Neonatal Care & Children’s Health Internships in Arusha provide an ideal opportunity to gain practical experience and insight into intensive and specialist care for newborns and young children. Read on to learn how Rianna’s passion for helping mothers and children in need pushed her to step outside her comfort zone, gain hands-on practical skills and build long lasting intercultural relationships.
Hi Rianna! What was it like interning in a new environment and culture?
Everyone I met was incredibly supportive of each other’s background. It was fascinating to meet people from various parts of Europe, Australia, and America, each bringing their unique cultural perspectives. This diversity created a melting pot of experiences and stories, making every interaction enriching and enlightening. Many of the staff at my placement could speak English and were eager to learn more about my culture. The efforts made by staff to communicate in English and learn about my background highlighted a genuine commitment to fostering multicultural understanding. This mutual curiosity and respect created a nurturing environment where I felt valued and understood. I felt safe and like part of a family.
Can you tell us more about your specific internship role?
As an intern, I was taught how to take newborn vitals, which involved weighing them, taking their temperatures, performing suctioning and taking their respiratory rate, CPAP, and heart rates. I also performed tasks such as capillary and random blood glucose tests. I witnessed a C- section and even got to scrub in for the first time. Despite the pressure, the teamwork displayed by the healthcare staff was nothing short of inspiring. The doctors were working with precision and care and the baby was born with much relief and happiness. It was amazing to be treated as part of the team.
How did this internship contribute to your career goals?
My medical internship in Tanzania reaffirmed my passion for neonatal, labor and delivery nursing. The opportunity to make a difference to the lives of mothers and newborns, even in the face of adversity, was a privilege that I will hold dear. I can’t wait to perform certain tasks on my own with confidence going forward. It has been very interesting learning more about conditions newborns often face including jaundice, sepsis, and heart respiratory issues. Everything I have learnt while in Tanzania will be used in obtaining my future dream job in the field. The knowledge I have gained has made me feel a lot more confident.
Tell us about some of your favorite memories.
One of my most cherished memories was assisting with the birth of a child. That experience was a turning point for me personally and professionally. To witness the miracle of birth with my own eyes gave meaning to why I want to support mothers going forward. The experience through Intern HQ has not only entrenched my resolve, but also given me the practical skills and emotional fortitude to actually make a difference. I am determined to make a difference to mothers and babies, elevating methods of care and attention to achieve the best health results for themselves and their babies.
What impact has your internship had on you as a person?
After completing my internship, I noticed some complete turnarounds in the way I look at life. It made me cherish life more and also helped mature me into the woman I am. As I’m reflecting, I’ve become more outgoing and optimistic. I also feel closer to my family, as the Tanzanian culture is strongly oriented towards family, and even friends are considered to be family. There is that sense of community, where everyone looks out for one another. This internship has shaped not only my professional working habits, but has also instilled the close family ties and community bonds in me.
What advice would you give future interns for this program?
I would advise future interns to keep a journal and just be yourself. Journaling helped me keep track of what I’d been learning and the tasks, events and occurrences of each day. It also allowed me to speak freely, taking some time to myself to sort through my feelings and experiences. Also the key to making long lasting and real friendships is being your authentic self. Never pretend to be someone you’re not, you will build and foster greater relationships quicker by being who you are.
What’s next for you having completed your medical internship abroad?
To continue progressing both personally and professionally, I plan to commit myself to increasing my knowledge in neonatal care by studying deeper subjects. I also plan to find help through mentorship programs and also more internship programs. These will be very vital, simply because it creates support, insight, and a platform that means much in professional development. I look to create a robust neonatal care future, based on the marriage of continued education, mentorship and hands-on experience, so that I can excel not only in the field but also do something meaningful for the well-being of the infants and their families.
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