From Nairobi to Berlin: My Journey Through Public Health and Discovery
By Audrey Gitamo – Unified for Health Exchange Participant, 2025
A Journey Beyond the Classroom
When I boarded my flight to Germany, I carried more than luggage. I carried curiosity, excitement and a heart eager to learn. Thanks to Unified for Health, I joined an unforgettable public health exchange program in Berlin. It was one thing to study health systems in class; it was another to walk through the institutions shaping them.
Learning From Practice: Centres of Care
Our visits began at a Centre for Sexual and Reproductive Health and Family Planning, where I saw the power of integrated services: education, screening and counseling all working together.
Next came a Tuberculosis Centre, where I saw firsthand how treatment and social support intertwine to ensure patients feel cared for, not judged. I couldn’t help but think about how such models could be adapted in Kenya.
At Charité: Where Medicine Meets History
Charité University Hospital is one of Europe’s oldest and most respected medical institutions. Walking through its campus felt like stepping into the living history of medicine. Every building seemed to whisper stories of discovery, innovation and resilience.
The Medical History Museum was both humbling and fascinating, shelves of preserved specimens, historic surgical tools and stories of breakthroughs that changed how we understand the human body.
Science in Action: Robert Koch Institute
The Robert Koch Institute visit opened my eyes to the scale and precision of public health surveillance. From infectious disease tracking to health policy research, I saw how evidence becomes action. It reminded me that every data point represents a person and that science serves people best when empathy drives it.
Discovering Berlin: History, People, and Dishes
Berlin isn’t just a city, it’s a living story. During my free week, I wandered through Brandenburg Gate, the Berlin Wall Memorial, Museum Island etc, absorbing history at every turn. Between exploring art galleries and tasting new dishes, I found a rhythm in the city’s mix of old and new.
The EUSPR Conference: Networking and New Perspectives
Attending the European Society for Prevention Research (EUSPR) Conference was one of my highlights. I met researchers, students and professionals from all over the world. Listening to presentations and engaging in discussions reminded me that public health thrives on collaboration and that ideas grow stronger when shared.
Anatomy Comes Alive: Körperwelten
My final visit was to Körperwelten, the “Body Worlds” exhibition. Seeing the human body plastinated and preserved was both surreal and moving. Every organ told a story of movement, resilience and the fragility of life. It deepened my respect for the science of anatomy and the people who dedicate their bodies to learning.
Reflections: What Berlin Taught Me
Berlin taught me more than I could have imagined:
• That public health is about people before policies.
• That empathy is as vital as knowledge.
• That we grow most when we step beyond our comfort zones.
I returned home inspired to bring those lessons to Kenya, to strengthen patient-centered care, champion preventive health and continue learning with humility and purpose.
Thank You, Unified for Health
None of this would have been possible without Unified for Health, whose vision connects students and professionals across borders. This exchange reminded me that though our contexts differ, our goal is the same: a healthier, more compassionate world.