Best healthcare exposure I have ever encountered! Past Review

By (Colorado State University) - abroad from 05/20/2016 to 06/11/2016 with

African Impact: Healthcare And Community Development in Zambia

What did you gain/learn from your experience abroad? Was it worthwhile?
Upon arriving in Zambia, I was immediately thrusted into the best exposure and training in the medical field I had ever encountered as an American pre-medical student. I never expected to have opportunities to weigh babies, assist nurses with taking vitals and preparing vaccines, clean wounds from HIV fungal infections and leprosy, and even shadow doctors in a different country on the other side of the globe. If you are searching for a way to gain exposure to healthcare, see clinical cases in real life, and find the confidence within that you can succeed as a doctor, a nurse, a physical therapist, etc., this program is for you!

Personal Information

How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? 2 weeks - 1 month

Review Your Program

* Overall educational experience

Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc.

I learned more than I ever expected in terms of hands on medical care. It completely opened my eyes to rural medicine in developing nations!

* Host Country Program Administration

On-site administration of your program

The AI staff in Zambia is so incredible! Totally invested in your personal growth and joy in the program.

* Housing:

How satisfied were you with your living arrangements?

Safe, clean, and with a great staff that cooks amazing food and helps you feel at home during your time in Zambia!

* Food:

Perfect blend of native and Western meals. I was always well fed and never got sick.

* Social & Cultural Integration:

How integrated did you feel with the local culture?

* Health Care:

How well were health issues addressed during the program?

* Safety:

If you could do it all over again would you choose the same program? Yes

Finances

* Money: How easily were you able to live on a student's budget?

(1 = not very easy/$200+ on food & personal expenses/week, 2.5 = $100/week, 5 = very easily/minimal cost)

Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? Food was included in program cost.

Language

* Did your program have a foreign language component? No

Other Program Information

* Where did you live?

Select all that apply

  • Hostel
* Who did you live with?

Select all that apply

  • Americans
  • International Students
* Who did you take classes with?

Select all that apply

  • Other
About how many local friends did you make that you will likely keep in touch with?

A Look Back

* What did you like most about the program?
  • The local staff in Zambia
  • Mix of work and fun
  • Great eye opener to Africa
* What could be improved?
  • More one-on-one time in a hospital, outside of clinics
* What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? I wish I knew that I would have been able to pack even less. I packed very lightly for the trip, knowing I would be wearing mostly scrubs, but I was able to do laundry very frequently and could have carried just a carry-on.

Reasons For Studying Abroad

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The Avid Adventurer
The wardrobe you packed was better suited for a semester of camping than club hopping. Outdoorsy, you might forgo a crazy night out for an early all-day adventure. You'd rather take in the rich culture of an old town than the metropolis of a modern city, but for you getting off the grid is ideal.