Nursing Internship in Africa Changed My Perspective on Healthcare

Where Are They Now?

Back in 2019, Sophie traveled to Kenya, for her nursing elective with Go Elective. Now a qualified emergency nurse in the UK, she says her overseas placement gave her a new appreciation for the NHS and helped shape the nurse she is today.

Why Nursing?

“I started out as a care assistant and worked in that role for about five years. I enjoyed it far more than I expected, and it felt natural to continue into nursing. If you had told me ten years ago I’d be a qualified nurse, I would have laughed. But once I realized how much I valued giving people dignity and independence, nursing felt like the right calling. I haven’t looked back since.”

Why Go-Elective?

When Sophie was researching nursing programs, she looked for universities that encouraged international placements.

“I wasn’t looking for placements in countries with healthcare systems similar to ours. I wanted to experience a low-resource setting that would challenge me and expose me to global health realities. I’ve always been interested in humanitarian work, so I thought this would be an important first step.”

First Impressions of Mombasa

“When we landed in Kenya, the Go-Elective team was waiting at the airport. That was a huge relief. The house was welcoming, and within a day we’d already connected with other students in the program. Being surrounded by such a supportive team gave us the confidence to dive into our placements.”

Clinical Placement: The Emergency Department

Sophie began in paediatrics then asked to transfer into the emergency department.

“Emergency felt like the right place for me. It was chaotic, packed with patients and families, and sometimes one bed would hold two or three people. The biggest difference I noticed was how care was tied directly to whether families could pay. Beds weren’t given until payment was made, which was overwhelming to witness. Families often had to take on roles we’d expect trained staff to handle”

Lessons Learned

Sophie says her time in Mombasa shaped her nursing values.

“Before the internship, I didn’t realize how much of an advocate I could be for patients. In Kenya, patient dignity wasn’t always a priority. Not because staff didn’t care, but because resources forced them to focus elsewhere. Coming back to the NHS, I carried that lesson with me. Now, ensuring my patients have dignity and independence is second nature. It’s at the heart of my practice.”

Beyond the Hospital

Weekends in Kenya offered a chance to recharge.

“We went on a safari in Maasai Mara and explored Mombasa’s Old Town and coastal markets. Having that balance, challenging clinical days during the week, then adventure and culture on the weekends, made the experience even more rewarding. Kenya’s beauty and hospitality will stay with me forever.”

Career Today

Sophie is now a qualified emergency nurse and continues to explore ways to engage in humanitarian work.

“I’d love to join organizations that provide medical care in low-resource settings. It’s not easy to get into global health work, but my time in Mombasa convinced me it’s worth pursuing. The experience gave me resilience and a perspective I couldn’t have gained at home.”

Advice for Future Students

“My advice? Don’t overthink it. Just go. The friendships I made, the lessons I learned, and the perspective I gained have stayed with me long after the placement ended. It’s an opportunity you may never get again, and it will make you a stronger, more compassionate nurse.”

Ready to take your internship or global health experience abroad ? Inquire for our programs in East Africa to see how you can broaden your skills and perspective.

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Recent Articles , Pre-health, Nursing Internships,

Author: Go-Elective Abroad

Date Published: Sep 20, 2025