In June this year K-RITH welcomed 10 visiting students from Harvard, Bennington College, Yale, Stanford, Johns Hopkins and the University of Cameroon.   

Outstanding undergraduate, graduate and medical students with an interest in an academic scientific career were encouraged to apply for the opportunity to join K-RITH’s vibrant research community and take part in an 8-12 week research experience during their university vacation.

These experiences are geared at engaging individuals with an interest in a career in global health by providing the opportunity to engage in cutting-edge research right at the very heart of the HIV and TB epidemics.

During their internship, each student worked on a bespoke research project under the mentorship of individuals in the K-RITH science faculty.  They presented their findings to the wider TB and HIV research community at the University of KwaZulu-Natal at the end of their placement. 

Chernoh Jalloh, a graduate of the Johannesburg based African leadership Academy, observed how challenging it really is to control the epidemics of TB and HIV.  He says that his time at K-RITH has given him real lab experience and allowed him to see how hard scientists are working to understand and contain these diseases.

The interns were also given the opportunity to go on ward rounds at King Edward and McCord hospital, shadow the Air Mercy Service on a Flying Doctor mission to rural KwaZulu-Natal and volunteer through K-RITH’s educational outreach programme as mentors for children enrolled in the Umkhumbane science club at a local disadvantaged school. 

“I have had an amazing time,” said Vivien Leung from Harvard College.  “I didn’t expect it to be so amazing.  We have been welcomed and accepted into the K-RITH community and been given the opportunity to participate in very relevant and important TB and HIV research.”

But it was not all work and no play.  The students also had an opportunity to hike in the Drakensburg mountains, haggle at Victoria Street Market, spot the big five at Hluhluwe game reserve and munch bunny chows on Durban beach.

Johns Hopkins Senior, Pooja Karukonda, says that the internship has been an overwhelming experience.  “Everyone has been so welcoming and accommodating.  K-RITH has worked hard at getting us all involved and showing us all angles of South Africa.”  Meet the 2012 Research interns.

To find out more about K-RITH internships, please contact Victoria Kasprowicz on victoria.kasprowicz@k-rith.org