Summer internship abroad brings new life to Clemson nursing student’s career plans

A summer internship at two hospitals in east Africa helped Clemson nursing student Rachel Girvin recognize the value of taking it slowly, and to be more intentional, when caring for patients in emergency situations – and inspired a new direction for her career.    

Arusha, Tanzania, is a larger city close to the Kenya border, with a population of 535,000 people. Known as the gateway to some of the region’s most popular tourist destinations, it is a bustling community of crowded streets and family-run markets. 

Girvin began her internship at Ngarenaro Hospital, a center for natural births where she had the opportunity to assist doctors and nurses with multiple deliveries.

She then finished her internship at Selian Lutheran Hospital, where she rotated between the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) and emergency and surgical units to learn about different areas of care.  

At both sites, she learned how to provide medical care with limited supplies, knowledge that can help her be resourceful in emergencies without nearby medical support. She also learned the importance and value of taking her time, which changed her approach to patient care.  

“The country is very ‘pole pole,’ which means slow,” Girvin recalled. “While we tend to view a slower pace as an inconvenience in America, in my experience, members of Tanzanian society were more intentional with one another.”  

Girvin’s experience was a continent away from her original plans. Initially, she had arranged to spend a summer abroad helping at a clinic in Guatemala. However, the trip was canceled, and she could not find an option that worked with her personal and school schedules.  

After some searching, she landed the Tanzania internship, where she could explore different types of medical care available in the city. 

As an Honors student, Girvin could access travel grant funding that paid for flights, accommodations and other expenses. 

The Honors Educational Enrichment Travel Grant made this internship possible for me. The grant money allowed me to feel comfortable pursuing a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity instead of feeling the need to stay in the U.S. and work over the summer.

nursing student rachel girvin

Eric Pernotto, director of experiential learning and the Honors Residential College, said that summer internships abroad like Girvin’s are part of the college’s – and University’s – focus on designing and encouraging experiential learning opportunities that give students impactful, real-world experiences. 

“Through experiential learning, students engage in hands-on work aligned with their educational pursuits and reflect on the impact these experiences have on themselves and others,” said Pernotto. “Students get an in-depth opportunity to practice professionalism and learn about a culture that both elevates the undergraduate experience and prepares them for career success.” 

Pernotto’s comments were echoed by Leslie Ravan, director of undergraduate programs and principal lecturer in the School of Nursing. She added that study abroad internships can help students better understand global health care issues that may not affect their own communities. 

As nurses we operate in a world of ‘helping,’ which can vary dramatically depending on the country you practice in and the structure of the health care system. Stepping away from health care as we know it to learn about others gives students a chance to build skills that will serve them well no matter where they practice. I am confident the time Rachel spent in Tanzania will influence her for the entirety of her career and benefit her future patients.

LESLIE RAVAN, DIRECTOR OF UNDERGRADUATE PROGRAMS AND PRINCIPAL LECTURER, CLEMSON UNIVERSITY SCHOOL OF NURSING

The experience has given Girvin a new direction for her studies. Although she was always interested in women’s health, she was not sure where to focus her nurse training. She is now exploring nurse-midwifery as a career option after she gains some general nursing experience in an emergency department. She also plans to continue to go on medical missions.   

Mary Kaeppler, Girvin’s former nursing clinical instructor, was impressed by Girvin’s intelligence and motivation, which are foundational to success in nursing.  

“Rachel seeks out opportunities to learn, learns new information and skills quickly and takes the initiative to practice and apply what she learns independently,” said Kaeppler. “Not only does she have a strong desire to learn and an exceptional work ethic, but she is kind, compassionate and focused on building meaningful relationships with patients, fellow students and instructors.”