and healthy in portion and quality. Anne made sure I was enjoying my food and never had me leaving hungry. The hospital was a great learning experience for me because I was able to see everything in one department including oral surgery, orthodontics, extractions and prosthetics. Justine and Carole took me to great tourist locations and showed me the nightlife here. Overall, I had an amazing experience that I would recommend to anyone and I learned things that I could never learn from a textbook or lecture.

From the moment I arrived off the plane, I felt most importantly safe and supported especially as a young female travelling alone. The bus to Migori was comfortable and safe and I was met by Elective Africa representatives at the other side who went out of their way to host me, oriented me not only to the hospital but the whole town. The accommodation was more than perfect and comfortable. And my balcony over looking beautiful hills and houses was the perfect way to sit and relax and reflect after a tough day at the hospital. Martha who helped me in the house was honestly just incredible. She cooked for me, cleaned, washed my clothes. She was like a super mum for me whilst here. Salome and Violet from EA not only supported me with the hospital but also went out of their way to immerse me in the local culture, with weekend outings as well as visiting a local orphanage which was a highlight for me. And as for my placement in the hospital, I don’t think anything could have prepared me for what I would experience. It was a rollarcoaster of emotions, both good and hard, but it was truly life changing and something I will hold close to me forever. All the doctors and nurses went out of their way to ensure I was a part of the team and got me doing procedures I would never be able to do back home. I will forever be thankful for this experience, and I believe it has made me a stronger nurse. I will definitely be back. Migori County has stolen my heart!!!!

It was a wonderful program that to my surprise exceeded my expectation. I enjoyed working in the hospital and meeting the Doctors and Nurses who were nice and willing to explain the whatever procedure. It was nice that I was able to assist in various procedures under the guidance of the local staff. Outside of the hospital visiting schools and orphanages was very interesting. I enjoyed interacting with the kids and learning from them. The program cordinator was very helpful amd served as a wonderful guide in Mombasa. All in all it was great being in Kenya in living and learning experiences and this was well worth he money it cost.

As a new doctor elective, this program placed me in Mombasa. I completed 6 weeks of surgery there; registrars and consultants treated me as one of their colleagues with lots of hands on experience. The EA staff also ensured a safe and enriching environment to enjoy leisure time. Overall, it was an amazing program.

For my final year of medical school, I've been doing clinical rotations in countries around the world. Most of them I had to set up myself but for Kenya I used Elective Africa. They provided a hospital placement for both of my 2-week rotations along with shared housing for me and my wife, a chef providing meals everyday, a cleaning and laundry service and all the assistance we could ask for. My time in the labor ward and the casualty ward has been eye-opening: the level of healthcare given at such a large hospital combined with the amount of improvising makes me re-evaluate how things are done back home. Elective Africa has done an excellent job of making sure we're treated well and taken care of. Their staff are always ready to help with anything so I highly recommend them and their programs.

Elective Africa met my every expectation. From the pre-electives period , all throughout my final week. Richard the lead placement officer coordinated my placement and he was there all the way; answered every question I had gave detailed explanation of everything I didn't quite understand and kept on checking even when I landed in Kenya and throughout the placement. On , ground I learnt that the EA Team have a similar trait. Benson the Mombasa Coordinator was helpful and a couple times he went out of the way to meet requests. I had a good orientation of CGPH from my Supervisor Dr. Aarif Vavvani and his clinical knowledge had me inspired. He gave me an opportunity to do quite a lot of things in the ward. Hands on opportunity while we did the ward rounds. I meet Christophe and Ainslee also on the program and they were good people. I was with Ainslee in the first three weeks before she left. She made learning medicine interesting. And the voluntary activities and the Mombasa town, I love them; especially the Rescue Centre and Pentrose Community School, those kids are cute. Elective Africa is the way to go. My family are happy I made this choice.

