These last two weeks for me were as insightful as they were novel. Each step closer to my airport gate, the day of departure occupied me with anxiety similar to the way sand fills an hourglass. And while trotting down the airport I had already inhabited personal new grounds, I had no idea what to expect once stepping foot into a foreign country, and somehow navigating to my site- with just years of constant and memorized routes under my belt, which at the time seemed to be fairly weak protection.
The first night abroad on my fellowship was challenging, considering I had been floating through an ocean of culture shock and the fear of home-sickness setting in early. The fellows and I at that point shared a relationship that was void of any substantial matter, for none of us really knew how to spur a friendship after just hours of each other's company. After a restless night however, came the morning of my first day at the internship. It was surreal to me then that I was about to witness surgeons making their daily acts, which I staggeringly desire to be my own one day, to look so implausibly simple. It is even more surreal to me now that I was able to pursue such an incredible experience.
I have shadowed a plethora of surgeons and residents in the University Hospital of Guadalajara, and I have found myself both inside and outside of the hospital. I was able to connect with the people I aspire to soon have similarities with, and I had great companions by my side. I was able to sight see throughout three beautiful cities in Spain, and overcome some obstacles with my peers. I tried typical Spanish food, slept in the sheets of different hotels, walked through various parks and historic sites, met a group of incredible girls, witnessed a whole new perspective of health care, and most importantly wore the clean and bright teal scrubs that seemed to fit me better than any other article of clothing I own.
This trip wheeled me closer to being a better version of myself: one that shines well-roundedness, self-awareness, and adventure.
