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Writer's pictureHaley Huynh

The End of an Era

I'm back home in bed, a few days after my long flights through Mexico City and Atlanta. I've got a little bit of a cold, but I thought it was a good excuse to pull out my laptop and do a full circle moment, revisiting the questions I answered before I left (+ some bonus questions because reflection is key to learning from an experience)!


What was the most exciting thing I did in Mexico?

I think the Feria de Mezcal has got to be up there. I wasn't excited before I went because I didn't know how large of an event it was, but man, Oaxacans are serious about their mezcal. The place is HUGE, and there were so many vendors ready to give you a taste. They had performers and a band there, too. This is part of the Guelaguetza festivities, so I was right when I said Guelaguetza would be most exciting!

What was the most nerve-recking thing I did in Mexico?

Walking at night. This was more a fear at the beginning of the trip than it was at the end. That first night that we were there, we were so hungry and needed food, but since our program did not include dinner with the homestay, we were forced to go out into the street on our own. Talk about being thrown into the thick of it on night 1! But everyone in the city walks, even at night, and it is honestly so much safer to do than in the states.


My initial nerves centered around my language skills, but I have to say, I can do a lot with the Spanish I have and the new Spanish I've learned!

What have I gotten out of this trip?

Some street smarts, which I was not expecting to learn. Never have I ever had to grab a taxi or negotiate prices in the street, but I did a ton of that on this trip. I'm just used to small town things, I guess!


Of course, I learned a ton about the healthcare system and culture of Mexico, which has absolutely changed the way that I view access to medicine, and the way medicine may be perceived through a cultural lens.

What is one key moment that stood out during this experience?

For this question, I think I've got to circle back and re-mention that rotation at CESSA. That was my first rotation in Mexico, and to have the doctors treat me like friends was a first. As a pre-medical student in the United States, I often feel like I'm at the bottom of the tier, and practicing physicians are people that I idolize. In Mexico, there is no tier, and I think that really showed in the playful dynamic they had with each other and with me. That's the kind of dynamic I hope to foster as a healthcare professional.


What is still challenging when dealing across cultures? What do I still need to work on?

Being quick to judge is so, so easy, and I think stopping that judgement is still something I actively have to do. For example, our Spanish teacher kept asking us questions about politics, and although we were annoyed, it was important for us to step back and realize that maybe politics is something that's more easily discussed in Mexico. It took me a long time to sit back and really ask why this was happening, so I think that's absolutely something to keep working on.


What are some ideas for taking action in the near future? How can we extend the impact of this intercultural learning to help transform the way we collectively view and treat one another?

This trip has absolutely cemented my interests in language and culture, as well as their relationship to medicine. I hope to continue to pursue these interests by diving into some other languages, and maybe even study abroad again (not really sure if that's possible, but we'll see)! It's hard to understand what it feels like to go to a place where you have no idea what's going on until it happens to you, but that's the reality for people every day who go to the hospital, and a reality every day for immigrants in the United States. Learning about cultural competency is the first step to understanding what point of views others might be coming from, and the second step is practicing by refraining judgement and asking meaningful questions instead.

Closing

I just wanted to give you all a final big thank you for following us along this summer. I hope my posts gave you a little insight as to why I decided to pursue this path, and why I think it's super important to understand culture as a global citizen.


If you are a student and thinking about studying abroad but are unsure due to financial reasons, scheduling, etc., know that I also went through that same loop, and even got upset because I didn't think going abroad was going to be possible. But YOU CAN DO IT. If there is a will, there is a way.


Please reach out to me if you ever have any questions, and if I have cool experiences to share in the future, know that I will put them here. Thank you again for all your support! Until next time.

3 commentaires


fkdyck
12 août 2023

You are a special gal in pursuit of being a caregiver!

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fkdyck
12 août 2023

So glad you took the opportunity to interact with another culture. The respect for creatures of varied culture is such an amazing enhancement to harmonious living and respect is so vital for Gods creation. Thanks for giving yourself to this venture!

By the way I sense a practicing of respect for all in Day Surgery! I love these professionals!

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Paige Magill
Paige Magill
08 août 2023

MUY BIEN!!!!!!

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