Guatemala
Summer 2022
In May 2022, I had the privilege of going on a medical mission trip to Antigua, Guatemala with 17 other members of UF's pre-med American Medical Student Association (AMSA). This trip lasted for one week and consisted of volunteering in the surrounding villages of Antigua in the morning and early afternoon each day. Our volunteer program was sponsored by Máximo Nivel, and our volunteering largely consisted of setting up a free clinic for local children and other citizens who lack access to healthcare.
Each morning, our group travelled to a new village in the surrounding region of Antigua, Guatemala. We were led by a local physician, who allowed us to shadow him in small groups as he took care of patients. Many of the patients were sick children who were accompanied by their parents and other family members, but there were also a small percentage of geriatric patients as well. Almost every patient spoke Spanish as their native language, and I relied on my knowledge from my introductory Spanish courses that I took at the University of Florida to help me communicate with the patients. I found that my Spanish skills significantly improved by the end of the week, and I was able to have conversations with the patients that I was unable to have with them during the beginning of the program.
The experiences I had in Guatemala had a significant impact on my outlook on life after the trip. I was immersed in a new culture that allowed me to gain a new perspective on the lack of access to healthcare in rural communities outside the United States. I also learned the significance of giving back to others, and how cultures can come together over a shared passion. I am beyond thankful for the memories I was able to make in Guatemala, from serving the patients at the clinic to playing a game of fútbol with the local community.
