by Tareq Yousef

At this point in the semester, students have their cross-cultural trips set and ready for the summer. This part of the Biomedicine curriculum is unique and something most of the student’s from last year had the pleasure of experiencing their first time. You will get to travel to your destination and be able to observe the local’s way of approaching healthcare and the way society operates. Some of you will be going to Nicaragua, the location I chose for my emergent experience. I had the fortunate opportunity to help the community of Los Pepitos with their oral health needs via an organization called International Service Learning (ISL). Others will get to travel to Kentucky and visit communities where coal mining is a big industry. Both will be unique experiences you will not have experienced before!

As you embark on your respective journeys, here are a few pointers on approaching them to get the most out of your experience:

• Be prepared to interact with the locals and learn a lot from them. They will help you see a side of the world you most probably have not witnessed.
• Stay with your group when you go sightseeing in your country of choice.
• Food will be different, but it tastes good! Keep your palates open to unique cuisines.
• Make sure you take preventive health measures (vaccinations specific to the country, malaria pills or any other medication, etc.).
• Take with you all the essential items recommended by ISL or any organization you will be joining (bug spray in Nicaragua!).

All of us who completed our cross-cultural experience had a great time and felt extremely fortunate to learn how other communities outside of one’s we know operate. We bonded with the groups we went with and then enjoyed sharing our experiences during the debriefing after we got back from our trips. Have a wonderful experience, share it when you get back and be safe!