Global Brigades, Inc.

Medical and Dental Volunteer

May - June 2019 • San Carlos District, Panama City

What I liked

I loved that I had the opportunity to provide healthcare services to those without access and was also able to expand upon my knowledge and comfortability with the Spanish language. So many people were helped through this experience and I gained a lot more knowledge and hands-on skills taking blood pressure and other vitals, as well as shadowing dentists with extractions and cleanings.

What I wish was different

I wish that the trip would have been longer, as it was only 9 days because I truly enjoyed my time with fellow students and the Panamanian people as I was able to grow and experience new things each day.

Advice

This experience may take you out of your comfort zone but it was a life changing and rewarding experience being able to help those from another country and you get a better view of what life is like outside of the United States in a rural area abroad.

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Volunteer

August 2019 • Panama City, Panama City

What I liked

I loved being able to go to a different country and learn all about how this program helps empower underserved communities. This program does not aim to change indigenous communities to modernize them but attempts to empower community members to allow them to make their own decisions when improving their communities.

What I wish was different

I wish I would have gotten to spend more time.

Advice

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Volunteering

July 2018 • Tegucigalpa, Francisco Morazán Department

What I liked

They taught me the importance of humility and kindness. Many of the people I encountered, believe in helping others before themselves. They understand what order to truly make a difference in their community, they could not be selfish. It is easy to look at this community and think they don't have very much but leaving this community I felt they had more to offer than any of us on this trip. This experience opened up more opportunities and was a bigger picture to my life. It’s easy to take things for granted and I will forever be grateful and humbled for the endless memories and learning opportunities I have gained through my brigade and I can not wait to go back and visit in May.

What I wish was different

Nothing, the trip was more than I could have asked for.

Advice

This experience shaped me into a different person and my group and I are incredibly grateful for this experience. My week in Honduras was a lot of hard work and all of the efforts were warranted knowing that they were for the people like the Cardona-Cortes family. If anyone can take a volunteering trip throughout their lifetime out of the country, I push you to do so.

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Institute Participant

July 2018 • Tegucigalpa, Francisco Morazán Department

What I liked

I like that Global Brigades cares. This Leadership Institute really outlined GB's wholistic model and transparency as an organization.

What I wish was different

I wish that we would have gotten more hands on expereinece, for example, more time spent in the communities. The brigade needed to be longer.

Advice

Forget about your preconceptions about Central America. Although they still have quite a ways to go, there are efforts that go on year-long and their development is exponential.

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