Sarah Shorter 8/7/20 Sarah Shorter 8/7/20

Understanding Why Medical Spanish and Hispanic Cultural Knowledge Matters in Healthcare

The need for Spanish speaking professionals continues to rise, and students and professionals who want to prepare for the future of healthcare will require training that combines language, culture and best practices. The Latinx Patient: Spanish and Culture for Healthcare program will be taught online by Peruvian professionals. They will fuse learning of critical Spanish vocabulary related to the medical field with cultural contextualization of Latin American immigrant populations in the U.S.

When you combine language learning with cultural modules, you develop a wider context that will help you continue developing into a more well rounded professional. If you are or want to become a physician, health care professional, social worker, and/or a professional prepared to best handle the needs of Spanish-speaking patients, this program is perfect for you.

Possessing knowledge surrounding Latin American and Latinx culture enables students to better interact with and support non-English speakers, particularly including immigrants and those of Latin American heritage. During the program, you’ll learn more about how medical care improves from a holistic understanding of the patient, and how YOU can be an integral part of such care.

EdOdyssey_SS_Photo1.2_MedSpanPatients.png

LATINO POPULATION GROWTH IN THE U.S.

A key goal of The Latinx Patient: Spanish and Culture for Healthcare program is to provide students with the knowledge and preliminary resources to best serve patients or clients who are part of the growing Spanish-speaking population in the United States. While the annual growth of the Hispanic population in the US has slowed since 2015, “Latinos remain an important part of the nation’s overall demographic story”, making up about 18% of the total U.S. population, according to PEW research.

The knowledge you learn during this course will help you best serve, and work with, this diverse and growing population. From triage vocabulary to practice restating symptoms to ensure clarity of communication, to learning about common illnesses among hispanic patients, you will expand your knowledge in a breadth of directions.

EdOdyssey_SS_Photo2.2_MedSpanishPatient.png

NEEDS OF LATINX & IMMIGRANT PATIENTS

In a publication by UMASS Medical school about cross-cultural initiatives, it states that “in many situations, it is not just a language barrier that needs to be breached. Different cultures have different expectations and requirements when it comes to health care,” according to Migration Policy. Health care providers that have background knowledge of different cultures and customs, in addition to Spanish fluency, will best be able to cross common barriers between patient and provider.

Imperative to the administration of high quality health care is accurate communication and the creation of trust between healthcare professionals and patients. Patients need to feel understood and that their values and identity are valued. Spanish speaking patients may struggle getting their needs, pain, and overall message across to those caring for them, resulting in potentially dangerous miscommunications.

BEST PRACTICES FOR IMMIGRANT AND SPANISH-SPEAKING PATIENTS

Immigrants, including undocumented immigrants and refugees, live unique realities which result in specific challenges. Some immigrants may not know the extent of their rights or how the U.S. healthcare system functions.

Healthcare professionals need to be aware of these specific needs and challenges in order to best care for these populations. Some key knowledge of Latin American culture and medicine can play an important role in understanding and caring for patients with such backgrounds.

Medical practitioners and professionals working in healthcare-related fields must enable their patients to understand all aspects of their care, treatment, etc., so that they can make well informed decisions regarding their health care. Professionals interacting with hispanic populations in health-related circumstances also face language and cultural barriers that can be obstacles which prevent people from being able to make informed decisions for themselves.

CULTURAL COMPETENCY IN HEALTHCARE

Within UMASS Medical School’s same publication, they argue that “in our diverse world, ensuring that people with limited English competency or specific cultural requirements have access to quality health care is an obligation for all health care providers,” according to Migration Policy. The EdOdyssey Medical Spanish course will help you help the healthcare field move toward providing quality health care for all.

Feeling understood by a doctor or other healthcare provider who speaks Spanish and has relevant knowledge of Latin American culture, will likely result in the patient or client feeling comfortable and trusting doctors and professionals to do their job.

WHY MEDICAL SPANISH?

