Short-Term Program Spotlight: Comparative Healthcare in Peru with Nebraska Wesleyan University
“Our program was designed perfectly for what we wanted. Trips such as this help me better understand the different backgrounds people come from worldwide. It’s invaluable to have the opportunity to immerse yourself in this way.” - NWU student Ellianna Hueftle
From September 15-October 15, the US observes Latinx Heritage Month, a time to celebrate the histories, cultures, and contributions of those with roots in Latin America. For nine students from Nebraska Wesleyan University, and their Faculty Leaders Brittney Fritzinger and Kristi McGuire, a recent week-long program in Peru offered a chance to connect with local Peruvians and the communities they visited.
The trip focused on a very specific topic: Comparative Healthcare. Students returned home not only with insight into the way healthcare works in Peru and how that compares to healthcare in the US, but also a better understanding of how healthcare can reflect a culture, history, and local values.
Led by EdOdyssey’s Regional Manager for Latin America, Luis García, the group began its adventures in Lima. In Peru’s capital city, the group explored the differences between private and community healthcare, learned about the country’s emergency medical care system, discussed the local approach to nutrition, and spent some time at a top medical school. They also traveled to Cusco to learn about the ongoing role of traditional medicine in local life.
"Luis Garcia is your biggest asset,” student Minduy Sabatka shared. “I experienced a very difficult medical situation, which he made bearable! There’s a mother hen occupying his spirit. I say this with all respect and affection…The support went well beyond anything I had anticipated.”
PROGRAM HIGHLIGHTS
Alongside delicious Peruvian food, traditional music, and discovering areas of Lima like Miraflores and Barranco, some trip highlights included:
VISITING A PRIVATE HEALTH CLINIC. One of our first activities took us into the world of private healthcare in Peru. We were welcomed to Clinica Delgado Auna where students were able to speak with local professionals. This is a clinic that has received Canadian International Accreditation, guaranteeing high standards of quality and health safety. It’s considered one of the best in Peru, and in Latin America generally, with excellent infrastructure, technology, and top medical staff. They have a wide range of specialties here from cardiology to gynaecology to ophthalmology and much more.
SPENDING A MORNING AT MEDICAL SCHOOL + A HORSE SHOW. For three hours the next day, students interacted with staff at Universidad Científica Del Sur, one of the top four universities in Peru. We visited the Villa Campus where Health Sciences are taught. Students enjoyed presentations in the labs and skills rooms where the use of some equipment was demonstrated. They even “met” Leonardo, a mannequin patient on which certain simulations are carried out as medical students practice skills like anaesthetics, for example. They were even shown the inside of an ambulance and learned how the different pieces of equipment inside function.
While we were here, we were treated to a special show at the Centro del Caballo Peruano de Paso, a part of the university that is dedicated to the Peruvian tradition of equestrian art, where they carry out research, offer workshops, and host a Peruvian riding course.
A POWERFUL EXPERIENCE IN VILLA EL SALVADOR. Villa El Salvador is a low-income, relatively autonomous urban area that began as a shanty town. It was created by people fleeing violence in the 1970s and now sprawls into the hills. It’s an area that faces a number of significant challenges. Here, we visited a community health clinic called Centro Médico Parroquial San Martín de Porres, where Aurora Lopez spoke to us about a different sort of care option available for those who can’t afford private clinics.
When asked in the post-program evaluation about the most powerful or memorable moment of the trip, student Madeline Hendrix-Jones wrote, “Many moments, but most of all getting the ‘background’ story from the local speaker at the community clinic, Aurora.”
Student Eden Schmit also agreed that this was one of the most memorable moments, writing, “Visiting the community health [center] was powerful. It was a shocking change from the private health area. The discrepancy between public and private healthcare is very challenging and upsetting to me. Coming from a very fortunate place, I could never imagine turning down a patient due to financial reasons or not having enough resources.”
