With the start of my last semester as an undergraduate student, I’ve spent some time reflecting on the experiences I’ve had over the course of my education. Particularly, I have been reminiscing about my BYU Global Health Internship in Rwanda during Summer 2018.
During my time there, we had the opportunity to work with administrative and clinical workers in various capacities. As a part of these experiences, we were able to see healthcare on both an individual and an institutional level. Rwanda has a unique healthcare system that differs from that of the United States in several ways. I was inspired by their emphasis on community health and had the wonderful opportunity to accompany community health workers on their visits to people in the area. My experiences with them helped me gain valuable insight into the importance of focusing on the needs of the patient, and not the illness itself. I was fortunate enough to utilize my ability to speak French on numerous occasions, which facilitated our communication and allowed me to better connect with people in different circumstances. With a focus on infection control protocol, we also spent time working on health and hygiene promotion to reduce the risk of hospital-acquired infections. We gave numerous presentations—both clinical workers and patients—about ways to reduce the risk of infection within a healthcare setting. These opportunities in Rwanda charted a course for my future career as they piqued my interest in public health, and more specifically, international healthcare.
The theme for BYU’s Center for International Studies is to “expand your world.” Since returning home, I have come to better understand that this theme doesn’t only refer to your time abroad, but also to the time spent after your international study is finished. My internship taught me to view healthcare from a broader, holistic perspective, and this point of view has inspired me to pursue a Master’s in Public Health in addition to my medical degree. I hope that this additional training will empower me to make a greater difference in the public health field during my medical career. For these reasons, I can attest that international academic opportunities have an amazing ability to impact someone’s world perspective and future goals.
I Feel Ready
Ready to take on the world after my study abroad journey. I feel more prepared to look a potential employer square in the face and tell them I am a globally-minded individual that can work with an assortment of personalities. I have had the opportunity to take a long, honest look at what I believe and how I think and actually question my beliefs. I believe that this is something everyone should do a few times throughout their lifetime in order to be open to new ideas and possibilities.
Learned so much about Spanish and European architecture here in Salamanca!
I also feel prepared to raise children that are more globally-minded and can think beyond the “us and no more” mentality and begin to feel compassion for their world and beyond. Before I could only give them vague guidance on how they should approach interacting with new cultures and personalities, but now I can give them advice based on solid experience. My experiences. How cool is that?
This is the most magical food in all the world: paella.
Working with the people of Spain in their homes, in their schools, in the grocery stores and beyond has given me insight into how other people think about things like managing a home, teaching, and customer service. I have learned to be a bit more patient. Not only for other people and learning to allow others’ ideas to come up against my own, but patience for myself to allow some of these ideas to take root and change me.
Climbing Monte Urgull in St. Sebastian.
Hasta luego.
