What inspired you to travel abroad?
I was inspired to go abroad by a desire to expand my understanding of healthcare in a global context. In my home country, I spent many hours shadowing physicians and volunteering at the local hospitals. My experiences with patients in America drove me to wonder about the experiences of patients in other parts of the world. In addition to wanting to broaden my perspective on the world, I was also looking for an opportunity to immerse myself in a new culture whilst furthering my Spanish-speaking skills.
Why did you choose International Medical Aid (IMA)?
I chose the International Medical Aid for its immersive and untraditional experience. No other program offers a program that integrates global health education, hands-on labs, clinical shadowing, and adventure treks into a two-week internship. I was looking for an organization that would help prepare me for my future goals in medicine, and the IMA not only did that but also enhanced my global perspective.
IMA Intern group with local school children in Cusco, after giving a presentation on dental hygiene.
What was your favorite part about Peru?
My favorite part about Peru is the sheer variety of culture and activities. In just one day, someone could be explore the Incan Ruins throughout the Andes Mountains, see the awe-inspiring architecture of the Cathedral of Cusco, then go eat at one of many restaurants in the winding city streets. I never ran out of things to explore or sights to see during my two weeks there.
What made your experience in Peru extraordinary?
The thing that made my experience abroad extraordinary was the revelations about healthcare that it prompted. During the rural clinic hosted by the IMA, there was one patient in particular who transformed my perspective. A farmer had come to the clinic seeking treatment for his mangled back because of the hefty sack of potatoes he carried on his daily trek across miles of crops. The physician beside me sighed and handed him a bottle of muscle relaxers. His eyes lit up as his hand shot out to take them. The doctor then leaned in and tried to persuade him to stop carrying such an immense load; the muscle relaxers wouldn’t be effective otherwise. Quickly, the farmer shook his head: it was his livelihood. She leaned back into her chair, her mouth in a tight line, and said he was going to break his spinal cord if he continued this way. I couldn’t meet the man’s gaze as he shook both our hands and thanked us. It was then that I began to consciously consider the complexities of healthcare. I started to see potatoes everywhere: every patient carried some economic, cultural, or societal potatoes that were an obstacle to getting the medical care they needed. No matter how effective the muscle relaxers are or how brilliant the doctor is, if they aren’t accessible to patients, they are useless.
How did the local program staff support you throughout your program?
While in Peru, the IMA staff were exceptionally supportive through both their accessibility and enthusiasm. Their consistent presence throughout the day, whether we were at the accommodations or at the hospital, made me feel secure in a new and fast paced environment. When I approached them with questions or requests, I was always met with excitement and patience.
Right after being in the operating room in the Antonio Lorena Hospital.
If given the opportunity, what’s the one thing you’d like to do differently?
One thing I wish I would've done differently during my time abroad was to be more confident with my Spanish speaking abilities. Although I have taken several years of Spanish in school, the local dialect of Cusco proved difficult to keep up with. For this reason, I often hesitated about asking questions for fear of my subpar Spanish being judged or being unable to get my point across coherently. Looking back, I would have liked to push myself further despite my fears.
Describe what a typical day in your life in Peru looked like.
A typical day in my life abroad started off with eating breakfast with my fellow interns in the accommodations provided by the International Medical Aid. After breakfast, we drive to the local hospital where we spend the morning shadowing different physicians in various fields, based on our rotation for the day. Then, we are picked up again and eat lunch out in Cusco. During the afternoon, we would either return to the hospital or go to our Spanish class. We then would return to the accommodations where we are served dinner by the program. The day would end by walking to the Plaza de Armas and surrounding areas as a group to go to some of the markets and watch the performances taking place.
What did you do for fun in Cusco?
During my free time abroad, I enjoyed exploring the culture of Cusco, Peru. Inti Raymi, also known as the Festival of the Sun, was taking place. This meant that many celebratory performances were taking place in the Plaza de Armas, and parades often filled the streets. Not only was watching these events exciting, but learning about the history behind them made the experience especially meaningful.
What type of accommodation did you have? What did you like best about it?
I stayed in a boutique style hotel. The thing that I liked best about this accommodation was the authenticity as well as safety. With large common rooms, unique architecture, and various room layouts the hotel was very representative of other local establishments. Additionally, the 24/7 reception and key policy fostered an environment of safety and security.
What is one thing every future participant should know about your program before theirs begins?
One thing every future participate should know about doing a pre-Health internship with the International Medical Aid is that the program is a truly a global experience. It is different from other healthcare internships in that they incorporate lots of cultural education and enriching activities. While lots of time is spent in the hospital, there are many organized excursions into city and surrounding area.
IMA intern holding a baby while the mother gets treatment in a pop up medical clinic in Umasbamba, Peru.
Would you recommend International Medical Aid (IMA) to others? Why?
I would recommend to doing the Pre-Health internship with the IMA to others because of the comprehensiveness of the experience. Through stepping off the plane and being greeted by a staff member to being escorted to the airport for the flight home, the program is there to support you every step of the way. Although I felt apprehensive about flying to a foreign country as a high schooler, the IMA ensured that I felt safe while opening up a variety of opportunities one couldn't find anywhere else.
What do you feel the biggest benefit of traveling abroad?
I feel the biggest benefit of traveling is seeing classroom concepts being applied in real life. While global health can be taught in theory, it is truly life changing to witness the impact that healthcare, culture, and politics has so many individual lives throughout the world. Traveling abroad leads to more accurate perspectives and develops compassion.
Now that you're home, how has your time abroad impacted your life?
My time abroad has transformed my career goals. I went into the experience with a passion for medicine and hoping to be a doctor, but my time abroad drove me to develop a passion for Global Health studies. While in Peru, I was exposed to unfamiliar healthcare systems and could observe their profound impact on society. The difference I noticed between how accessible their healthcare is in comparison to ours sparked further questions about how I could influence different healthcare systems and issues within my career.
What does meaningful travel mean to you?
Meaningful travel means to me doing something that I could not do anywhere else. Whether it is climbing to Macchi Picchu or exploring Cusco, the things that I loved most about my time in Peru were experiences that were completely unique to that location. When I travel, I don't want to simply learn and do the same things in a new place. I want to see the principles that I am learning apply to diverse communities and connect with those communities.
