Welcome Back from Ghana, MLS Students!
The Medical Laboratory Science Program, in partnership with the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST), recently had its latest group of students return from their study abroad clinical rotation at the Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital (KATH) in Kumasi, Ghana.
Welcome back Alexia, Eli, Collin, and Eliza! We heard from some of the students, who returned at the end of August, about their time in Ghana — here's a bit of what they had to say:
"It was a really cool experience. Everyone's really knowledgable," Eli shared. "You learn a lot, and not just in the lab. Everyone we interacted with was super proud of their culture." Eli described the Ghana rotation as an outstanding opportunity to "expand your horizons" and gain new perspective on improving health care in developing countries.
"The people there are just the best," Eliza said, describing the rotation in Ghana as a "super enriching experience" — one that provided her with the opportunity to "make connections with people who know Ghana and its needs." Eliza shared that she and her classmates "made a lot of friends outside of the hospital who taught us about their culture, language, and history."
"Going to Ghana was hands down the greatest experience of my life," Alexia shared. "Getting to spend two weeks in different Ghanaian medical laboratories was an irreplaceable opportunity. The Ghanaian scientists and medical staff are so intelligent, and you can really see that in how they implement different procedures and work arounds to combat not having enough funding. It forces you to stay sharp and knowledgeable because you aren’t able to rely on automation or fancy tools. My time outside the lab was just as memorable as my time inside the lab. The Ghanian people are the most welcoming, kind, faithful, graceful people I have ever met. Going to Ghana has given me a deeper understanding of medical laboratory sciences, and additionally, the world."
Photos courtesy of Eliza Richards
