Hi everyone! I’ve compiled this internship report to summarise my experience as an Microbiology and Immunology intern in Morocco. I have learnt a tremendous amount from this internship, which will be essential throughout all aspects of my future occupation.
I recommend doing an internship because you can gain valuable hands-on experience and clarify your career goals. It also allows you to expand your professional network and connections by connecting with people both inside and outside your field, while enhancing the skills necessary for success.
Additionally, internships abroad offer cultural exposure, broaden your global networking, encourage personal growth, and challenge your adaptability. I truly enjoyed every moment of my experience!
Why I chose to do this internship abroad
My primary goal of the Human Biology & Med Lab internship in Morocco was to gain experience and build my resume in this industry. I partook in this internship with the intent to set myself apart in a competitive job market by building a personal brand that aligns with my values and goals.
I am enthusiastic to learn, believing that development and evolution in knowledge are how the growth of medicine and science can better the quality of life of human beings, and I am certain that with the opportunity for educational expansion, I can contribute to this in the future!
I also chose this internship experience to position myself to reflect on my long-term career goals by creating a strategy outlining study plans and ideal employment conditions. Additionally, I aimed to seek professional mentorship by identifying a role model within my field and scheduling time to discuss professional goals and objectives, which I can reassuringly say I have done.
Reflecting on my internship expectations
Throughout this international internship experience, I hoped to take as many notes as possible to learn and further develop the skills, techniques and deepen my theoretical knowledge needed to be a successful clinical scientist in the future.
I wanted to learn from experienced doctors and laboratory technicians and see firsthand the steps that contribute to the diagnosis of a patient. This was an amazing opportunity to gain new skills that I can use in the future.
Coming into this new “hands on” learning opportunity, I expected a hard-working, dedicated, and challenging environment - to not only replicate the atmosphere I would like to work in the future - but to also gain new and developed social and soft skills that can only be developed in demanding workload conditions.
I can say with confidence that this internship met my expectations, as evident by the skills and knowledge I gained. I received extensive hands-on experience in techniques, guided through correct practice and exposure to real clinical samples, and I had the opportunity to work alongside experienced professionals, which helped me develop further practical skills and procedure, quality control and interpretation of results.
My Human Biology & Med-Lab internship placement in Morocco
My internship was hosted by a laboratory, originally founded in 1990, which works to deliver reliable, secure diagnostic services and sample collection; while also prioritising standardised, high-quality results, and upholding rigorous biosafety standards. The lab provides a comprehensive range of medical laboratory services, including Biochemistry, Haematology, Bacteriology-virology, Immunology, and Parasitology. They also manage Hormonology, Hemostasis, Immunohematology, tumor markers, Allergology, Autoimmunity, Serology, and Microbiology.
Diving into my internship role
At the lab, I participated in a range of practical responsibilities such as culture and analysis, fertility testing for sperm and urethral smears, identification, and interpretation of results. This involved streaking in a wide variety of methods (majoring in seeding and quadrant streaking), macroscopic examination, microscopic examination, identification via staining and culture, preparation of slides and samples, Biochemical testing and more!
I also participated in research by observation, inquisition and online search. As Microbiologists we aim to identify and classify microbes that cause disease to prevent and treat infection, using diagnostic methods of detection. As immunologists we aim to investigate, identify indicators for disorders, infections and diseases, to develop accurate treatment methodology. I regard this as a highly significant role and I am always eager to contribute to it!
Everything I gained from this internship experience
I gained in-depth knowledge of the principles behind the analysis done in the Lab. I believe that my internship goals aligned closely with the company’s ambitions of delivering accurate, validated analyses and results, and I was committed to achieving these objectives.
Technical Skills I achieved:
- Use of lab equipment: centrifuges, incubators, biosafety cabinets, and immunoassays, etc.
- Data recording and analysis.
- Enhanced scientific communication skills through reporting results or discussing findings with staff.
- Bacterial identification.
- Producing conclusions based on collaborative interpretation and findings.
- Antibiotic susceptibility testing.
- Developed troubleshooting skills for common technical or procedural problems in assays and analysis.
- Microbiological culture techniques.
- Quality control.
- Validation of data recordings and results to expected result, based on published database.
- Biochemical testing.
Soft Skills I achieved:
- Attention to detail: critical in lab work to avoid errors and ensure accurate results.
- Critical thinking and problem-solving: Interpreting results and troubleshooting unexpected outcomes.
- Communication: explaining findings clearly to colleagues, writing reports and observations.
- Teamwork: collaborating effectively with colleagues from different specialties and backgrounds.
- Time management: balancing multiple tasks and prioritising urgent tests in a heavy workload environment.
- Adaptability: adjusting to new/better protocols, equipment, and workloads.
- Patience and perseverance: handling repetitive tasks.
- Ethical awareness: understanding the importance of confidentiality in handling patient samples and data.
- Cultural competence: working respectfully in a multicultural environment with awareness of diverse perspectives.
- Stress management: maintaining composure and accuracy under time pressure or heavy workloads.
These skills will help shape my career in the future especially in how I have developed my adaptability as this will make it easier to learn new technologies, methods, and protocols.
Building resilience and problem-solving skills aids in preparation in facing complex diagnostic challenges confidently throughout my career.
Enhancing communication abilities enables effective collaboration with diverse healthcare teams and patients.
Attention to detail and observation, ensures accurate lab results, which are crucial for patient care and research.
Having a proactive learning mindset encourages continuous professional development, which is vital in an ever-changing and advancing field.
Finally, developing cultural awareness, competence and teamwork skills enhances working in an environment with multiculturality and varied practices. This is common in clinical and research settings, deriving the best of techniques from different cultures for the advancement in medicine.
My internship challenges (and how I overcame them)
Due to the language barrier at the beginning, I struggled to communicate what I did know and what I didn’t. Thanks to the patience of the staff, I was able to break through this barrier and garner invaluable insights, passively drawing knowledge from those around me who were eager to teach me and demonstrate new techniques. I resolved not to give up and my persistence substantially benefitted me, as evident in my practical experience, competence and confidence since the beginning of the internship.
If I was to repeat this experience, I would be more confident in knowledge seeking and learning new analyses and techniques from the very beginning. Now I realise how much access I had to an amazing team that constantly encouraged the pursuit of knowledge and understanding, both in the principles and practical applications of their specialties. (I did, however, pay close attention to the “procedure folder” in the early days of the internship, which provided me with a valuable foundation for my knowledge!)
Overall, my main takeaway are:
- The gained practical skills in microbial culture, staining, biochemical testing, and immunoassays, reinforcing knowledge with real-world applications.
- Learning to accurately perform and interpret different laboratory tests essential for identifying pathogens and guiding treatment
- Experiencing molecular diagnostics like PCR-based assays and developing my understanding of modern clinical science.
- Practiced the importance of quality control, biosafety, and standardised protocols for reliable and accurate results.
I would like to express my sincere gratitude to Dr Slimani for the opportunity to undertake this internship. My special thanks also extends to my Internship Supervisor and the entire team for their guidance, support, and encouragement.
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