VOLUNTEER EXPERIENCE 2006

Subject:   Report of Spanish studies and medical voluntary work

Date:       June 5^th to July 7^th

Student:  Mario Morin

During the summer of 2006, I have had the pleasure of studying Spanish at the “Zamora ” &  “GuateSplendida Cultural-Educational Tours & Social Work Opportunities” arranged my volunteer Work Placement So I also had the pleasure of working in the laboratories of the Hospital Nacional Hermano Pedro for a period of 7 weeks.  These two experiences allowed me to acquire novel knowledge in a multitude of fields, such as language skills, medical theory and practice, Guatemalan politics, current social events, and local values and perspectives. 

 Learning Spanish at the “Zamora” was fun and very convenient.  Everyone in the school was incredibly friendly and helpful.  The classes consisted of one-on-one interactions with an instructor, where I would be able to practice theoretical linguistics and practice conversation skills afterwards with constant support and correction from the teacher.  The teaching methods were also very effective and entertaining.  When I arrived in Antigua, I did not know any Spanish, and after 4 weeks, I was able to have full conversations in Spanish.  To complement my learning at the school, I stayed with a local family and also volunteered in a Hospital.  By doing so, I was able to learn a lot about social issues and perspectives.  I feel that I have accomplished a lot with the help of the team at Zamora.

 Under the supervision first of Sandy Santiz - Renata and of great co-workers at the Hospital Nacional Hermano Pedro, I have learnt a wide range of practical and theoretical knowledge in the medical field.  Before arriving to Antigua, I had just finished a M.Sc. in Biochemistry (Ottawa, Canada).  During my graduate studies, I have worked a great deal in laboratories, but my experience in the laboratories of the hospital in Antigua was positively different.  I was able to interact directly with patients (in Spanish of course) and gain a great deal of practical and theoretical knowledge in many areas of hospital laboratories, such as biochemistry, hematology, serology, blood bank, microbiology, urology, coprology.  The team in the laboratories was incredibly friendly and willing to help me throughout my experience.  I am certain that this experience will give me a great head start on my studies of medicine, which I will begin in September.

 My stay in Antigua has allowed me to learn much about the great country of Guatemala, but also about myself.  I owe much to my new friends and teachers at “Zamora” and Sandy Santiz “GuateSplendida Cultural-Educational Tours & Social Work Opportunities”and at the Hospital Nacional Hermano Pedro.  It was truly an amazing experience.

 Thanks to all for making this the best experience possible!

** Mario Morin M.D. Candidate (Ottawa, Canada), MSc Biochemistry (idem) B.Sc. Biochemistry (idem)  Telephone:  1-613-884-0782

e-mail:  sandrickssh@hotmail.com  or  mmorin1@hotmail.com