Why did you decide to volunteer with Help, Learn, Discover in Ecuador?
Megan: There are many, many options to choose when you decide you are going to volunteer abroad, believe me, I have looked. However, many of the other trips out there are very specific in one area, so I found myself deciding whether I wanted to spend my summer volunteering in a community or a hospital or just simply traveling and experiencing new things. But then Help, Learn, Discover was presented before one of my lectures and instantly I was sold.
The most intriguing aspect of HLD is the combination that is simply stated right in the name. All in one trip I was now able to HELP people less fortunate than myself, LEARN about the field of medicine and see if that was the optimal career for me, and DISCOVER a new country, continent, and culture. For me it was every trip I had ever wanted, combined into one amazing opportunity
Describe your day to day activities as a volunteer.
Megan: A typical day in medical rotations involves breakfast at the hotel, a morning rotation at the hospital, lunch, the afternoon to work on our case studies (or nap), workshops, dinner of our choosing, and either a night off or a night rotation. The highlights of the medical component for me were the pediatrics rotation watching the newborns walking reflex and standing next to an operating table.
At the volunteer site we had breakfast before a short ride to the work site, we typically worked 8 hour days with a break for lunch, after a cheer with the community members we ate dinner and played basketball or lounged at the hotel. The greatest moment of my life thus far was seeing the families receive their new homes.
Everyday traveling is different but some of the highlights included surfing at the beaches in Canoa, late nights at the all-inclusive resort, night hikes in the jungle, and waterfall repelling.
What made this experience unique and special?
Megan: The combination of activities is what makes this trip unique and desirable initially. But it is the people involved that make this experience one of a kind.
The medical tutors were very helpful, but also made us laugh harder than we thought possible at times. The Ecuadorian people were very warm and friendly. I will always remember the children of Pallatanga; we couldn’t always communicate very well with them but they met us with open arms and beautiful smiles.
My leader was an exceptional person, as was every other leader I met. They always made sure everyone had an amazing time. The students I met were all such brilliant people and we made so many lasting memories. But two of the most inspiring people I have ever met, are the creators of the program. They want nothing more than to help the people of their country and to provide students with a once in a lifetime opportunity.
How has this experience impacted your future?
Megan: The medical experience I obtained while in Ecuador was truly eye-opening. I got a glimpse at what doctors do daily in a variety of medical disciplines; this gave me an even more profound respect for the healthcare field, as well as a newly inspired passion to follow my dreams.
Taking part in the HLD program will not only aid in me getting into medical school, but it has also taught me that getting into medical school is not the end-all be-all of life. The creators of the program taught us that while becoming a doctor is an effective way to help people, it is not the only way. Those words of advice will never leave me.
On a personal level traveling to Ecuador allowed me to take the time to evaluate my own life and realize what is really most important to me.