Land of the Blue Sky

Emerging from the plane into the dusty and bustling capital city of Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia was certainly a departure from my small town life back in Ontario, Canada. Having never previously traveled outside of North America, I was thankful to be greeted at the airport by a representative of Projects Abroad. Her kind reassurances and friendly demeanor were quick to relieve my momentary trepidation.
From the airport, she accompanied me through the loud and chaotic streets to an apartment complex in the city which would be my home for the next month. Some of my fondest memories come from evenings spent here with my host family, preparing traditional meals like buuz and clumsily exchanging English instruction for Mongolian lessons.
I have to admit that my first few days in Ulaanbaatar were probably wasted wandering around in awe and disorientation. Mastering the complicated bus system proved to be a challenge, but I was pleased to discover that the transportation was cheap and covered most of the important landmarks in the city. Like the transportation, shopping in Mongolia was also very affordable, which made exploring the stores for unique souvenirs and the softest cashmere an enjoyable pastime of mine. Unexpectedly, there were a variety of restaurants serving almost any type of cuisine imaginable. I felt quite safe and comfortable navigating the city alone during the day, but would warn travelers to be sensible: avoid staying out too late and keep your belongings close to prevent pickpocketing.
One of the challenges I had anticipated prior to my departure was the language barrier as I knew that few Mongolians speak any English, yet I was surprised at how easy it was to communicate with others through simple gestures or expressions. This was helped by the fact that everyone I encountered was incredibly gracious. I cannot forget to mention the staff from Projects Abroad who assisted tremendously in facilitating communication.
Another important part of my cultural immersion involved spending time at three local hospitals volunteering my services while gaining knowledge from the exceptional physicians there. On my first day, I was invited into the operating room and was shocked to witness the neurosurgeon use an archaic metal crank to crack open the patient’s skull! Fortunately, it was not long before I became accustomed to their equipment and techniques. In addition to surgical procedures, I was also able to observe traditional therapies such cupping and acupuncture.
The most memorable part of my excursion was escaping from the hectic city life on a road trip through the serene countryside of Mongolia and into the Gobi desert. Here is where you truly experience the land of the blue sky as well as some of the most breathtaking sunsets and sunrises imaginable. The generosity of the nomadic families we encountered on our journey was remarkable. I was amazed at how quickly we were invited into their gers to share a meal or to stay the night. Of course, the experience of riding a camel past the towering sand dunes is one I won’t soon forget.
Overall, my Projects Abroad adventure was nothing short of spectacular. I not only learned about medicine and the local health care system, but also about the history and culture of the country. Most importantly, I discovered a great deal about myself and what I am capable of. To any unseasoned travelers who are hesitant about going to Mongolia, I want to reassure you that this will be an amazing and authentic cultural experience that you will not regret.