FAQ
Student FAQ
Is it safe in Peten?
The house is located in a gated suburban San Benito community where other physicians reside. The house is surrounded by a cement wall with barbed wire. It is very peaceful except for the morning roosters.
All food and bottled water is purchased at Maxi Bodega which is similar to Walmart in quality control.
Flores is safe both day and night.
A very trustworthy chauffer is available on staff.
All trips outside of Flores are as safe as in any developing country.
What is the Mission House like?
Sleeping arrangements
Separate Men’s and Women’s bedrooms. Primarily students will be sleeping there, on occasion a visitor will be accommodated
Wireless Internet
Wifi available in the house for personal laptop. 3 in house computers available. Internet is satellite based and can be slow or non
functional in thunderstorms. Multi-channel cable television is available.
Meals
Prepared Monday – Saturday by in-house cook. Kitchen available for cooking at any time. Meals are optional if students want to dine out.
Faculty and Staff have rooms separate from students. Exercise area with basketball court and sun room are available.
Laundry
Done by housekeeper most days of the week
Is there free time?
Count on one 3-4 day weekend to travel to Belize or somewhere in country usually by bus.
Other weekends include Saturday and Sunday available for nearby day trips.
During the week there is minimal free time. After a full daily schedule evenings are spent watching movies about Guatemala, preparing for Jornadas, logging patient data into the computer and working on a creative project
Is Spanish proficiency mandatory?
Proficiency in Spanish is recommended but not required. Spanish classes are held 3 afternoons weekly and the teacher is excellent – rapidly progressing all levels of Spanish to higher levels of understanding and competency in Medical Spanish. In most clinics and the National Hospital there are English speaking physicians and health care promoters.
For Jornadas and other patient encounters Spanish proficient students are paired with Spanish learners and there is a Spanish translator for Q’eqchi.
What is a Jornada?
A Jornada is an overnight stay in a remote village providing medical care to indigenous patients who have no nearby health facilities a jornada consists of packing up numerous medical supplies and then driving up to 3 hours on terrible roads to the village. After spending the day seeing patients, students generally walk in the village or swim in nearby rivers. All mealsl consist of tortilla, beans, and eggs. Sleeping conditions vary from native homes to dormitories but mosquito netting is provided.
What type of clinical problems are encountered?
Medical problems you will see and treat- Parasites, worms, gastritis, diabetes, ptyerigium, ashtma, allergy, headaches and total body aches.
Problems you may encounter: Malnutrition, cataracts, leprosy, syphilis, gonorrhea, retained placenta, ectopic pregnancy, fractures, dengue, vivax malaria, spina bifida, skull fracture with csf leakage
Interested students may spend more time in the operating room at the National Hospital involved in Orthopedic, Plastic Surgery, OB-Gyn, or Anesthesia..
What is the typical day like?( see schedule)
8am-12pm
Clincial experience in National Hospital OR or local clinics
2-4:30pm
Spanish class at the local airconditioned Burger King
6:30pm
Dinner and sharing of clinical experiences or preparing for jornada
Who is Hermano Martin?
Martin is a Catholic Maryknoll brother who has dedicated his life to caring for the Guatemalan refugees. He exudes goodness. He is a reflective soul who encourages you to do the same in the form of a creative project. The purpose of the project is to find a creative way to express your month long journey – it could a poem, a short essay, photographs, narrative, drawing- something with personal meaning.
How and when do I begin to enroll in the program?
In May of Junior Year you will be advised by the Office of Student Affairs of a 4th year elective in Guatemala between January and June of Senior Year.In order to apply your must complete the International Service Elective Package and submit the it to the Office of Records and Registration. You must indicate two preferences for a date of month in length.Attach a statement fo 200 words explaining your interest in the elective. The deadline for applications is June 30th of Junior Year.