I had a good experience with Elective Africa. Everyone made me feel welcome and attended to. A few of my experiences are of the following: Riding a camel on the beach, visiting the local wood caverns village, jet skiing, going to Haller Park feed giraffes and tortoises , being exposed to local cuisine and culture. At the hospital, the saff were accommodating and allowed me to attain the experiences I needed to grow. I was in internal medicine, cardiac, emergency medicine, pediatrics and surgery. I was thankful to have Benson and Justina. Overall, this opportunity allowed to grow emotionally, mentally and challenged me intellectually. I was grateful for the opportunity to present a hospital-wide CME or CPR for doctors, nurses and students. I loved visiting Pentorse Community Schools.

My name is Sukarnan (Suki) a junior doctor from Australia and I have completed a 2 week Dermatology placement at Coast Provincial General Hospital in Mombasa, Kenya. I have always dreamt of completing a medical placement in Africa and Elective Africa were instrumental in making this happen. From start Elective Africa were prompt, organized and communicated well which were all important in facilitating a successful placement in a place like Africa. I was able to appreciate the culture, language and environment. There was plenty of opportunity to explore the city life, beaches, learn Swahili, visit an orphanage/ wildlife parks, organise day trips and met new people . Benson, Justina and Ann have been kind, approachable members from Elective Africa supported me on a daily basis, making sure I was enjoying my placement and were happy to tailor the experience to my interest. I cannot thank Elective Africa enough and highly recommend them.

Had a wonderful time on my elective in Arusha with Elective Africa. From day 1, felt very at home with both my host family and the hospital and was very well looked after throughtout my stay.

I had an outstanding and truly unforgettable experience working at Coast provincial hospital in Mombasa with Elective Africa. Immediately when i arrived at Mombasa Airport after thirty hours of traveling, i was met with cheerful waves and smiles of Benard, Carol and Kellsie, our driver supervisor and the other student in the program respectively. While the transition from living in America to Kenya would have been very difficult, i felt extremely comfortable and grew very close to my friend on the program. Likewise our supervisor Carol is very kind, helpful, supportive and communicative ensuring that we always arrive safely at the hospital, were comfortable in our residence and safely explored all that Mombasa has to offer. In addition, Ann our chef is so kind and she prepared three delicious meals for us each day. In regards to my experience at the hospital, I feel i have learnt a huge amount over the past 3 weeks in paediatrics, surgery emergency and OBS and GYN and gained invaluable clinical exposure as a premed student. Each of the doctors i worked with shared their unique style and techniques with me and I was able to try basic skills such as drawing blood or taking vitals as well as having meaningful interactions with patients. Overall, I cant thank Elective Africa enough for this once in a lifetime journey in Kenya.

Elective Africa have been very professionals throughout my experience in kisumu Kenya( jaramogi oginga odinga referral and teaching Hospital). I was assigned for a coach in practice Salome, who made sure that I was safe, comfortable and made sure I had a pleasant time in my Placement. The coaching practice quite often dropped in at my place of placement and also make sure that I got access to the things I need, recommended and also provided me with the Theatre scrub which I was struggling to acquire. I would recommend Elective African to anyone.

The time I had in Mombasa was amazing. Elective Africa is an excellent program to be with. The people who work for EA are very professional and made sure to make my stay as cosy as possible. The accommodation was much better than I had expected. They made sure to keep our place clean, feed us well and tend to your needs. Carol was especially helpful in everything I needed. She was always available to assist me in anything no matter what time in the day and she always made sure everything was okay. The hospital I was, CPGH was great and the doctors were terrific. The doctors that stood out for me the most were Dr. Mansoor, Dr. Naitham and Dr. Noor. These 3 doctors were amazing to work with and taught me so much. All in all my experience here was unforgettable and I definitely plan to come back.

Very well organized. Phabian the on-ground coordinator was so helpful and caring. Our Mama Harriet fed us well and ,made our accommodation feel like a home. Thank you. ♥

