Resisting the "Bubble"

-By Jenny Lemont, Junior Nursing major at James Madison University-

"He's 5 years old, can you believe it?" whispered a Guatemalan woman in broken English about Pedro, a young boy in the Fundacion Pediatrica (Pediatric Foundation). The English-speaking Guatemalan nurse caught me off-guard, as I had not yet heard English spoken at the clinic, my volunteer placement during a recent six-week medical internship in Guatemala City through Cross-Cultural Solutions. What made Pedro's age so unbelievable was his mere 20-pound, malnourished stature and his inability to walk, talk or stand up. By the time Pedro entered the clinic, he was desperately in need of medical attention.

Pedro was one of many eye-opening and heart-warming patients I encountered while working at the Fundacion Pediatrica. Each child contributed to my education, enrichment and world perspective, and reminded me of how fortunate I was. This was made possible because I dared to venture out of my comfort zone - this "bubble" - I have lived in my whole life. While many of my fellow college students pursued domestic summer internships, I was able to experience an international internship - service and cultural immersion all wrapped in one!

My goals in embarking on an Intern Abroad program with Cross-Cultural Solutions were multiple: I wanted to gain an understanding of Guatemala's health care system (both its strengths and weaknesses) as I consider a career in medicine; I wanted to learn Spanish, a language I knew could be useful in my future work at home or abroad; and, most importantly, I wanted to provide a helping-hand where needed, in a culture from which I could learn. The Fundacion Pediatrica in Guatemala City was a fabulous place to accomplish these goals.

As a health intern, I was an active part of the clinic's daily tasks, taking the height, weight, and temperature of the children, while observing the daily routines of a bustling medical facility. I shadowed nurses and doctors, gained an appreciation for the administrative demands on a clinic in a low-income neighborhood, and developed a sense for the integrity and character required of such dedicated medical practitioners. I recorded my insights in a daily journal, charted my progress in meetings with an Intern Supervisor and tapped the clinic and Cross-Cultural Solutions staff at every turn for additional enrichment opportunities.

In addition to learning a great deal about Guatemala's health care system, I also learned an enormous amount about their unique culture. I observed and experienced Guatemalan social interactions, cuisine and traditional dress and dance (the nurses were always willing to help me with my Salsa moves). My co-workers, mostly local Guatemalan women, typified the warmth of Guatemalan people by their encouragement of me, the patients and other health care workers.

I have never been in a more loving environment. When Pedro entered Fundacion Pediatrica in mid-August, I remember feeling so powerless; I could barely move to take his measurements. I was overwhelmed by what seemed like the insurmountable physical and emotional obstacles he surely faced in his life. What could I do to help him as an American college student who was only beginning to understand his culture and language, much less his medical needs? After speaking with the nurse for a short time, she turned to me and said, "Thank you for helping my country." It was then that I realized, I was helping, and that stepping outside of my comfortable American life and venturing to Guatemala for this internship, was the first and most important step toward doing so.

My experience in Guatemala has lit a fire in my heart to inform others about their capacity to help others, specifically in Guatemala. Most importantly, it has inspired me to resist the tendency to remain in my "bubble" of a comfortable home and routine. There is, in fact, too much to learn outside of that "bubble" to risk staying there.

For more information about Cross-Cultural Solutions' international volunteer or intern programs in 10 countries, visit www.crossculturalsolutions.org.

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