International Scholars Program Reflection
I first noticed my love for international communication when I chose to become a director of Global Health for the Premed American Medical Student Association (AMSA) at the University of Florida. I always held the opinion that we need to help end preventable health disparities that are seen in so many countries, and that there is a great importance in recognizing these differences in the communication of health outcomes. Over the past three years I have organized and led group medical volunteer trips to Costa Rica, Peru, and Guatemala. During the weeks there, we would set up a free clinic and every day our group administered health examinations and medication to anywhere from 80-200 people. Even though I expected many people would come and benefit from our services, the need for medical attention was alarming. The campaign constantly had a line of people seeking care, and it felt right to be helping them. We often stayed hours past our designated campaign time because our hearts would not allow us to turn down these people who had traveled so far to get help. At the time, I knew I was fulfilling my purpose in this world, and it felt amazing doing so. The gratitude those people expressed was humbling. I realized how much I had taken for granted the ease at which I can receive health care.
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How does international knowledge relate to medicine? Communication is key.
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Embarking on the international medical volunteer trips allowed me to realize some of my strengths and weaknesses. My biggest strength was my ability to communicate with the members of my group that I was responsible for. As the group leader I had to earn respect but also wanted every to have a fun time. I had to settle disputes between students, keep track of groups that went off to explore independently, and comfort those who felt self conscious or homesick. The biggest weakness I noticed in myself when from dealing with conflict in the groups I took to both Costa Rica and Peru was that I hesitated when I had to deliver constructive criticism. Communication was imperative to keeping a group of twelve young adults together, happy, and safe, in a place where the language barrier posed a huge disadvantage to most.
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This program was so beneficial and important to me because it gave me the opportunity to explore cultures outside of my own. By acknowledging and appreciating the differences between all the people in the world, I will be able to deliver better healthcare as a future physician, and will be able to enrich myself with the beautiful and exciting diversity the world has to offer.
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