My 3 week experience with Elective Africa was pretty good. The first couple of days, the airport nearby had lost my luggage so I could not do anything, but Carol, the program director, and Anne, the housekeeper & chef, were very helpful and assisted me in communicating with the airports responsible until I got them back. The staff at Coast Provincial General Hospital were very kind and super friendly. Everyone there is always happy to teach you anything you want to know. I loved working in the newborn unit so much, I would not rotate out of the department. At the apartment, Carol and Anne were super lovely and treated me like I was family, which I was grateful for.. Everything felt more personal than business with Anne and Carol. Anne cared a lot, and would see the things I did eat and did not eat and adjusted to make the things I liked. Carol would carter for things personally and she was very flexible and helped to arrange for me to have my hair done at the residence by a Masai hair braider. Carol and Anne also took me to the market (atleast 5 or 6 times!) and helped me shop for souvenirs for my friends and family and made sure the vendors were giving me fair prices, which I really appreciated. Our residence was very very safe and the guards and overseer of the residence were very kind to me. I enjoyed my Swahili lessons with Purity, who did a good job of balancing necessary content for the hospital, while also asking what we wanted to learn. This program was very good thorough, and left me with good memories.

I had a wonderful experience overall. I love Tanzania, Arusha, Levolosi and all the people I met. The accommodation was great, transportation was great, and also the Elective Africa staff were very receptive. I learned so much at the hospital and gained so much exposure as a Premedical student that I never could have gotten in Africa. Thanks EA!

This was a really great program! I loved all the resources and people available to us. I loved that Arusha is a super safe city and that I was able to walk to and from work. Arusha has so much to do outside of work at the hospital. But at the same time the hospital was a very good experience; especially interns of clinical/surgical procedures. Exposure overall, it has been a great 2 months of experiencing a new culture meeting lots of great people (local and other volunteers from all around the world) and learn a ton in the hospital.

When I arrived in Tanzania I knew three words. “Jambo” (Hello- kind of), “Poa”(Well/Cool), and “Asante” (Thank You). My first experience in Tanzania was the Elective Africa Driver, Peter, teaching me twenty more words in Swahili on my ride back to Arusha. Not only did I find countless people excited to help me improve my Swahili, I found people willing to teach me about Tanzanian culture, cuisine, and medical care. The orientation provided by the program coordinator, Fabian, showed me the city of Arusha. Our cook Harriet taught me how to make ugali and chapattis, two of the trademark foods of Tanzania. The nurses in the labor ward showed me what is involved in prenatal care, which included testing for HIV, checking hemoglobin levels, and checking blood pressure. They also taught me the steps and tools needed to deliver a baby. The more involved I became, the more I learned. After doing night shifts for a week they even walked me through actually performing a delivery. In minor theater I learned how to sterilise equipment, dress injuries, treat burns, lance abscesses, and remove stitches. The hospital staff was always willing to explain the reasons behind their actions, and excited to teach me new words in Swahili.

Overall my experience has bee a positive one. Mombasa as a whole is a beautiful city, with many ethnicities and cultures represented.We were close to the beach, marines and animal encounters in the city as well. Coast Provincial General Hospital created an atmosphere unlike any hospital experience I have had this far in the United States. Coast Provincial General Hospital is definitely a teaching hospital, as students were present from both local, national and international schools. It is not a hospital for the soft spoken or faint of heart, and aggression is key if you were to be heard. Once you figure that out, people start to trust you. I was able to witness many traumas; the hospital environment has enabled the flexibility to more specialities during the rotations. I hope to come back as a full practitioner us more of a role to continue to make a difference in Mombasa.

My time in Mombasa has been phenomenal. I learned a lot in OB/GYN and minor theatre and had hands-on experience. Everyone is very friendly and welcoming. I wanted to immerse myself in a new culture and learn as much as I could and thats exactly what I did. Kenya is incredibly beautiful and I cant wait to come back. The Elective Africa staff were fantastic and very helpful.

I had a wonderful experience in Mombasa, I learned a lot about the Kenyan healthcare systems and how a hospital operates with limited resources, which was my goal. I also got a lot of hands on experience in OBGYN, which was fantastic. The nurses, Clinical Officers, its interns especially were great teachers. All of our support staff at our site were fantastic. They did everything possible to make us feel comfortable and safe. They also made sure we knew what activities were available for us in the area. I really loved the Swahili lessons and the extra curricular activities, especially our trips to Pentrose Primary School. I am sad to leave and ready to see more of Kenya and Africa.

