Child Family Health International

From riding the teleférico above the city to observing fascinating procedures and talking to medical professionals to exploring breathtaking salt flats and forests, everyday of my CFHI program in La Paz, Bolivia was exciting, educational, and perspective-opening. I had the opportunity to observe a variety of medical specialties in different settings, including private and public from physical therapy to neurosurgery allowing me to explore my interests. While observing procedures and patient exams was very educational, I learned the most in my conversations with doctors, medical students, and hospital professionals. They shared helpful insights on working across cultural barriers and the resource limitations experienced both by patients and medical institutions. I was able to interact with patients through non-clinical tasks such as play therapy which helped me to truly engage. While the language barrier sometimes hindered my full understanding, my clinical rotations were a great opportunity to challenge myself to ask questions, getting greater exposure to a wide range of specialties and patient cases. My homestay was much more than an accommodation — it was a deep, lifelong connection. I have forever gained an abuela in Bolivia, who I hope to stay in contact with forever. She deeply cared about my comfort and wellbeing as she shared her cooking and culture with me and my roommates. I felt strongly supported by my local team and felt my Spanish and health classes really supported my learning. Although it challenged me, I learned so much by delivering a case study to my class and medical director. La Paz is an incredibly vibrant city and a fascinating mix of strong traditions and modern comforts. There is so much to do in the city! Some of my favorite memories include watching a Jazz-Traditional show, a local soccer match, and visiting the El Mercado de Brujas. I loved visiting historical sites and museums through the program, especially the Tiwanku ruins, San Francisco Church, and the National Art Museum. I made the most of my free time on weekends to see the breathtaking nature of Bolivia through trips to Isla del Sol, the Cloud Forest, and Uyeni Salt Flats. My travels not only gave me a sense of adventure, but helped to better understand the bigger cultural picture. Through my time with CFHI, I developed a strong sense of cultural humility and a greater understanding of the social determinants of health, especially disparities faced by those of lower socioeconomic status and those in rural areas. My experience helped me to grow as a future medical professional and as a conscious human being. I would highly recommend this experience to any student looking to expand their perspective through global travel under ethical, safety-focused leadership.

During my CFHI Global Health Program in Tarija, Bolivia, I had the opportunity to rotate through several different healthcare settings that gave me a well-rounded perspective. I spent one week in a city clinic, two weeks in a rural clinic, and one week on the OB/GYN floor of the main hospital. As a fourth-year medical student applying OB/GYN, I especially appreciated how the local team made sure I had plenty of women’s health exposure. I was able to attend surgeries, follow patients on the wards, and even visit the Chagas Center. The doctors and nurses were welcoming and inclusive, always making sure I was involved while keeping within the ethical guidelines set by CFHI. Beyond my clinical duties, the local team and community made my experience unforgettable. My host family was incredible; they welcomed me into their home as one of their own, and I had some of my favorite memories sharing meals and conversations with them. The Spanish classes were also excellent, completely tailored to my needs, and helped me improve both my medical Spanish and everyday communication. I always felt supported by the CFHI staff and the local team, who went out of their way to make sure I was learning, comfortable, and safe. Tarija itself was the perfect setting for this experience. It’s a beautiful, calm city surrounded by nature and filled with kind, welcoming people. From exploring the plazas to enjoying the local food and culture, I loved every moment of living there. This program not only strengthened my clinical skills and Spanish, but also gave me a much deeper appreciation for global health and the ways providers adapt to serve their communities. I’m leaving with new friendships, meaningful experiences, and an even stronger commitment to serving underserved populations in my future career.

I am extremely grateful for my experience in the CFHI Global Health in the Philippines program. From the people, the culture, and the history, I am undoubtedly impacted by the things I’ve learned and seen from my time in the program. We started with our first week in Manila where we got to learn about the different parts of the Philippine health system as well as how it fit into the context of Philippines history. The local coordinators, Dr.Katrina and Dr.Lopao were incredibly passionate about the information and history they were sharing with us which made our discussions super engaging and insightful! Not only that but I appreciated how they constantly checked in on us and made sure that we were okay throughout our time in Manila. The local team on the island were also incredibly welcoming. Our group rotated around the different Barangay Health Clinics and had the opportunity to learn about their unique health system on the island. In our free time we were able to explore the island, try different foods, and talk with the locals and BHW’s (Barangay Health Workers). In our 3 weeks here, something that I’ll never forget is the empathy and compassion of the entire health team. From each health clinic we visited and the conversations we had with the staff, it was clear to see how dedicated everyone was in providing the best care even with the obstacles that might come from being on an island. Furthermore, the context and insight provided by our local preceptor is something I know will continue to impact and shape how I think about medicine in the future and in my studies. Something I also really appreciated about CFHI as a whole, was their emphasis on ethical engagement. From their thorough onboarding and the support from the US team, Local team, and alumni, I felt assured that I wasn’t expected to do anything beyond observation. Especially as a second year undergrad, I felt that there wasn’t really anything medical that I would have been qualified to do. Something that really resonated with me was their rule of thumb “If you wouldn’t be allowed to do it here, don’t do it there”. This aspect is something that I feel is extremely unique to CFHI and what made me look into this program in the first place! Overall, my CFHI Global Health Program in the Philippines was extremely informative and worthwhile! I fully recommend it to anyone who is going into medicine or global health or is even just curious about it to apply for a program. Wherever you are in your journey, you are sure to gain valuable information and insight that will continue to impact you long after your program.