This program will enable students to learn from and with other excited students, as well as native Spanish speakers with experience in the medical field. Luis Garcia, a LSA Qualified Medical Interpreter, and EdOdyssey’s study abroad cultural advisor in Lima, Peru, will guide students through the cultural module of the program.

Combined with language learning through El Sol Spanish Language School, based in Lima, Peru, the cultural course will help students gain a broader cultural understanding of how one’s culture, background, beliefs, and language affect the healthcare that they receive or need.

Upon completion of the course, we hope that students feel inspired to continue serving others, particularly those who may face great challenges due to a lack of English-proficiency. More generally, this course aims to inspire students to work toward bettering themselves and the healthcare field through Spanish language acquisition and cultural competency.

Want to learn more about this program?

Explore Here

Amanda Lowrey 7/2/20 Amanda Lowrey 7/2/20

3 Important Travel Lessons From Inspiring TED Talks

Life lessons found through travel focus on being in the present moment and immersing oneself in the real world. The personal takeaways when one is able to expand on curiosity, live simply, appreciate another culture, and even befriend a stranger takes lessons home and allow the rest of the world to learn as well.

The featured quotes from TED talks, including Pico Iyer, Rick Steves, Robin Esrock, shed light on the perspectives gained from people who have changed the world and show us how travel gives us the power to learn from them as students, educators, and fellow travelers!

1. DEFINING WHERE HOME IS

Best-selling author, Pico Iyer, is a contributor to more than 200 newspapers and magazines worldwide. In 2013, Iyer discussed the meaning of home when traveling abroad at TEDGlobal.

“And for more and more of us, home has really less to do with a piece of soil than, you could say, with a piece of soul.”

The word, “home”, has a plethora of meanings, even for one individual. As we move throughout our life, home is also relocated because it becomes a part of us. As travelers, there are aspects of “home”, that we may miss, partly due to the fact that “home” is a comfort, while “travel” may not always be comfortable. But “home” is a part of our nature, our identity, our being, and our life. Even elements of “home” include cultural connection.

“And I've always felt that the beauty of being surrounded by the foreign is that it slaps you awake. You can't take anything for granted. Travel, for me, is a little bit like being in love, because suddenly all your senses are at the setting marked "on." Suddenly you're alert to the secret patterns of the world.”

Iyers makes a great point about the beauty of foreign culture. As we travel, we gain a larger perspective about how the rest of the world operates. This transformative experience becomes a lesson in itself, because every moment abroad is an opportunity to learn about “foreign” differences and appreciate the past as it relates to the future. Cultures experienced affect our present and future, when it allows for personal development.

“Where you come from now is much less important than where you're going. More and more of us are rooted in the future or the present tense as much as in the past. And home, we know, is not just the place where you happen to be born. It's the place where you become yourself.”

The quote above offers interesting food-for-thought. Since travel is about living in the present moment, Iyers’ point about home being where you become yourself is really inspiring. Who wouldn’t want to find a piece of themselves on an international journey? When we return with newly discovered aspects of ourselves, they also become a piece of “home”. Home can be a physical location, or a certain atmosphere may evoke a feeling that makes a person appreciative.

“And home, in the end, is of course not just the place where you sleep. It's the place where you stand.”

2. FINDING THE VALUE IN TRAVEL

Rick Steves, American travel writer, best-selling author, activist, and host of a weekly radio has a popular travel column and free travel information available online. In 2011, Steves spoke at TEDxRainier to deliver his perspective on thoughtful travel experiences.

“And when I’m traveling I love this whole idea that travel connects us with culture. When I am traveling I find that there are different slices of culture that I never realized people could be evangelical about. Cheese, for instance. You go to France and they’re crazy about cheese!”

In a humorous way, Steves mentioned how certain realizations might not ever occur without traveling. In numerous countries, there are popular dishes, activities, specific interests, and values that influence the visit. Through exploration and meaningful engagement, we can find out how interconnected we truly are with each other, while discovering what makes the country unique.

“It’s people that really make your experience vital. That’s the mark of a good trip. And it doesn’t need to be like earth-shaking encounters, they can be just silly encounters.”

