After returning home, I have felt so incredibly grateful for the opportunity to travel to Morocco and experience those life changing events. Between the food, the people, the scenery, and the experiences, I could not have learned more. My original goals when going on this trip were to go in with an open mind, and act resilient when faced with challenges and change. As far as open-mindedness goes, I definitely feel as though I achieved that goal. Whether it be learning about the Moroccan culture, the Muslim culture, or even their medical culture, I feel as though I was able to both listen and share with an open mind and learn a lot. By going into this trip with that approach, I feel as though I was able to learn more about medicine and interpersonal communication, which was incredibly valuable. Secondly, as I faced challenges throughout my twelve days, I feel as though I acted with a newfound resiliency. Whether attempting to communicate through a language barrier, or traveling with 5 complete strangers to a new country, I learned to bounce back from my shortfalls, and work to improve myself. This trip was not only an opportunity from my school to experience medicine in another country and culture, but to grow as an independent adult, and learn about myself and my personal goals and dreams for my future. Photos on this page were taken and provided by Younes ElHouari.
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I can't believe today is already my last day here in Morocco. I feel like I need to spend another 3 weeks here! Not only have I met the most incredible and hospitable people here, but the landscape is beautiful and I don't think I could ever run out of things to do. When I went on mission trips previously, they were always incredibly regulated, and I had always gone to the same place. Although those trips were life-changing in a different way, I feel like this trip has given me incredible insight into what I want for my future and what type of people I want to surround myself with. The life advice people have given me, whether it was intentional or not, has been and will forever be invaluable to me and I will forever hold the lessons I have learned in my heart. I haven't left yet and I already want to come back. I wasn't expecting any of the things that I experienced this trip, and I think hat is what made it so amazing. I can't wait to share the pictures and videos from my experience. Until next time....
After preparing for this trip for so long, I can't believe that there are only 4 days left until I make the 24 hour journey back home. Since my last post, we have visited an orphanage for children, where I spent time in the infant room helping to feed and hold the babies. I had been to orphanages in the past, but never to one where infants resided. This experience definitely brought me some sadness as to the fact that these babies are living without parents, for whatever reason, yet it also brought me hope that more people like me would come to see them and hold them and hopefully, some would choose to welcome them into their homes and families. We also went to two more schools in the area, one high school and one college, to experience and learn about the culture here in Morocco through kids around our own age. These experiences so far, and realizing that my trip is almost over, have led me to reflect on my goals that I set for myself before the trip.
Two months before I left for this trip, I posted a post with excitement and stated that, "I'm really hoping to take on this trip with an open mind and a new found resilience to accept change and to work with what I'm given." After experiencing 8 days here, I can confidently say that I have already achieved my goals. Not only have I led myself with an open mind, hearing stories from others and learning, as well as sharing my own story, but I can confidently say that I have acted resiliently and worked with what I'm given. As I reflect on my reasons for going on this trip, and what I had hoped to gain, I already feel, without the trip being over, that I have achieved those ten times over. The experiences I have been given so far will remain with me for my life time, and I'm sure the ones yet to come will too. My trials that I have encountered on this trip have taught me so much as well and I feel as though the lessons I've learned through those are equally, if not more valuable to my life experience. This afternoon we went to the top of a large hill next to the city, which overlooked the ocean as well as the city of Agadir. Sunsets have always been a source of peace and time for reflection for me so I figured I might share one with you. These first few days have been so full of life and experiences! When we arrived on Wednesday, we went on a tour of the area where we were staying. We went to the beach as well as walked by the local mosque and experienced our first taste of traditional moroccan tajeen. We visited the area where an association of almost 400 pharmacists work to improve the healthcare system here in Morocco. One of the Pharmacists gave us a presentation on healthcare, including its delivery, how it is funded, and some statistics about how successful it is at treating the population. We learn that their biggest problems are minimal funding from the government, about 5% of governmental budget pays for healthcare, and lack of medical professionals. The doctor patient ratio is extremely low.
Thursday: We got up bright and early and went to the local hospital where we observed surgery for the morning. We were able to see cesarean sections, natural births, tumor resections, a gallbladder removal, and a few forms of endoscopy. Following another wonderful lunch, we went to a local college for design and digital coding and learned about drawing portraits. We spent some time talking with the students and learning about their college lifestyle as well as telling them about ours. This experience really helped us gain a more cross cultural view of college and learn about some of the similarities and differences of college both logistically and socially. Friday: Following another busy morning of shadowing surgery and learning from the surgeons, nurses, nurse anesthetist, and anesthesiologist, we packed our things in the car and drove 7 hours to the city of Tata to prepare for rural health clinic. Saturday: On Saturday we conducted our first day of rural health clinic. Along with us, pharmacists, doctors, specialists, dentists, and opthomologists provide free medical care to patients. They fill prescriptions for free and screen for diabetes, hepatitis, and high blood pressure. We saw over 600 patients. Following clinic we returned to the camp ground/hostel and enjoyed lunch and relaxed while a traditional music group performed for us. Sunday: On Sunday, we conducted clinic in another nearby rural city where we saw another almost 700 patients. So far, I feel as though I am meeting my goals quickly while also enjoying my time spent here in Morocco. I have learned so much and am still learning all the time. Not only have I been humbled and become even ore grateful for my life, but I have found a new appreciation for nature and taking time to enjoy it while we can. |
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AuthorMy name is Erika Bolduc. I am a second year Master of Physician Assistant Studies student at MCPHS University in Boston, MA. Archives
January 2020
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