Ellen Jacob ‘27 (pre-health studies/psychology) was funded through an Experiencing the World Fellowship to travel to Bolivia to work on her project, “The Intersection of Psychology and Medicine in La Paz, Bolivia.”
It's crazy to think it has already been two weeks since I've been here. It has been amazing so far. La Paz is such a beautiful city. From my apartment, I have a gorgeous view of the mountains surrounding the city—I never get sick of it. Although it is technically their winter, the climate here is nice and warm during the day when the sun is out; however, because there isn't heating here, it took time to adjust to sleeping at night. It is often chilly within the apartment, but my body has acclimated. Additionally, my homestay family is so awesome and sweet. I love hanging out and talking with them every day.
My first week, I was stationed at a physical therapy institution called CEREFE that works with children with disabilities. There, we saw all types of conditions such as cerebral palsy, spinal bifida, autism, and more. It was amazing to watch each staff member's patience with each child. Even amidst the most difficult situations, workers at CEREFE never displayed frustration or anger, but always compassion and understanding. I was truly in awe and realized that their job requires a truly special person.
In my second week, I was placed at a military hospital called COSSMIL. Here, I watched a local pediatrician see patients such as newborn babies coming in for routine check-ups and other sick children who needed attention. Patients came and went quickly, and every appointment felt similar; we would measure height, weight, and calculate BMI. In all honesty, this was not my favorite rotation because it became a little monotonous. This is helpful, though, because it has provided insight into what I may want to avoid if I continue on my path to becoming a doctor. Overall, the shadowing has been an incredible experience, and I'm excited for the coming weeks!
Beyond medical shadowing, I've also had the privilege of seeing more of Bolivia. This past weekend, we traveled to the city of Uyuni, where there are these gorgeous salt flats. It was truly an incredible experience. Additionally, the weekend before, I got to experience this huge festival called Gran Poder. It was a giant parade where thousands upon thousands of dancers, adorned in the most magnificent outfits, filled the streets all day. It was very cool to experience that annual festivity.