The schedule of our trip allows us to experiece two different layers of the culture in Antigua. In the morning we get to experience the external layer by walking around downtown Antigua, visiting el museo de chocolate, sampling tres leches from different locations, and trying our hand at bartering in the market. In the afternoon, we experience the internal culture through interactions with patients in which we learn about their general knowledge of medicine and cultural norms with regard to when and for what reasons they seek medical attention. The dual nature of this trip has allowed us to learn more about Antigua and Guatemala in general than we would have if we were only experiencing one layer. For example, while out exploring Antigua in the morning we often notice potential sources of upper respiratory issues that we have seen being diagnosed in the clinics. Seeing potential sources firsthand allows us to better begin to formulate a plan moving forward involving additional targeted questions we want to ask the doctors and other community members. The ability to ask specifically targeted questions is a great help in being able to identify the most pressing needs, and of these which areas we can help the most and have the greatest impact. While this trip is very compact as we only have a week to conduct a very extensive needs assesment, we have been able to identify key areas for potential project development. Our hope as a group of 16 is to come out of this week with a defined area for potential device devolpment that will best aid the incredible people of Guatemala that we have had the incredible opportunity of meeting thus far.
- Emma Kellenberg Callewaert