Ever since I could remember I have always wanted to study abroad. Now as an
undergraduate majoring in Health Studies, when I first heard about the faculty-led program to
Guatemala, I did not want to miss this chance. As I grew up witnessing the health consequences
that my family experienced from their impoverished upbringing in Mexico, I became interested
in how living conditions impact the health of individuals and populations. “Global Health
Promotion: Health Services Delivery in Resource-poor Settings in Guatemala” was the program I
decided to pursue and I don’t regret it one bit. I knew this opportunity would be a stepping stone
for me to better understand public and clinical health, especially in Mayan communities affected
by health disparities.
This 2-week program went by fast but every ounce of it has been impactful. It was
definitely challenging; from power outages and feeling sweaty 24/7 to language barriers and
direct patient care experience in clinics with limited resources. Also during the first couple of
days, I was not feeling well at all with the malaria medication I was taking but thankfully, my
health improved after switching medications. There were also flight delays and cancellations we
experienced when it was time to get back home but we made it through!
As my UWB cohort and members of Guatemala Village Health traveled across Guatemala to the Rio Dulce region where we provided health services and health education to Mayan communities, I got comfortable with the uncomfortable. I have never previously done any kind of direct patient care so when it was the first day of clinic at Chinabenque, I was very anxious. My heart was pounding when I first had to conduct my outreach session on malaria prevention to a large crowd (all in Spanish which I’m not fluent in but I’m glad I got to practice and the presentation was translated into Q’eqchi’, a Mayan language) but after recognizing the importance of flexibility and pushing myself out of my comfort zone, I grew accustomed to the flow of things.
Across the seven villages that we visited and a boarding school in Ak’tenamit, I measured the height and weight of infants. I also handed out ready-to-use therapeutic supplements to support children’s growth and development. I helped to conduct dental hygiene and hand-washing demonstrations and applied fluoride varnish to children’s teeth. I conducted presentations on malaria prevention to patients, students, health promoters, and comadronas (midwives). Furthermore, I had the opportunity to be a medical scribe, participate in a physical exam with doctor guidance, and practice checking blood pressure manually. The list continues as my classmates and I alternated between different sections of the clinic; from triage and laboratory to chronic/acute illness and women’s health. As well as sections on vitals, malnutrition, and ages & stages questionnaires. Not only was I able to contribute to the health of others through this collaborative work, but I also gained new skills I will bring with me in my health journey. As I witnessed the gap between urban and rural health in Guatemala, I was also reminded to not take things for granted and took this opportunity to further self-reflect on my privileges. Even when I was anxious to do things like public speaking or clinic activities, I was always ready to learn, improve my skills, and help people in any way.
My classmates and I also had the opportunity during our rest days to visit Siete Altres in Livingston, which is a hike through various waterfalls and it’s breathtaking! We also went to Playa Blanca, the first-ever white sand beach I’ve visited, and the coconut juice from there is delicious. We also went to El Estor and went on a boat ride to see monkeys (we ended up not seeing them but it was a beautiful boat ride nonetheless). As someone who rarely goes on boat rides, I’m glad I had the opportunity to travel on a boat multiple times and experience such beautiful scenes (and get soaking wet on them lol). We also toured a children’s hospital and an adult hospital in Puerto Barrios. In addition, we had the opportunity to visit the castle of San Felipe de Lara and explore Antigua. The pictures don’t do it justice!
There were challenging moments but this program was a once-in-a-lifetime experience
where I learned so much about myself and the world around me, especially witnessing first-hand
how the conditions known as the social determinants of health bring advantages and/or
disadvantages to people’s health and well-being. Before this study abroad, I was confused if I
wanted to pursue a career in public health or clinical health, but this experience of working with
amazing communities has solidified my goal to work in clinical health and collaborate with
others to bring positive change. I am determined to pursue opportunities that will allow me to
improve my patient care skills and contribute in any way I can to improving people’s health,
especially in my low-income community.
