Testimonial from Kenya

My name is Maria Christina Gitau and I am 17 years-old. I live in Nairobi, Kenya. I am in my senior year of school. I attend an all-girls school named Kianda School.

My ambition in life is to be at the service at the helpless in my community. I believe we all have a duty to give back to society which has in turn provided me with numerous opportunities that I sometimes take for granted. After volunteering at a local hospital and visiting children battling cancer, I knew it would be my goal to assist these children.

It is for this reason that I would like to become a pediatric oncologist. I know that becoming a doctor is not a very easy task. It is a long journey of study to become a good doctor. But I have confidence in myself to accomplish this.  I recently also discovered my passion for technology and the wonderful things it can accomplish when properly utilized. I am therefore interested in pursuing a course in computer science.

But as I have learned through Mentoring in Medicine, life is a never-ending learning process. It is for that reason that I have decided to never limit myself and will pursue everything in my power in order to achieve my full potential. I hope that in the future I will be able to link these two passions and help my community.


EDITORS NOTE:

Watching on her computer from Nairobi, Kenya, Mariah participated in our Online Science Discovery Camp on Wednesday, December 28, 2016. She designed the following Healthcare Career Poster:

Mariah also created this video to teach students how to become a Pediatric Oncologist.

Make the Best of the Summer

Get Ahead!  Use Your Summers Wisely!

According to studies, many students lose valuable knowledge and skills over the summer break. (1)  Summer programs around the country provide academic opportunities and real world experiences.  Many of them offer a stipend, room and board.  The time to apply is now!

Outside of regular school activities, build your knowledge and experiences in health and science. (2)  Summer is the perfect time! 

Together let’s make a commitment to avoid any summer slide or “brain drain”.  Let’s get ahead!*

Apply today!  Below are some resources with upcoming deadlines.  

Check our Resources Section frequently for more information:

Websites with Free Activities (K-8)

https://www.neamb.com/professional-resources/beat-summer-brain-drain.html

Summer Programs (K-12)

http://www.pathwaystoscience.org/K12.aspx

Summer Programs (High School Students)

http://blog.prepscholar.com/medical-programs-for-high-school-students

Summer Programs for Undergraduate/Post-baccalaureate Students

https://www.training.nih.gov/summer_programs_outside_the_nih

http://www.pathwaystoscience.org/Undergrads.aspx

https://www.aamc.org/members/great/61052/great_summerlinks.html

*Mentoring in Medicine offers biomedical camps for groups of students in middle and high school.  Contact us at info@medicalmentor.org for more information.

References

(1) McCombs, Jennifer Sloan, John F. Pane, Catherine H. Augustine, Heather L. Schwartz, Paco Martorell and Laura Zakaras. First Outcomes from the National Summer Learning Study. Santa Monica, CA: RAND Corporation, 2015. http://www.rand.org/pubs/research_briefs/RB9819.html

(2)  Rahmai, Neha.  Five Ways Pre-med Students Can Spend the Summer.  USA Today College. April 7, 2014.  http://www.naahp.org/StudentResources/SummerOpportunities.aspx