People make a difference! Steves mentions how encounters with others are critical to one’s experience abroad. Asking questions, saying hello, and getting to know a little of someone else’s story, will open up reflection for your own! It doesn’t matter how grand of a conversation it was, even the smallest conversations offer loads of encouragement and impact. These conversations might even spark inspiration or shift a perspective.

“And then I traveled and I realized we have the American dream, that’s a great thing, but other people have their own dream. Norwegians have the Norwegian dream. Bulgarians have the Bulgarian dream. These people have the Sri Lankan dream. Travel wallops my ethnocentricity, and I’m very thankful for that. It’s something to celebrate. Our dream is beautiful, but so is theirs.”

This is something Steves said that was very encouraging, and so true. Every single person in this world has a story, a dream, and a goal. No matter where we come from, we can all connect to the fact that there are areas in life we aspire to reach. Ethnocentricity, in this instance, is referred to the idea that one’s culture is superior to another. When we travel, we remove those judgements, because we come to realize how amazing the opportunity to celebrate, dream, and travel with each other really is.

3. TRAVELING TO LEARN

Robin Esrock, a travel writer and host of World Travels, completed a 46 country adventure. The show filmed in 36 countries and Esrock has asked over a thousand people about their lives. In 2013, Esrock had visited 107 countries on 6 continents and shared his great story at TEDxVancouver.

“I once asked 1,732 people from 46 countries in every conceivable background, three questions about their lives. One of the questions was ‘Finish the sentence: I regret …” The most universal, common answer that I received was “I regret not traveling more.’”

It’s notable to add that those interviewed by Esrock in numerous countries, felt that their experiences abroad were lacking. Even a shorter time abroad can provide value to an individual. From an academic perspective, “approximately one in 10 U.S. students study abroad during their undergraduate career” (USA Study Abroad). Studying abroad is an unbelievable chance to travel the world, while gaining an education. For those who have already graduated, even volunteering or going abroad solo might be attainable. In short, some of us might consider alleviating that future regret, by traveling now.

“Smiling, there’s something about smiling that just projects warmth and honesty, I call it kind eyes, you see it all the time, it’s just like a softening of the soul, it’s why we love traveling in places like Africa and India, even though it can be very challenging. The locals that we meet, the people we meet, they disarm us with their warmth, with their friendliness, you know, with their appreciation, life’s basic pleasures.”

This was a great point made by Esrock about appreciating friendliness. So often, we visit a city, feel rushed or out-of-place, and might not make the effort to connect with the locals. Connecting doesn’t have to be verbal, a smile or even eye contact goes a long way, because it is exchanged as acknowledgement of each other. At the end of the day, we are all the same, and many times, there is a purpose for those you meet abroad.

“And here’s one of the best lessons that I learned, people you meet create the paradise you find.”

In connection with Steves’ past point, Esrock spends time during his TED talk to describe his own encounters with locals and travelers from all areas in the world. Those we meet and connect with will have long-lasting effects on our mindsets and overall comfortability while abroad, and at home. Why miss out on having friends all over the world?

“So I came out here and said I’m going to teach you how to travel. I say, “Well, don’t panic!” Surround yourself with good people, and just know that people will rather help you than hurt you. Listen to your instinct, smile, and, you know, before you go on any journey, make sure you pack the right state of mind, whether or not you’re traveling, whether you’re staying at home. And okay, don’t forget your toothbrush.”

Esrock closed his talk with useful advice. The two words that he said have helped him out in the craziest moments were, “Don’t panic”. Now, panic is natural, but the idea to accept help and trust your gut is a fantastic tip when traveling abroad. He even added in a few packing pointers - pack the correct mindset to enjoy your time!

We hope these takeaways encourage you to think about places you’d like to visit or even study in! All three talks can fuel your own wanderlust before preparing for an epic journey abroad!

For more insight on how travel impacts your life, check out our past blog on "Three Areas in Life Where Travel Benefits Your Future"!

