In less than two weeks, I will have substituted the calm of Aotearoa’s “chill-as” summer for the hustle and bustle of Santiago’s metro stations. Mere 20-degree temperatures will be replaced by the drenching heat of Chile’s Climate. Chilean Spanish will also be taking over my daily life, a fry cry away from the “Churs” of the Kiwis.
January 3rd is fast approaching, yet the days that pass by seem to go by so slowly. Many things occupy the time between now and then, including Christmas and New Year Festivities, but the feelings of nervousness and excitement continue to linger throughout.
The feeling of excitement cannot be underestimated: from Chile’s history to its languages and vibrant cultures, the diverse nature and varied landscapes, and, let’s not forget, the food! The opportunity to spend nearly a month in Chile through this programme allows me not only to immerse myself in a whole new culture but also to gain a chance to listen, learn, and form genuine connections with people whose lives and perspectives in Chile differ from my own.
Simultaneously, this immersion will be extremely nerve-wracking. It becomes apparent every time I think about it that my weeks in Chile will be a steep learning curve. While we can get excited about the different experiences travelling overseas will provide, no one knows what to honestly expect. In some ways, I feel like I’m throwing myself in the deep end: into the midst of the unknown. A trip full of many firsts and contrasting changes to daily life is sure to pose difficulties, but it is in scenarios like these that growth is enabled.
“In the middle of every difficulty lies opportunity” – Albert Einstein.
As medical students, growth is significant in our field. In healthcare, difficulties can arise at any moment, but we cannot back down. Difficulties truly provide an opportunity for growth, both professionally and personally. Considering the broader development of the medical field, the PMSLA programme’s focus on Spanish immersion, cultural learning, and leadership skills is an ideal way for me to develop these abilities in a global context. It’s an opportunity not only to grow personally, but also to bring new perspectives back to Aotearoa. The skills I would acquire from this programme would allow me not only to gain a better understanding of how to bridge cultural gaps – which is highly relevant in the healthcare system of Aotearoa’s multicultural society – but would also allow me to see how aspects like entrepreneurship can be integrated into the medical field – which is just as important as we move towards the future of healthcare.
I look forward to Chile, to its highs and lows, to its peaks and difficulties, and to sharing my experiences with you all!