The Community Medicine in Yucatan program was truly a great experience. On a personal level, it helped me grow and put me out of my comfort zone. I was able to experience a different culture and make new friends. As a first-generation college student, I would have never thought I would have had the opportunity to go on a trip like this.

In the future, I plan to become a physician associate. This program helped my love for medicine grow tremendously, as I was able to experience a variety of specialties (surgery, emergency medicine, hypogastric chamber, and labor and delivery).

Besides our cultural day in the Mayan Ruins, we shadowed at the hospital every day. I was able to watch a variety of different procedures including an above the knee amputation and a c-section. This program was the first time I was able to see a birth and it was a beautiful experience. I fell in love with OB and can definitely see myself working in this specialty in the future. In the United States, I feel like it is a little harder to observe procedures like this because of the strict HIPAA laws, but during this program the providers were extremely open to teaching and letting us observe.

The program was very eye opening and allowed me to learn some of the differences between the American and Mexican healthcare systems. I was amazed to find out that in Mexico, you don’t need to attend undergrad before medical school.

Even though I don’t speak a lot of Spanish, I had no problems interacting with the other healthcare providers in the clinical settings. This program definitely enhanced my ability to have conversations and comprehend Spanish.

I would recommend this study abroad program to anyone that is interested in medicine and is open to experiencing a new culture. I wouldn’t trade this experience for anything.

Name: Macy Proctor
Status: Senior
Major: Human Biology
Hometown: Otsego, Michigan
Program: Community Medicine in the Yucatan