I volunteered in a health clinic, Santa Rosa, which targeted poorer populations. Here I aided the community through folding gauze (depicted above), rolling cotton balls, recording patients’ information, and communicating with patients. This experience humbled me in teaching me how to work with such few resources while also meeting each person’s medical and emotional needs. I was able to ask questions, form relationships with doctors and nurses, learn about the Peruvian culture, medical system and medical views, all the while practicing my Spanish speaking skills. This program was perfect on many levels. I recommend living with a host family, here you will learn about culture, eat amazing home cooked meals, and learn about Cusco from true Peruvians. In addition, I only volunteered on weekdays, leaving the weekends free to travel. Cusco is the heart of Peru. There is so much Incan history and incredible landscapes to visit. I have never felt more connected to the environment and myself. Every weekend I was there, I traveled to a new tourist attraction. Overall, this experience was like no other. I was able to submerge myself in the culture, learn so much about Spanish and myself, and strengthen my Spanish speaking both in everyday life and in medical settings. After this experience, I am more confident in my cultural competence, my abilities to help a Latinx patient feel comfortable an understood.

Feel free to contact me: arhughes @ umass.edu