“It was important for me to go abroad because I wanted to experience another culture and gain a global perspective. I think it's important to understand how other people live and what daily life is like for them,” reflected Kandace Kellon, a biology major currently abroad on the Discover with WorldStrides: Community Health & Medical Spanish at Universidad Peruana Cayetano Heredia program in Lima, Peru.
During her experience abroad, Kellon is visiting community clinics throughout Lima to shadow physicians and learn about Peru’s healthcare system firsthand.
“My goal is to pursue a career as a physician. This program gave me invaluable experience learning the healthcare system of Peru and understanding more about health struggles in the community,” said Kellon, who is minoring in Spanish and history.
In addition to on-site shadowing, Kellon is taking medical Spanish and community health courses, which give her the opportunity to apply her Spanish in clinical settings.
“My fluency will help me communicate with Spanish-speaking patients throughout my career. This program helped me take on a global experience, developing my cultural awareness and ability to work with diverse communities.”
When she’s not in the classroom or with physicians, Kellon is exploring the different regions of Peru, including the Amazon rainforest, the desert and the Andes Mountains, all of which are providing her with a complete and immersive learning experience.
“The most memorable moments were visiting Machu Picchu, night hiking through the Amazon rainforest, trying classic Peruvian dishes in downtown Lima, exploring the desert in Ica, seeing the Corpus Christi procession in Cusco, watching the Universitario futbol game, enjoying the Pacific Ocean in Miraflores and so much more; the list goes on!”