Help Expand Healthcare Perspectives in Guatemala

This study abroad experience aligns with my personal, professional, and academic goals because it will help me expand my perspective on healthcare and deepen my ability to serve diverse populations. My passion for community service, particularly with disabled persons, stems from my involvement with organizations like Pirates for Down Syndrome and the Autism Society of North Carolina. These are experiences which have shaped my understanding of the challenges faced by individuals with disabilities and ignited a desire to extend this knowledge beyond the U.S. to Guatemala where children are experiencing developmental delays due to nutrition and knowledge deficit that manifests themselves in speech delays and cognitive delays. By engaging in a study abroad program, I aim to explore how different countries approach this area of healthcare to support disabled individuals. I know this would then strengthen my abilities as a nurse to serve my community in the U.S. on a larger scope. 

  

Professionally, my long-term goal is to become a nurse practitioner or physician assistant, but my immediate focus is on completing my nursing degree. Gaining global exposure through a study abroad experience will equip me with new skills and broaden my understanding of healthcare systems, helping me become a more culturally competent nurse. I believe this is essential for providing compassionate, effective care in increasingly diverse healthcare settings. 

  

Academically, studying abroad will allow me to experience healthcare education in a different context, offering new challenges and insights. As part of my study abroad I will be expected to teach students and adults of the community in their native tongue which would challenge me to learn medical terminology in Spanish while I am there. Since I’ve always strived for excellence in my studies, this opportunity will push me further, enhancing both my clinical skills and my ability to adapt to different environments.