I had no idea what to expect when I signed up for the Global Health Electore trip to El Salvador, but I wanted to learn more Spanish and submerged myself into the culture, something I never got the opportunity to do. It was an amazing experience learning about the rich history of El Salvador and seeing how beautiful San Salvador was initially. Then we arrived to La Mora and all the families welcomed us with open arms and treated us like their own. It was a culture shock living amongst people that did not have the most but their joy and happiness was as if they were never lacking. This stuch out to me and I will continue to utilize this perspective throughout life. La Mora, Suchitoto and the city of El Salvador is rich in culture, beauty, and uniqueness. After spending about a month here I am excited I was able to come on this trip. I wan to thank my host family and all the host families from the bottom of my heart for letting me live, learn from them, and share laughs and smiles with them. This was truly an experience of a lifetime. Lastly, I want to thank CoCoDA and everyone who helped to make this experience possible. I am forever grateful. Until we meet again.
When I started medical school, one of my top priorities was finding a program that would allow me to do a rotation abroad in a meaningful and productive way. I have always had a passion for Spanish and a deep curiosity for other cultures. In my opinion, the absolute best way to both learn and contribute is through complete immersion in the language, the communities, and the system. CoCoDA offered all of these opportunities. Upon our arrival to La Mora, I instantly knew that my experience was going to be pure and real. I could tell from the warm and welcoming attitudes of the host families. I am so grateful for those who opened their doors for us and allowed us to learn from their daily lives. Our clinical work in Suchitoto similarly offered an unfiltered perspective of the healthcare system in El Salvador. I am forever thankful to everyone who allowed us to observe and help during very intimate patient visits. I also truly enjoyed learning about the various traditions and beliefs that exist in the Salvadoran culture while practicing my Spanish skills. I look forward to incorporating my new knowledge and experiences with my future medical practices. It was an honor and a privilege to participate in the CoCoDA program in El Salvador; thank you to everyone who contributed to my rich and unforgettable experience.
When I was a small child, the US was backing the El Salvador government in a war against everyday Salvadorans who were tired of the abuses of their government. Advocacy was vital to the process of the US stopping our funding of this war and the peace accords that followed. In 2013 I had the pleasure of traveling there, learning more about what had happened and partnering with a community that was working to rebuild a school that had been bombed with American supplied bombs during that war. I give to CoCoDA because they are about the rebuilding of communities and they do it by working with local communities to find out what projects are important to them. I encourage you to learn more about what they are doing and their history and to give to support these projects.
There are so many mysterious fruits, nuts and living things in gorgeous patterns everywhere you look in El Salvador—an artist's nectar. (This one is a chirimoya.) I can't wait to bring my art and design students to explore this lovely land of contrasts and conflicts.
CoCoDA has allowed our faculty and staff to focus on education and reflection rather than logistics. They know and understand the local government agencies, non-governmental organizations and the communities. They facilitate learning experiences we could have never created on our own. They creatively solve problems and handle the unexpected. I know our students are in good hands.