Global Health in Oaxaca, Mexico

During my 4 weeks in Oaxaca, I spent 2 weeks at Hospital Civil where I had the opportunity to rotate through the emergency department, labor and delivery, and the operating room. Each setting offered valuable learning and exposed me to a wide range of clinical scenarios in a resource limited environment. In the emergency department, I observed the management of acute conditions and gained insight into rapid clinical decision making. In labor and delivery, I was able to participate in patient care during critical and emotional moments, which reinforced the importance of compassionate, patient centered care. In the operating room, I observed surgical procedures and developed a deeper understanding of teamwork and technique. The local physicians and staff were incredibly welcoming and committed to teaching. They made a strong effort to include us in patient care and explain their clinical reasoning, creating a supportive and engaging learning environment. In addition to my clinical experience, my time in Oaxaca was shaped in meaningful ways outside of the hospital. Living with a host family gave me a genuine look into daily life and culture in a way that you simply can’t get as a visitor. From sharing meals to everyday conversations, I felt welcomed and supported, which made the experience feel much more personal. The language school was another highlight. It helped me build confidence in my Spanish and gave me a supportive space to improve my communication skills. That growth extended beyond the classroom and helped me feel more connected overall. Outside of structured activities, I also had the opportunity to experience Oaxaca’s culture through its food, traditions, and strong sense of community. These experiences added depth to my time there and reminded me how important cultural understanding is in both life and medicine.

This previous fall quarter, I had the opportunity to study abroad in Oaxaca, Mexico! I completed an internship with Child Family Health International (CFHI) through their Global Health in Mexico (Oaxaca) program. In Oaxaca de Juárez, I completed a total of 180 hours of clinical rotations at clinics, a hospital, and a rehabilitation center. I visited the following sites: Centro de Salud Urbano No. 1 "Dr. Manuel Martínez Soto,” Hospital General "Dr. Aurelio Valdivieso," Centro de Salud Colonia América, Centro de Salud Tlalixtac de Cabrera, Centro de Salud Urbano 04 Fracc. El Rosario IMSS Bienestar, and Centro de Rehabilitación Infantil Teletón (CRIT). During these rotations, I shadowed medical professionals during general medical consultations, surgical procedures, and physical therapy sessions. I also developed a deeper understanding about systemic barriers within the Mexican healthcare system. Additionally, I visited rural communities in the Sierra Norte, Aguaje del Zapote, and Chacahua. In the Sierra Norte, I learned about traditional medicine from local curanderas and parteras. This is an accessible alternative to allopathic medicine that uses natural remedies from indigenous practices. In Aguaje del Zapote and Chacahua, I learned about Chagas disease and Dengue. I also accompanied Dr. Isabel Saucedo and Don Julio, a vector specialist, to conduct public health inspections in the communities. I also helped deliver presentations about relevant health topics at local primary schools in Puerto Escondido. Being selected as a recipient of the CFHI UC Davis Quarter Abroad Scholarship opened a new door for me. As a first-generation college student, navigating the higher education system can be challenging. This experience reaffirmed that persistence and resilience lead to deeply rewarding opportunities. Studying abroad was a dream come true and a meaningful investment for my future. It has left a profound impact on my academic and professional trajectory, ultimately igniting my interest in pursuing a career in surgery. I am incredibly grateful to the faculty, mentors, and peers who made this such a memorable and transformative experience. Special thanks to Dr. Yvette Flores, Dr. Mónica-Torreiro Casal, Dr. Magaly Chavez, Martha Canseco, and Sandra Rivera.

Spending a month in Oaxaca was more than just a medical experience—it was an immersion into a healthcare system deeply intertwined with culture, resourcefulness, and community. Shadowing physicians in clinics and hospitals, I saw firsthand how providers balanced modern medicine with traditional healing, where resources were scarce but compassion was abundant. I witnessed systemic health challenges firsthand—patients traveling hours for medical attention, hospitals working with limited supplies, and families playing a crucial role in their loved ones’ care. This experience taught me that medicine is not just about treating illness but about understanding the patient’s beliefs, environment, and access to care. Outside of the clinical setting, Oaxaca’s rich culture embraced me—dancing in the streets during festivals, tasting mole in a bustling mercado, and connecting with local healthcare teams who welcomed me as one of their own. This experience reinforced that medicine is universal, but healing is deeply personal, shaped by history, tradition, and human connection.

My experience with CFHI allowed me to compare the uses of traditional medicine practices in Oaxaca to the understanding of integrative medicine and traditional practices in the United States. I am so incredible grateful for the opportunity to learn in such an expansive and lively city. Being able to immerse myself in the Oaxacan culture was an experience I will never forgot and will only continue to inform my practice as a physician during residency. I improved my medical and conversational Spanish to the point of intermediate learner and was able to engage in learning that was entirely in Spanish. I learned so much about the traditional medicine practice in Oaxaca and different herbs that I can continue to learn about and utilize in my medical practice. I developed a deeper understanding of the interactions between traditional medicine and hospital medicine to inform my practice as an integrative medicine – family medicine physician. I also immersed myself in the Oaxacan culture and food and found a deeper appreciation for the way of life present in Oaxaca. The local team in Oaxaca is so responsive and really helped to create an experience for me that was both incredibly unique and also representative of the culture of Oaxaca. I met my objectives for medical school and beyond during my time there. I am so grateful I applied for this program and will continue to draw on experiences from this journey for the rest of my life.

