Since the MSUCOM curriculum does not have as much patient interaction, this opportunity has allowed me to learn about medicine, patient care, Peruvian culture, and myself on this program. In the short ten days in Iquitos and the surrounding Amazon, I had to think on my feet, integrate knowledge from my courses, be resourceful, learn a lot of medical Spanish, and work on my clinical decision-making.

As someone who grew up on low-income insurance, I've always been passionate about working with underserved medical communities. Witnessing firsthand the long wait times, lack of empathy, and severe physician shortage in these communities continually inspires me in my studies. As a doctor, I would like to work closely with social workers and leaders to support and lift the community as a doctor.

Volunteering in Peru and meeting with community leaders such as Father Raymundo gave me a much clearer picture of what is needed to achieve this dream of mine. Although our clinic was bare-bones and lacked imaging, medication, and specialists, we worked hard to find what the patients needed and meet that need.

I recall one of my patients with chronic lower back pain, which he said was rarely relieved with medications. On two hastily pushed-together tables in the hull of our boat, I performed OMM on the patient's back. Little by little, I could feel the tension in his lower back melt away as the muscles softened and relaxed. I remembered his brilliant smile when I asked with choppy Spanish if his back felt better. Even though we did not have the best equipment on the river, I used my hands and knowledge to relieve his back pain.

I am incredibly grateful for the lessons I've learned and the patients I've seen while studying in Peru -- these experiences will stay with me for the rest of my medical career.

Name: Sunshine Liu
Status: Graduate
Major: Osteopathic Medicine
Hometown: Richmond, BC, Canada
Program: Global Health: Peru - Clinical Immersion