My time spent in the Dominican Republic was full of incredible learning opportunities and humbling patient encounters. As a second-year medical student preparing for upcoming board exams, it is easy to get caught up in the day to day rigors of medical school and to lose sight of the end goal. Interacting with patients, meeting other medical students and faculty, and being immersed into a new culture reminded me of why I chose medicine as a career. This study abroad program provided me with a unique educational experience that cannot be taught in the classroom and fueled my passion to continue working with underserved populations in the future. 

I was not sure what to expect upon my arrival in Santo Domingo. I have very little Spanish speaking ability and thought this could be a problem while seeing patients in clinic throughout the week. It turns out, my limited Spanish was not a problem due to our incredible student translators that accompanied us to clinic each day. The translators were all students that lived in the DR and were going into the medical field themselves. I really enjoyed working alongside them, and with their help, I was even able to pick up some simple Spanish phrases that helped me communicate with patients on my own by the end of the week. 

While I learned a lot from our student translators, the lessons that I will take with me throughout my career came from what I learned by interacting with each patient. Our clinical work was done at new Batey each day. Bateyes are small underserved communities where many live without running water or regular access to healthcare. It was incredibly eye opening to see these communities and witness the barriers to healthcare these people experience in their daily lives. I was also touched by the patience and kindness that each individual showed for our team of novice, non-Spanish speaking student doctors. I left Dominican Republic inspired by the incredible people that we served and with an appreciation for the complex role a physician plays. 

This program was filled with adventure, cultural enrichment, and a unique educational experience that I will never forget. Global health experiences such as this week in Dominican Republic are incredible opportunities for students to develop their clinical skills and to learn how to find creative solutions when resources may be limited. I hope that every medical student gets the chance to participate in this program or a similar one during their medical education to experience the positive impact that learning abroad can have on one’s future career and personal growth. 

Name: McKenzie Farthing
Status: 2nd year medical student
Major: Osteopathic Medicine
Hometown: Dewitt, Michigan
Program: Introduction to Global Health and Culture in the Dominican Republic