Dear World Unite!
When I started looking for an organizations to arrange my hospital internship, I was really worried that my wheelchair would be considered a criterion not to let me travel. So, it was super great that this was never a problem for you.
The planning before departure (especially with Norina) went without any problems, and I felt super comfortable with everything from the beginning.
I thought it was really cool that the attitude was more like "We'll find a solution" and "We can handle this," instead of immediately putting a damper on things for me.
On-site, it actually went even better than expected because, on the one hand, I managed the way from the apartment to Mnazi Mmoja without any problems with the wheelchair.
At the hospital, whether by staff or patients, there was never any rude comment. Of course, you have to expect to be looked at strangely wearing a doctor's coat while sitting in a wheelchair, but that happens in Germany too. I was treated just like any the other medical students and I learned a lot. The fact that I was in a wheelchair didn't bother anyone. I was mainly assigned to the pediatric intensive care unit and the emergency room, and the wheelchair was never an issue. Everyone was very accommodating and made sure I was at the front in crowds so I could see better, or they pushed some beds further away from the wall so I could fit behind it.
My main contacts on-site were Abdi and Ali, later also Gabriel, and everyone did their absolute best to ensure that I could join everything and not miss anything. There were never any strange comments; I was treated like everyone else, and there is really nothing negative I could say. While joining some excursions, I was dependent on help at the beach or on extremely rocky or gravel paths, but with some help, everything worked out. Ali even offered me a piggyback ride on the way back from the beach, and the other participants were really helpful, too. Before travelling, I didn't expect to be able to participate in any excursions.
And the restaurant where most volunteers and interns have lunch even has a ramp at the entrance, so joining the others was not a problem at all.
The only thing you would need to be aware of beforehand is that in historic Stone Town there is a small step in front of almost all house entrances that you have to go over, and there is a staircase in front of almost all shops. When I wanted to buy from shops, the owners usually came out briefly, and I told them what I needed at the door and paid there. At the entrance of the building and again right in front of the apartment door downstairs, it is necessary to lift the wheelchair briefly over the small steps, which is possible.
If I get the chance to do an internship abroad again, I would be very happy to do it again with you.
Thanks again!
My main contacts on-site were Abdi and Ali, later also Gabriel, and everyone did their absolute best to ensure that I could join everything and not miss anything. There were never any strange comments; I was treated like everyone else, and there is really nothing negative I could say. While joining some excursions, I was dependent on help at the beach or on extremely rocky or gravel paths, but with some help, everything worked out. Ali even offered me a piggyback ride on the way back from the beach, and the other participants were really helpful, too. Before travelling, I didn't expect to be able to participate in any excursions.
If I get the chance to do an internship abroad again, I would be very happy to do it again with you.
Thanks again!
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