This program is nothing like anything I have ever done before. Coming from a country and healthcare system in Australia highlights to me just how different it is around the world but also where there are similarities. Throughout these 4-weeks I have felt so safe and supported by the company and hope to come back again soon.

My name is Hugh Sullivan and I am a rising junior at the University of Tennessee in Knoxville. I spent a month at the Coast General Hospital in Mombasa, Kenya where I had an incredible experience. I spent four weeks in the dental department where I learned an immense amount as well as assisted in surgeries and routine patients. Elective Africa provided me with a great opportunity to learn from professionals as well as gain experience. I could never have had anywhere else. I highly recommend this program to anyone who is looking for an experience like this. And can’t say enough about the people who helped us while we were in Kenya.

My experience in Kenya was one I will never forget with this program. I was able to see and learn about medicine in a whole new way. I am truly blessed to have been able to explore and find out how amazing Kenya is. I could not have gotten so many exciting opportunities without the program coordinator, Carol. She allowed me so many opportunities that I will be forever grateful for. I would recommend this program to anyone interested in furthering their medical knowledge. The knowledge I gained through my days at Coast and with the doctors and medical professionals I worked with was truly unforgettable.

I was fortunate enough to spend two weeks in Mombasa, Kenya. During my time there, I completed a Pre-Medical Internship through Elective Africa. This experience was such a blessing that I will be forever grateful for it. I shadowed and observed doctors in several different departments such as Pediatrics, Accident and Emergency, OBGYN and Labor, Surgery, and more. We also took time to volunteer at a local orphanage with incredible children and taught young girls at a school nearby! I cannot even put in words how much this experience means to me and how eye-opening it was. Alongside learning and volunteering, we also explored and were able to see all of the beautiful features of Mombasa, Kenya. Being submerged into such a beautiful culture, learning Swahili, and making many new friends and memories is something I wouldn't trade for the world. Everyone I met said not to forget about Mombasa, and I don't think I ever could. It will always hold a special place in my heart!

This summer I had an incredible opportunity to travel to Mombasa, Kenya, and shadow doctors at Coast Provincial General Hospital. While there, I did rotations in Both OB/GYN and pediatrics. Consequently, my medical knowledge grew tremendously. Above all, however, I received exposure to international healthcare and gained a deeper understanding of how this nation approaches healthcare issues. It was my strong interest in global health that initially led me to pursue a pre-medical internship abroad. Since my time in Kenya, I realized that I wanted to work in this field as a physician. I am beyond thankful that I had a chance to visit this country and meet so many amazing people. I hope to return soon, perhaps as a medical student and even as a doctor since it was an experience I would love to have again. Thank you so much Elective Africa for such an unforgettable journey abroad.

Elective Africa completely exceeded my expectations from the moment I arrived. It was like a new family with staff, other students, and people of Mombasa. The hospital can feel like a bit of a culture shock at first but it is a great learning experience. I spent my weeks in the surgery department where I observed several operations including a heart surgery.

Elective Africa's PA internship experience allowed me to fully immerse myself in the healthcare system of different country and pick up skills to practice in my future clinical role. It reminded me that the principles of medicine have no barriers across countries but to provide people excellent care.

Kaitlyn Songer

Kennesaw State University, Kennesaw, US

I had the awesome opportunity to spend two weeks at Coast Provincial General Hospital as a pre-dental intern. I truly saw things in the dental departments here that I never would have back home in America (for example, a man came with facial injuries from an elephant attack). The doctors were amazing and more than willing to answer any and all of my questions while challenging me by quizzing me on dental topics and procedures. Aside from the hospital, I also had several opportunities to explore Kenya and its Coast. We also spent some time giving back to the community at places like local schools and orphanages. It was an overall unforgettable experience. I would definitely recommend Elective Africa to anyone going into the medical field.