In Villa El Salvador, we also visited Olla Común, a “comedor popular,” or soup kitchen, where the community gets together to offer very low-cost meals to people in need. Here, we talked about the importance of nutrition and what this means locally.
LEARNING ABOUT EMERGENCY HEALTHCARE. In the afternoon following our Villa El Salvador visit, we headed to El Servicio de Atención Médica de Urgencias (SAMU) in San Isidro, where we were shown around and taught about how emergency healthcare works in Peru. This service enables all people, including those with limited financial resources, to receive timely, quality assistance in the event of an emergency, wherever they are, quickly, efficiently, and free of charge.
UNDERSTANDING TRADITIONAL MEDICINE. At the end of our trip, we traveled to Cusco to see a different area of Peru as well as to learn about traditional medicine, myths, and beliefs with a guest speaker in Sacsayhuaman. Especially in the rural Andean communities, traditional medicine is still very much alive. Quechua-speaking healers (yatiris, paqos, or curanderos) bring ancestral knowledge into current health practices. Cusco’s San Pedro Market sells medicinal plants like muña for altitude sickness, eucalyptus for respiratory issues, and uña de gato (cat’s claw) for inflammation. Infusions and tinctures are often combined with spiritual rituals. Coca leaves are also popular for chewing or drinking in tea and have a deep cultural significance as a means of connecting with the spiritual world. While we learned, we also explored the Inca archaeological site of Sacsayhuaman, which overlooks the city of Cusco from a hill on the outskirts.
EXPLORING MACHU PICCHU. What is a trip to Peru without a visit to the iconic Machu Picchu? This was our last big adventure before heading back to Lima for the journey home.
LASTING IMPRESSIONS THAT EXTEND BEYOND THE TRIP
For Faculty Leader Kristie McGuire, the most powerful or memorable moment was “seeing the interactions between our students and the Peruvian people we met throughout the trip. The students asked excellent questions, and it was easy to tell how much they were learning. They were immersed in the culture, and it was a joy to witness.”
All but one student responded to our post-program evaluation, and we were thrilled to see that each and every one of them agreed that they:
Would recommend traveling with EdOdyssey to a friend
Developed a deeper understanding of the people, history, and culture of Peru
Felt connected to Peru, the people they met, and the communities they explored
Deepened their curiosity about what they are learning in the classroom and how it connects to a real-world context
Strengthened their sense of independence
Increased their confidence in navigating unfamiliar places or cultures
Reflected on what they enjoy learning and what they might want to study or do in the future
Will experience a lasting positive impact on their lives
Made meaningful connections or friendships with their peers during the program
“I saw independence, strength, and adaptability within myself,” student Eden Schmit shared. “I also found myself branching out and broadening my relationships.”
FROM PERU TO PRACTICE: GLOBAL LEARNING SHAPING LOCAL IMPACT
The Latino population in the US is now at almost 20%, and is expected to grow to nearly 27% by 2060, according to the US Census Bureau projections. This trip gave students a cultural lens through which to understand healthcare differently, deepen empathy, and build context that will translate to their professional lives in the US when they interact with and care for patients from Latino communities during the course of their careers.
“I furthered my understanding of the importance of connection with the people I work with,” student Sophia Irvine wrote. “I am more aware of the experiences my Latin American clients may have, and I am better equipped to approach them and provide culturally sensitive care.”
CREATE A SHORT-TERM PROGRAM WITH US
There’s incredible value in traveling with your students—for everyone involved.
Students benefit academically (earning credits with experiential learning at the forefront of their program), personally (gaining confidence, independence, better problem-solving abilities, and a clearer worldview), socially (building community and strengthening friendships), and professionally (adding new skills and knowledge related to their field of study, cross-cultural competence, and inspiration to reflect on future career goals).
Your school benefits too by a boost in reputation, gaining a competitive edge when it comes to attracting students who are interested in global experiences, improved student outcomes and retention rates, and, of course, also offering opportunities for faculty development.
If you’re considering a short-term travel program for your students, start a conversation. We’d love to hear from you.
