We’re approaching Johannesburg as I write (05/27/16). Being in a space that’s become so familiar – an airplane – offers a stark contrast to the fact that everything outside couldn’t be further from familiar. I’m on a different continent, but for now I’m just in another airplane flying at 39,000 ft. In another day, I’ll be in Blantyre, Malawi. On the one hand, I’m excited to begin working. I’m excited to become part of a new culture, to explore new places, and to make new friends. I’m looking forward to all the hands-on, practical experience we’ll be gaining over the next two months. Peppered in here and there are bits of nervousness about not knowing what to expect when we arrive in Blantyre. What does the Poly look like? Who are the interns we’ll be working with? How’ll we settle into the daily life in Blantyre?

Our internship actually started 3 weeks ago with the following goals:

• Construct six medical device prototypes
• Order any additional parts we’d need to work with at the Poly
• Design survey questions meant for both the Poly and QECH
• Familiarize ourselves with the line voltage monitoring system
• Familiarize ourselves with oxygen concentrators and common mechanisms of failure

When we weren’t soldering or working on the device prototypes, I found myself on the phone talking with US Plastics, Parker Fluidics, DeVilbiss, or another company trying to figure out exactly which parts we wanted to order. (I don’t think any of us realized just how extensive the possibilities are for anyone interested in ordering tubing.)

In those 3 weeks, we made a real home for ourselves in the OEDK. There was no better way to prepare for the trip than to spend our time engrossed in the projects we were taking with us, building some of them from the ground-up and taking apart other ones to better understand them.

As we descend from 39,000 ft., I can’t help but wonder what adventures we’ll have and what lessons we’ll learn over these next two months.