Child Family Health International understands how to lead the nation in global health experiences in an ethical and educational manner. They value the local community, and work to partner with them so that participants can recieve a full cultural immersion. I shadowed in different clinics each morning, learning about the Mexican healthcare and insurance systems. I learned so much from observing the local healthcare providers and engaging in open conversations with them! In the afternoons, I took Spanish classes that were tailored towards medical vocabulary. Our evenings and weekends were free to explore the wonderful city of Oaxaca and make memories that would last a lifetime! I felt safe, supported, and encouraged my entire time abroad. I learned so much more than a classroom could have ever taught me and my Spanish improved immensly. This experience changed my life and made me a better human, as well as a better future physician. I learned empathy, independence, and adventure and I cannot wait to continue exploring the world of global health!

CFHI offers sites across the world for a variety of students, and I absolutely loved my rotation in Oaxaca, Mexico as a medical student. This trip was specifically designed to help us learn about medicine in Latin America, with a focus on appreciating healthcare disparities. We were able to shadow physicians in many specialties in government-run clinics and even the Civil Hospital of the city. From outpatient work, to prenatal care, and even surgeries and the Emergency Department, we were able to participate and learn so much. In the afternoon's, part of your learning was Spanish class, tailored to your level of fluency. Even as a fluent speaker, the expertise of our teachers was apparent and they helped me learn so much about Medical Spanish and grammar. They have host families for us to live with who in my experience were absolutely so kind and excited to have international students (and cooked AMAZING food). Overall, I felt I learned so much for my future career in medicine and what I can do to serve internationally and locally, all encompassed in a beautiful, historic city with so much to do and see.

I went to Oaxaca, Mexico with CFHI for a month. This was my first time practicing medicine abroad and I appreciate how careful they were about making sure that I only did what I was qualified to do unlike other programs which sometimes let premeds do things way above their level. They were always available which made me feel safe at any point I was in Mexico. My home stay, clinics and hospitals I visited, and Spanish school were all set up and ready to go upon my arrival. I rotated through peds, surgery, internal med, L&D, ED... My medical director was extremely receptive of what I wanted out of my experience. I got way more out of this experience than I could have possibly imagined. I previously shied away from short missions trips because I was afraid I wouldn’t be able to fully immerse myself in the culture and really get something out of it while giving back. This trip with CFHI was perfect because my role often fell at the same level as it would be in the US which made it easier to feel immersed into the environment. The only down side is that it was quite expensive, but CFHI did help cover half my funds with a scholarship which was easy to apply for. A month was also the perfect amount of time to get to know plenty of people, learn medical knowledge in Spanish, and get to know the area well enough that I would feel comfortable visiting another time (which I can't wait to do). I absolutely recommend it to any other med (or nursing) students!

I recently got back from my experience in Oaxaca, Mexico this January. Not only was it great to get out of the cold, but the amount of learning and cultural experience was absolutely impeccable. To start off, the home stay was perfect. As a vegetarian, I was a little bit nervous with the meals that would be served, fortunately I was perfectly placed in a home with vegetarian hosts! For those in the home who weren't vegetarians, meat was still courteously provided for them. I was able to experience and learn about the private and public sector in healthcare through my visits in two different clinics, a private and public hospital, and a rehabilitation center for adults and children. On the weekends I visited some of Oaxaca's most treasured sites such as the ruins of the ancient Zapotecs at Monte Alban. All in all I would recommend this experience to anyone who wants to learn more about healthcare in a different country. I feel confidant that this experience will help me in my job search as graduation approaches!

I just finished volunteering with the Child Family Health International organization in Oaxaca, Mexico. I absolutely loved this experience. I am extremely thankful for being able to maximize my Spanish speaking ability during the experience. I stayed with a Mexican host family which had a very limited ability to converse in English . The hospitality that my host family provided was excellent. They made very authentic Mexican and Oaxacan foods, and accompanied me to different regions of Oaxaca to explain the location to me. The program itself was a mix of clinics and Spanish courses, but there was enough time for sightseeing and exploration of the city of Oaxaca. The language school had a great director who facilitated everything related to the stay, including allowing for changing the host family if there was any discomfort. The language school director also gave us advice on where to visit around the city, as well as tourist locations in Oaxaca. To conclude, I had a fantastic time in Oaxaca. I got to learn Spanish, as well as benefiting significantly from the clinical primary care experience, while learning the differences between the Mexican and American Health Care systems, as well as having ample time to visit various locations in Oaxaca. If I had the opportunity, I would surely visit Oaxaca again, and do this program all over again!