Our Summer Program students have all arrived at their destinations and are into the language training component of their elective.  This is an exciting and stressful time as they prepare themselves for new clinical and cultural experiences.  Before they left we asked some specific questions; here is #2 of 3 in the series.

What are the 3 things you are most looking forward to about your upcoming Global Health elective?

Catherine Brown (Tanzania)

I am excited to combine the knowledge and skills I have gained through my BSc in global health with my MSc in community health and epidemiology.  At PASADA, I hope to engage in research – from surveillance to clinical studies – as well as shadow community health programs from education to counseling.  I am also curious to learn firsthand the challenges of healthcare in a low-resource setting.   Finally, I cannot wait to discover more about the country itself.  Following my placement, I will be spending three weeks learning about different corners of Tanzania.  I realize I will only be skimming Tanzania’s surface, but I look forward to watching animals migrate in the Serengeti, summiting Mount Kilimanjaro, and lazing on Zanzibar beaches.

Haley Augustine (Thailand)

I am most looking forward to the cultural experiences, working with the local students and the patients I encounter.

The Thai culture is one I am excited to experience first hand. From the food, the people, the art, music and the landscape, Thailand offers a unique cultural experience. As Khon Kaen is not a typical tourist destination, I am looking forward to being immersed in the Thai lifestyle working in the hospital alongside local Thai students and physicians.

I am very much looking forward to partnering with local students to better understand their experiences in student life and enhance cultural knowledge with respect to medical practice. As Canadian students, we learn from our preceptors and the local students, by working alongside and learning from their diverse experiences. While completing international fieldwork through a previous degree in Tanzania, I had an incredible experience working closely with local students comparing and contrasting our approaches to care and learning about each other’s culture. Working together in a mutually respectful learning environment.

Lastly, I am excited for the experiences and encounters with Thai patients. I believe this will offer me insight on cultural differences while treating patients from diverse backgrounds. The common diseases and conditions in Thailand vary from Canada and I anticipate learning a lot about these conditions not typically seen in Canada. About 6 years ago, when I was volunteering in Nepal I was exposed to a variety of medical conditions I never imagined I would witness. There were new diagnoses of leprosy and many traumatic injuries from fire and motor vehicle accidents. It was a stark contrast to Canada, offering incredible insight to witness conditions and injuries that are rare or nonexistent in Canada.

To find out more about GHO  Summer Programs and other electives please visit: http://bit.ly/LkapR3