Cassidy WelshParticipated in 2018Intern Abroad | Kenya
Cassidy Welsh is from Newfoundland, Canada. She is currently in her last year of completing her Bachelor of Science (Honours) in Biology at Memorial University of Newfoundland. In June 2018, she traveled to Kenya with International Medical Aid to complete a pre-dental internship.
What inspired you to travel abroad?
I love to travel, so to be honest, that was my original inspiration. I was looking to get away for the summer but wanted to gain meaningful experience. I finally came across the idea of volunteering abroad and (even better) volunteering within my future field of interest. It was a win-win for me.
Why did you choose International Medical Aid?
I did A LOT of research on different programs. There are not many pre-dental programs, where you do not need credentials to volunteer (i.e., dental student, practicing dentist, or dental hygienist). I was mainly concerned about safety but wanted to be submerged into an unfamiliar culture. I was leaning towards somewhere in Africa. So, when I came across International Medical Aid it was a perfect fit. I read a lot of their reviews, which were all great, and filled out a pre-dental application.
What was your favorite part about Mombasa, Kenya?
Mombasa was such a great city to be hosted in. It had beautiful beaches that we got to visit, local cafes, markets, restaurants, and so much more. My favourite thing had to be the people of Mombasa, or Kenya for that matter. Everywhere we went everyone was happy to show us around, and very friendly.
What made your experience abroad extraordinary?
The staff at IMA was the most extraordinary part of the trip. They never failed to go above and beyond for every volunteer. I always felt safe and well taken care of. The activities that were planned were always informative and fun. The optional activities that were offered, such as the safari to Maasai Mara, was one of the most memorable parts of my trip. International Medical Aid could not do enough for their volunteers and had everything planned for us.
How did the local staff support you throughout your program?
The local staff were amazing, as previously mentioned. The program mentors were helpful from the moment that I was accepted to the program to the moment I returned home. The chef, the housekeeper, the drivers, were all exceptional. I cannot say enough good things about IMA's staff.
What's one thing you wish you would have done differently during your time abroad?
I wish I would have taken more advantage of the extra activities we were able to participate in. My biggest regret is not getting to skydive over Diani Beach, but that can be saved for my next visit!
Describe what a typical day in your life abroad looked like.
We would wake up, get ready and head to breakfast before getting in the van to go to the hospital. All of the volunteers would split up and enjoy their specific hospital rotation for the day. We would all meet back up around lunchtime and head back to the house for lunch. After lunch was typically free time if no other activities were planned. Other activities we participated in were hygiene clinics, medical clinics, city tours, etc. During free time, we would often head to the beach or a local cafe. We ate dinner and usually were pretty tired during the nights.
What did you enjoy doing in your free time abroad?
The beaches were so nice to be able to experience. After a long day at the hospital, coming home and booking on a bathing suit and heading to the beach was so great.
What type of accommodation did you have? What did you like best about it?
We had a shared house. The accommodation was great, the house was clean, and we all had plenty of space/privacy. Most people shared a room with two or three other people, with their own bathroom/room. We could not have asked for any better.
What is one thing every future participant should know about International Medical Aid before their program begins?
The hospital doesn't completely consume your time while you are there. You get a lot of free time and time for other scheduled activity. While you are only in the hospital for a couple hours each morning, try to make the most out of everything you see. The language barrier is kind of intimidating at first, but ask questions—most of the doctors/nurses want to help you learn!
Would you recommend International Medical Aid to others? Why?
Absolutely. I highly recommend IMA to anyone. To just experience the culture and setting of Kenya is enough. But, to be able to experience a completely different healthcare system was a privilege. Not many people can say they had these experiences in life and I am forever grateful that I had the chance. Plus the community outreach done by IMA is amazing. We conducted two medical clinics and several hygiene clinics to local schools and communities while I was there for one short month. IMA does so much good for the city of Mombasa. I highly recommend them to anyone interested in the wide variety of fields they offer internships in.
What do you feel the biggest benefit of traveling abroad is?
I think the biggest benefit to me was just being submerged within a completely different culture. The food, the people, the houses, the bugs, the communities, everything. I got to see the world from a completely different perspective than my past travels in Canada, USA, or Europe. It has opened my eyes to different cultures and experiences we all face day-to-day.
Now that you're home, how has your time abroad impacted your life?
As previously mentioned, my travels abroad have opened my eyes to how different our countries are, which is not necessarily a bad thing. Many people in Kenya said they would never want to live in 'America'. I loved seeing how different everything was from what I was used to. It has given me an appreciation for what I have but made me realize that many of these people wouldn't change what they have for the world. It is their culture and their way of life. We are two very different worlds and I loved exploring their world.
What does meaningful travel mean to you?
I think meaningful travel is a very broad term. I think that most travel is meaningful in different ways. Going to visit a family member is meaningful travel. Or going to visit home is meaningful travel. This type of travel where you are subjecting yourself to a completely new environment and culture is also very meaningful travel. I don't think meaningful necessarily means having to volunteer and help out a community. I think it is so much more than that. If you leave a trip and you feel like you learned something and feel fulfilled, that is meaningful travel. My trip to Kenya with IMA was definitely meaningful travel. I wanted to gain experience within the field of dentistry— I got that, and so much more.
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