Author: Isabela Stoll | Major: Public Health | Semester: Summer 2025

Friends that became Family

I participated in the pre-medical program at UPAEP in Puebla, Mexico, for five weeks this summer. My desire for exposure to cultural experiences and understanding how different people connect has only grown throughout my childhood and into college. This has translated into my desire to study abroad in college. I grew up speaking Spanish with my mother’s side of the family, so I have been in many situations that require speaking in Spanish, and as I have grown up, I have learned the value of being bilingual. Now that I hope to work in the healthcare field, the value of knowing Spanish has only increased, and my desire to communicate effectively in medical scenarios has increased. As a result, I was encouraged by a Spanish faculty member to take classes at the University of Arkansas and apply for the Puebla program. With Dr. With Magnetti’s encouragement, I applied for the program and signed up for an Advanced Grammar class. While other health programs involve Spanish abroad, I knew that this experience in Mexico would provide a more honest perspective on global healthcare and that I would feel reconnected to my Mexican heritage. I was aware that if I did this program, my confidence in my Spanish and my desire to be a Physician’s Assistant would be more confirmed. Before I knew it, I was purchasing my flight to Mexico! Within the healthcare program, I got to observe doctors in private hospitals directly care for patients and perform surgeries, and received hands-on experience with the laboratory and lecture courses. One of my favorite moments was observing a C-section and watching a baby cry for the first time. It was truly miraculous and surreal to witness. As I watched the newborn baby girl get her initial examinations, I took so much pride in understanding how she was determined to be healthy, as I had been taught how newborns are examined in a lab the day before. As far as living and traveling in Mexico, there is a beautiful and rich pace of life that felt unmatched when we bounced from place to place. Whether I was riding the bus to campus and thentaking the long way home through the historic district to shop around at the markets, climbing the pyramids from pre-Hispanic eras, or eating mole poblano at an authentic restaurant with live music, it was easy to notice that the rush of life no longer took priority. I learned to value experience and presence at a given moment, long enough to appreciate it within the same moment. The home-cooked meals were made and shared with a genuine love that does not need to be translated. I appreciated the breath of fresh air that came from the rawness of the people of Mexico, which was worn in their smiles, their pain, their contentment, their honesty, and their deep love for family. My piece of advice for students who study abroad would be to make the most of your experience and say yes to as many of the activities, new foods, and places as possible. While it is intimidating to try to do things with people you may have just met, there is such a wonderful bond that is formed when you say yes