How a Medical Internship in Kenya Prepared Me for Life as a Doctor | Go-Elective

Where Are They Now?

Dr. Hannah Lewis, a recent graduate from the University of Cardiff, spent four weeks in Mombasa, Kenya, between her intercalated degree and final year of medical school. We spoke with her about what drew her to medicine, how her internship abroad shaped her perspective, and how those lessons now help her in her Foundation Year 1 role.

Finding her path into medicine

Hannah admits her journey began early.

“I’ve always loved science, but I also grew up involved in theatre and performance. Medicine was the one field that brought those two worlds together. The technical and the human. It wasn’t just about the science, but about listening, communicating, and being present for people.”

After applying broadly, she chose to study in Cardiff for both the course and the support of being closer to family.

Balancing study with life outside the ward

University wasn’t without its challenges, but Hannah found ways to maintain balance.

“Keeping up with dance and music helped me cope with stress. It taught me how to manage my time and still feel like myself outside of medicine.”

That balance also opened new connections. It was a fellow student in one of her societies who first told her about clinical placements abroad.

Why Kenya?

When it came time to plan her elective, Hannah wanted to go beyond the familiar.

“Lots of my classmates were going to Australia or Europe. I wanted something different. Something that would challenge me. Kenya stood out because I’d never had the chance to see healthcare delivered in a low-resource setting.”

She spent six weeks at Coast General Teaching and Referral Hospital in Mombasa, rotating through anaesthetics, paediatrics, and obstetrics.

First impressions

Hannah recalls the first day vividly.

“From the outside, the hospital looked modern. But inside, it was very different. Crowded wards, handwritten records, and patients sharing beds. It was a shock at first, but the staff were incredibly welcoming and proud of what they had achieved with limited resources.”

She quickly learned that resourcefulness defined care in this setting.

“I observed a craniotomy on a child where the anaesthetist manually squeezed the bag for hours because there was no ventilator. The resilience and skill of the team was humbling.”

Memorable cases

Her time in obstetrics left the biggest mark.

“One mother delivered a stillborn baby due to a condition that would have been diagnosed much earlier in the UK. It was heartbreaking, but it showed me the reality of limited antenatal care. It also helped me understand how differently cultures view loss and resilience.”

Life outside the hospital

Living in the student house with peers from around the world was another highlight.

“We bonded quickly. We’d spend the mornings in placement, and in the evenings we’d explore the markets or share meals. On weekends, we went on safari and even visited Zanzibar. Those friendships and experiences made it a truly global experience.”

How it shaped her career

Now in her FY1 year in Swansea, Hannah still draws on her time in Kenya.

“When I face stressful moments on the ward, I remind myself that if I could adapt in Mombasa, I can adapt here too. It gave me confidence and perspective.”

She also has a renewed appreciation for the NHS.

“It’s easy to take our system for granted until you see healthcare delivered with far fewer resources. That perspective helps me when patients raise frustrations. I know just how fortunate we are.”

Advice for future students

Her encouragement to others is simple:

“If you’re nervous, that’s exactly why you should go. I doubted myself, but pushing through that fear gave me one of the most inspiring experiences of my life.”

At Go-Elective, we help students like Hannah step out of their comfort zones and gain guided hands-on experience in real hospital settings across Kenya and Tanzania. Our programs combine structured clinical learning with cultural immersion, giving you the skills and confidence to thrive as a future healthcare professional.

Learn more about medical electives abroad and start planning your journey today.

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Recent Articles , Pre-health, Medical Electives,

Author: Go-Elective Abroad

Date Published: Dec 15, 2025