Camilla Hanson

San Jose State University, San Jose, US

I learned and had so much fun during my internship with Elective Africa. Coast General Hospital in Mombasa is a phenomenal teaching hospital. There are a lot of students there to learn and the doctors are great teachers happy to answer questions and give you the best learning experience possible. While I rotated in internal medicine and surgery, I spent most of my time in the emergency department because it was fast-paced and there was always something to do or learn. I was also able to connect with other interns there and hang out with them outside the hospital. My program coordinator, Carol, was so supportive with anything I may need and planned fun activities. We went snorkeling, visited tourist sites, volunteered at a local orphanage, went to the beach, and ate at local restaurants. I contracted COVID during the end of my trip which caused me to stay in Mombasa longer than planned. But the staff were so helpful in making sure I had all the support I needed. Elective Africa’s program enables a lot of flexibility and freedom with your experience. You decide when and for how long you want to work at the hospital. If you wanted to change your rotations, you could. You have the freedom for the kinds of activities and trips you want to do. I particularly appreciated being educated about how to stay safe but could do and go wherever I wanted. No strict schedule or hovering. The residence I stayed at was also excellent. It was very safe with a gated entrance, 24/7 security, and in a very safe area in Mombasa. I always felt safe in the residence and in the immediate area. Overall, the experience was everything I could have asked for and more. I learned so much in a hospital that fostered an environment for learning, participated in many fun activities, felt safe while enjoying the freedom and flexibility with my experience, and had great support from the Elective Africa staff.

Coast General itself is a phenomenal teaching hospital. My hospital mentors were incredibly enthusiastic and willing to teach me. I was able to shadow in various wards and find things that intrigued me. I had an amazing experience at the Coast and I have learned so much. The Elective Africa staff in Mombasa were also great! They went above and beyond to make us comfortable. I will miss them so much. Overall, I highly recommend the program, the location is amazing, the apartments were large and I felt safe. I enjoyed my time in Mombasa and look forward to returning when I am a licensed P.A.

Emily Sarvis

Iowa State University, Iowa City, US

My experience with Elective Africa taught me both about culture and medical practice here in Kenya. The program allowed me to pursue many astounding educational opportunities within the hospital to help monitor and recover mothers after natural delivery and c-sections observe an esophageal atresia revision assist with an umbilical hernia repair and understand the process of triage in the casualty area. Once I graduate from my PA program I hope to return so I may build upon my education with further practice.

I am a 4th-year medical student from the United States going into surgery after graduation. I really want to get involved in global health in my career as a surgeon, so finding a surgical elective to do during medical school was important to me. When searching for an international surgical elective online I found Elective Africa and it provided exactly what I was looking for. I had a great experience during my time in Mombasa at Coast General Hospital. I was able to work closely with surgical residents, observe many operations join the resident on-call in Accidents & Emergency, and learn so much about healthcare in Kenya. I look forward to coming back to Kenya in the future and I am so thankful Elective Africa gave me the opportunity to learn from and form relationships with doctors here in Mombasa.

Allison Bailey

Ouachita Baptist University, Arkadelphia, US

Coming to learn and visit Mombasa with Elective Africa was one of the most spontaneous but best decisions I have ever made. Not only did I learn so much at the hospital, dive into incredible mentors willing to answer all my questions and include me in discussions but I learned so much about the people and the culture of Mombasa Kenya. I tried Swahili food, learned some Swahili, met many locals and Kenyan natives, learned the history of the area, and explored the beautiful city and beaches. My life has been completely changed for the better because of my experience here. With participants from so many different backgrounds, I have learned not only the perspectives of healthcare and life in general from locals but also from friends I spent every moment here with from all over the world. I will forever be grateful for the opportunity Elective Africa gave me here in Mombasa. I know I have been changed for the better and have grown in so many ways. I didn’t want to leave and go home, but I am glad to be bringing all I learned and loved in Kenya back to friends and family at home. Asante Sana for some of the greatest weeks of my life.

I really enjoyed my time in Kenya with Elective Africa. I met so many incredible people in the hospital and beyond. The entire Elective Africa staff was incredibly supportive and willing to lend a helping hand whenever and for whatever it may be. The staff at the hospital was also incredible. The doctors explained and showed a lot. I never felt uncomfortable asking a question and even had the pleasure of sharing y fair share of laughs along the way. Through this program, I was able to experience and immerse myself in the rich Kenyan culture while feeling safe, supported, and comfortable the whole time. I cherished my time here and can not be more thankful for the experience I had and the people I got to know. I surely will never forget this and have an immense appreciation for this place.

