I spent a month of my summer in Xela, Guatemala studying medical Spanish through the Pop Wuj Spanish School. Throughout my time in Guatemala, I was immersed speaking only Spanish at home with the host family, at school with my teachers, and in the medical clinic with patients.

This program offered excursions to neighboring towns to learn more about Guatemalan culture and gave me an opportunity to give back to the community through the Stove Project, which entailed constructing a stove for a local family in need. On weekends, I would travel to other parts of Guatemala with my classmates including hiking a volcano, visiting a nature reserve, and relaxing in a natural hot spring.

This experience was not only eye opening to learn about another country with such different culture and customs, but also invaluable to progressing my Spanish. I feel more prepared to assist my future Spanish-speaking patients and ready to continue lifelong Spanish learning.