Growing Independence

2017 Fall semester was the worst semester of my sophomore year at UNCO. I love my school, but I was not living to my fullest potential for my pre-med major. I was losing motivation when I hit one of the hardest courses ( organic chemistry ). I felt sick that whole time. Then I saw a poster that my professor was taking a group up to Spain with the Atlantis program and I didn’t even sleep on it. I immediately went to her office and told her that I needed to go on this trip. Now it’s been a couple months since we got back and I had the most amazing time where I was able to soul search and really think about why I wanted to be a doctor.

I am not the student that has the inspirational story on why I chose to take the path of becoming a doctor. I am a hard worker and believe that if you are healthy and able that it is your duty to help others. Being at the hospital in Ferrol, Spain really gave me the opportunity to talk to patients and observe the team dynamic of surgeons.

I am bilingual and I encourge any bilingual or minority to go on these trips. I felt accepted and was able to put negative thoughts aside so I can truly experience the life of doctors. There are many differences between Spain and the U.S. Spain isn’t as fast paced as the U.S. but it really lets you to see what people look like when they love their job. First week, I got to shadow surgeons and it was so much better than your typical cadaver lab! You get to see living organs and really appreciate how they work together to keep someone alive. I learned that there are many surgeons that are shy like me. Second week I cried of happiness and sadness working with the pediatrician and talking to children from 14 to 3 years old. Watching newborn babies getting check ups and also comforting scared or sick toddlers gave me a rollercoaster of emotions that I had to keep in check.

I had never left the country before. I haven’t even moved out of my parents house! So this trip gave me the opportunity to be myself; learn how to be aware and also look out for my peers. I didn’t feel in danger. I believe that no matter where you are something bad could happen but I did not experience that. When I got back home I felt like myself only ten times better. It made it easier to ignore some negativity around me because I am pursuing my dream to connect with my community and not have to fear what others think of me.

I am so thankful for this program.