September 2014 - Scholarship Recipient

September 2014
Lima & Arequipa, Peru
Medical Mission

When I wake up each morning, I take a moment to ponder whether my participation in a medical service trip to Peru was a dream. Honestly, it seems way too good to be true; that exactly one month ago, I was boarding a plane destined for Lima. During the entire flight, however, I was so tense and apprehensive. Perhaps it was the fact that I didn’t speak a single word of Spanish, or maybe it was the uncertainty of traveling to a new, and unfamiliar foreign continent. Regardless, I soon realized that I had indeed made the right decision in joining the program. 

Compared to other very similar organizations, iHelp Globally not only gave me the opportunity to help those who are in dire need, but it also allowed me to immerse myself in cultures that I would not have otherwise been able to explore on my own. Personally, learning about the history of the communities we visited allowed me to better understand the hardships that our patients faced. All in all, it enhanced the overall experience, as well as reinforced the underlying principles of the program. It is this dualistic nature of the program that distinguishes iHelp Globally from other seemingly identical organizations. 

In retrospect, while my decision to partake in the medical service trip to Peru with iHelp Globally was spontaneous, the program was, without a doubt, the most rewarding and satisfying experience that I have had the opportunity of being a part of. iHelp Globally helped solidify my aspirations in pursuing a career in healthcare, and I hope that I can continue participating in medical service trips in the future. I truly believe that if people are willing to take the initiative to meet us halfway, we have a duty and obligation to help them in any way that we can. So whether it is with or without iHelp Globally, I would still strongly encourage others to go out and help those in need, (Nicholas Fung, UCD 2014)."