Mariamawit Abel

Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, US

This experience will be truly one that I will never forget. I enjoyed my time here in Mombasa Kenya getting to learn about the culture as well as the lovely people. I think this program really allowed me to understand how the healthcare system generally operates in Africa in terms of what is working and what is lacking. I was exposed to so many different cases from postnatal diagnosis to tropical diseases, different cancers, and many more. I was introduced to the most amazing medical staff; all so determined, knowledgeable, and inspirational.In addition, I got to share my experience with the lovely Elective Africa staff and some of the most lovely people who I can now call my friends. I was truly in awe throughout my whole stay by the kindness, love, and radiant energy of the people in Kenya, I hope I have a place in their hearts as they have a place in mine. I did not only gain medical knowledge from this experience but also personal growth from learning how to cope outside of my comfort zone. This program has met my expectation and beyond as I have learned a lot about people and the world around me. On top of this, I was able to make an impact in some way as well as make lifelong friendships, which I think is the most rewarding.

Overall my experience with Elective Africa was excellent. Throughout my stay, the staff was very friendly and accommodating. The residence was comfortable and the meals were good. Speaking with the other residents and learning about the pros and cons of certain departments allowed me to choose where I worked in the hospital with confidence. The experience in the hospital was eye-opening: the lack of resources at the Coast General relative to most hospitals in the U.S led to unique challenges requiring deliberate solutions. The doctors were able to point out differences between care at Coast General and hospitals in the U.S. when asked. In particular, Dr, Mariah in Internal Medicine focused on discrepancies between the two for my benefit, even while rounding with medical students from Kenya. Outside the hospital I thoroughly enjoyed Kenya. I went on a safari at Maasai Mara and the trip was one of the best experiences I have ever had. I had a great time exploring Mombasa with the other residents. Walking on the beach, snorkeling off the coast, and shopping at the mall. Visiting the school was a beneficial addition to the program; it was fun to interact with the children who exuded boundless joy, I am very satisfied with my trip to Mombasa through Elective Africa.

Elective Africa was a great program for me to gain exposure to the Kenyan health care system. It was important got me to understand the challenges and techniques that the country has. I feel these experiences will allow me to be a well-rounded provider who is better prepared to work with a diverse population of patients. I think all future providers should get this type of experience to give them a more global outlook on public health and how to help all people they encounter.

The 2-months I have spent in Kenya have been very impactful for me. I learned about how healthcare works in African countries, which I was inquisitive about when choosing this program. I shadowed in pediatrics, emergency, and surgery, which is where I ended up spending the last half of my program. As an aspiring surgeon, this was a quality experience for me and I got to see a lot of that. I may not have been able to see it in the US. Many of the doctors chosen for the program go out of their way to enhance your learning, Beyond the hospital, I had many memorable experiences and made many contacts and friendships that I hope will be sustained in the future, I highly recommend this program and I can't wait to come back to Kenya!

I had an amazing experience in Mombasa through Elective Africa. Spending the days at Coast General Hospital was so beneficial to my learning experience. I got to work with incredibly intelligent and resourceful providers that were always willing to take the time to teach and explain concepts further. Everyone at the hospital was so welcoming to us. It was the perfect place to see good medicine being practiced in a developing country. Outside of the hospital, Elective Africa gave me the opportunity to do so many activities including visiting local schools and orphanages as well as restaurants and beaches. It was so fun to explore the beautiful city of Mombasa. Between the hospital and all the outside activities. I never felt my time was being wasted. I am so thankful of Elective Africa gave me the opportunity to live and learn in Kenya. It was an unforgettable experience that gifted me with memories that will last for a lifetime.

