For Katie Gibson, studying abroad in Peru offered an opportunity to explore her interest in medicine while challenging herself to embrace new experiences.
A third-year biology major on the pre-med track with a minor in Spanish, Gibson spent five weeks this summer in Miraflores, Lima, Peru, participating in the Community Health & Medical Spanish at Universidad Peruana Cayetano Heredia program through WorldStrides Study Abroad. The experience allowed her to observe medicine in a different country while immersing herself in Peruvian culture.
As a pre-med student, Gibson wanted to experience a clinical setting abroad and gain a broader perspective on health care before pursuing her career.
“I wanted this experience so I have a more well-rounded view of medicine to bring with me into my career,” Gibson said.
One of her most meaningful academic experiences was visiting underserved communities in the Rímac district of Peru. While shadowing doctors, Gibson observed how physicians worked directly with residents to provide care beyond traditional clinical settings. She accompanied doctors as they went door to door delivering test results and visited local schools where they administered vaccines to children.
What stood out most to Gibson was the relationships doctors had developed with members of their communities and their commitment to patients' well-being. Rather than limiting care to hospitals and clinics, physicians made an effort to meet people where they were and bring health care directly to them.
One of the courses Gibson took abroad focused on comparing the Peruvian health care system with the U.S. system. Seeing community-based care in practice gave her a new perspective on how physicians can make an impact beyond the walls of a clinic.
She said this approach was one practice she believes the United States could benefit from, and it is a lesson she hopes to carry into her future career in medicine.
The experience extended beyond the clinical setting. Gibson also wanted to understand what pursuing higher education looks like in another country and experience Peru beyond its coastal landscape. Weekend trips organized by WorldStrides took her and her fellow students to Machu Picchu and the Amazon jungle, where she discovered the country's geographic and cultural diversity.
Gibson said two of the most memorable parts of her experience were the people she traveled with and the weekend excursions. She was joined by eight other Ohio State students, and the group quickly became close throughout their five weeks abroad.
Exploring Peru together helped make the experience especially meaningful, giving the students opportunities to build friendships while discovering new places.
The trip also challenged Gibson to step outside her comfort zone. She discovered a willingness to try things she might not have considered before.
“I taught myself the importance of saying yes to new experiences,” Gibson said.
One of her biggest challenges was overcoming her hesitation to speak Spanish with local residents. Although she had studied the language for seven years, communicating with native speakers initially felt intimidating.
With more practice, however, Gibson became more comfortable speaking Spanish and engaging with people in their native language. The experience helped her recognize the value of applying classroom knowledge in real-world situations.
Looking ahead, Gibson plans to carry the lessons she learned in Peru into her future career in medicine. Observing doctors in a different health care system reinforced her desire to become a physician while expanding her understanding of the role doctors can play in their communities.
Her time abroad provided more than clinical exposure and language practice. It also helped her build confidence, embrace unfamiliar experiences and develop a broader perspective on health care.
Through her experience in Peru, Gibson discovered that stepping outside her comfort zone could help her grow both personally and professionally.
