I was a student on the ACES Faculty-Led Program: Service Learning, Health Care, and Animal Rescue in Zimbabwe, in the summer of 2019. When I first enrolled in the study abroad opportunity, I was completely shocked at myself. I had never been to any country in Africa and I had no idea what to expect. The opportunity pushed me outside of my comfort zone, in the absolute best way!
On this trip, I learned about Zimbabwean healthcare in multiple settings. The hospital staff was so knowledgeable and caring, which shocked me. It was entirely different from healthcare in the US, in that they took the time to evaluate and take care of each individual. As a future healthcare practitioner, I plan on taking in this method. I also saw many different conditions and their treatments, such as burns, snake bites, spina bifida, HIV, malaria, TB, and many others. I saw diseases and conditions that aren’t as common in the US, which puts me at an advantage in the medical field among my peers.
It was incredible to meet the locals and hear their stories. In the rural hospital location, we would walk up and down the dirt roads and hang out with the children, after work. We would play with them and chat with them. It was also incredible to be able to shadow the healthcare professionals, in their daily settings. They would explain the diagnostics, treatments, and symptoms of each condition, which was highly interesting.
I plan to become a Geriatric Nurse Practitioner. This experience has given me vital healthcare experience, as well as it reaffirmed my choice to pursue this field. I witnessed many different cases and their treatments, up close and personal. This puts me an advantage over other candidates applying for my program. I hope to be returned to Zimbabwe in one of my rotations.
This experience has truly opened my eyes. I feel more focused than ever to succeed in the healthcare realm. It pushed me to learn more about how to better provide for my future patients and how to treat them. Meeting all these friendly and caring individuals has made me feel the need to carry myself that same way. While walking down every street in Zimbabwe, I remember that everyone that passed by would say “hello”. There was always a genuine, kind gesture made towards us. This common courtesy was such a different experience than walking the streets in the USA. It showed me that genuine kindness can really do a lot for a person and can make all the difference in their day.
While at the Children’s Rehab Unit, I met a mother and daughter. They were receiving treatment for spastic cerebral palsy. She let me hold her daughter and we took a group photo together. The girl was nonverbal and could hardly move. Her mother told me that she had a stroke a few months prior, that she was all alone, and that her family had disowned her. She told me she kept going for rehab and therapy because of the love she had for her daughter. This struck something in me. I have a sister with disabilities and imagining a world where I would struggle to survive and provide for her made me truly thankful for my position in life.
Overall, this trip opened my eyes to the world. I am incredibly thankful to have gone on this trip! It was one of the best experiences of my life and I have changed for the better because of it! I am excited to return to Zimbabwe in the near future and advise everyone to put themselves out there and try something new, because walking into a different world lets you broaden your perspectives in life.
By Carmen Vangalis.
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