Puebla Personal Statement

Personal Statement
I want to study abroad in Puebla, México because I want to become fluent in my native language and work in the medical field. I come from a Hispanic background, yet my Spanish speaking abilities are deficient in certain areas. For my studies at Notre Dame, I am pursuing a supplementary major in Spanish, to improve my grammar and speaking skills, in addition to pursuing a pre-medical degree in hopes of becoming a doctor. For these reasons, the UPAEB program is exactly what I need for my academic as well as personal advancement: immersion, internship, and required classes. A major reason why I'm applying to the Puebla program as oppose to the other science sites is because of its location. All of my Spanish professors have

Furthermore, the program in Puebla offers a unique component that will help my future goal of medical service in Latin America. The practicum “Theory and Practice of Mexican Medicine” will give me insight and experience from lectures pertaining to health care in Mexico and from shadowing Mexican doctors in public hospitals. Moreover, Puebla offers Physics I and lab, which is a core requirement for my major, in addition to other science/health classes such as Public Health and Histology and upper level Spanish classes. At Puebla, I would be able to stay on track with my majors’ requirements as well as receive the much needed intensive Spanish immersion. Not only would I develop linguistically and academically at Puebla, I would experience personal development by traveling independently abroad for the first time and connecting with my Hispanic heritage. My time abroad would further my development as both a

After graduation, I plan on taking a gap year to earn experience working in the medical/research field and/or engaging in volunteer services, geared towards children. I have begun investigating organizations such as the Peace Corps, Cross-Cultural Solutions, Red Cross, and others with gap year programs to better understand the options available. I wish to serve in a Latin American country and work with children since this is what I hope to do during my medical career. I want to work in Latin America for some time because of the connection and passion I feel for the region, leading me with the desire to help serve this region, which has given me so much culturally. Furthermore, I am aware of the hardship that the people in these countries face, especially the children, and I want to assist them medically or in any way possible during my gap year. In addition, I have looked at other programs within the United States, such as AmeriCorps, to find opportunities within the country to work in medical or science services. I have also started exploring programs such as ACE and Teach For America that allow me to work with children, since I hope to work in pediatrics, in areas such as math, science and/or literature. Moreover, during my gap year, I will strive to perfect my Spanish skills as well as