Study Abroad Programs in Puerto Escondido, Mexico

My global health study abroad program consisted of about 2 months in Oaxaca city, Mexico and two weeks in Puerto Escondido. Not only did I learn more about health problems that affect Mexico but also how to prevent these chronic conditions. I had the opportunity to shadow doctors in clinics and a hospital and was exposed to the different obstacles that many of these clinics faced. More specifically, in Puerto Escondido our main goal was to learn about public health. We were given the opportunity to give presentations to elementary school classes on sexual education and Vector-related illnesses. The children we presented to were excited and willing to learn more. Overall, this study abroad was an amazing experience. Besides the academic part of the study abroad program, the culture in Oaxaca, Mexico is truly one of a kind. I was exposed to calendas (parades), dia de los muertos celebrations, and the beautiful beaches. Oaxacans are extremely respectful and easygoing, always greeting you when you walk by or eating.

This was an outstanding experience in community and tropical medicine! I was a global health major in undergrad but had still not explored global health abroad by the time I was a 4th year medical student. One reason for this was because I was hesitant about how ethical a lot of medically focused opportunities abroad were. CFHI was the perfect answer to my questions and I am so grateful for the opportunity to have learned global health first hand from the physicians and community health workers who lived and served in the area I studied. The clinical experiences were varied and informative and I really enjoyed the opportunity to practice the Spanish I was learning in my afternoon classes with the doctors and nurses I was working with as well as patients. One of my favorite clinical experiences was getting to take part in vector control with one of the community health workers who taught us as we went door to door interviewing and educating community members. Both teams in the US and in Mexico were super helpful and responsive with everything from the beginning to the end and the pre departure information and trainings prepared me well for the experience. I felt super safe while traveling alone as a woman in Puerto Escondido and thoroughly enjoyed leisure time on the gorgeous beaches, strolling the markets, and taking weekend trips to nearby cities. My experience in Puerto Escondido was overwhelmingly positive and will definitely influence the way I practice medicine as a physician. I am most grateful for the cultural insight I gained through this immersive experience and the huge improvement in my Spanish language skills, and I look forward to continuing my language study.