Health Care Volunteering in Oaxaca, Mexico

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.