Oakland University Pre-med students explore health and culture during Mexico study abroad

During the summer semester, Oakland University pre-medical students embarked on a study abroad that deepened their understanding of medicine and instilled appreciation for different cultures. The students spent five weeks engaged in clinical education and medical rotations at a public university and hospital in Puebla, Mexico, shadowing doctors and learning about different health care practices. 

Designed to increase participants’ medical school acceptance rates, the program was crafted with input from Michigan’s seven medical schools, who are actively seeking students with sustained, immersive experience in foreign cultures and medical systems.

“This experience opened my eyes to the world of health care in a way that no other could,” said student Andrew Johnson. “I was able to be at the forefront of medicine seeing all aspects of patient care, from when a patient came in to when they got examined to when they got into surgery, and during recovery.”

Students observed surgical procedures, including a C-section, and learned about Mexico’s health care system. They also took part in a skills lab that taught first aid, CPR, triage, suturing techniques, and other training.

“The program was entirely instructed in Spanish,” said student Sean Sellars. “For our final project, we each had to present a clinical case of a patient we saw during our rotations.” 

Johnson and Sellars enjoyed camaraderie with other students, as well as living with a local host family. 

“All the students both in my group and in the hospital were very kind and good people. I lived with a host mom who was the sweetest person on the planet,” Johnson said. “Even if my Spanish wasn't the greatest, we were still able to communicate well.”

During free time, students visited tourist attractions, including waterfalls, museums, archaeological sites, basilicas, and cathedrals.

“I learned so much about not only the culture but about myself,” said Sellars. “My time in the hospitals reaffirmed my career aspirations. The opportunities to immerse myself in Mexican culture were immensely valuable and amazing. The experiences and the lifelong friends I made were highlights of the trip.”

Johnson added: “One thing I noticed is that no matter where you go, health care is very similar. Every hospital has the same goal and that is to treat their patients. Having this multicultural experience has really opened me up to the world in a sense. I also have a greater understanding of medicine and look forward to pursuing my career.”

Students earned eight upper-level biology credits for participating in the Pre-Medical Studies in Puebla, Mexico. To learn more about study abroad opportunities, visit oakland.edu/ie/studyabroad or contact OU’s Office of International Education at (248) 370-2889 or ie@oakland.edu.