Our time with Elective Africa has been absolutely incredible from the first day. It was the perfect balance between learning medicine, understanding healthcare systems, and an amazing cultural experience. Elective Africa staff med us feel right at home throughout the entire stay while also giving us the freedom to make the trip our own and meet our personal learning goals. It has been eye-opening and humbling to be amongst such a powerful culture and the difference between both medicine and daily life. All of the Elective Africa staff have provided their own personal stories and insights that helped us to truly see Kenyan culture. The doctors and nurses of Coast General Hospital have all been so welcoming to us as students and know the program by name making it easy to transition from department to department and see as much as we could. On top of it all, Carol had amazing activities lined up for us including school and orphanage visits, a wildlife park, and good eats. I would recommend EA to any students looking to gain a well-rounded homely and inclusive medical and cultural learning experience. We also commend the pre-departure stage which gave us tons of helpful information, tips, organization and always being receptive to questions.

I had an amazing time here in Kenya. I feel I have truly learned so much inside and outside the hospital. I really enjoyed learning about new cultures and broadening my horizons, I am very pleased with my experience and I would definitely recommend EA to other students who are looking for electives abroad!

As a future healthcare professional, I believe it is necessary to develop cultural competency skills that in most cases can only be developed by going out of your comfort zone, This is why I chose to come to Kenya to learn about the culture, the language, and the traditions. This experience has given me so much to reflect on. I have seen some very rare conditions at the hospital that I wouldn't have been able to see in the US, which was an incredible and eye-opening experience. The physician at the Coast General went out of their way to explain, answer questions and make sure we understood what we are learning. I also had a fantastic time exploring the city and learning about the day-to-day lives of the local community. Overall, this has been a remarkable experience that I have learned so much from and I would recommend it to anyone on the healthcare pathway.

My experience here in Mombasa at Coast Provincial General Hospital is something that I will always cherish. I got to experience medicine in a different light which has allowed me to grow in the right direction over these last few weeks. Throughout my time at the hospital, I got to observe different procedures in different departments in addition to simple observation, I also got the chance to gain some hands-on experience under supervision from different doctors and nurses who were all very friendly and eager to teach. I never felt y time at the hospital was wasted but instead found myself not wanting to leave because of the many interesting cases and warm learning environment. Apart from the time spent at the hospital, I also got the opportunity to explore the city of Mombasa, various beaches, and parks including a safari trip to the Tsavo National Park. Overall, the program was well organized and this was certainly a life-changing experience. Thank you to everyone from Elective Africa that made this experience enjoyable. Asante Sana!

The elective at Coast General Hospital has taught me far much than I expected. As long as I request the doctor here are willing to let me practice on almost everything, from examining patients to practical skills. It is a wonderful place that will transform you into a better person. The snorkeling experience was also wonderful and very exciting. I hope to learn from the doctors here in the future too.

My experience with Elective Africa in Mombasa has provided me with a precious and rewarding opportunity to only understand healthcare in a less-developed setting but also appreciate the wealth of cultures and humanities in Kenya. The clerical attachments with the departments of surgery and emergency medicine have allowed me to learn new medical knowledge and acquire new skills. Provided that one I proactive, there is a plethora of opportunities to learn new things, such as IV cannula insertion, setting up IV fluids, suturing, and much more. The doctors and nurses have been incredibly encouraging and supportive and I felt as if I was one of their medical students. My experience of attaching to Dr. Said in the surgical department of Coast General Teaching and Referral Hospital has been the most memorable. I would definitely recommend other participants to shadow him. Outside the hospital, there were also plenty of opportunities to explore Mombasa such as local tours to Fort Jesus and Old Town, and Haller Park excursions. The staff was extremely supportive and made my stay in Mombasa stress-free and enjoyable. Overall, this has been once in a lifetime experience. I would definitely recommend Elective Africa to all future participants.

I greatly enjoyed my experience with Elective Africa. The staff at the home were very kind and helpful. The staff at the hospital were very welcoming and knowledgeable. I learned so much about how medicine is practiced here and how it differs from the US. I was also able to meet and connect with other medical/premedical students from around the world. The four weeks I spent here will help me become a better provider in the US and have changed my outlook on medicine.

