Hans Bode

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Starting with GRIP: Power Up Gambia, my first-ever summer internship was also my first time working in Africa. What made this experience unique was learning how to navigate a completely new culture while carrying out my first professional role. I was adapting to new work expectations, living in a rural setting, and often working independently, which pushed me to take initiative and create my own projects. This combination of personal and professional growth made the experience especially memorable.

My Penn Global Seminar in Cairo was unique for a different reason, it was the first time I conducted research abroad. For our writing seminar, I focused on refugees, which shaped how I engaged with the trip. I was constantly looking for ways to gather information, from visiting relevant sites to asking our tour guide questions that connected directly to my topic. Doing research in real time, in the place I was writing about, made the work feel more meaningful and immediate.

Both experiences taught me how to immerse myself in new environments, adapt quickly, and connect my academic interests to the world around me. I think these are the kinds of experiences other students should hear about when considering going abroad.

My Experience Abroad

It was through my experience in The Gambia that I realized I truly wanted to become a doctor. I have doctors in my family and had always considered the idea, but it was never fully solidified. When I was accepted into GRIP: Power Up Gambia, I hoped it might help me decide whether this was the path I wanted to pursue.

From my first day, I discovered how much I enjoyed being in a hospital setting and how strongly I was drawn to medicine. The pediatricians who took me under their wing taught me how they diagnose diseases ranging from malaria to tuberculosis to HIV, and walked me through various procedures. This was a stark contrast from the stereotype of unapproachable, “snobby” doctors I had worried when I imagined the world of medicine.

Some moments stand out vividly, passing by the surgical ward and being invited to witness a C-section, or contributing meaningfully to the development of the HIV clinic. These experiences showed me that medicine is about more than science; it is about trust, compassion, and human connection.

I left The Gambia certain that I had no interest in a career in finance. What I love is working directly with people, making them feel safe, and helping them become healthy. That clarity has shaped my academic path at Penn, guiding my coursework in the sciences and reaffirming my goal of becoming a physician.