Interning abroad enhances Baker's knowledge, perspectives in preparation for health care career

A Northwest Missouri State University student recently traveled to a place she had never been, pushing herself outside her comfort zone while gaining valuable experience in preparation for her medical school aspirations.

Avery Baker, a senior applied health science major with a sports medicine emphasis, spent four weeks this summer participating in an internship in Cape Town, South Africa.

The experience, Baker said, gave her new perspectives on working as a caregiver to others, and she gained a renewed appreciation for the lifestyle she enjoys within the securities of the United States.

“Just being in a new culture, I think, is always hard work, but it’s good for you,” Baker said. “I have a new perspective on things to be grateful for.”

Desiring a career in public health with a long-term goal of attending medical school, Baker wanted to study abroad while practicing the medical knowledge she’s gained so far. Additionally, although she has traveled frequently with her family, she wanted to complete her internship in a place she had not visited previously.

She landed a spot with VACorps, which facilitates internship programs in Africa, and joined a cohort of students from throughout the world to participate in a range of internships connected to their desired fields, from law to sustainability.

“They have a public health system, and I wanted to see how that compared to our very privatized health care system,” Baker said of her interest in studying in Africa.

After acclimating to the environment there, Baker was placed in a series of clinics, starting with a maternal and obstetrics unit in a lower socioeconomic neighborhood. Quickly, she witnessed not just the health struggles of residents but societal obstacles, too, as appointments were scheduled by the day but without specific times, and records were kept on paper.

“You have to get there at like 7 a.m., and you just sit and wait until whenever they’re ready to see you,” Baker said.

She worked in a maternal ward that lacked privacy and other comforts available to birthing mothers in the United States. She also spent time in a clinic’s prenatal care unit, where she worked alongside nurses to help educate mothers-to-be and took notice of some nurses showing a lack of empathy to patients, particularly to pregnant teenagers.

“I do think that’s something that can happen in any healthcare setting,” said Baker, who related it to her work as a veteran swimming instructor in Maryville. “It was kind of nice for me to see that. Even when I’m teaching lessons, it’s a kid’s first time trying to learn how to backfloat, and it’s my 500th time teaching it, so have patience. That was good for me to learn and see.”

In a pediatric clinic, Baker shadowed a speech therapist. In an emergency clinic, she observed how medical staff treat chest pain and flu-like symptoms, which was in season while she was there.

Additionally, Baker spent time working in a non-profit counseling center that offers free services to residents. She gained further experience consulting with pregnant women and mothers, including some in their early teens.

In Maryville, Baker has gained experience as an intern in the community health office at Mosaic Medical Center. Her internship experience in Cape Town was an eye-opening one, she said, that will help her improve her practice as a caregiver.

“Everyone wants the same basic things for their families,” Baker said. “Moving forward, it’s like, OK, these are also things that maybe could work, or these are the presentations I saw somebody do that were important.”

The internship also allowed Baker time to explore the region. She visited wineries, hiked, kayaked and explored caves. A safari gave her a memorable encounter with a family of elephants.

“Once in a lifetime,” Baker said. “I’ve never fed an elephant before, and here we are, so that was really cool. That was one of those things, like being down there, I was like, I wanted to go see the animals, because every little girl dreams of seeing an elephant or hugging an elephant.”

As a lifelong Maryville resident, Baker “grew up a Bearcat” and received grant support for her internship from the Maryville Rotary Club. Both of her parents are employed at the University.

At Northwest, she is a student ambassador and serves as a member of Student Senate, Kappa Omicron Nu honor society and the Applied Health Science Club. Last year, she was the Student Activities Council’s concert director. 

“Everything that I’ve done here helped me to be more successful while I was in Cape Town,” Baker said. “I think, moving forward, the skills I learned in Cape Town will help me to continue to connect with people even more.”