Outside of the coursework in my program, I came to Senegal with the expectations of both personal and professional growth through complete immersion in the culture, language, and community. Before stepping foot at the JFK airport, with butterflies in my stomach, I was ready to welcome every moment of culture shock as opportunities to build my strength, adaptability, and awareness.
Despite fourteen moves as a military dependent, this was my first time traveling abroad (shocking, right?). I was no stranger to being the “new kid” in unfamiliar territory, but I hoped this journey would push me far outside my typical comfort zone of discomfort. I acknowledged that staying with a host family who does not speak English and may hold different values and traditions would require me to be more open-minded and flexible. Also, it would make me better at nodding and pretending that I always understood what was going on. I was eager to break away from my strict routines and allow new relationships, traditions, and ways of life to shift my perspective and taste buds.
Professionally, this program aligns with my long-term goal of working with Doctors Without Borders (MSF) as a nurse anesthetist. MSF operates in 29 African countries and many of these countries are French-speaking. I studied French in middle and high school, earning a Certificate of Biliteracy. However, it has been four years since I spoke French regularly. So, I could not wait to test my extremely rough French skills in daily life, knowing that I really only sounded fluent when reciting Stromae songs. In addition, I dreamt that learning Wolof would bring me one step closer to becoming polylingual and better prepared to work in global healthcare settings.
I was also excited to explore their traditional medicine practices to better understand how culture shapes care. Doctors Without Borders values nurses who are knowledgeable in tropical medicine and adaptable in international settings. This experience would give me an introduction to both. Even if my career goals shifts, I knew that I would return from this program with a better understanding of culturally competent, holistic care for patients from all backgrounds.
Over all, I knew that this experience would do more than earn credits toward my Honors Degree and Global Health Certificate. It would shape the kind of nurse and global citizen I become.
