VIA Blog

These blog entries are the views and opinions of the residents during and after their international experiences, and do not necessarily reflect the opinions or positions of VIA or VUMC.

Okwuchukwu Obi

Week 1 Lessons from the First week at Kijabe Hospital

Nick Clark

I am writing this as I lay reclined on a sofa, the same way I have spent many early evenings. The sounds of the Raffi Spotify playlist and my 15-month-old son pulling tupperware from the kitchen cabinets have been replaced with unfamiliar bird calls, crackling fire, and soft rain. Two weeks in Kijabe, Kenya have been illuminating, both in terms of how I view the practice of medicine at home and abroad, and also - more unexpectedly - how I view myself as an Anesthesiologist and a leader.  

Alex Zajac

Week 1 Jambo from Kijabe! Phil and I arrived here earlier this week and we are loving it! Our flight got delayed out of Detroit on Friday, so we had to rebook the following day. Otherwise, our travels went smoothly and we arrived in Nairobi Sunday night. We spent the night at the Amani Garden Inn, which was picturesque, and drove to Kijabe the following day.

Geoffrey Crandall

Week 1 Kenya is absolutely beautiful. I thought hard about how I wanted to start this, first impressions are important. I could have mentioned the grueling journey over fighting weather, mechanical issues and lost baggage. The defining feature of this adventure however, has been the beauty of this country. From the people to the natural environment and better-than-California weather, this is a beautiful place in the world and I feel very lucky to be here.