The experience was so amazing. I will never forget all of the fascinating medical cases I saw ranging from dermatitis to a total thyroidectomy. I learned so much in the hospital that I will take throughout my education and career. Outside the hospital was just as amazing. We went to beautiful restaurants, saw many animals at Haller Park and went to the beach. My favorite part of this trip was going to the local primary school and teaching the children about infectious diseases and how to stay healthy. It makes me happy to know I taught something to the kids and made them all smile. This has been the most eventful two weeks of my life and am so happy I decided to come here through Elective Africa

My Placement at the Coast Genral Hospital was a great experience in my medical training. Global health is a topic that I am very interested in and being in a hospital abroad provided great first hand experience. The doctors were helpful and wanted to teach. I wass a great addition to my training - Kaela Jrall

“I really enjoyed my time in Kenya with Elective Africa The Staff is incredibly kind and hard-working. Every morning they prepared food before we woke up and at night they played late to ensure were taken care of. I also loved Meeting and teaching the children at school. The teachers Were very kind and helpful and they gave me room to teach classes that I wanted. The Children are the best part of working at the School. They are Creative, Smart curious, and kind. It is a joy to teach them. I also think that Spending time in a local School is one of the best ways to learn about a country and its culture. Although I do not plan on becoming a teacher I enjoyed my experience teaching and I Learned a lot. The school was also wonderful for improving my Swahili skills because the students helped teach me. In addition, the Excursions were an incredible experience. The local excursions Included Shimba Hills, Diani, Mtwapa, Spice Market, and Haller Park. Carol was also Super helpful in receiving our input and preferences for excursions and worked out the logistics. Overall I had an incredible experience and am so thankful for the time I spent in Kenya.” Thank you!

Elective Africa's PA internship experience allowed me to fully immerse myself in the healthcare system of different country and pick up skills to practice in my future clinical role. It reminded me that the principles of medicine have no barriers across countries but to provide people excellent care.

Elective Africa offered me an immersive experience at Coast General Hospital and the opportunity to integrate myself into Kenyan culture. The Swahili classes were helpful in connecting with the local community and communicating with locals. Overall, I was able to gain confidence, compassion, and skills that I will carry with me throughout my PA career.

I have learned a lot on this trip and seen cases in the hospital I will probably never see again. Overall, the program opened my eyes to how hospitals run here when lacking the proper resources and how doctors make do with what they have.

I had a fantastic time abroad with Elective Africa. They were present every step of the way, from pre-departure planning to the entire stay. They coordinated our clinical experience, accommodations, transportation, and additional excursions in the area. My classmates and I enjoyed exploring the area and learning more about African culture and lifestyle with a visit to an orphanage, primary school, and a city tour. This was a unique experience that broadened my perspective on healthcare and patient care.

I loved it! My time in Kenya will always hold a special place in my heart. I learned so much from CGTRH's staff and enjoyed my accommodations and interactions with our house staff and program director. We were located extremely close to beautiful beaches and resorts. I was learning and having so much fun that sometimes I forgot I wasn't on vacation. I would definitely recommend this program and am so grateful to everyone who made it a success!

Elective Africa is an incredible program that goes out of their way to meet student needs. I am so grateful for all the housing and dining accommodations. I have no complaints. The hospital rotations were very flexible and I got to shadow what I was interested in. It's a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to see certain cases in emergency, dermatology, and surgery. The people at the hospital were usually very welcoming and happy to teach. I never felt uncomfortable asking questions.

This experience was a great experience where I was able to learn about global health and how medical systems work in different countries. From learning about surgeries to getting accustomed to triage in the hospital. I was able to gain such great exposure in the field. All the staff and hospital personnel were great and helpful, truly helping me get accustomed to the healthcare system in Mombasa, Kenya. The city and local experiences were also fantastic — from the city tour and learning about local life, to seeing and feeding animals at Haller Park.

I had an amazing experience at Jaramogi Oginga Odinga Teaching & Referral Hospital. Everyone was very kind and eager to teach. I was able to learn a lot about practicing medicine in a resource limited setting. I can't wait to share my experience with my colleagues in the United States.

I had a great time during the program and meeting new people. It allowed me to see first-hand medical procedures and the hospital's processes. I was able to go on many trips and see so many sights as well.

I thought the internship itself was very helpful in helping me gauge what specialty I want to go into in the future. I think Elective Africa and Coast General hospital have set up a good partnership that has helped me career-wise and hopefully many more students in the future.