Sources

Esrock, Robin. “Learn to Travel -- Travel to Learn: TEDxVancouver.” YouTube, YouTube, Feb. 2013, www.youtube.com/watch?v=S0TemlxiMdw&feature=emb_title.

Robin Esrock: Official Website

Iyer, Pico. “Where Is Home?” TEDGlobal, TED, June 2013, www.ted.com/talks/pico_iyer_where_is_home.

Pico Iyer: Official Website

Steves, Rick. “The Value of Travel: TEDxRainier.” YouTube, YouTube, Dec. 2011, www.youtube.com/watch?v=kYXiegTXsEs.

Rick Steves: Official Website

“U.S. Study Abroad Continues to Increase and Diversify.” U.S. Department of State, U.S. Department of State, 28 Mar. 2019, studyabroad.state.gov/value-study-abroad/highlights-and-activities/us-study-abroad-continues-increase-and-diversify.

Luis García 4/26/20 Luis García 4/26/20

Five Facts About Peru That You Might Not Know

You may have heard about Machu Picchu and the Incas, or important Peruvian dishes, such as Cebiche (seafood dish) and Lomo Saltado (traditional Peruvian stir-fry), but what other elements make this fascinating country in South America so unique? In today’s blog, we will be sharing a few fun facts with you about Peru!

How much do you know about Peru?

There are 90 different micro-climates in Peru

Because of our varied geography, Peru features the coast, highlands, jungle and rainforest all inside its territory. This means Peru has all kinds of elevation in its terrain, from sea level to 6757 meters above sea level in Huaraz. Different altitudes means a wide variety of microclimates, which provides an abundance in both flora and fauna, referring to plant and animal life.

The Incas knew this, and experimented with micro-climatization in the archaeological site of Moray, a multi-level agricultural site in Peru. The Incas would plant the same type of seeds at different altitudes of the circular depressions, which would yield different results!

The Amazon rainforest covers about 60% of Peru

We don’t yet know all of the species that live there! The vast density of the rainforest makes it so difficult to traverse that few expeditions venture into it. That is why every year new species are discovered, from small to large. One of its territories called Madre de Dios (mother of god) is believed to have received this name because of the diversity of species that had its origin there.

Peru has three official languages: Spanish, Quechua & Aymara

Yes! Quechua is also known as the language that unified the Inca empire. Originally called Runasimi, “the language of the people”, Quechua has many dialects on its own and so different among each other that someone from Cusco will have a difficult time chatting with their neighbors in Ayacucho, and they both speak Quechua!

Aymara is the language that is mostly spoken in the highlands of Puno and south-eastern Peru. Being an official language means the government has made efforts to provide information in all three languages to the Peruvian population. So next time you are in Lima, tune in to Channel 7’s TV Peru, and you’ll be able to hear the news in Spanish, Quechua and Aymara!

Lima is home to Peruvian gastronomy

If you ever plan on taking a cross-country trip through Peru, you will quickly learn that you could have a completely different meal each day and not necessarily find the same options in other locations! Diversity is shown through gastronomy, and Peruvians are quite passionate about their love for cuisine.

In Peru, food is closely related to identity, and depending on where within the Peruvian territory you are, you will find they have a signature meal. From Comida Criolla in Lima, to Cuy Chaqtado in Cusco, to Rocoto Relleno in Arequipa, you will find Peruvian food in a restaurant near you!

Three-quarters of the 10 million alpacas around the world live in Peru

Needless to say, we know each and every one of them… by name. Just kidding! However, we do keep track of them because they have been declared an endangered species.

Alpaca wool is so fine and high-quality that it’s sought by luxury brands to make all sorts of garments for winter. The alpaca’s cousin, Vicuña, is also an endangered species because their wool is the highest quality fiber within the animal world. Garments made with Vicuña can be sold for as high as ten thousand U.S. Dollars!

Did you know any of these facts about Peru? Are there any others you have heard of or know from your trips to this wonderful country? Tell us about it! To get to know Peru in more detail, read our past blog, “Understanding The Keys of Peruvian Culture: Landscape and Diversity”!

Learn more about studying abroad in Peru with EdOdyssey!