This trip was an amazing experience. It allowed me to use my medical knowledge and taught me so much. I really loved that the team was so willing to teach me. I learned something from everyone. I felt it was a key part of my experience that everyone was so willing to teach.
As a future physician this trip has confirmed my desire to be a surgeon and to work in pediatrics. I hope that once I finish my schooling I can return as an ICHF surgeon and work alongside the local teams to assist in anyway I can. I was also inspired to go to Ecuador as often as I can. I enjoyed the teamwork we all had and it felt like I had known everyone for years instead of days.
I also really enjoyed rotating through each field as it allowed me to experience patient triage and to follow that patient throughout their recovery. For students I do recommend telling those with little spanish background to bring a dictionary as it was very helpful when wifi was not around.
All in all this was an experience of a lifetime and I am so beyond thankful to have been a part of this amazing team. Thank you for this opportunity and I hope to be a part of the future of ICHF.
